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Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar (with Case)
Includes deluxe hardshell case. Mahogany body, '50s rounded neck, Gibson 490R and 498T pickups.
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Overview
Description
From Our Catalog
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The Best Selling Gibson of All Time
Can you imagine it? The SG Standard, a radically designed beast even by today's MTV and Internet desensitized standards, was set forth to be a complete replacement for the Gibson Les Paul Standard, thought to be too bland and boring due to sagging sales figures and a seemingly uninterested base of musicians. In 1961 Gibson worked to reinvent their brand and image, and the SG Standard was the fruit of that labor. Evidently they were onto something, as the SG body style has remained in production since that first run, making the SG Standard the best selling Gibson guitar of all time.
A Spectacular Spectacle of Specifications
Though not necessarily as hyperbolic as the title indicates, the features found in the Gibson SG Standard are a well thought out combination of form, function, and ferocity. Though one might argue that a jazz cat could get down on an SG, you'd be hard pressed to find many notable ones that do. These guitars are really a rock guitarist's dream, and were designed from day one with that in mind. The Mahogany body and neck combined with a bound Rosewood fretboard coalesce to create beautiful tones rich in sustain, especially expressive in the upper-mids with complex overtones, topped off with a touch of class thanks to the trapezoidal fretboard inlays.. The dual cutaways of the solid Mahogany body conjure mental images of devilish horns and demonic ritual, completed by a bloody Heritage Cherry finish or "darker than midnight in a Norwegian forest" Ebony finish. That open book headstock design? One word: Necronomicon. The dual volume knobs, dual tone knobs, and 3-way selector switch allow you to play tonal wizard with the controls, and the rounded profile on the 24 and 3/4-inch scale neck with 1 and 11/16-inch nut width are exactly what you need to turn this guitar into a your scepter of sound. Finally, the chrome Tune-o-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece add enough stability for even the heaviest of spells.
Extras, Extras, Read All About 'Em!
What would an American-made Gibson be without a way to get it to and from the gig? As you might expect, the SG Standard includes a hardshell Gibson case, with a silkscreened Gibson logo adorning the top. With a guitar as affordable as this SG is you might think that they skimped on the electronics, but skimp they did not--this guitar includes a Gibson 490R and 498T pickups in the neck and bridge positions. Have you ever heard of a little thing called PAF's? Well, these are as close as you're going to get to their creamy, biting tone without gutting that priceless '59 Les Paul Standard at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Finally, each SG Standard comes laced up with a fresh set of Gibson Brite Wires, gauged .009-.042, perfect for grimy leads and colorful chording.
The Best Players Use the Best Guitars
Angus Young of AC/DC fame (who is so readily identified with the SG that he has even had his own signature model developed) might be the most recognizable face in the SG-toting crowd, but he is certainly not alone. Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Robby Kreiger of the Doors, Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa, Eric Clapton during his Cream years, Pete Townsend of The Who, Elliot Easton of the Cars, Thom Yorke of Radiohead... all SG devotees during all or parts of their career. That's a list that really speaks for itself.
Can you imagine it? The SG Standard, a radically designed beast even by today's MTV and Internet desensitized standards, was set forth to be a complete replacement for the Gibson Les Paul Standard, thought to be too bland and boring due to sagging sales figures and a seemingly uninterested base of musicians. In 1961 Gibson worked to reinvent their brand and image, and the SG Standard was the fruit of that labor. Evidently they were onto something, as the SG body style has remained in production since that first run, making the SG Standard the best selling Gibson guitar of all time.
A Spectacular Spectacle of Specifications
Though not necessarily as hyperbolic as the title indicates, the features found in the Gibson SG Standard are a well thought out combination of form, function, and ferocity. Though one might argue that a jazz cat could get down on an SG, you'd be hard pressed to find many notable ones that do. These guitars are really a rock guitarist's dream, and were designed from day one with that in mind. The Mahogany body and neck combined with a bound Rosewood fretboard coalesce to create beautiful tones rich in sustain, especially expressive in the upper-mids with complex overtones, topped off with a touch of class thanks to the trapezoidal fretboard inlays.. The dual cutaways of the solid Mahogany body conjure mental images of devilish horns and demonic ritual, completed by a bloody Heritage Cherry finish or "darker than midnight in a Norwegian forest" Ebony finish. That open book headstock design? One word: Necronomicon. The dual volume knobs, dual tone knobs, and 3-way selector switch allow you to play tonal wizard with the controls, and the rounded profile on the 24 and 3/4-inch scale neck with 1 and 11/16-inch nut width are exactly what you need to turn this guitar into a your scepter of sound. Finally, the chrome Tune-o-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece add enough stability for even the heaviest of spells.
