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Official Gibson SG Buyers Guide 2023 - Original, Modern & NEW Custom Color Series SG

Gibson

collapse expand iconDescription

The Gibson SG Standard electric guitar, with its infamous "devil horns," debuted in 1961 as the first double-cut offering from the renowned purveyors of the Les Paul. Then headed by Ted McCarty, Gibson responded to the growing popularity of double-cut instruments by introducing the Solid Guitar (SG). A truly versatile classic, the present-day SG Standard embodies the looks and features associated with highly sought-after late ’60s models, including a rounded neck profile, rosewood fingerboard and solid mahogany body. Gibson “Modern Classic” 490 humbuckers lace the SG with iconic P.A.F. thickness, singing sustain and the power to drive. The Gibson SG Standard honors a legacy of profound innovation—a future-proof double cut recalling the guitar’s everlasting prime.

Gibson SG Standard Body

Late ’60s Style

The Gibson SG Standard rocks the classic late ’60s aesthetic—an iteration of the guitar preferred by countless players. A traditional appointment is the "batwing," 5-ply semi-symmetrical pickguard, which is an identifiable feature of Solid Guitars from that period. Over the years, the shape and size of SG pickguards evolved, though it’s the one inherited from 1968 that’s perhaps the most recognizable. This style of plate is mounted to the SG Standard’s extensively chiseled mahogany body that’s lightweight, comfortable and capable of soaring sustain.

Gibson SG Standard Pickups

Gibson 490R/490T Pickups

Outfitted with a set of Gibson 490 humbuckers, the SG Standard handles divergent genres with confidence. The 490R neck position harkens back to early P.A.F. pickups, delivering the same richness, clarity and dynamic sensitivity found in those legendary windings. Minimizing hum with higher-gain amps, the 490R accomplishes the same tones that rock and blues guitarists originally took to decades ago. In the bridge, an aggressively hot 490T serves as an essential complement to the more vintage-flavored rhythm humbucker. Its searing sound suits heavy styles with ease, emphasizing chord definition and lead-line vocality. The 490T is also incredibly responsive to pick attack and volume roll-off, contributing to its versatility—particularly when paired with the 490R.

Gibson SG Standard Controls

Classic Hardware

Setting off its timeless looks are black "top hat" volume and tone knobs with silver reflectors. These give the Gibson SG Standard an additional air of vintage nostalgia, staying true to early design choices that feel as contemporary today as they did at the close of the 1960s. Chrome-plated aluminum accoutrements further stylize the SG Standard, standing out against the black backdrops provided by its pickguard and headstock. While there were many experimental revisions of the Solid Guitar, the representative model is the late ’60s Gibson SG Standard.

Gibson SG Standard Neck and Headstock

Vintage-Playing Neck

The SG Standard comes with a rounded mahogany neck that meets the body at the 19th fret. Its bound rosewood fingerboard features a workhorse 12" radius with exceptionally low action that aids in fretting and movement. Evident upon first picking up a Standard, the rounded neck is as natural in the hand as they come, suited to guitar players of all tastes and preferences, and acrylic trapezoid inlays help lead the way. The Gibson SG is a no-frills music machine embodying the essence of the electric guitar with its effervescent simplicity.  

Guitarists don’t have to track down a vintage model to enjoy the benefits of an iconic Gibson SG Standard. Tracing this guitar’s lineage to one of music’s most celebrated eras, the SG Standard, with its definitive look and feel, is here to stay. If you’ve ever thought an SG wasn’t your style, you might be surprised by just how welcoming and versatile these instruments are. Don’t just take our word for it—get your hands on a Gibson SG Standard at your local Guitar Center.

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Nitro-finished solid mahogany body
  • 24.75"-scale mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard
  • Dual Gibson 490 '61 humbuckers, 3-way switch
  • Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge, stopbar tailpiece, Grover Rotomatic tuners

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body shape: Double cutaway
  • Body type: Solidbody
  • Body material: Solid wood
  • Body wood: Mahogany
  • Body finish: Gloss
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Rounded 
  • Neck wood: Mahogany
  • Joint: Set-in
  • Scale length: 24.75"
  • Truss rod: Standard
  • Neck finish: Gloss
Fingerboard
  • Material: Rosewood
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fret size: Medium-jumbo
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Trapezoid
  • Nut width/material: 1.69" (43 mm) Graph Tech
Pickups
  • Configuration: HH
  • Neck: 490R
  • Bridge: 490T
  • Brand: Gibson
  • Active or passive pickups: Passive
  • Series or parallel: Parallel
Controls
  • Control layout: Volume 1, volume 2, tone 1, tone 2
  • Pickup switch: 3-way
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Fixed
  • Bridge design: Tune-O-Matic
  • Tailpiece: Stopbar
  • Tuning machines: Grover Rotomatic
  • Color: Chrome
Other
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Case: Soft shell case
  • Country of origin: United States

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.69

35 Reviews

97%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

29544031211
Gibson SG Ebony
Excellent guitar!
Finish flaws and rough fret
Finish flaws and rough fret
No quality control issues
No quality control issues
No quality control issues
I would definitely buy another one just like this
Quality Off The Scale
Definitely one of my favorite Gibsons, this SG Rocks!
Definitely one of my favorite Gibsons, this SG Rocks!
What a fabulous guitar!!!!!🤠👍

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Excellent guitar!

