Gibson SG Special
| Gibson SG Special | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Manufacturer | Gibson |
| Period | 1961–present |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Solid |
| Neck joint | Set |
| Scale | 24.75" |
| Woods | |
| Body | Mahogany |
| Neck | Mahogany, Maple |
| Fretboard | 22 or 24 fret - Ebony, Rosewood, or Baked Maple |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Fixed |
| Pickup(s) | Original/Classic: P-90 Humbucker model: 490T (bridge) / 490R (neck) |
| Colors available | |
| Current Range: Butterscotch, Heritage Cherry, Desert Burst, Ebony, Fireburst, Walnut. | |
The Gibson SG Special is an electric guitar made by Gibson, that has been manufactured since 1961.
Origins
The SG Special was between the Junior and Standard model and was introduced concurrent with the Junior. It featured two P-90 pickups with either a stoptail bridge or an optional Vibrola. On this mid-level SG model, Gibson kept the neck binding but used dot inlays in place of the trapezoid position markers of the standard model and did not use the crown inlay on the headstock. With various minor changes, this model was produced through 1990. This model resurrected in 1995 as the SG Classic.
The influence of the P90 equipped SG's of the late 1960s and later reissues (such as the SG classic - a modern reissue of the late 1960s SG Special) have spanned the rock genre and have notably been played by the likes of Pete Townshend (The Who: late 1960s SG Specials), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath: Red 1964 SG Special modified by John Birch), Allison Robertson (The Donna's - Gold Medal: SG Classic with rare Walnut finish), Davey Lane (The Pictures, You Am I: SG Classic finished in Cherry), Billy Lunn (The Subways: SG Special finished in Black) and Carlos Santana (Santana: SG Special finished in Dark Cherry)
Recent models
Recent models of the Gibson SG Special represent a cheaper model in their product line-up. Typically, it does not include the stylized neck binding of other models, or mother-of-pearl, trapezoid fret inlays. The wraparound stoptail bridge has been replaced with Gibson's standard Tune-O-Matic arrangement on the Classic and Special reissues, while the reissue of the Junior retains the original one-piece bridge. Most SG Specials (like their Standard counterpart) have a volume and tone knob for each pickup and a 3-way selector switch. From 1983 to 1988, a simpler three-knob model was produced. Gibson has reduced cost further with the faded series, which has a rougher and less finished stained body. As of 2014 Gibson has changed the neck wood from mahogany to maple, as well as completely done away with the pickguard, to further reduce cost.[1] The example pictured on the right is not one of the cheaper models but in 1998 and 1999 the SG Special Limited Edition which was a higher-end version with all gold hardware and ebony fingerboard; at the time it retailed at between $1,500-$2,200.
See also
- Gibson SG
- Gibson Les Paul Special — in the late 1959, its doublecut model was renamed to "SG Special", due to discontinuation of Les Paul affiliation.[2]
References
- ^ http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/gibson-2014-sg-special-electric-guitar/j03326000001000?source=3WWRWXGP&gclid=CPaNkJvmvr0CFVKFfgodFGkApQ&kwid=productads-plaid%255E69396417987-sku%255EJ03326000001000@ADL4MF-adType%255EPLA-device%255Ec-adid%255E40182691107
- ^
Duchossoir, A. R. (1998). "Les Paul Special & SG Special". Gibson Electrics: The Classic Years: An Illustrated History of the Electric Guitars Produced by Gibson Up to the Mid-1960s. Musical Instruments Series (revised ed.). Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 211. ISBN 978-0-79359210-4.
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External links
The SG shown in photo is likely a 1998 thru 2001 SG Special Limited Edition and shown with ebony fingerboard, gold hardware and a limited run Creme color.