Gibson Les Paul Hard Case

Gibson Les Paul Hard Case Review

Gibson Les Paul Hard Case Feature

• Designed for Les Paul guitarsHardshell designBlack tolex exterior with Gibson logoPlush interiorAccessory compartmentLockable drawbar latches

Premium Hardshell Case for Les Paul Model guitars

Gibson Flying V Melody Maker Electric Guitar, Satin White

Gibson Flying V Melody Maker Electric Guitar, Satin White Review

Gibson Flying V Melody Maker Electric Guitar, Satin White Feature

• Slim taper neck
• 491T Humbucker pickup
• Satin Finish
• Gigbag included

Gibson’s “Golden Era—the late 1950s and early 1960s—is best known for the emergence of the company’s iconic Les Paul Standard. But the Les Paul wasn’t the company’s best-selling guitar during this historic period. That title belongs to the legendary Melody Maker. Now Gibson has taken the Melody Maker design and expnaded it into four completely new models that give the beginning player a chance to have the Gibson Experience at an astoundly low price. Made in the U.S.A as they always have been.

Gibson Gear SAG-J200L Coated Phosphor Bronze Electric Guitar Strings, Light

Gibson Gear SAG-J200L Coated Phosphor Bronze Electric Guitar Strings, Light Review

Gibson Gear SAG-J200L Coated Phosphor Bronze Electric Guitar Strings, Light Feature

• Premium Acoustic String Set
• Slow wound for great sound
• Silked ball ends prevents rattle at end pins
• Vacuum sealed packaging maintains string freshness

Gibson J200 Phos Bronze Acoustic Strings .012-.053

Gator GC-LPS Deluxe Molded Case for Single-Cutaway Electric Guitar

Gator GC-LPS Deluxe Molded Case for Single-Cutaway Electric Guitar Review

Gator GC-LPS Deluxe Molded Case for Single-Cutaway Electric Guitar Feature

• Deluxe ABS Exterior
• Heavy-duty aluminum valance
• Through-bolted handle for extra strength
• EPS foam protective interior with deep plush lining
• Chrome plated lockable latches

Deluxe Molded Case for Single-cutaway Electrics such as Gibson Les Paul

Gibson Traveling Songwriter EC Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Antique Natural

Gibson Traveling Songwriter EC Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Antique Natural Review

Gibson Traveling Songwriter EC Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Antique Natural Feature

• Solid Sitka spruce top Smartwood mahogany neck, back, and sides Indian rosewood fretboard.

First introduced in 2005, the Gibson Traveling Songwriter Electric Cutaway is the world’s first professional-quality travel acoustic guitar, capable of delivering acoustic excellence both on stage or on the road—unplugged or amplified. A thin, lightweight hollow-body design mirrors Gibson’s historic square-shoulder family in shape, with a 24 ¾-inch scale length, a single cutaway on the treble bout, and soundhole on the back.

Gibson SG 61 Re-issue Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry

Gibson SG 61 Re-issue Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry Review

Gibson SG 61 Re-issue Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry Feature

• '60s Slim-Taper Neck Profile
• 57 Classic Pickups
• Solid Mahogany Body
• 22-Fret Rosewood Fingerboards
• Trapezoid Inlays
• 60s Slim-Taper Neck Profile

The Gibson SG: The Guitar That Started a Revolution.

The light bulb. Television and radio. The microwave oven. Gibson's SG Standard--all inspirations of genius that transformed the way we live. Gibson's redesign of the Les Paul in 1960 was a bold move. But it paid off big time. It announced a new, radical electric guitar design for Gibson, and the world. It also inspired a rebellious generation of ideas and music rarely experienced before, and certainly not since. Today, that same radical design--and restless spirit--lives on in Gibson's celebrated SG line. The Gibson SG '61 Reissue pays tribute to this revolutionary guitar. It's all there, in all its original glory. Transform your playing. Revolutionize your life. Buy the Gibson SG '61 Reissue today and experience your own uprising firsthand.

The Gibson SG '61 Reissue Features a '60s Slim-Taper Neck Profile

No guitar neck profiles are more distinguishable than the neck profiles employed on the Gibson models of today. The '60s neck profile--found on the SG '61 Reissue--is the more modern, slim-tapered neck most commonly associated with the Les Paul and SG models of the early 1960s. The neck is machined in Gibson's rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. But once the fingerboard gets glued on, the rest--including the final sanding--is done by hand. That means there are no two necks with the exact same dimensions. So while it still has the basic characteristics of its respective profile, each neck will be slightly different, with a distinct but traditional feel.

