SG Standard

The SG Standard was introduced in 1961, slotting above the SG Special and below the SG Custom. It has been one of the longest-lasting variants of the SG, only shortly being replaced by the Deluxe from mid-1971 to mid-1972. As they transitioned back from the Deluxe, there were some models with a mixture of features from both.

1961-1966

• 1962: $290

Late 1960 / Early 1961 Prototype

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 w/ trapezoid inlays
• Indian Rosewood fretboard (~1965-1966)
• 12" fretboard radius
• Open Book headstock w/ Holly veneer
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl crown
• 17^o headstock pitch
• 14^o headstock pitch (1965-1966)
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁵/₈" scale
• 1 11/16" nut width
• 1 5/8" nut width (1964)
• 1 9/16" nut width (1965-1966)

Ca. 1965

Binding:

• Single-ply, neck

Electronics:

• Two covered "PAF" humbuckers (1961-1962)
  • Short AlNiCo V magnets (mostly)
  • ~7-9K Ohms DCR
• Two covered "Pat. #" humbuckers (1963-mid 1965)
  • Short AlNiCo V magnets
  • ~7-8k Ohms DCR
• Two covered "T-Top" humbuckers (mid/late 1965-1966)
  • Short bar AlNiCo V magnets
  • ~7.5K Ohms DCR
• 3-way switch
• 2 Vol, 2 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots

Hardware:

• Nickel hardware
• Chrome Hardware (1965-1966)
• Kluson tuning machines
  • 12:1 ratio
  • Green Keystone buttons
• 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
  • Wide bevel angle
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • 2-ply, wide bevel angle
  • 2-ply, standard bevel (1965-1966)
• Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
• ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and Sideways vibrola (1961)
• ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and Ebony Block vibrola (1962)
• ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and Maestro vibrola (1963-1966)

Finishes:

• Cherry 
• Pelham Blue (custom order) 

1967-1971

1970

• March 1970: $355
• September 1970: $375

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Angled heel (1967-1968)
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• 3-pc laminated Honduran Mahogany (mid 1969-1971)
• Set-in construction
  • 3 degree angle
  • Titebond glue

• Joins body at 22nd fret
• Indian Rosewood fretboard w/ trapezoid inlays
  • 12" radius
• Volute (Mid 1969-1971)
• Open Book headstock w/ Holly veneer
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl crown
• "Made in U.S.A." stamp (late 1970-1971)
• 14^o headstock pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁵/₈" scale (1967-1969)
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale (1969-1971)
• 1 9/16" nut width

Binding:

• Single-ply, neck

Electronics:

• Two covered "T-Top" humbuckers
  • Short bar AlNiCo V magnets
  • ~7.5K Ohms DCR
• 3-way switch
• 2 Vol, 2 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots

Hardware:

• Chrome Hardware
• Kluson tuning machines
  • Green Keystone buttons
• 5-ply "Batwing" pickguard
  • Wide bevel angle (1967-1968)
  • Shallow bevel angle (1969-1971)
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • 2-ply black and white
• Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers (early-mid 1967)
• Black Witch Hat knobs w/ pointers (mid 1967-1971)
• ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and Maestro vibrola

Finishes:

• Cherry
• Walnut (1969-1971)
• Natural (1971)

1972

Mid-1972

After a short hiatus, the Standard returned mid-1972 as the last Deluxe parts were being used up. The first change was moving the control cavity cover to the back of the body again. Then, the pickguard changed to something similar to the early '60s Angel Wing style, but with less of a curve for the cutaway, which was fixed by 1973 as the cutaway beveling returned.

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
  • Un-beveled cutaways
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Late-1972

Neck:

• 3-pc laminated Honduran Mahogany
• Set-in construction
  • No angle
  • Titebond glue

• Joins body at 20th fret
• Indian Rosewood fretboard w/ small block inlays
  • 12" radius
• Volute
• Large Open Book headstock w/ fiber veneer
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl crown
• "Made in U.S.A." stamp
• 14^o headstock pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 9/16" nut width

Binding:

• Single-ply, neck

Electronics:

