Gibson SG Complete Guide
The Gibson SG (Solid Guitar) is one of the most distinctive shapes in electric guitar history. Its twin-cutaway mahogany body, swept-back devilish horns, and slim profile are recognisable at a distance. Introduced in 1961 as a redesigned replacement for the Les Paul (at Les Paul's request, he asked to have his name removed from it), the SG became its own legendary instrument. Angus Young, Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, and Pete Townshend all built defining sounds on SGs.
SG History
1961: Gibson redesigns the Les Paul to address declining sales. The new model has a thinner body, double cutaway, and shorter neck joint that allows easier upper-fret access. Les Paul asks to have his name removed from the new design — he doesn't like the thinner body and doesn't want his endorsement on it.
1963: Officially renamed the SG (Solid Guitar). Production continues under this name to the present day.
1964–1966: The SG becomes associated with the British blues boom. Eric Clapton plays an SG Standard with Cream ("Fresh Cream" era). Pete Townshend uses SGs in this period. The SG Special (with P-90 pickups) becomes popular with blues players.
1970: Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath begins using a modified SG Custom. The SG's high output and sustain characteristics perfectly match the emerging heavy metal sound.
1973: Angus Young of AC/DC begins using an SG Standard. He has played one almost exclusively for 50+ years, making it the guitar most associated with AC/DC's identity.
1990s–present: The SG remains in Gibson's core lineup. SG Specials and Juniors with P-90 pickups enjoy renewed popularity as raw, aggressive alternatives to the humbucker SG Standard.
How an SG Sounds
The SG's tone is shaped by several physical characteristics:
Thin mahogany body: Less wood mass than a Les Paul means the SG sounds slightly brighter and more aggressive. The resonance character is mid-forward and punchy.
Double cutaway: Access to the upper frets (22nd–24th) is completely unobstructed. The neck joint is further into the body than a Les Paul, giving a different attack character.
Neck angle and joint: The SG's neck is glued at a shallow angle, which affects the way the strings break over the bridge and the resulting tension and sustain.
Compared to a Les Paul: The SG is brighter, more aggressive, lighter, and slightly less warm/full in the low frequencies. A Les Paul has more sustain and warmth from the thicker body. Players who find a Les Paul too heavy or too dark often prefer an SG.
Humbucker SG (Standard/Custom): Thick, aggressive, high-output tone with the characteristic mid-forward Gibson mahogany character. Excellent for rock and metal. Less versatile than a Les Paul for clean tones.
P-90 SG (Special): Louder and brighter than a traditional single-coil, less midrange than a humbucker. An excellent in-between choice with a specific garage/blues rock bite.
Single P-90 SG (Junior): One P-90 at the bridge, no tone routing, and a wraparound bridge. Raw, simple, direct — the most stripped-down Gibson sound.
All SG Models Explained
SG Standard — The Core Model
Gibson SG Standard — £2,149 / $2,499
The SG Standard is the main production model and the most widely owned SG. Two '57 Classic humbuckers (or BurstBucker variants in some versions), a mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, and TOM (Tune-O-Matic) bridge.
Available in classic finishes: Heritage Cherry, Vintage Walnut, Pelham Blue, and various Custom Color options through the years.
Epiphone SG Standard — £399 / $499: The budget-friendly version. Epiphone ProBucker pickups approximate the Gibson sound at a fraction of the price. The correct beginner or budget SG.
SG '61 Standard — Vintage Spec
Gibson SG '61 Standard — £2,149 / $2,499
Reissue of the original 1961 SG spec: SlimTaper D profile neck (thinner front-to-back than the current Standard), nickel hardware, and vintage-output humbuckers. More comfortable for players with smaller hands or those who prefer a slimmer neck profile.
SG Special — P-90 Model
Gibson SG Special — £1,799 / $1,999
Two P-90 soapbar pickups instead of humbuckers. The P-90's higher output and brighter character compared to standard single-coils gives the SG Special a biting, aggressive mid-heavy tone different from any other Gibson in the range. Popular with punk, garage rock, and aggressive blues players.
Epiphone SG Special — £229 / $299: Entry-level budget version with lesser pickups. A functional beginner guitar.
SG Junior — Stripped Down
Gibson SG Junior — £1,399 / $1,499
Single P-90 pickup at the bridge, no tone control, and a wrap-tail bridge (simpler than the TOM). The Junior is the purest expression of the SG concept — one pickup, one volume, maximum directness. Favoured by players who want raw, unfiltered guitar character.
The wraparound bridge design dates from the 1950s. It's simpler to adjust and has its own tonal character.
SG Custom — Three Pickups
Gibson SG Custom — £2,599 / $2,999+
The top of the production SG range. Three humbuckers (Burstbuckers), ebony fingerboard, gold hardware, and multi-ply binding. The three-pickup design gives more tonal options (bridge, bridge+middle, middle, middle+neck, neck) and the ebony board adds brightness and definition.
Tony Iommi famously used an SG Custom in the early Black Sabbath period. The three-pickup look is iconic for fans of that era.