Extras, Extras, Read All About 'Em!
What would an American-made Gibson be without a way to get it to and from the gig? As you might expect, the SG Standard includes a hardshell Gibson case, with a silkscreened Gibson logo adorning the top. With a guitar as affordable as this SG is you might think that they skimped on the electronics, but skimp they did not--this guitar includes a Gibson 490R and 498T pickups in the neck and bridge positions. Have you ever heard of a little thing called PAF's? Well, these are as close as you're going to get to their creamy, biting tone without gutting that priceless '59 Les Paul Standard at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Finally, each SG Standard comes laced up with a fresh set of Gibson Brite Wires, gauged .009-.042, perfect for grimy leads and colorful chording.
The Best Players Use the Best Guitars
Angus Young of AC/DC fame (who is so readily identified with the SG that he has even had his own signature model developed) might be the most recognizable face in the SG-toting crowd, but he is certainly not alone. Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Robby Kreiger of the Doors, Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa, Eric Clapton during his Cream years, Pete Townsend of The Who, Elliot Easton of the Cars, Thom Yorke of Radiohead... all SG devotees during all or parts of their career. That's a list that really speaks for itself.
Instantly recognizable. The backbone of rock and roll. The ultimate conduit between the music in your head and the sound coming out of your amp. 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. The list is unbelievable. When will you add your name to the list?
Available Finishes
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 make this guitar a knock-out
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.
A meaty neck profile with elegant fingerboard binding
The most distinguishable neck of all-time. The traditional '50s neck profile on the SG Standard is hand-sanded by American craftsmen to give you a comfortably thick, round profile that emulates the neck shapes of the iconic late '50s Gibson models. The cherry on top is the stunning antique cream binding that runs along the fingerboard.
Hot chrome pickups dole out a searing modern sound
Gibson's 490R and 498T pickups ("R" for rhythm and "T" for treble) are Gibson's most versatile pickups. These covered humbuckers give you the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, but with a slight increase in upper mid-range response. The Gibson 498T bridge pickup is the perfect complement for the 490R, giving you a hotter sound with emphasis on mid-ranges and highs.
Resonant set-neck construction leaves our competitors in the dust
Better tone, better sustain and no loose or misaligned necks. That's what distinguishes the neck of the SG Standard from those of most of our competitors, who opt for bolt-on necks. The neck on the SG Standard is glued on by hand to ensure maximum contact between the neck and body. This allows the neck and body of your guitar to function as a single, incredibly resonant unit.
'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.
Body Style: SG
Body Species: Mahogany
Hardware
Plating Finish: Chrome
Tailpiece: Gibson Stop Bar
Bridge: Gibson Tune-O-Matic
Tuners: Grover Kluson Style Green Keys
Electronics
Neck Pickup: 490R
Bridge Pickup: 498T
Pickup Covers: Yes
Controls: 2 Volume - 2 Tone - 3-Way Toggle
Control Knobs: Black Tophats with Silver Inserts
Control Pocket Cover: Black Molded
Special Features: Quick-Connect Control Pocket Assembly
Neck
Species: Mahogany
Nut: Corian
Nut Width: Standard Gibson: 1.695" +/- .050"
Headstock Inlay: Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo + Holly
Truss Rod: Gibson Adjustable Truss Rod
Truss Rod Cover: Bell-shaped cover, stamped "SG"
Fingerboard
Fingerboard Species: Rosewood
Inlays: Figured Acrylic Trapezoid
Fingerboard Binding: Antique Cream
Number of Frets: 22
Scale Length: 24 - 3/4"
Case
Type: Gibson Hardshell
Interior: White
Case Exterior: Black
Silkscreen: Gibson USA Logo
Available Finishes
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 make this guitar a knock-out
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.
