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Tony Iommi "Monkey" SG Special Vintage Cherry

Tony Iommi "Monkey" SG Special Vintage Cherry

Gibson

Description

Tony Iommi's iconic riffs, heavy tones and massively influential albums helped create the blueprint for heavy metal and many other genres to follow. While his innovative tuning and playing styles were a major part of his monstrous tones, a heavily modified 1964 Gibson SG named "Monkey" was at the center of it all. Gibson USA has made a guitar based on the iconic original that launched countless heavy riffs, featuring a mahogany body, bound mahogany neck with a rounded profile and an Indian rosewood fretboard with 22 frets. Additional features include a Graph Tech nut, Grover Rotomatic tuners with contemporary style buttons and chrome-covered P-90 pickups. A left-handed version is also available.
Gibson Tony Iommi SG Special Electric Guitar Vintage Cherry
Gibson Tony Iommi SG Special Electric Guitar Vintage Cherry
Gibson Tony Iommi SG Special Electric Guitar Vintage Cherry

Features

  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck with Rounded profile
  • Rosewood fingerboard
  • Dual P-90 humbuckers

Specs

Body
  • Body Type: Double-cutaway solidbody
  • Body wood: Mahogany
Neck
  • Neck shape: Rounded
  • Neck wood: Mahogany
  • Scale length: 24.75"
  • Truss rod: Standard
Fingerboard
  • Material: Rosewood
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Dot
  • Nut width/material: 1.69"/Graph Tech
Electronics
  • Configuration: SS
  • Neck: P-90 Single coil
  • Bridge: P-90 Single coil
  • Control layout: Individual volume, Individual volume, Individual tone, Individual tone
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Fixed Bridge
  • Bridge design: Wraparound
  • Tuning machines: Sealed High-ratio
  • Color: Nickel
Other
  • Number of strings: 6 String
  • Case: Hardshell Case
  • Orientation: Right-Handed
  • Country of Origin: United States

Reviews

4.43

7 Reviews

86%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

The Supernaut of SG's!
The Supernaut of SG's!
Sounds & plays great! Craftsmanship not so great.
Johnny's Blade…
Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing6
  2. Jamming5
  3. Recording4
  4. Rock Concerts3
  5. School Bands1
Cons
  1. Craftsmanship1
  2. Fret Buzz1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced7
Pros
  1. Good Feel7
  2. Solid Electronics7
  3. Fun To Play6
  4. Good Tone6
  5. Good Pick Up5

Reviewed by 7 customers

  • Favorite guitar

    5

    submitted3 years ago

    byBrian

    fromNew Jersey

    Iconic instrument. Amazing tone. Fun to play.

  • Nails Tony Iommi's 1970's Sabbath Tone

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted4 years ago

    byPatrick

    fromSimi Valley, Ca

    Very easy to play. I really like the neck on it. It can really nail Tony's 1970's Sabbath tones especially with a good treble booster.

  • The Supernaut of SG's!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted4 years ago

    byRyan L

    fromWestlake, CA

    I'm not typically one for signature models, but Tony Iommi is probably the only guitarist I could ever put on that level, personally. I was going back and forth between grabbing an SG Special and the '61. Each had elements I wanted on an SG. Then, they announced the Tony Iommi Signature SG. It was exactly what I was looking for, because I was actually trying to get something as much in line with Tony's Monkey guitar. This guitar hits just about every check box. Plus it is the most beautifully crafted guitar I've ever owned. You can tell Gibson had some top notch people crafting this guitar. I couldn't be happier.

  • Sounds & plays great! Craftsmanship not so great.

    3

    submitted4 years ago

    byAndrew K

    fromOlympia

    The guitar plays and sounds amazing. Set up & intonation were spot on. However I noticed issues with the craftsmanship of the guitar. The neck binding is uneven, there is glue residue on the corner of the fret board, and various light scratches on the front and back. The Gibson box was not sealed as well.

  • Johnny's Blade…

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byJimmy T.

    fromNorthlake,TX

    Happy with purchase has wide fret board P-90's sound good overall feel is great! Only con is the price.

  • If you buy one you will have to get it properly setup.

    3

    Verified Buyer

    submitted4 years ago

    byJohn K

    fromGranada Hills, Ca

    It arriived sealed new in the Gibson box totally unplayable. The setup was the worst of any guitar I have ever purchased. The high E string was totally dead. No notes would ring out at all on it and it buzzed elsewhere. I thought Gibson had stepped up their quality control but whoever was responsible for this should not be working there. I almost sent it back, but instead I took it to a pro tech I have used for many years and I'm happy to say that he dialed it in with a proper setup and it now plays great. He couldn't believe that Gibson would let a guitar go out like this, I know you usually have to setup a new guitar when you get it to your personal preferences, but they should at least be playable out of the box. I have never experienced this before especially with a guitar in this price range.

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Q&A

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

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byPat

    fromEaston, PA

    Are the P90 pickups in this guitar the same as the regular SG Special or are these specific to this model?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    No, straight up P90s