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. 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.

Classic SG Specifications

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 baked maple 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 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 your scepter of sound. Finally, the chrome tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece add enough stability for even the heaviest of shredders.

Check out this video from Gibson showcasing the SG Standard:

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, one might think that Gibson skimped on the electronics, but skimp they did not: this guitar includes Gibson 490R and 498T pickups in the neck and bridge positions, respectively. Have you ever heard of a little thing called PAFs? 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 .010-.046, perfect for grimy leads and colorful chording.

Features:

- Hot 490R humbucker at neck and 498T at bridge -- outstanding rock pickups
- Classic SG design with comfortable body and excellent upper-fret access
- Mahogany body and neck connected with sturdy tenon joint
- Gibson tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece
- Grover kluson-style green tuners
- Included hardshell case

Legendary Guitars for Legendary Players

Angus Young of AC/DC fame (who is so readily identified with the SG that he 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. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Gibson products.

Body
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: Baked Maple

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

Product Description

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 the 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 the 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 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.