A meaty neck profile with elegant fingerboard binding
The most distinguishable neck of all-time. The traditional '50s neck profile on the SG Standard is hand-sanded by American craftsmen to give you a comfortably thick, round profile that emulates the neck shapes of the iconic late '50s Gibson models. The cherry on top is the stunning antique cream binding that runs along the fingerboard.
Hot chrome pickups dole out a searing modern sound
Gibson's 490R and 498T pickups ("R" for rhythm and "T" for treble) are Gibson's most versatile pickups. These covered humbuckers give you the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, but with a slight increase in upper mid-range response. The Gibson 498T bridge pickup is the perfect complement for the 490R, giving you a hotter sound with emphasis on mid-ranges and highs.
Resonant set-neck construction leaves our competitors in the dust
Better tone, better sustain and no loose or misaligned necks. That's what distinguishes the neck of the SG Standard from those of most of our competitors, who opt for bolt-on necks. The neck on the SG Standard is glued on by hand to ensure maximum contact between the neck and body. This allows the neck and body of your guitar to function as a single, incredibly resonant unit.
'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.
Technical Info
BodyBody Style: SG
Body Species: Mahogany
Hardware
Plating Finish: Chrome
Tailpiece: Gibson Stop Bar
Bridge: Gibson Tune-O-Matic
Tuners: Grover Kluson Style Green Keys
Electronics
Neck Pickup: 490R
Bridge Pickup: 498T
Pickup Covers: Yes
Controls: 2 Volume - 2 Tone - 3-Way Toggle
Control Knobs: Black Tophats with Silver Inserts
Control Pocket Cover: Black Molded
Special Features: Quick-Connect Control Pocket Assembly
Neck
Species: Mahogany
Nut: Corian
Nut Width: Standard Gibson: 1.695" +/- .050"
Headstock Inlay: Mother of Pearl Gibson Logo + Holly
Truss Rod: Gibson Adjustable Truss Rod
Truss Rod Cover: Bell-shaped cover, stamped "SG"
Fingerboard
Fingerboard Species: Rosewood
Inlays: Figured Acrylic Trapezoid
Fingerboard Binding: Antique Cream
Number of Frets: 22
Scale Length: 24 - 3/4"
Case
Type: Gibson Hardshell
Interior: White
Case Exterior: Black
Silkscreen: Gibson USA Logo
Going strong since its '60s debut! The SG's lightweight body design, great feel, and recognizable Gibson tone just never get old. Set mahogany neck with contoured mahogany body; bound rosewood fretboard with trapezoidal inlays; nickel-covered Gibson humbuckers with volume and tone controls. Includes case.
02/24
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Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar (with Case) Reviews
10 out of 10
"This may be the one..."
Feature:
The guitar usually comes with a hardshell case, however, when I bought mine the store was out of them so I have an Epiphone case. It has two tone knobs and a volume knob for each pickup, which gives you maximum control over your tone. It's extremely slim and light, which makes it an easy guitar to play, and the action was fantastic directly from the factory.
Quality:
This product was in excellent condition directly from the factory - no blemishes in the finish and solid. It's an instrument made in America, and it can take abuse, and I expect it to last a long time. Definitely appropriate for the road.
Value:
If you're measuring tone, I would say the Les Paul has an edge on the SG - not much of an edge, and certainly not enough to justify the difference in price. While I have played Les Paul's and liked them very very much, I also love my SG, and for the price, there's no better instrument.
Desirability:
It has the double-cutaway, which is very familiar to fans of the SG. It has been played by a ton of musicians: Pete Townsend, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan, Paul Westerberg, Tony Iommi, Rivers Cuomo, Angus Young, Jimmy Page, Johnny "Guitar" Watson...the list goes on and on -- so it's instantly recognizable. I own the Heritage Cherry and it's sexy as hell.
Sound:
I love this instrument. While it's sound isn't quite as distinguished as a Les Paul, it has a ton of bottom end, but is nicely balanced with crisp, clean highs -- great for recording or playing live. It has a fixed bridge, which a lot of players dislike, but I prefer. And the sustain on an SG is unbelievable! The minute I first plugged one in I knew I had to own it. I confess, I committed a bit of sacrelige: the instrument had the traditional Gibson tuners, which I find to be un-reliable, so I changed them, and now it's solid as a rock.
