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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

Mark Agnesi Talks About The SG Standard '61 Modelplay button

Mark Agnesi Talks About The SG Standard '61 Model

Jeff George Demos The SG Standard '61play button

Jeff George Demos The SG Standard '61

Gibson

collapse expand iconDescription

The year was 1961, and Gibson was ready to turn the page. What came next was bold, fast and impossible to ignore. The Gibson SG Standard 61 solid body electric guitar captures the energy and edge of that pivotal moment in music history. With razor-sharp double cutaways, effortless upper fret access and singing sustain, this guitar helped define the sound of everything from '60s psychedelia to early metal and modern blues rock. Built for fearless players and free thinkers, the SG 61 remains a timeless icon of tone and attitude.

Mahogany Body and SlimTaper Neck for Comfortable Playability

Sculpted from solid mahogany, the SG Standard 61 delivers warm resonance and dynamic response while staying lightweight enough for marathon sets. The deep body bevels and fast SlimTaper neck make it a joy to play, whether you're comping chords or racing through leads. A bound rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets gives your fingers room to roam—this is a neck made for expression.

61R and 61T Humbuckers for Punch and Clarity

Voiced to reflect the tone of early SGs, the 61R and 61T humbuckers offer clarity, smooth mids and tight low-end growl. From clean blues to fuzzed-out rock, these pickups adapt with ease. Orange Drop capacitors and audio taper pots keep your tone consistent and musical at any volume. It's the kind of flexible power that lets you move from vintage warmth to modern crunch without skipping a beat.

Premium Hardware Built for the Stage

The SG Standard 61 is built for performance with a Tune-o-matic bridge and aluminum stopbar tailpiece for rock-solid intonation and sustain. Keystone tuners hold your tuning through aggressive bends and fast changes, while nickel-plated hardware adds vintage-inspired shine. From studio sessions to stage lights, it's ready to go the distance.

Classic Design with Modern Refinements

With its five-ply teardrop pickguard, deep bevels and gloss nitrocellulose finish, the SG Standard 61 delivers vintage looks with modern balance. Subtle updates to tuning stability, playability and electronics bring this classic firmly into the present. It's a time-honored build that feels just right in today's music world.

Why Choose the Gibson SG Standard 61?

For players who want speed, soul and a direct line to rock history, the SG Standard 61 hits every mark. It's a no-compromise guitar with the tone, feel and heritage to handle anything from garage jams to headline sets. If your style leans loud, fast and fearless, this SG is ready for it.

Gibson SG Standard '61 Electric Guitar Silver Mist
Gibson SG Standard '61 Electric Guitar Silver Mist
Gibson SG Standard '61 Electric Guitar Silver Mist

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • SlimTaper mahogany neck delivers fast playability and long-lasting comfort
  • Bound rosewood fingerboard enhances smooth fretting and classic styling
  • Deeply sculpted mahogany body provides resonance and lightweight balance
  • 61R and 61T humbuckers deliver classic tone with added power and clarity
  • Audio taper potentiometers ensure precise control for dynamic sound shaping
  • Orange Drop capacitors offer consistent and reliable tonal quality
  • Tune-o-matic bridge ensures accurate intonation and stable tuning
  • 5-ply teardrop pickguard adds iconic vintage aesthetic to the design
  • Nickel-plated hardware ensures durability and a sleek, polished look
  • Keystone tuners provide stable tuning and traditional visual appeal

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body shape: SG
  • Body wood: Mahogany
  • Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose
  • Pickguard: 5-ply teardrop
  • Neck joint: Set neck at 22nd fret
Neck
  • Neck wood: Mahogany
  • Neck profile: SlimTaper
  • Scale length: 24.75"
  • Fingerboard wood: Rosewood
  • Fingerboard binding: Single-ply
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Acrylic trapezoid
Hardware
  • Bridge: Tune-o-matic
  • Tailpiece: Stopbar
  • Tuning machines: Keystone
  • Hardware finish: Nickel
Electronics
  • Configuration: HH
  • Neck pickup: 61R humbucker
  • Bridge pickup: 61T humbucker
  • Controls: Two volume, two tone with audio taper potentiometers
  • Capacitors: Orange Drop
Other
  • Strings: Gibson Brite Wires .010–.046
  • Orientation: Right-handed
  • Case: Hardshell

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.76

34 Reviews

94%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

One that you keep forever

Yes, this guitar is 100% worth it. I wanted to wait a full year of owning the guitar to write this so that I'd be certain. There's too much good to write about this SG to be honest so to summarize I can't even call this guitar a rock and machine id call it a musical weapon. It sounds absolutely phenomenal which for me was the most important part. I'm used to strats which id been playing the last 18 or so in terms of playability, it def plays different but it plays really nicely. It has a lot more pop and feels stiffer. The finishing and everything else is top quality as well. Guitar is beautiful. Not only does the guitar sound awesome with literally any type of gain, but the cleans are extremely nice sounding as well. This guitar is the real deal, I waited a long time to pull the trigger on this thing and it was 1000% the right decision.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Different beveling/pickguard