I went in to guitar center this evening with full intention of purchasing a Les Paul studio. I currently own a very nice Les Paul traditional special edition which I love in every way! But because of its cost I've been very careful with it, which results in me not playing it as often as I'd like. My solution was to get the Les Paul studio that would give me the tone and feel that I was looking for without the tendency to treat it like a newborn. I played a very nice Les Paul studio which was a great guitar, but in the end I still felt like something was missing. I was just about to leave when I spotted an SG standard and I thought why not give this a go. Honestly it felt superior to the studio to me. The neck felt better and the clarity felt better. It just clicked when I played it. I'm not a professional, but I have been playing for 20 years now and I feel like I've gained some perspective on guitars. The Les Paul studio felt like a different guitar than my traditional. I wish it didn't. The SG was just what I was looking for! It has an awesome edge to it. It screams with distortion and sounds excellent clean as well. The neck feels great and it just feels like there isn't anything to complain about. It may end up being my go to over the Les Paul! Everything is just as it should be. I love it. No regrets!

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Finish flaws and rough fret

I bought this guitar from the Florence KY location yesterday. The set up was awful. I had to intonate, set action and I spent 3 hours setting it because the neck relief had to be adjusted severaI times was told that it set up to spec and after getting home and measuring it was no where close to spec. Upon setting it up I found several finish flaws and a fret that was so rough that I could get my fingernail to catch on it. I returned it today to an employee who was combative and dismissive when I tried to inform him about the issues I found with it. If you're going to sell an almost 2k guitar make sure it's set up properly and do some QC checking before you just throw it on the wall. Frankly it should have never left Gibsons' factory in that condition.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming24
  2. Practicing23
  3. Recording19
  4. Rock Concerts14
  5. Small Venues12
Cons
  1. Craftsmanship2
  2. No set up1
  3. Poor Pick Up1
  4. Salesman provided less than satisfactory service1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced22
  2. Novice6
  3. Professional Musician5
Pros
  1. Good Tone33
  2. Good Feel31
  3. Fun To Play30
  4. Good Pick Up27
  5. Solid Electronics26

Reviewed by 35 customers

  • The real deal

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted5 months ago

    byFabrizio

    fromWinter Park, FL

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    My son always wanted a SG and, after looking at the Epiphone counterparts, I've decided to go for the real deal. It's beautifully crafted, the fingerboard edges are very smooth and holds well the tuning. Neck dive is very present but I guess I can get used to it.

  • Bait and Switch

    1

    submitted7 months ago

    byThomas

    fromNew York City

    This is not a review on the guitar itself since Guitar Center tried to pull a fast one on me. You would be better served just going some place else.

  • Perfect

    5

    submitted9 months ago

    byJason

    fromSt Paul MN

    From the minute it was taken out of the box I knew. This beauty is worth every penny. The playability is exceptional. The weight is light. If you are giving and want something that will sit on your shoulder all night and not wear you out. This works great. Additional, the board plays like butter. You just can't go wrong.

  • Gibson SG Ebony

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byMitchell

    fromMaryland

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I've had a lot of guitars, but this one is the best I've ever had. The action is perfect right out of the box, I sit around playing this guitar several hours a night. Do yourself a favor and get one they are very solid. I even recorded on my iPhone with just the guitar and it sounds awesome.

  • Excellent guitar!

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byDan

    fromEau Claire, WI

    I went in to guitar center this evening with full intention of purchasing a Les Paul studio. I currently own a very nice Les Paul traditional special edition which I love in every way! But because of its cost I've been very careful with it, which results in me not playing it as often as I'd like. My solution was to get the Les Paul studio that would give me the tone and feel that I was looking for without the tendency to treat it like a newborn. I played a very nice Les Paul studio which was a great guitar, but in the end I still felt like something was missing. I was just about to leave when I spotted an SG standard and I thought why not give this a go. Honestly it felt superior to the studio to me. The neck felt better and the clarity felt better. It just clicked when I played it. I'm not a professional, but I have been playing for 20 years now and I feel like I've gained some perspective on guitars. The Les Paul studio felt like a different guitar than my traditional. I wish it didn't. The SG was just what I was looking for! It has an awesome edge to it. It screams with distortion and sounds excellent clean as well. The neck feels great and it just feels like there isn't anything to complain about. It may end up being my go to over the Les Paul! Everything is just as it should be. I love it. No regrets!

  • Heavenly guitar

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byJack

    fromRichmond, VA

    This was my first electric guitar and it is absolutely amazing! It has an amazing sound to it and really does push your amp to new heights. Wether it is being played with or without distortion, it has a sound that will leave a wonderful impression on the listeners. The guitar also maintains its tune extremely well.

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitteda month ago

    asked byOscar

    fromundisclosed

    Hi, I have a question, the product hace hardcase?, in the features i see softcase, but i have been see the reviews and i rode that comes whit hard

    Hi, I have a question, the product hace hardcase?, in the features i see softcase, but i have been see the reviews and i rode that comes whit hard

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, it doesn't. It includes the Gibson Soft Case for Solid Body Electric Guitar.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked bycraig

    fromcambridge ma

    how wide is the neck/fret bord?

    how wide is the neck/fret bord?

    Open Reply - Gear-Advisor
    Fingerboard Radius 304.8 mm / 12 in-------Nut Width 43.05 mm / 1.694 in

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byDuke

    fromCorpus Christi, Tx

    Dose it come with a hard case?

    Dose it come with a hard case?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byMötleyCrüefan

    fromLittleton Colorado

    Are Gibson guitars made in the USA?

    Are Gibson guitars made in the USA?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byKeith

    fromGardena cal

    How much does it weigh 2018 sg special gibson

    How much does it weigh 2018 sg special gibson

    Open Reply - Ronald
    11 lbs.