SG Junior

Photo credit: True Vintage Guitar

Introduced in 1961, the Junior slotted above the Melody Maker and below the Special. It was produced continuously for a decade, until both the Junior and Melody Maker were effectively replaced in mid-1971 by the SG-100. However, there was a limited run of SG-100 Junior models in 1972. Since then, it has been reissued occasionally and is widely considered a staple of the SG lineup by fans.

Related:

• Melody Maker
• SG-100
• SG-I
• All-American I / SG-X

1961 - 1965

1960 prototype (note pointier pickguard)

While Gibson literature treated the SG/LP Junior and the SG TV as separate models, this page will treat them as one. The only real difference besides the finish is that SG TV models never used a "Les Paul" silkscreen on the headstock.

Note: TV Yellow is a translucent finish, although it may sometimes look opaque until you get close enough.

• 1961-1963: $147.50
  • +$27.50 for Tremotone vibrola
• 1964: $155
• 1965: $165

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Angled heel
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• Set-in construction
  • 3 degree angle
  • Hot hide glue
  • Joins body at 22nd fret

• Brazilian Rosewood fretboard
  • Celluloid dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Indian Rosewood fretboard (Late 1965)

  

  1961 SG TV

  • Celluloid dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Medium Open Book headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
  • Silk-screened "Les Paul Junior" (Cherry finish only)
    • 1961-mid 1963
  • 17^o pitch
  • 14^o pitch (Mid/Late 1965)
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁵/₈" scale

• 1 11/16" nut width (1961-1965)
• 1 5/8" nut width (Mid 1965)
• 1 9/16" nut width (Late 1965)

1965 SG Junior in Pelham Blue w/ bound neck

Binding:

• None

Note: Polaris White & Pelham Blue finished models sometimes had bound necks, but were always painted over the side of the fretboard regardless.

Electronics:

• One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
  • Short AlNiCo V magnet (sometimes AlNiCo II)
  • ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • Centralab 500k pots (1961 - 1963)
  • CTS 500k pots (mid 1963 - 1965)
  • Ceramic "disk" capacitor

Photo Credit: Thunder Road Guitars

Hardware:

• Nickel hardware
• Chrome Hardware (1965)
• Kluson 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
  • 1:12 ratio
  • White plastic oval buttons
• 2-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard (1961-1963)
  • Shallow bevel angle
• 3-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard (1964-1965)
  • Shallow bevel angle
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
• Black Bell knobs (early 1961 only)
• Black Reflector knobs
• Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece
• Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece (Late 1962-1965)
  • Compensated for wound G string

    

    Late 1962 Sunburst custom order (Owned by Brian Ray)

• Optional Maestro Tremotone Vibrola (1961-1963)
• Optional Short Maestro Vibrola (1962-1964)
• Standard Short Maestro Vibrola (1965)

Finishes:

• Cherry
• TV Yellow (SG TV, 1961)
• Polaris White (SG TV, 1962-1965)
• Ebony (Custom Order)
• Pelham Blue (Custom Order)
• Cardinal Red (Custom Order)
• Sunburst (Custom Order)

1966 - 1971

1970 SG Junior in Cherry

The Batwing pickguard design debuted in mid-to-late 1966.

• 1966: $165
• 1967: $169
• 1968:
  • January: $179
  • June: $189
• 1969: $199
• 1970: $225
• 1971: $250

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Angled heel (1966-1968)
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• 3-pc laminated Honduran Mahogany (mid 1969-1971)
• Set-in construction
  • Titebond glue
  • Joins body at 19th fret
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays

    

    Photo Credit: Vintage and Rare

  • 12" radius
• Open Book headstock
  • Medium (1966-1968)
  • Narrow (1969-1971)
  • Body-color-matched (1971)
  • Volute (mid/late 1969-1971)
  • Gibson logo decal (1966-1969)
    • Classic font style
  • Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo (1970-1971)
    • Squared font style
  • "Made in U.S.A." stamp (late 1970-1971)
  • 14^o pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁵/₈" scale (1966-1969)
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale (1969-1971)
• 1 9/16" nut width

Binding:

• None

1966 Polaris White w/ binding

Note: Polaris White & Pelham Blue finished models sometimes had bound necks, but were always painted over the side of the fretboard regardless.