Trapezoid Inlays
The classic trapezoid inlay is one of the most distinguishable features of many traditional Gibson models, including the SG. A figured, swirl acrylic gives these inlays that classic "pearl" look. They are inserted into the fingerboard using a process that eliminates gaps and doesn't require the use of fillers.

TWO '57 Classic Pickups
Among the qualities that make Gibson's original "Patent Applied For" humbucking pickups so unique are the subtle variations between coil windings. For the first few years of their production--1955 to 1961--Gibson's PAF humbuckers were wound using imprecise machines, resulting in pickups with slightly different output and tone, desirable to players who wanted to mix and match and explore a complete spectrum of tonal possibilities. The '57 Classic and '57 Classic Plus pickups are the result of Gibson's drive to capture and recreate this renowned characteristic. Introduced in 1992, the '57 Classic provides warm, full tone with a balanced response, packing that classic Gibson PAF humbucker crunch. The '57 Classic Plus is the perfect bridge-position companion to the '57 Classic, inspired by those original PAFs that received a few extra turns of wire. Both are made by Gibson to the exact same specs as the original PAFs, including Alnico II magnets, nickel-plated pole pieces, nickel slugs, maple spacers, and vintage-style, two-conductor braided wiring. Instead of enamel-coated wiring, Gibson added poly-coated wiring--which improves consistency by eliminating thin or thick spots on the wire--and wax potting, which removes all internal air space and any chance of microphonic feedback.

Solid Mahogany Body
Probably the most central of all SG features is its solid mahogany body. The SG's slim mahogany body indulges players with a weight-reduced guitar alternative, with absolutely no compromises in tone, sustain, or performance. The mahogany goes through the same rigorous selection process as all of Gibson's woods, and is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson's team of skilled wood experts before it enters the factories. Inside the Gibson factories, humidity is maintained at 45 percent, and the temperature at 70 degrees. This ensures all woods are dried to a level of "equilibrium," where the moisture content does not change during the manufacturing process. This guarantees tight-fitting joints and no expansion, and controls the shrinkage and warping of the woods, in addition to reducing the weight. It also improves the woods' machinability and finishing properties. Consistent moisture content means that the SG will respond evenly to temperature and humidity changes long after it leaves the factory.

Set-Neck Construction
Like all classic Gibson guitars, the necks on SGs are distinguished by one of the more traditional features that have always set them apart--a glued neck joint. Gluing the neck to the body of the guitar ensures a "wood-to-wood" contact, no air space in the neck cavity, and maximum contact between the neck and body, allowing the neck and body to function as a single unit. The result? Better tone, better sustain, and no loose or misaligned necks.

The Gibson Logo
The most innovative and revolutionary stringed instruments of all time have carried the name Gibson--the Les Paul, the ES-335, the Explorer, the Flying V, the SG. The list goes on and on. There is no mistaking the classic, hand-crafted mother of pearl logo, inlayed into a pressed fiber-head veneer that is then glued to the face of the mahogany headstock. A thin coat of lacquer finishes the process. It is the most recognizable logo in all of music, representing more than a century of originality and excellence. There is simply no equal. The Gibson SG '61 Reissue Electric Guitar is so light, comfortable, and playable you won't want to put it down. Features a slim-tapered neck, sculpted double-cutaway mahogany body, exclusive Gibson '57 classic humbucking pickups at the neck and bridge, and 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlays. Relive some of the greatest moments of rock 'n' roll with a one-piece bound mahogany neck, Tune-O-Matic bridge, stopbar tailpiece, and chrome hardware. Includes Gibson hardshell case.A Little SG History In 1961, the Les Paul was redesigned with a thinner body and 2 sharp cutaway horns making the upper frets more accessible while lowering production costs. The new guitar was popular, but Les Paul the guitarist did not like it and asked to have his name removed. Gibson renamed the model the "SG" which was short for "solid guitar". Though Les Paul's name was officially removed from the model in 1961, the plastic Les Paul nameplates (positioned between the rhythm pickup and fingerboard) were in abundance in the Gibson factory and SG models having these nameplates were built and sold by Gibson up to end of 1963. SGs have been the choice of world-class artists such as Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Tony Iommi, and Angus Young..

