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Official Gibson SG Buyers Guide 2023 - Original, Modern & NEW Custom Color Series SGplay button

Official Gibson SG Buyers Guide 2023 - Original, Modern & NEW Custom Color Series SG

Gibson

collapse expand iconDescription

The Gibson SG Standard solid body electric guitar isn't just an instrument—it's a rite of passage. Born in '61, this guitar has been in the hands of rule-breakers, riff-makers and stage-shakers ever since. Sleek, fast and unapologetically bold, the SG is leaner than a Les Paul and louder than life. Think Angus Young duckwalking across stadiums or Tony Iommi forging the sound of metal. Whether you're tracking in the studio or igniting a live set, this is the guitar that says you've arrived.

Mahogany Body With Signature Gibson Resonance

The SG Standard's solid mahogany body delivers rich tone, harmonic depth and the kind of sustain that made Gibson famous. A long-tenon neck joint at the 19th fret adds punch and stability, while the nitrocellulose finish lets the wood breathe and age naturally. This is the same tonewood that powered Sabbath's heaviest riffs—and it's still built to sing.

490R and 490T Pickups With Classic Growl

Equipped with 490R and 490T Alnico II humbuckers, this SG covers everything from bluesy warmth to sharp, articulate bite. The neck pickup delivers smooth soul, while the bridge cuts through with definition. These pickups don't just emulate vintage tone—they've helped define it, from Derek Trucks to Angus Young.

Legendary Gibson Control Layout With Modern Touch

Two volume knobs, two tone knobs and a three-way toggle switch—no gimmicks, just proven control. Artists from Frank Zappa to Sister Rosetta Tharpe have shaped their sound with this layout. It's fast, flexible and made for players who know how to dial in what they want, instantly.

Stage-Ready Hardware With Player-First Feel

The SG Standard features a rounded mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability across all 22 frets. A Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece provide stable intonation and long-lasting sustain. With classic keystone tuners and solid hardware, it's built for the road—but just as comfortable in the studio.

Lightweight Design With a Legacy of Power

Thin, fast and endlessly playable, the SG remains a rock icon because it's built for action. From Santana's historic Woodstock set to Ty Segall's fuzzed-out anthems, the SG has shaped sound across generations. And with the included softshell case, you're ready to hit the road the moment inspiration strikes.

Open Box Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar Level 2 Silver Mist 197881286545
Open Box Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar Level 2 Silver Mist 197881286545
Open Box Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar Level 2 Silver Mist 197881286545

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Rounded mahogany neck profile provides smooth playability and lasting comfort
  • Bound 22-fret rosewood fingerboard ensures easy navigation and warm tonal response
  • Solid mahogany body delivers iconic rock tone with singing sustain
  • Long-tenon neck joint enhances stability and maximizes resonance
  • 490R and 490T Alnico II pickups deliver powerful, classic tone
  • Black 5-ply full-face pickguard adds durability and vintage aesthetic
  • Softshell case included for lightweight protection during transport and storage

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body type: Solid body
  • Body wood: Mahogany
  • Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose
  • Pickguard: Black 5-ply full-face
  • Construction: Long-tenon neck joint
Neck
  • Neck wood: Mahogany
  • Neck profile: Rounded
  • Scale length: 24.75"
  • Fingerboard wood: Rosewood
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Fingerboard binding: Single-ply
  • Inlays: Dot
Electronics
  • Configuration: HH
  • Neck pickup: 490R Alnico II
  • Bridge pickup: 490T Alnico II
  • Controls: Two volume, two tone
  • Pickup selector: Three-way toggle switch
Hardware
  • Bridge: Tune-o-matic
  • Tailpiece: Stopbar
  • Tuning machines: Vintage Deluxe
  • Hardware finish: Nickel
Other
  • Orientation: Right-handed
  • Case: Softshell

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.69

35 Reviews

97%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Gibson SG Ebony
Excellent guitar!
Finish flaws and rough fret
Finish flaws and rough fret
No quality control issues
No quality control issues
No quality control issues
I would definitely buy another one just like this
Quality Off The Scale
Definitely one of my favorite Gibsons, this SG Rocks!
Definitely one of my favorite Gibsons, this SG Rocks!
What a fabulous guitar!!!!!🤠👍

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Excellent guitar!

I went in to guitar center this evening with full intention of purchasing a Les Paul studio. I currently own a very nice Les Paul traditional special edition which I love in every way! But because of its cost I've been very careful with it, which results in me not playing it as often as I'd like. My solution was to get the Les Paul studio that would give me the tone and feel that I was looking for without the tendency to treat it like a newborn. I played a very nice Les Paul studio which was a great guitar, but in the end I still felt like something was missing. I was just about to leave when I spotted an SG standard and I thought why not give this a go. Honestly it felt superior to the studio to me. The neck felt better and the clarity felt better. It just clicked when I played it. I'm not a professional, but I have been playing for 20 years now and I feel like I've gained some perspective on guitars. The Les Paul studio felt like a different guitar than my traditional. I wish it didn't. The SG was just what I was looking for! It has an awesome edge to it. It screams with distortion and sounds excellent clean as well. The neck feels great and it just feels like there isn't anything to complain about. It may end up being my go to over the Les Paul! Everything is just as it should be. I love it. No regrets!