Support:
I haven't needed to contact Gibson, and truthfully, I don't expect to have to. It has a simple design that I don't expect to wear out anytime soon.
Overall:
This is a fantastic instrument and I encourage you to get your hands on one if you're a fan of that thick Gibson sound. An SG is great whether you're playing rhythm or lead. I also own a Fender Stratocaster and my SG compliments it very well, because they both can make sounds that the other can't. I play the SG more than any of my other guitars because it is the most versatile.
The guitar usually comes with a hardshell case, however, when I bought mine the store was out of them so I have an Epiphone case. It has two tone knobs and a volume knob for each pickup, which gives you maximum control over your tone. It's extremely slim and light, which makes it an easy guitar to play, and the action was fantastic directly from the factory.
Quality:
This product was in excellent condition directly from the factory - no blemishes in the finish and solid. It's an instrument made in America, and it can take abuse, and I expect it to last a long time. Definitely appropriate for the road.
Value:
If you're measuring tone, I would say the Les Paul has an edge on the SG - not much of an edge, and certainly not enough to justify the difference in price. While I have played Les Paul's and liked them very very much, I also love my SG, and for the price, there's no better instrument.
Desirability:
It has the double-cutaway, which is very familiar to fans of the SG. It has been played by a ton of musicians: Pete Townsend, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan, Paul Westerberg, Tony Iommi, Rivers Cuomo, Angus Young, Jimmy Page, Johnny "Guitar" Watson...the list goes on and on -- so it's instantly recognizable. I own the Heritage Cherry and it's sexy as hell.
Sound:
I love this instrument. While it's sound isn't quite as distinguished as a Les Paul, it has a ton of bottom end, but is nicely balanced with crisp, clean highs -- great for recording or playing live. It has a fixed bridge, which a lot of players dislike, but I prefer. And the sustain on an SG is unbelievable! The minute I first plugged one in I knew I had to own it. I confess, I committed a bit of sacrelige: the instrument had the traditional Gibson tuners, which I find to be un-reliable, so I changed them, and now it's solid as a rock.
Support:
I haven't needed to contact Gibson, and truthfully, I don't expect to have to. It has a simple design that I don't expect to wear out anytime soon.
Overall:
This is a fantastic instrument and I encourage you to get your hands on one if you're a fan of that thick Gibson sound. An SG is great whether you're playing rhythm or lead. I also own a Fender Stratocaster and my SG compliments it very well, because they both can make sounds that the other can't. I play the SG more than any of my other guitars because it is the most versatile.
Submitted: 02/11/2006
Style of Music: rock / jazz
10 out of 10
"Great sound, great quality. One of my favorite guitars in my collection."
Feature:
Came with a hard shell case (if you don't get one, buy one). Two volume and two tone knobs (one for each pickup) and a three way selector switch. Between selecting one or both of the pups and the individual tone adjustments, the variety of sounds you can get from this guitar are almost endless. The pickguard is quite large and protects above and below the strings. I actually prefer the placement of the selector switch on my SG over the placement on my Les Paul because it's not in the direct path of my arm while strumming (it's not too hard to accidentally knock the switch on my LP to a different setting). As for a feature that has no functional use, the pearl inlay in the headstock (both the Gibson name and the little emblem) just look beautiful on the black of the headstock.
Quality:
I got the ebony finish. The black on black is gorgeous. The nitrocellulose finish is clean and smooth and polished to an impeccable shine. The frets are nicely dressed and even. Binding on the neck. While I will hate myself the first time it gets a stage scar, I know that this guitar can stand up to any experience short of purposely slamming into the stage and still keep on playing. I always have a backup, but in this case, it's only to guard against broken strings. This guitar will probably outlive me.
Value:
Personally, I think Gibson underrates this guitar. The quality and sound are comparable to a Les Paul (don't get me wrong, both have a distinct sound, but both are great), but the SG Standard runs, on average, $1,000 less than a Les Paul Standard. It's worth every penny.
Desirability:
I love the look of the SG. I wanted one of these before I even played guitar. The horns make it look menacing and evil, but are still a classic style without getting all corny and metal looking. In a word, timeless.