Gibson SG Special Electric Guitar,Worn Brown Satin

Gibson SG Special Electric Guitar,Worn Brown Satin Review

Gibson SG Special Electric Guitar,Worn Brown Satin Feature

• Powerful, intense, and affordable 6-string electric guitar with solid mahogany body and '50s rounded neck profile
• 490T and 490R pickups--"T" for treble, and "R" for rhythm
• Swirl acrylic inlays for classic "pearl" look
• Gibson Tune-O-Matic bridge; 2 volume and 2 tone controls plus 3-way toggle
• Worn brown finish with chrome hardware; comes with Gibson Deluxe Gig Bag

Packing the same power and intensity as the SG Standard, but without all the trimmings, the Gibson's SG Special electric guitar retains the heart and soul of the SG--solid mahogany body and '50s rounded neck profile--while adding dot inlays, silk-screened logo, a pair of Gibson’s hot 490 humbuckers and a deluxe gig bag.

The Gibson SG Special in worn brown. Click here for a larger image.

Key Features

'50s Rounded Neck Profile

No guitar neck profiles are more distinguishable than the neck profiles employed on the Gibson models of today. The more traditional '50s neck profile on the SG Special is the thicker, rounder profile, emulating the neck shapes found on the iconic 1958 and 1959 Les Paul Standards. The neck is machined in Gibson's rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. But once the fingerboard gets glued on, the rest--including the final sanding--is done by hand. That means there are no two necks with the exact same dimensions. So while it still has the basic characteristics of its respective profile, each neck will be slightly different, with a distinct but traditional feel.

Click here for a larger image (black finish shown).

 

Click here for a larger image.

 

Gibson's 490 (R) Rhythm and (T) Treble Pickup

The mid to late 1960s saw the emergence of a very different type of music coming from the clubs of England. It was an interpretation of the blues that hadn't been heard before, and it was much harder, more rocking, and definitely louder than anything else before it. As such, this new genre's players were demanding more powerful amplifiers with increased volume outputs to satisfy their sonic explorations. This led to a call for a more versatile pickup that could split coils through a push/pull knob, and prevent microphonic feedback from occurring when the volumes were turned up to maximum levels.

Gibson answered this call with the introduction of the revolutionary 490T and 490R pickups ("T" for treble, and "R" for rhythm). The 490R is a humbucker with the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, with a slight increase in upper mid-range response. The 490T bridge pickup is calibrated to match the 490R, with pole pieces aligned a little further apart to accommodate the spacing of the strings at the bridge, which is different than the spacing of the strings at the neck.

Solid Mahogany Body

Probably the most central of all the SG Special's features is its solid mahogany body--lightweight, strong, with a thick, warm tone. The mahogany goes through the same rigorous selection process as all of Gibson's woods, and is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson's team of skilled wood experts before it enters the Gibson factories.

Inside the Gibson factories, humidity is maintained at 45 percent, and the temperature at 70 degrees. This ensures all woods are dried to a level of "equilibrium," where the moisture content does not change during the manufacturing process. This guarantees tight-fitting joints and no expansion, in addition to reducing the weight. It also helps with improving the woods' machinability and finishing properties. Consistent moisture content means that a Gibson guitar will respond evenly to temperature and humidity changes long after it leaves the factory.

Dot Inlays

Over the years, the classic dot inlay has been one of the more traditional features of many Gibson models, including the SG. A figured, swirl acrylic gives these inlays that classic "pearl" look. They are inserted into the fingerboard using a process that eliminates gaps and doesn't require the use of fillers.

Nitrocellulose Finish

This guitar features a nitrocellulose finish--one of the most labor-intensive elements of the guitar-making process--which dries to a much thinner coat than a polyurethane finish, meaning there is less interference with the natural vibration of the instrument, allowing for a purer tone.

A nitro finish is also a softer finish, which makes it easily repairable. You can touch up a scratch or ding on a nitro finish, but you can't do the same on a poly finish. In addition, a nitro finish is very porous in nature, and actually gets thinner over time. It does not "seal" wood in an airtight shell--as a poly finish does--and allows the wood to breathe and age properly.

What's in the Box

Gibson SG Special electric guitar, Gibson Deluxe Gig Bag, and owner's manual.

