The "SG" / Firebrand

The "SG" was conceived by Nashville plant manager Whitey Morrison in 1979 to fill the gap in the budget end of the SG lineup, following the discontinuation of the Special (although a short-lived model bridged the gap between them, see: SG Standard / Special). This model introduced the change in control layout that the SG Standard would undergo the following year.

In January 1980, a new version called the SG Firebrand was introduced with a branded-in Gibson logo and a Mahogany body & neck for a slightly lower price. It also had a unique finish option with black paint splatter and small dings throughout to create a distressed appearance. By July 1980, these models both became part of the "Firebrand Series" and were renamed as The "SG" Standard and The "SG" Deluxe, with the Standard now gaining the branded-in logo as well.

By the end of 1980 they began being finished in new full-gloss colors with black headstocks and silk-screened logos, and by 1981, the Natural & Antique finishes switched to black headstocks and silkscreens as well. The Standard was discontinued in 1982, and that same year the Deluxe got a new narrower headstock design with no volute.

As if to be deliberately confusing, Gibson changed the name once again, and the The "SG" Deluxe became simply The "SG" in mid-1983. While the last catalog these models were featured in was from 1981, the last models were shipped as late as 1985. Production of the The "SG" (Deluxe) appears to have been done in smaller batches from 1982 to early 1984 before they were phased out in favor of the newly returned Special.

The "SG" (Standard)[]

1979-1981
1979: $499
1980: $599

Body:

Beveled, solid Walnut body
Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
- Semi-gloss sheen

Neck:

3-pc laminated Walnut
Set-in construction
- 3 degree angle
- Titebond glue
- Joins body at 18th fret

Rosewood fretboard w/ dot inlays (early 1979)
Ebony fretboard w/ dot inlays
- Inlay at 1st fret
- 12" radius
Large Open Book headstock
- Color-matched
- Silk-screened Gibson logo (1979 - mid 1980, 1981)
- Branded Gibson logo (mid - late 1980)
- Volute
- "Made in U.S.A." stamp
- 17^o pitch
  
  1979 Advertisement
22 frets
24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
1 11/16" nut width

Electronics:

"The SG" Humbucker (Neck position)
- Indox 7 ceramic magnet
- 7.2K Ohms DCR
- Designed by Bill Lawrence
"Velvet Brick" zebra Humbucker (Bridge position)
- Indox 7 ceramic magnet
- 7.5K Ohms DCR
- Originally called the "TGA Super Humbucker" (1979)
- Designed by Bill Lawrence
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone
- CTS 300k volume
- CTS 100k tone

80 the SG std end of year — Image Credit: Heritage Auctions

Hardware:

Chrome Hardware
Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
- 14:1 ratio
- Keystone buttons
Gotoh tuning machines (sporadic, 1980-1981)
- 12:1 ratio
- Keystone buttons
- "Gibson" printed in black
5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- "The 'SG'" hot-stamp (1979 - June 1980)
- "Firebrand 'The SG' Standard" hot-stamp (July 1980 - 1981)
Black Speed knobs
Switch ring (early-mid 1979)
Harmonica Tune-O-Matic bridge (early-mid 1979)
Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
Stopbar tailpiece

Finishes:

Natural Walnut (Semi-Gloss)

The "SG" Deluxe / Firebrand[]

1980-1984
1980: $529
1981: $579
1982-1984:
- $599 (Ebony, Walnut & Wine Red)
- $685 (Optional finishes)