Gibson SG
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| Manufacturer | Gibson |
|---|---|
| Period | 1961–1963 (as Gibson Les Paul SG) 1963–present (as Gibson SG) |
| Body type | Solid |
| Neck joint | Set-in, bolt-on for some entry level models |
| Scale | 24.75" |
| Body | Mahogany (some models feature maple tops), birch laminate, maple |
| Neck | Mahogany, Birch Laminate, Maple |
| Fretboard | Rosewood, ebony, maple, richlite |
| Bridge | Hardtail (Tune-O-Matic), Gibson Vibrato |
| Pickup(s) | 1, 2 or 3 Humbuckers; 1 or 2 P-90s; certain entry-level versions have smaller single coil pickups. |
| Heritage Cherry, Natural, Walnut, Mahogany, Classic White, Ebony and various specialty colors and bursts. | |
The Gibson SG is a solid-body electric guitar model that was introduced in 1961 (as the Gibson Les Paul) by Gibson, and remains in production today with many variations on the initial design available. The SG Standard is Gibson's best selling model of all time.
In 1960, Gibson Les Paul sales were significantly lower than in previous years. The following year, the Les Paul was given a thinner, flat-topped mahogany body, a double cutaway which made the upper frets more accessible, and a contoured body. The neck joint was moved by three frets to further ease access to the upper frets. The simpler body construction significantly reduced production costs, and the new Les Paul, with its slender neck profile and small heel was advertised as having the "fastest neck in the world". However, the redesign was done without knowledge from Les Paul himself (who had nothing to do with it). Although the new guitar was popular, Les Paul was unhappy with the new design, and requested the removal of his name from the new model. He remained under contract to Gibson, and was photographed with the new model several times.
Gibson honored Les Paul's request, and the new model was renamed "SG", which stood for "Solid Guitar". Les Paul's name was officially deleted in 1963, but the SG continued to feature Les Paul nameplates and truss rod covers until the end of 1963.
In the early-to-mid 1960s Gibson's parent corporation, Chicago Musical Instruments, also revived the "Kalamazoo" brand name for a short time. Later models of the Kalamazoo KG-1 and KG-2 featured a body style similar to the Gibson SG, effectively creating a budget-line model until the brand was dropped in the late 1960s. Gibson currently releases lower-cost, internationally sourced versions of the SG through their subsidiary, Epiphone.
Because of its ease of play, holding comfort, popularity and vintage heritage, the body style of the SG is often copied by other manufacturers, although much less frequently than the Les Paul and the .
The SG generally has a solid mahogany body, with a black pickguard. The 24.75" scale mahogany neck joins the body at the 22nd fret. The SG's set neck is shallower than the Gibson Les Pauls. The SG features the traditional Gibson combination of two humbucker pickups or P90 pickups and a Tune-o-matic bridge assembly, wraparound bridge, (or vibrato tailpiece, depending on the model).
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