The original Gibson SG shattered all perceptions of what a guitar should be when it was first introduced in 1961. Today, the SG stands as one of Gibsons most popular and best-selling guitars. Its distinct twin cutaways, pointed horns, and beveled edges have made it one of the most inspired and iconic designs in the history of guitar making.Gibsons 490 (R) Rhythm and (T) Treble PickupThe mid to late 1960s saw the emergence of a very different type of music coming from the clubs of England. It was an interpretation of the blues that hadnt been heard before, and it was much harder, more rocking, and definitely louder than anything else before it. As such, this new genres players were demanding more powerful amplifiers with increased volume outputs to satisfy their sonic explorations. This led to a call for a more versatile pickup that could split coils through a push/pull knob, and prevent microphonic feedback from occurring when the volumes were turned up to maximum levels.Gibson answered this call with the introduction of the revolutionary 490T and 490R pickups (T for treble, and R for rhythm), which has the traditional characteristics of the original Patent Applied For pickups, but with two key modifications. First, a four-conductor wiring scheme allows the 490s to be connected to any push/pull knob, which lets players split the coils and increase versatility. Gibson also introduced wax potting, which does away with any air space, minimalizing microphonic feedback. The 490R is a humbucker with the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, with a slight increase in upper mid-range response. The 490T bridge pickup is calibrated to match the 490R, with pole pieces aligned a little further apart to accommodate the spacing of the strings at the bridge, which is different than the spacing of the strings at the neck.50s Rounded Neck ProfileNo guitar neck profiles are more distinguishable than the neck profiles employed on the Gibson models of today. The more traditiona...

Gibson Gear PBBR-030 Electric Guitar Part

Gibson Gear PBBR-030 Electric Guitar Part Review

Gibson Gear PBBR-030 Electric Guitar Part Feature

• Authentic Gibson Replacement Part
• Maintain the value of your Gibson Guitar by using only authentic Gibson replacement parts
• Chrome

Gibson Chrome Nashville Tune O Matic with Full Assembly

Gibson Guitar Pick Thin 6 Dozen

Gibson Guitar Pick Thin 6 Dozen Review

Gibson Guitar Pick Thin 6 Dozen Feature

• 351-shape Quality celluloid

Gibson guitar picks are made with the classic styling of a 351-shape pick with quality celluloid, Choose thin, medium, heavy or extra heavy.

Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar, Ebony

Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar, Ebony Review

Gibson Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar, Ebony Feature

• Traditional Rounded Neck Profile
• BurstBucker Pro Pickups
• Traditional Mahogany Back and Maple Top
• 22-Fret Rosewood or Ebony Fingerboards
• Chambered Body for Perfect Tone Balance and Weight

Gibson's Les Paul Studio offers traditional Les Paul performance with a modern, no-frills attitude. Introduced as a guitar mainly for studio musicians, the Les Paul Studio has become one of the most desired--and popular--Les Pauls for its tremendous harmonic and sonic qualities. All of the essential elements of a Les Paul Standard are there, including a carved maple top, solid mahogany back and genuine Gibson humbucker pickups. What the Les Paul Studio lacks in extras, it makes up for in performance. Ask any one of the thousands of musicians who call it their No. 1 axe.

Traditional Les Paul Performance Meets Modern Tone and Playability

Available Finishes
Take your pick between four gorgeous finishes--Ebony, Wine Red, Classic White and Fireburst--all of which are applied by hand in a process that demands several coats and many hours. Unlike a lot of our competitors, who settle for a polyurethane finish, Gibson opts for a nitrocellulose finish that will encourage the natural vibration of the instrument for a purer tone. In addition, a nitro finish is very porous and actually gets thinner over time. That way your guitar's wood can breathe and age beautifully, like it's supposed to.

Fast & Comfortable Rounded Neck Profile
Gibson's traditional rounded neck profile, which graces the neck of each Les Paul Studio, is a thicker, rounder profile, emulating the neck shapes of the iconic Les Paul Standards of the late 1950s. Each neck is machined in Gibson's rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. But once the fingerboard gets glued on, the rest--including the final sanding--is done by hand. That means each neck ends up with ever-so-subtle differences that make each one as exceptional--and unique--as the next.

A thicker, rounder neck profile emulates the neck shapes of the iconic Les Paul Standards of the late 1950s.

Gibson pickups crank out modern tone with a vintage edge.