• Two "T-Top" humbuckers (mid 1972)
  • Short bar AlNiCo V magnets
  • ~7.5K Ohms DCR
  • "Gibson" embossed chrome covers
• Two Bill Lawrence "Super Humbuckers" (late 1972)
  • Indox 7 ceramic magnets
  • ~5.4K (neck), 7.5K (bridge) Ohms DCR
  • Epoxy-mounted
  • "Gibson" embossed chrome covers
• 3-way switch
• 2 Vol, 2 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots

Hardware:

• Chrome Hardware
• Schaller Keystone tuning machines
• 5-ply raised Les Paul pickguard (mid 1972)
• 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard (late 1972)
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • Single-ply black
• Black Witch Hat knobs w/ pointers (mid 1972)
• Black Speed knobs w/ pointers (late 1972)
• ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and Bigsby-style vibrola
• Harmonica Tune-O-Matic bridge and Bigsby-style vibrola

Finishes:

• Cherry
• Walnut
• Natural

1973-1979

Early 1973

In early/mid 1974, the bridge pickup moved closer to the bridge.

• June 1973: $425
• January 1975: $479
• 1978: $589
  • $569 (Satin Walnut)

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

  

  Mid 1973

1974 / 1975

Neck:

• 3-pc laminated Honduran Mahogany
• Set-in construction
  • 3 degree angle
  • Titebond glue

• Joins body at 20th fret
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • (1973, late 1975-1979)
  • Small block inlays
  • 12" radius
• Ebony fretboard
  • (1974-mid 1975)
  • Small block inlays
  • 12" radius
• Volute
• Large Open Book headstock w/ fiber veneer
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl crown
• "Made in U.S.A." stamp
• 17^o headstock pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 9/16" nut width

1978

Binding:

• Neck (1973, late 1975-1979)
• None (1974-mid 1975)

Electronics:

• Two Bill Lawrence "Super Humbuckers"
  • Indox 7 ceramic magnets
  • ~5.4K (neck), 7.5K (bridge) Ohms DCR
  • Epoxy-mounted
• 3-way switch
• 2 Vol, 2 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots (January-May 1973)
  • CTS 300k pots (July 1973-1979)
    • 100k tone (sometimes)

Hardware:

• Chrome Hardware
• Schaller Keystone tuning machines
• 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • Single-ply black
  • 2-ply b/w with "S-G" engraving (1976-1979)
• Black Speed knobs
  • Pointers (1973-1976)
• Harmonica Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
• Optional Bigsby vibrato

Finishes:

• Cherry
• Walnut
• Natural (1973)
• Tobacco Sunburst (1974-1979)
• White (1976-1979)
• Satin Walnut (1976-1979)

1980-1991

1980

This bodystyle was produced until mid-1991 as it was replaced with the Batwing style Standard that same year. Most produced in 1991 seem to be finished in Candy Apple Red.

• $679 (1980)

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 3-pc laminated Honduran Mahogany (1980-1983)
• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany (1984-1991)
• Set-in construction
  • 3 degree angle
  • Titebond glue

• Joins body at 20th fret
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Small block inlays (1980-1985)
  • Trapezoid inlays (1985-1991)
  • 12" radius
• Volute
• Large Open Book headstock w/ fiber veneer
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl crown
• "Made in U.S.A." stamp
• 17^o headstock pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 11/16" nut width

1983

Binding:

• Neck, single-ply

Electronics:

1986

• Two Bill Lawrence "Super Humbuckers"
  • 1980-early 1984
  • Indox 7 ceramic magnets
  • ~5.4K (neck), 7.5K (bridge) Ohms DCR
  • Epoxy-mounted
• Two Tim Shaw humbuckers
  • 1984-1986
  • AlNiCo V magnets
  • ~7.5-8.5k Ohms D.C. resistance
• Two Bill Lawrence "The Original" Humbuckers
  • 1987-1989
  • AlNiCo V magnets
  • ~8k (neck), 14k (bridge) Ohms D.C. resistance
• Two 490R/490T Humbuckers
  • 1990-1991
  • AlNiCo II magnets
  • ~7.25k Ohms D.C. resistance
• 3-way switch
• Side-mounted output jack
• 2 Vol, 2 Tone
  • CTS 300k pots
    • 100k tone (sometimes)

Hardware:

• Chrome Hardware
• Schaller Keystone tuning machines
• Green Key tuning machines (1984-1991)
• 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • 2-ply b/w with "SG" engraving
• Black Speed knobs
• Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
• Optional Kahler tremolo (~1982-1985)