Electronics:

• One "Soapbar" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
  • Short AlNiCo V magnet
  • ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots
  • Ceramic "disk" capacitor

Hardware:

• Chrome hardware
• Kluson 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
  • 1:12 ratio
  • Chrome or white plastic oval buttons
  • Closed gears
• Mandolin style 3-on-a-plate tuning machines (sporadic)
  • 1:14 ratio
  • Chrome oval buttons

    

    1971 headstock design

  • Open gears
• 3-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard (early 1966)
  • Shallow bevel angle
• 3-ply "Batwing" pickguard (mid / late 1966 - 1971)
  • Shallow bevel angle
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
• Black Reflector knobs (1966 - mid 1967)
• Black Witch Hat knobs (mid 1967 - 1971)
• Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece
  • Compensated for wound G string
• Short Maestro Vibrola

Finishes:

• Cherry
• Polaris White (1966-1968)
• Walnut (1969-1971)
• Sparkling Burgundy (Custom Order)

SG-100 Junior (1972)

As the SG-100 was being replaced by the SG I in late 1972/early 1973, some were made with the SG I's style of control plate.

• Limited run: 272 produced

Body:

• Beveled, solid Poplar body
  • No cutaway bevels
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc Maple
• Set-in construction
  • No angle
  • Titebond glue
  • Joins body at 18th fret
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Large Open Book headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
  • Volute
  • "Made in U.S.A." stamp
  • Shallow pitch

    

    SG I transitional model (w/ aftermarket bridge)

• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 9/16" nut width

Electronics:

• One "Dog Ear" P-90
  • Short AlNiCo V magnet
  • ~8.5k Ohms D.C. resistance
  • Chrome cover w/ "Gibson" engraving
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots
  • Ceramic "disk" capacitor

Hardware:

• Chrome hardware
• Kluson Deluxe 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
  • 1:12 ratio
  • Enclosed gears
  • Chrome Keystone buttons
• Single-ply Les Paul pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
• Black Witch Hat knobs
• Chrome front-mounted control plate
• Black plastic front-mounted control plate (late '72/early '73)

• Fully adjustable bridge
  • "Gibson" engraved bridge cover

• Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece (late '72/early '73)
  • Compensated for wound G string

Finishes:

• Cherry
• Walnut

1991 - 1994 Reissue

Wine Red

Note: 1994 models used a different serial number format of "YY######" to celebrate Gibson's Centennial Anniversary.

• 1991-1994

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
• Set-in construction
  • '61 Reissue style heel
  • Joins body at 22nd fret

• Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Narrow Open Book headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 medium frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 11/16" width

Electronics:

• One "Dog Ear" P-100 "stacked" humbucker
  • Black plastic cover
  • ~8-9k Ohms D.C. resistance
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone

Hardware:

• Chrome hardware
• Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
  • 1:14 ratio
• 3-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • 2-ply b/w
• Black Reflector knobs
• ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece

Finishes:

• Ebony
• Wine Red
• TV Yellow

2000 - 2007 Reissue

• $699 Street (2007)

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• '50s Rounded C profile (.830" / .970")
• Set-in construction
  • Standard style heel
  • Joins body at 19th fret

• Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Narrow Open Book headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 medium frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 11/16" width

2006 Coral Pink (Image Credit: Top Shelf Instruments)

Electronics:

• One "Soapbar" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
  • AlNiCo V magnet
  • ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone

Hardware:

• Chrome hardware
• Grover "Gibson Deluxe" tuning machines
  • 1:14 ratio
  • White oval buttons
  • Manufactured by Ping
• 5-ply "Batwing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • 2-ply b/w or 1-ply black
• Black Reflector or Bell knobs
• Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece

Finishes:

• Ebony
• Wine Red

Limited Runs:

• Yamano Japan
  • 2006
  • White pickguard
    • Coral Pink
    • Carribean Blue
    • Corona Yellow

2011 "Junior '60s"

• 2011-2012
• $849 Street
• $599 Street (2013 price drop)

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
• Set-in construction
  • Standard style heel
  • Joins body at 19th fret

• Baked Maple fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Narrow Open Book headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 medium frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• Corian nut
  • 1 11/16" width

Electronics:

• One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
  • AlNiCo V magnet
  • ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone

Hardware:

• Chrome hardware
• TonePros "Kluson Deluxe" tuning machines
  • 1:15 ratio
  • Green Keystone buttons
• 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, double-ply
• Black Reflector knobs
• Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece

Finishes:

• Heritage Cherry
• Ebony

2016 Reissue

• Limited "Proprietary" Run
• Japanese market exclusive
• ~$1,290 - $1,370 Street

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Deeper cutaway bevels
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
• Set-in construction
  • '61 Reissue style heel
  • Joins body at 22nd fret

• Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Narrow Open Book headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 medium frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 11/16" width

Electronics:

• One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
  • AlNiCo V magnet
  • ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone

Hardware:

• Nickel hardware
• TonePros "Kluson Deluxe" tuning machines
  • 1:15 ratio
  • White oval buttons
• Grover "Gibson Deluxe" tuning machines
  • 1:14 ratio
  • White oval buttons
  • Manufactured by Ping
• 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • 2-ply b/w
  • "Junior" script
• Black Reflector or Bell knobs
• Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece

Finishes:

• Heritage Cherry

2018 Reissue

• $1,219 - $1,429 Street

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Deeper cutaway bevels
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
• Set-in construction
  • '61 Reissue style heel
  • Joins body at 22nd fret

• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Narrow Open Book headstock
  • Gibson "Script" logo decal
  • "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner (rear)
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 medium frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• Tektoid nut
  • 1 11/16" width

Electronics:

• One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
  • AlNiCo V magnet
  • ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone

Hardware:

• Nickel hardware
• Grover "Gibson Deluxe" tuning machines
  • 1:14 ratio
  • White oval buttons

    

  • Manufactured by Ping
• 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, double-ply
• Black Bell knobs
• Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece

Finishes:

• Vintage Cherry

2019 - Present

• $1,399 Street

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Deeper cutaway bevels
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800 / .875")
• Set-in construction
  • '61 Reissue style heel
  • Joins body at 22nd fret

• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Narrow Open Book headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 medium-jumbo frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• Graph Tech nut
• 1 11/16" nut width

Electronics:

• One "Dog Ear" P-90 w/ black plastic cover
  • AlNiCo V magnet
  • ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance

    

• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • Orange Drop cap

Hardware:

• Nickel hardware
• Grover "Gibson Deluxe" tuning machines
  • 1:14 ratio
  • White oval buttons
  • Manufactured by Ping
• 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, double-ply
• Black Bell knobs
• Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece (2019-2020)
• Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece (2020-present)

Finishes:

• Vintage Cherry

Historic 1963 SG Junior Reissue (2020 - Present)

Like other Custom Shop models, this is available to be custom ordered via Made 2 Measure with any features desired.

• $2,999 Street
• $4,399 Street (Antique Pelham Blue, Light Aged)

Body:

• Solid Honduran Mahogany body
• One-piece construction
• Historic deep beveling
• Tapered horn tips
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
  • VOS patina
  • Aniline dye

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• Medium C profile (.860" / .940")
• Set-in construction
  • Hot hide glue
  • Unsheathed truss rod
  • Joins body at 22nd fret
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Pearloid dot inlays
  • 12" radius

    

• Medium Open Book headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 medium-jumbo frets
  • Leveled by Plek machine
• 24 ⁵/₈" scale
• Nylon nut
  • Cut by Plek machine
• 1 11/16" nut width

Electronics:

• One "Dog Ear" P-90
  • AlNiCo V magnet
  • ~8K Ohms DCR
  • Black plastic cover

    

• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots
  • Hand-wired

Hardware:

• Nickel hardware
  • VOS patina
• Gotoh Kluson-reissue tuning machines
  • 1:15 ratio
  • 3-on-a-plate style
  • White plastic oval buttons
  • Single line
• 3-ply pickguard

  

  Shell Pink (Made 2 Measure)

  • Standard bevel angle
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • Single-ply
• Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
• Compensated Aluminum wraparound bridge/tailpiece

Finishes:

• Cherry Red 

Limited Runs:

• Bright TV Yellow
  • 2020 
  • Japanese market exclusive 
  • $3,199 Street
• Antique Pelham Blue
  • 2020
  • "CME Spec" exclusive
  • $3,699 Street

Other Variants

Brian Ray '62 SG Junior