Gibson's 490R and 498T Pickups
The mid to late 1960s saw the emergence of a very different type of music coming from the clubs of England. This new genre's players were demanding more powerful amplifiers with increased volume outputs to satisfy their sonic explorations. This led to a call for a more versatile pickup, and Gibson answered the call with the 490T and 490R pickups ("T" for treble, and "R" for rhythm), humbuckers with the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, but with a slight increase in upper mid-range response. The Gibson 498T bridge pickup is the 490's ideal complement. Taking the 490 one step further, the 498 swaps the Alnico II magnet to an Alnico V, thus making it slightly hotter with emphasis on mid-ranges and highs. The pole pieces on the 498T are also aligned a little further apart to accommodate the spacing of the strings at the bridge, which is different than the spacing of the strings at the neck.

Mahogany Back and Maple Top
There isn't anything more critical than the marriage of the Les Paul's mahogany back with a maple cap, as well as the regimen involved in selecting the right wood and the formula to dry it out. First, the wood is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson's team of skilled wood experts before it enters the Gibson factories. These onsite inspectors also ensure that the plain maple comes from corporations adhering to the forest-saving standards of the Rainforest Alliance, of which Gibson is a proud member and sponsor. Inside the Gibson factories, humidity is maintained at 45 percent, and the temperature at 70 degrees. This ensures all woods are dried to a level of "equilibrium," where the moisture content does not change during the manufacturing process. This guarantees tight-fitting joints and no expansion, and controls the shrinkage and warping of the woods, in addition to reducing the weight. It also improves the woods' machinability and finishing properties, and adherence to glue. Consistent moisture content means that a Gibson guitar will respond evenly to temperature and humidity changes long after it leaves the factory.

Chambered Body
There's something about playing a guitar with perfect tone, balance, and weight. One of the ways the expert craftsmen at Gibson USA achieve this equilibrium is by carving carefully mapped-out chambers in the Les Paul's solid mahogany back using a Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) router before the maple top is glued on. The positioning of the routes was established after careful examination of the resonant characteristics of the Les Paul. Gibson approached this process with the awareness that every change to the formula would have repercussions on the instrument's sound. So, in addition to relieving the stress on a player's back and shoulder, these lighter Gibson guitars also enhance the tone palette in a manner unique only to these guitars. The results are comfortable, lightweight guitars that are acoustically louder, with increased sustain and resonance.

Ebony or Rosewood Fingerboard
The fingerboards on Gibson's Les Paul Studios are constructed from the highest grade rosewood and ebony on the planet. Both are personally inspected and qualified by Gibson's team of skilled wood experts before they enter the factories to be fitted onto the neck of the Les Paul Studio. The resilience of these dense and durable woods makes these fingerboards extremely balanced and stable, and gives each chord and note unparalleled clarity and bite. The 12-inch radius of the fingerboard provides smooth note bending capabilities and eliminates "dead" or "choked out" notes. The ebony fingerboard is only available on the Classic White Les Paul Studio, and the rosewood fingerboard is available on the Ebony, Wine Red, and Fireburst models.

Enjoy Enhanced Tone With Gibson's Lightweight, Chambered Body
The expert craftsmen at Gibson USA carve carefully mapped-out chambers in the Les Paul Studio's solid mahogany back using a Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) router before the maple top is glued on. The positioning of the routes was established after careful examination of the resonant characteristics of the Les Paul. Gibson approached this process with the awareness that every change to the formula would have repercussions on the instrument's sound. So, in addition to relieving the stress on a player's back and shoulder, these lighter Gibson guitars also enhance the tone palette in a manner unique only to these guitars. The results are comfortable, lightweight guitars that are acoustically louder, with increased sustain and resonance.

Tune-O-Matic Bridge
The Tune-o-matic bridge was the brainchild of legendary Gibson president Ted McCarty in 1954. At the time, it was a true revelation in intonation, and set a standard for simplicity and functionality that has never been bettered. This pioneering piece of hardware provides a firm seating for the strings, allowing the player to adjust and fine-tune the intonation and string height in a matter of minutes. It also yields a great union between the strings and body, which results in excellent tone and sustain. It is combined with a separate "stopbar" tailpiece, essentially a modified version of the earlier wraparound bridge. To this day, the Tune-o-matic remains the industry standard. It is the epitome of form and function in electric guitar bridge design, and is one of the most revered and copied pieces of guitar hardware ever developed. Introduced nearly 25 years ago as a guitar for the studio musician, the Les Paul Studio has become one of the most desired Les Pauls for its tremendous harmonic and sonic capacities, coveted by musicians from all genres of music.