Gibson Custom Shop SG
The Gibson Custom Shop produces historically accurate SG reissues and Collector's Choice instruments:
- SG Custom 3-pickup VOS: Vintage-aged finishes, hand-wired electronics, period hardware
- 1961 SG Standard Reissue: Long pickguard (1961-specific detail), thin-taper neck
- Custom Masterbuilt instruments: £3,000–£8,000+
Epiphone SG — Budget Options
| Model | Price | Pickups |
|---|---|---|
| Epiphone SG Standard | £399 | ProBucker humbuckers |
| Epiphone SG Special | £229 | Epiphone open-coil humbuckers |
| Epiphone SG Modern Figured | £479 | Epiphone humbuckers |
| Epiphone SG Custom | £599 | ProBucker × 3 |
The Epiphone SG Standard (£399) is the recommended starting point. It's noticeably cheaper than a Gibson, uses good quality materials, and is a legitimate instrument rather than a toy.
SG vs Les Paul — Which Should You Buy?
| Factor | SG | Les Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ~3kg (very light) | ~4.5kg (heavy) |
| Body thickness | ~33mm | ~55mm |
| Tone | Brighter, more aggressive | Warmer, fuller, more sustain |
| Upper fret access | Excellent (double cutaway) | Limited (single cutaway) |
| Neck angle | Shallow | Angled back |
| Balance | Neck-heavy (known issue) | Balanced |
| Price range | Epiphone £229 → Gibson £2,149 | Epiphone £329 → Gibson £2,499 |
Buy an SG if: You want a lighter guitar, you play high-register lead guitar frequently, you want a more aggressive/bright tone, or you're specifically going for an AC/DC, Black Sabbath, or Cream sound.
Buy a Les Paul if: You want warmer, fuller rhythm tones, you play blues or classic rock where the Les Paul's warmth is an asset, or you prefer a heavier, more resonant instrument.
Who Plays the SG
- Angus Young — AC/DC. The most famous SG player alive. Heritage Cherry SG Standard.
- Tony Iommi — Black Sabbath. SG Custom (3 pickups) in the early period; custom SGs later.
- Eric Clapton — Cream (1966–68). SG Standard before moving to ES-335.
- Pete Townshend — The Who. Smashed many SGs in the 1960s.
- Duane Allman — Allman Brothers. SG alongside his Les Paul and slide work.
- Derek Trucks — Allman Brothers Band and Tedeschi Trucks Band. SG for slide playing.
- Robby Krieger — The Doors. SG Special with P-90s on many classic Doors recordings.
- Frank Zappa — Various SG models in the early career.
- Frank Zappa, Carlos Santana (early), Jorma Kaukonen — SGs in the psychedelic era.
SG Buying Guide by Budget
Under £300 — Epiphone SG Special (£229)
Functional beginner guitar. Epiphone open-coil humbuckers are basic but the guitar is set up adequately. Professional setup (£30–50) improves it significantly.
£300–£500 — Epiphone SG Standard (£399)
The recommended budget SG. ProBucker pickups are a genuine step up from the basic Specials. Available in Heritage Cherry, Ebony, and other finishes. This plays and sounds like a real Gibson to most ears.
£500–£1,000 — Epiphone Inspired by Gibson SG Custom (£599) or upgraded Epiphone
At this price you're still in Epiphone territory. Consider upgrading the pickups on an Epiphone Standard with a set of Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB/SH-2 Jazz (£150 fitted) for a significant tone improvement.
£1,000–£2,000 — Gibson SG Junior or SG Special
The SG Junior (£1,399) offers genuine Gibson quality and the simplicity of a single P-90. The SG Special (£1,799) adds the second P-90. Both are excellent value in the Gibson lineup.
£2,000+ — Gibson SG Standard or SG Custom
At £2,149, the SG Standard is the benchmark. The '61 Standard at the same price is worth considering if the slim neck profile appeals. The SG Custom (£2,599) is the three-pickup option for maximum versatility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an SG good for beginners? Yes — the SG is lighter than a Les Paul, the double cutaway allows full upper-fret access, and Epiphone makes budget versions from £229. The Epiphone SG Standard (£399) is an excellent beginner guitar.
Why does the SG neck dive? The SG's double cutaway shifts the body's mass, making the neck heavier relative to the body. This causes the neck to tip down when you let go of the guitar strap. It's a known characteristic. Solutions: use a wider strap (more friction), use a strap lock, or add a small weight to the strap button under the body.
Is the SG better than the Les Paul? Neither is objectively better — they suit different players. The SG is lighter, more aggressive, and better for upper-fret access. The Les Paul is warmer, heavier, and more balanced. Both are among the greatest electric guitars ever made.
Why did Les Paul want his name off the SG? Les Paul asked Gibson to remove his name from the redesigned model in 1961 because he didn't like the thinner body and felt the new design didn't represent his aesthetic. The guitar continued as the SG and Les Paul's original design (thick body, single cutaway) was later reissued in 1968 at his request.
What pickups does the Gibson SG Standard come with? Current Gibson SG Standards typically come with two Gibson '57 Classic or BurstBucker humbuckers, depending on the specific production year and model variant. Check the specific product listing for exact pickup specification.