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 Hummingbird Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry

Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry Review

Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry Feature

• Grover Rotomatic Tuners Bone nut and Tusq saddle "Big Sky" radiused fingerboard edge Industry's finest electronics Premium hardshell case Distinctive labels

A true legend of acoustic instruments, the Gibson Hummingbird was first introduced in 1960 as Gibson’s earliest square-shoulder dreadnought. Superb for all styles of playing, with a capacity for rich, first-position folk chords and intricate solo playing, the Hummingbird quickly became the icon of the Gibson acoustic line, and a favorite among legends like Gram Parsons and Keith Richards. Today’s Gibson Hummingbird is made to the specs of the first model produced in 1960, and still stands as one of the finest—and beautiful—acoustic guitars in the world.

Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar, Left Handed, Heritage Cherry

Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar, Left Handed, Heritage Cherry Review

Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar, Left Handed, Heritage Cherry Feature

• Traditional Rounded Neck Profile
• Gibson's 490R and 498T Pickups
• Solid Mahogany Body
• 22-Fret Rosewood Fingerboards
• Grover Kluson-style Green Key Tuners

Gibson's best-selling SG Standard shatters all perceptions of what an electric guitar can--and should--be. The slim, lightweight mahogany body; unmistakable twin cutaways, pointed horns and beveled edges; the fastest neck in the business; a pair of Gibson's screamin' humbucker pickups--all irresistible features coveted by some of the greatest guitar players of all-time. Various SG models have been played on-stage by the likes of Pete Townshend, Angus Young, Tony Iommi, Robby Krieger, Chris Robinson, Alex Lifeson, Derek Trucks, Elliot Easton, Jim James, Jeff Tweedy, Moby, Keith Urban, Nick Jonas, Rocco DeLuca. When will you add your name?

A New Classic for Rocking Through the Twenty-First Century

Available Finishes

A thicker, rounder, time-honored neck profile emulates the neck shapes of the iconic late '50s Gibson models.

Set-neck construction for better tone, better sustain, and no loose or misaligned necks.

Gibson's 490R AND 498T pickups for screaming tone.

Take your pick between two gorgeous, time-honored finishes--Heritage Cherry or Ebony--both of which are applied by hand in a process that demands several coats and many hours. Unlike a lot of 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.

Exquisite Mother-of Pearl and Acrylic Inlays
Among other key distinctions, the SG Standard stands out from its no-frills kid sister, the SG Special, because of the fine mother-of-pearl Gibson logo and holly inlays that decorate its headstock. The SG Standard also boasts figured acrylic trapezoid inlays along its rosewood fingerboard.

'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--found on the SG Standard--is the thicker, rounder, more time-honored profile, emulating the neck shapes of the iconic late '50s Gibson models. 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.

Set-Neck Construction
Like all classic Gibson guitars, the necks on Les Pauls and 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.

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.

Solid Mahogany Body
Probably the most central of all SG features is its solid mahogany body. 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. Like the landmark Les Paul before it, the SG Standard shattered all perceptions of what a guitar could be when it was first introduced in 1961. Today, it stands as one of the most popular and best-selling of all Gibson 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. And not only is it one of the most eye-catching guitar designs, it is also one of the most functional and effective.

Gibson SG Special Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry - Chrome Hardware

Gibson SG Special Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry - Chrome Hardware Review

Gibson SG Special Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry - Chrome Hardware Feature

• Mahogany neck with 22-fret rosewood fingerboard and acrylic dot inlays
• Gibson 490R (neck) and 490T (bridge) humbuckers with three-way toggle, independent tone/volume
• Gibson Tune-o-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece
• Grover Kluson-style green-key tuning machines
• Solid mahogany body with set-neck construction

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 red. 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.

Packing the same power and intensity as the SG Standard, but without all the trimmings, the SG Special has retained the heart and soul of the SG — the solid mahogany body and ‘50s rounded neck profile — and combined it with dot inlays, silk-screened logo, a pair of Gibson’s hot 490 humbuckers and a deluxe gig bag.

Gibson Explorer 1968 Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry - Chrome Hardware

Gibson Explorer 1968 Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry - Chrome Hardware Review

Gibson Explorer 1968 Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry - Chrome Hardware Feature

• 6-string electric guitar with classic angular design--a powerhouse of screaming rock and roll
• Potent pickup combination of Gibson 496R and 500T humbuckers
• Well-balanced, weight-reduced solid mahogany body
• Angled headstock increases pressure on the strings and helps them stay in the nut slots
• Cherry red finish with chrome hardware; comes with Gibson hardcase

With its angular, asymmetrical body and pointed headstock, the legendary Gibson Explorer was light years ahead of its time when it was first introduced in 1958. Today, the same far-out, futuristic Gibson Explorer--reintroduced in the mid-1970s--is one of the most coveted powerhouses of screaming rock and roll.