In my own ignorance, I bought this guitar when it was still described as a 'reissue' because I thought it would be just like the original '61. It is not. The pickguard doesn't follow the body's beveling perfectly. Am disappointed that if you want real, you have to buy from custom shop.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming27
  2. Practicing25
  3. Recording18
  4. Small Venues18
  5. Rock Concerts14
Cons
  1. None3
  2. Craftsmanship1
  3. none1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced26
  2. Professional Musician5
  3. Novice1
Pros
  1. Good Tone32
  2. Fun To Play31
  3. Good Feel31
  4. Good Pick Up30
  5. Solid Electronics29
  • Dream come true

    5

    submitteda month ago

    bySean

    fromWestminster, MD

    I've always been a Black Sabbath fan. So naturally I've always wanted a SG. Now I have one and I wish I'd bought it sooner. They say the guitar doesn't make the player better but in this case it most definitely does. Translucent teal 💚 baby!

  • yes

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 months ago

    byjoseph

    fromoregon

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    this is a fantastic guitar fit and finish is great I would highly recommend it to anyone and the service I received was exceptional.

  • Outstanding

    5

    submitted4 months ago

    byErik

    fromSeattle, Wa

    I got one of these in TV yellow. Amazing build quality.Sounds amazing, plays amazing. This is one of the best Gibson's I have bought in a few years. Try one.

  • I shouldn't of waited to get it.

    5

    submitted5 months ago

    byFred

    fromReading, PA

    Picked this up at my local GC store and didn't play it because I was too much in a hurry to get home. This guitar plays like butter. No buzzing anywhere, nice low action. All I had to do was raise the bridge pickup a little to get the sound I wanted. Very light and no neck dive.

  • 78 Villa Ave

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted7 months ago

    byAnthony

    fromCranston, RI

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    This is the guitar I have been looking for. I have 2 other SGs, the Modern and the Special. After just one week I can say the Standard '61 is my favorite. Very light and the neck is perfect for chords and shredding. The Burstbucker pickups are awesome and can growl & squeal like a champ! I'm going to need the yellow one next :)

  • Happy!!

    5

    submitted7 months ago

    byJose

    fromEmeryville CA

    I am not an experienced guitarist that got on my hands a Gibson SGJ special from 2014 some years ago. I liked the guitar but was always curious how a higher end Gibson would feel and play. I sold that SGJ to buy this Gibson SG 61. I have to say, even for somebody without a lot of experience, the difference in tone and feel is VERY noticeable. I am so happy with this new guitar and the upgrade really worth the money difference on my opinion. I felt in love with the guitar in the shop. My humble advice, try different models before buying. My initial plan was to buy a SG standard but as I said, felt in love with the 61.

collapse expand iconQ&A

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

  • asked byTimothy

    fromNashville tn

    Is this a reissue ???

    Is this a reissue ???

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, It's a '61 reissue.
  • asked byDano

    fromSan Jose

    Does it
Come with a case?

    Does it Come with a case?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, the SG includes a hard shell case.
  • asked byRalph

    fromFt.Collins, CO

    Does this come set up or do I need to have it set up.

    Does this come set up or do I need to have it set up.

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The SG will be set up by Gibson, but it may require some adjustment for personal preference.
  • asked byCHARLES

    fromWI

    Does Gibson do the Plex setup on this guitar?

    Does Gibson do the Plex setup on this guitar?

    Open Reply - Beau
    Gibson does not do the Plex setup on this guitar.
  • asked byGuapo

    fromrocklin ca.

    Hey Guys ,,getting close to buyg the SG 61 vintage Cheery with 61r 61t pickups.What do you think of them?.I play a different styles ..can I do the pretty stuff with this guitar? Ive been a fender guy forever..can I play this guitar with Fender amps?Combos?..Hoping to get that Clapton ,Santana sustain thing  going..Thoughts?

    Hey Guys ,,getting close to buyg the SG 61 vintage Cheery with 61r 61t pickups.What do you think of them?.I play a different styles ..can I do the pretty stuff with this guitar? Ive been a fender guy forever..can I play this guitar with Fender amps?Combos?..Hoping to get that Clapton ,Santana sustain thing going..Thoughts?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    This would be a great choice. Very well built and versatile guitar.
  • asked byDavid

    fromTX

    What strings come stock...9's or 10's ?

    What strings come stock...9's or 10's ?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar would come with light gauge or 9's.