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Finish flaws and rough fret

I bought this guitar from the Florence KY location yesterday. The set up was awful. I had to intonate, set action and I spent 3 hours setting it because the neck relief had to be adjusted severaI times was told that it set up to spec and after getting home and measuring it was no where close to spec. Upon setting it up I found several finish flaws and a fret that was so rough that I could get my fingernail to catch on it. I returned it today to an employee who was combative and dismissive when I tried to inform him about the issues I found with it. If you're going to sell an almost 2k guitar make sure it's set up properly and do some QC checking before you just throw it on the wall. Frankly it should have never left Gibsons' factory in that condition.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming24
  2. Practicing23
  3. Recording19
  4. Rock Concerts14
  5. Small Venues12
Cons
  1. Craftsmanship2
  2. No set up1
  3. Poor Pick Up1
  4. Salesman provided less than satisfactory service1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced22
  2. Novice6
  3. Professional Musician5
Pros
  1. Good Tone33
  2. Good Feel31
  3. Fun To Play30
  4. Good Pick Up27
  5. Solid Electronics26

Reviewed by 35 customers

  • The real deal

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted6 months ago

    byFabrizio

    fromWinter Park, FL

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    My son always wanted a SG and, after looking at the Epiphone counterparts, I've decided to go for the real deal. It's beautifully crafted, the fingerboard edges are very smooth and holds well the tuning. Neck dive is very present but I guess I can get used to it.

  • Bait and Switch

    1

    submitted8 months ago

    byThomas

    fromNew York City

    This is not a review on the guitar itself since Guitar Center tried to pull a fast one on me. You would be better served just going some place else.

  • Perfect

    5

    submitted10 months ago

    byJason

    fromSt Paul MN

    From the minute it was taken out of the box I knew. This beauty is worth every penny. The playability is exceptional. The weight is light. If you are giving and want something that will sit on your shoulder all night and not wear you out. This works great. Additional, the board plays like butter. You just can't go wrong.

  • Gibson SG Ebony

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byMitchell

    fromMaryland

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I've had a lot of guitars, but this one is the best I've ever had. The action is perfect right out of the box, I sit around playing this guitar several hours a night. Do yourself a favor and get one they are very solid. I even recorded on my iPhone with just the guitar and it sounds awesome.

  • Excellent guitar!

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byDan

    fromEau Claire, WI

    I went in to guitar center this evening with full intention of purchasing a Les Paul studio. I currently own a very nice Les Paul traditional special edition which I love in every way! But because of its cost I've been very careful with it, which results in me not playing it as often as I'd like. My solution was to get the Les Paul studio that would give me the tone and feel that I was looking for without the tendency to treat it like a newborn. I played a very nice Les Paul studio which was a great guitar, but in the end I still felt like something was missing. I was just about to leave when I spotted an SG standard and I thought why not give this a go. Honestly it felt superior to the studio to me. The neck felt better and the clarity felt better. It just clicked when I played it. I'm not a professional, but I have been playing for 20 years now and I feel like I've gained some perspective on guitars. The Les Paul studio felt like a different guitar than my traditional. I wish it didn't. The SG was just what I was looking for! It has an awesome edge to it. It screams with distortion and sounds excellent clean as well. The neck feels great and it just feels like there isn't anything to complain about. It may end up being my go to over the Les Paul! Everything is just as it should be. I love it. No regrets!

  • Heavenly guitar

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byJack

    fromRichmond, VA

    This was my first electric guitar and it is absolutely amazing! It has an amazing sound to it and really does push your amp to new heights. Wether it is being played with or without distortion, it has a sound that will leave a wonderful impression on the listeners. The guitar also maintains its tune extremely well.

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted2 months ago

    asked byOscar

    fromundisclosed

    Hi, I have a question, the product hace hardcase?, in the features i see softcase, but i have been see the reviews and i rode that comes whit hard

    Hi, I have a question, the product hace hardcase?, in the features i see softcase, but i have been see the reviews and i rode that comes whit hard

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, it doesn't. It includes the Gibson Soft Case for Solid Body Electric Guitar.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked bycraig

    fromcambridge ma

    how wide is the neck/fret bord?

    how wide is the neck/fret bord?

    Open Reply - Gear-Advisor
    Fingerboard Radius 304.8 mm / 12 in-------Nut Width 43.05 mm / 1.694 in

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byDuke

    fromCorpus Christi, Tx

    Dose it come with a hard case?

    Dose it come with a hard case?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byMötleyCrüefan

    fromLittleton Colorado

    Are Gibson guitars made in the USA?

    Are Gibson guitars made in the USA?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byKeith

    fromGardena cal

    How much does it weigh 2018 sg special gibson

    How much does it weigh 2018 sg special gibson

    Open Reply - Ronald
    11 lbs.