The Gibson Explorer in red. Click here for a larger image.

Key Features

The Explorer 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 is the thicker, more rounded contour, emulating the neck shapes of Gibson's iconic models of the late 1950s. The '60s neck profile is considered the more modern, slim-tapered contour most commonly associated with the Gibson models of the early 1960s. The neck on Gibson's Explorer has the best of both worlds--it is a hybrid between the '50s rounded contour and the '60s slim-taper profile.

As with all Gibson necks, it is machined in Gibson's rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. 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.

Classic angular body (black version shown). Click here for a larger image.

 

Angled headstock.

Solid Mahogany Body

The most central feature of any Explorer is its mahogany body, which provides players a well-balanced, weight-reduced guitar alternative, with absolutely no compromises in tone, sustain, or performance. The Explorer's body is a solid piece of mahogany in the classic style of the 1976 Explorer. 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 a Gibson guitar will respond evenly to temperature and humidity changes long after it leaves the factory.

Gibson's 496R and 500T Pickups

No event is more responsible for dramatically influencing the evolution of popular music than Gibson's introduction of the double-coil "humbucking" pickup in 1955. From the warm jazz tones of Charlie Christian, to the world-shaking rockabilly of Scotty Moore, and the crunching rock of Jimmy Page, countless players around the world explored the limitless possibilities of the tonal spectrum through Gibson pickups and guitars.

As the musical landscape changed, so did the development of the humbucker pickup. Introduced in the early 1970s, Gibson's 496R and 500T pickups filled the need for more powerful humbuckers and energized the emergence of hard rock and heavy metal. The 496R produces incredible sustain and cutting power with its ceramic magnet, adding more highs with increased definition and no muddiness at all. The 500T is one of Gibson's most powerful pickups, containing a three ceramic magnet structure, which enables a no-holds-barred rock and roll crunch that never loses its rich combination of enhanced lows and crystal clear highs. This is one of Gibson's most potent pickup combinations.

Angled Headstock

The angled headstock is another example of Gibson's industry-changing way of thinking. Every Gibson headstock is carved out of the same piece of mahogany as the neck then fitted with Gibson's traditional wing blocks. It is not a "glued-on" headstock, and the process takes craftsmanship, time, and effort. But the rewards are worth the effort.

The headstock is carefully angled at 17 degrees, which increases pressure on the strings and helps them stay in the nut slots. An increase in string pressure also means there is no loss of string vibration between the nut and the tuners, which equals better sustain.

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 Explorer electric guitar, Gibson hard case (white interior, black exterior), owner's manual

With its angular, asymmetrical body and pointed headstock, the legendary Gibson Explorer was light years ahead of its time when it was first introduced in 1958. In fact, the Explorer was such a radical departure that Gibson produced only about 100 of the famed instruments—many of which are now highly prized collectibles selling for upwards of half a million dollars. Today, the same far-out, futuristic Gibson Explorer—reintroduced in the mid-1970s—is one of the most coveted powerhouses of screaming rock and roll.

Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry Sunburst

Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry Sunburst Review

Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus Electric Guitar, Heritage Cherry Sunburst Feature

• Weight-relieved Mahogany Body with Highly Figured Maple Top
• 57 Classic Pickups
• Vintage Gibson Speed Knobs
• TonePros Kluson Vintage-style Tuners
• Revolutionary PLEK System Set-up

Introducing the Les Paul Traditional Plus Heritage Cherry from Gibson USA. With all the fat, sweet, snarling Les Paul tone that purists love, the Traditional plays, sounds, and weighs like the Les Pauls today’s players grew up loving and lusting after. Taking design and visual cues from the Les Pauls of the ’80s and '90s, the Les Paul Traditional starts with an un-chambered mahogany body with traditional weight-relief holes for a beefy tone that maintains the resonance of modern Les Pauls. The Traditional Plus also comes with a little extra — a beautifully figured Maple top reminiscent of the fabled tops of the Les Pauls from the late '50s and early '60s. Each Les Paul Traditional also comes with Gibson USA’s standard black snakeskin case.