Gibson B.B. King Lucille Archtop Electric Guitar, Ebony

Gibson B.B. King Lucille Archtop Electric Guitar, Ebony Review

Gibson B.B. King Lucille Archtop Electric Guitar, Ebony Feature

• Laminated maple top and neck Solid maple center block Stereo/mono jacks TP-6 tailpiece "Lucille" inlaid in mother-of-pearl on the headstock Gold hardware Gibson hardshell case

B.B. Kings Lucille How Legends are Made Blues legend B.B. King had been playing Gibsons for over 40 years when he and Gibson officially joined forces in 1982. B.B.s personal touches on his signature model include the fine-tuner tailpiece, the semi-hollow body with no soundholes and, of course, the name that has adorned his guitars throughout his career, Lucille.

Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar Ebony

Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar Ebony Review

Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar Ebony Feature

• Carved maple top Weight-relieved mahogany back Multi-ply white/black binding on top and back.

Gibson's Custom Shop produces some of the finest electric guitars on earth. Using the best materials money can buy, a staff of skilled luthiers reproduce some of the greatest Gibson guitars of the past and create stunning new instruments for players and collectors who demand the best.

Gibson Gear PRPR-035 Electric Guitar Part

Gibson Gear PRPR-035 Electric Guitar Part Review

Gibson Gear PRPR-035 Electric Guitar Part Feature

• Authentic Gibson Replacement Part
• Neck and Bridge rings
• Crème

Gibson Historic Neck and Bridge Pickup Ring Set - Crème

Gibson Gear PRPC-015 pickup cover - chrome / bridge spacing

Gibson Gear PRPC-015 pickup cover - chrome / bridge spacing Review

Gibson Gear PRPC-015 pickup cover - chrome / bridge spacing Feature

• Authentic Gibson Replacement Part
• Bridge position
• Chrome
• Authentic Gibson Replacement Part, Chrome

Gibson Bridge Positioned Humbucker Cover - Chrome

Gibson SG Standard with Maestro VOS Electric Guitar, Faded Cherry

Gibson SG Standard with Maestro VOS Electric Guitar, Faded Cherry Review

Gibson SG Standard with Maestro VOS Electric Guitar, Faded Cherry Feature

• Solid mahogany body
• Distinctive twin cutaways - pointed horns
• Maestro vibrato tailpieces that was used in the early 1960s
• Figured acrylic trapezoid inlays

This SG Standard from Gibson Custom is a painstaking recreation of the original, offering you its distinct features and legendary tone decades later. The SG features a solid mahogany body with its distinctive twin cutaways/horns, nickel hardware, figured acrylic trapezoid inlays, single-ply creme fingerboard binding, and more--right down to the Maestro vibrato tailpiece.

An established favorite with completely new modern styling.

Maestro vibrato with lyre-engraved cover plate.

Burstbucker pickups deliver legendary tone.

History
Looking to increase the stagnant sales numbers of the Les Paul Standard models of the mid- to late-1950s, Gibson president Ted McCarty and his reputable team of luthiers and engineers set out to redesign the company's solid body guitar. The result was the introduction in 1961 of what is known today as the Gibson SG line. The first use of the name "SG" actually surfaced on a Gibson guitar in late 1959 with the introduction of the SG Special--a double cutaway model with rounded horns that had previously been listed as a Les Paul since 1955. In early 1961, however, the Les Paul models would undergo a radical change in design in an effort to improve their popularity, and Gibson's standing as a quality builder of electric solid body guitars. Fortunately, the redesigns would make a significant impact on Gibson's market share, albeit slowly at first. On average, about 2,120 SGs shipped per year from 1961 to 1970, with the numbers continuing to increase well into the 1970s. This trend eventually made the SG Gibson's most popular model--a distinction that still holds true today. From 1961 to 1963, the model was still known as the "redesigned" Les Paul Standard, although its namesake did not fully approve of the model's new look. This would eventually lead to the removal of Les Paul's name in 1963, in favor of a new name, the SG Standard.