Finishes:

• Cherry
• Walnut
• Tobacco Sunburst
• White
• Candy Apple Red (1990)
• Golden Mist (1990)

1991-2012

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• Set-in construction
  • 3 degree angle
  • Titebond glue

• Joins body at 22nd fret
• Rounded '60s profile
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Trapezoid inlays
  • 12" radius
• Narrow Open Book headstock w/ fiber veneer
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl crown
• "Made in U.S.A." stamp
• 17^o headstock pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• Corian nut (2012)
  • Cut by Plek machine
• 1 11/16" nut width

Binding:

• Neck, single-ply

Electronics:

• Two 490R/498T Humbuckers
  • AlNiCo II (neck) & V (bridge) magnets
  • ~7.25k (neck) & 8.5k (bridge) Ohms D.C. resistance
• 3-way switch
• 2 Vol, 2 Tone
  • CTS 300k volume, linear
  • CTS 500k tone, audio

Hardware:

• Chrome Hardware
• Green Key tuning machines
  • 14:1 ratio
• 5-ply "Batwing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • 2-ply b/w with "SG" engraving
• Black Reflector knobs
• Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece

Finishes:

• Heritage Cherry
• Ebony
• Natural Burst (2000-2004)

Historic SG Standard (2000-Present)

These models are produced in smaller numbers (less than 1,000 per year) by the Custom Shop, to vintage-accurate specs.

In 2006, they introduced the "V.O.S." (Vintage Original Spec) treatment with lightly dulled finish and hardware as the standard finish, with a gloss finish being optional. Since 2014, as a part of Gibson's "Made 2 Measure" program, this model can be custom ordered with almost any option desired (even with a Batwing pickguard) and different levels of aging.

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• One-piece construction
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
  • Aniline dye (Faded Cherry, 2013-Present)

Faded Cherry w/ Maestro

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• Medium profile
• Set-in construction
  • Hot hide glue (2013-Present)
• Joins body at 22nd fret
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Cellulose trapezoid inlays
  • 12" radius
• Open Book headstock w/ Holly veneer
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
• Inlaid Mother of Pearl Crown
• 17^o headstock pitch
• 22 frets
  • Leveled by Plek machine (2006-2013)
• 24 ⁵/₈" scale
• Nylon nut
  • Cut by Plek machine (2006-2013)
• 1 11/16" nut width

Binding:

• Single-ply, neck

Faded Cherry

Electronics:

TV Yellow w/ Heavy Aging

• '57 Classic Humbuckers (2000-2005)
  • AlNiCo II magnets
  • ~7.9k Ohms DCR
  • Nickel plated covers
• Burstbucker 1 & 2 Humbuckers (2006-2012)
  • AlNiCo II magnets
  • ~6.5k Ohms DCR
  • Nickel plated covers
• Custombucker Humbuckers (2013-Present)
  • AlNiCo III magnets
  • ~8k Ohms DCR
  • Nickel plated covers
• 3-way switch
• 2 Vol, 2 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots

Vintage Sunburst

Hardware:

• Nickel hardware
• Kluson Deluxe tuning machines
  • 12:1 ratio
  • "Green Key" buttons
• 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
  • Wide bevel angle
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • 2-ply, wide bevel angle
  • "Les Paul" engraving
• Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
• ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
• Aluminum stopbar tailpiece
• Optional Maestro vibrola
• Optional Bigsby tremolo

Frost Blue

Candy Apple Blue

Finishes:

• Standard:
  • Faded Cherry
  • TV Yellow
  • Classic White
• Limited Runs:
  • Ebony (2005)
  • Oxblood (2007)
  • Faded Cherry w/ Grovers (2017)
  • Lamp Black w/ Grovers (2018)
• Custom Order:
  • Ebony
  • Alpine White
  • Vintage Sunburst
  • Cardinal Red
  • Wine Red
  • Natural
  • Antique Gold
  • Candy Apple Red
  • Candy Apple Blue
  • Kerry Green
  • Pelham Blue
  • Inverness Green
  • Heather Poly
  • Silverburst
  • Gold Mist Poly
  • Sparkle
  • Frost Blue

Other Variants

Historic 1962 Reissue Standard (2005-2007)

Same as Historic SG Standard except Grover Rotomatic tuners. Contrary to popular belief, the heel shape is no different. $1999 Street