Sound:
Originally, I bought a Gibson SG Special Faded (I was looking for the SG sound and style at a budget price). The pups on the faded were very hot, so while I was getting great lead tones, the bottom end just wasn't there. Rather than swap pups, I opted to sell the faded and buy a Standard (I'd wanted one for a long time anyway!). The Standard has a great, chunky low end. The highs are sweet and clear. This guitar fills a perfect niche in my arsenal (I also have a Gibson Les Paul, ES-135 with humbuckers and a Guild Bluesbird). The other guitar player in my band plays a Les Paul and the Paul/SG sound in the band is irreplaceable. The clean tones are crisp and defined, the distorted tones just ooze a rock feel (I play through a Marshall AVT50 amp with no pedals, distortion from the gain channel only). I've recorded with it and it's great. The sound is versatile enough to work with rock and blues. Finally, the sustain just goes and goes. And goes. And goes.
Support:
While I haven't had to contact them for this guitar, I did have a warranty repair on my ES-135 and there was complete support from Gibson when it all went down.
Overall:
I love this guitar. Like I said earlier, it fills a niche in my collection that only an SG could fill. It's nice and light so I can play it forever with the back-aches I get after playing my Les Paul for over an hour (what can I say, I'm getting old!). I have no plans of changing anything on it with the exception of the strings, and that's only when they wear out.
Came with a hard shell case (if you don't get one, buy one). Two volume and two tone knobs (one for each pickup) and a three way selector switch. Between selecting one or both of the pups and the individual tone adjustments, the variety of sounds you can get from this guitar are almost endless. The pickguard is quite large and protects above and below the strings. I actually prefer the placement of the selector switch on my SG over the placement on my Les Paul because it's not in the direct path of my arm while strumming (it's not too hard to accidentally knock the switch on my LP to a different setting). As for a feature that has no functional use, the pearl inlay in the headstock (both the Gibson name and the little emblem) just look beautiful on the black of the headstock.
Quality:
I got the ebony finish. The black on black is gorgeous. The nitrocellulose finish is clean and smooth and polished to an impeccable shine. The frets are nicely dressed and even. Binding on the neck. While I will hate myself the first time it gets a stage scar, I know that this guitar can stand up to any experience short of purposely slamming into the stage and still keep on playing. I always have a backup, but in this case, it's only to guard against broken strings. This guitar will probably outlive me.
Value:
Personally, I think Gibson underrates this guitar. The quality and sound are comparable to a Les Paul (don't get me wrong, both have a distinct sound, but both are great), but the SG Standard runs, on average, $1,000 less than a Les Paul Standard. It's worth every penny.
Desirability:
I love the look of the SG. I wanted one of these before I even played guitar. The horns make it look menacing and evil, but are still a classic style without getting all corny and metal looking. In a word, timeless.
Sound:
Originally, I bought a Gibson SG Special Faded (I was looking for the SG sound and style at a budget price). The pups on the faded were very hot, so while I was getting great lead tones, the bottom end just wasn't there. Rather than swap pups, I opted to sell the faded and buy a Standard (I'd wanted one for a long time anyway!). The Standard has a great, chunky low end. The highs are sweet and clear. This guitar fills a perfect niche in my arsenal (I also have a Gibson Les Paul, ES-135 with humbuckers and a Guild Bluesbird). The other guitar player in my band plays a Les Paul and the Paul/SG sound in the band is irreplaceable. The clean tones are crisp and defined, the distorted tones just ooze a rock feel (I play through a Marshall AVT50 amp with no pedals, distortion from the gain channel only). I've recorded with it and it's great. The sound is versatile enough to work with rock and blues. Finally, the sustain just goes and goes. And goes. And goes.
Support:
While I haven't had to contact them for this guitar, I did have a warranty repair on my ES-135 and there was complete support from Gibson when it all went down.
Overall:
I love this guitar. Like I said earlier, it fills a niche in my collection that only an SG could fill. It's nice and light so I can play it forever with the back-aches I get after playing my Les Paul for over an hour (what can I say, I'm getting old!). I have no plans of changing anything on it with the exception of the strings, and that's only when they wear out.
Style of Music: rock, punk, country
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