Body
Short for "solid guitar," Gibson's SG Standards featured a much thinner body made from solid mahogany, with pointed horns, beveled edges, no body binding and distinctive twin cutaways that offered easier access to the guitar's higher frets, along with exceptional resonance, superior tone and greater sustain. The new models were also fitted with one of four vibrato tailpieces that were used in the early 1960s. The vibrato tailpiece that adorns today's SG Standard model from Gibson Custom is the Maestro version with lyre-engraved cover plate that became a standard appointment in 1963. The SG Standard model was also fitted with a new wing-shaped, 5-ply black pickguard, and its new 22-fret mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and slim-taper profile was quickly recognized as one of the fastest guitar necks in the world.

Near-perfect Recreation
Today, Gibson's SG line remains as one of the most popular and best-selling of all Gibson guitars, and the SG Standard from Gibson Custom is a painstaking recreation of this iconic instrument. Its distinct features and legendary tone are meticulously remade with all the precision and accuracy expected from Gibson Custom, including its solid mahogany body with twin cutaways, pointed horns, beveled edges and nickel hardware. Other standard appointments include its figured acrylic trapezoid inlays, single-ply créme binding along the fingerboard and a 1960s slim-taper neck profile. Its legendary tone comes from two of Gibson's finest pickups--a Burstbucker 1 in the neck position, and a Burstbucker 2 in the bridge. Together these pickups deliver all the power and bell-like humbucker tone of the original SG Standards of the early 1960s. Each SG Standard comes with a standard Gibson Custom case and certificate of authenticity. They are available in a V.O.S. or gloss finish, in either Faded Cherry, Classic White or TV Yellow. They can also be ordered with an original Maestro vibrato tailpiece, or with a lightweight aluminum stopbar.

Nitrocellulose Finish
Applying a nitrocellulose finish to any Gibson guitar is one of the most labor-intensive elements of the guitar-making process. A properly applied nitro finish requires extensive man hours, several evenly applied coats, and an exorbitant amount of drying time. But this fact has never swayed Gibson into changing this time-tested method, employed ever since the first Gibson guitar was swathed with lacquer back in 1894. Why? For starters, a nitro finish dries to a much thinner coat than a polyurethane finish, which means there is less interference with the natural vibration of the instrument, allowing for a purer tone. A nitro finish is also a softer finish, which makes it easily repairable. You can touch up a scratch or ding on a nitro finish, but you can't do the same on a poly finish. In addition, a nitro finish is very porous in nature, and actually gets thinner over time. It does not "seal" wood in an airtight shell--as a poly finish does--and allows the wood to breathe and age properly.

All VOS (Vintage Original Spec) series guitars will use a proprietary process that includes unique steps for staining, wet-sanding, and hand-rubbing; subsequently the guitars reflect what a well-cared for 40-year-old guitar looks like. The result is a remarkable patina that will delight even the most discriminating enthusiast. This Gibson Custom SG was a futuristic design when it was introduced in 1961, and it still has a modern look. Historically correct features include an ultra-thin, 2-horned body, the SG series addressed 2 of what Ted McCarty saw as the major issues of the now-retired Les Paul body style: weight and limited access to the upper treble register. The new body shape of the SG Standard was dramatically lighter than the old Les Paul and offered access to the entire fretboard. This amazing re-creation includes pickups and long neck tenon modeled precisely on the original. The VOS aging treatment makes it look exactly like a vintage original instrument that's been treated with loving care for its whole life with a slightly aged finish and hardware. Vintage Original Spec series instruments receive a special nitro-cellulose finish treatment yielding the patina of a gently-aged vintage guitar while handcrafting enhances comfort and playability. Each VOS model has a solid mahogany back; historically accurate long-neck tenon for strength and sustain; and period-correct neck profile, hardware, and electronics. A Little SG History In 1961, the Les Paul was redesigned with a thinner body and two sharp cutaway horns that making the upper frets more accessible while lowering production costs. The new guitar was popular, but Les Paul the guitarist did not like it and asked to have his name removed. Gibson renamed the model the "SG" which was short for "solid guitar". Though Les Paul's name was officially removed from the model in 1961, the plastic Les Paul nameplates (positioned between the rhythm pickup and fingerboard) were in abundance in the Gibson factory and SG models having these nameplates were built and sold by Gibson up to end of 1963. SGs have been the choice of world-class artists such as Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton, Tony Iommi, and Angus Young.