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Gibson SG Standard '61 Electric Guitar Vintage Cherry

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Official Gibson SG Buyers Guide 2023 - Original, Modern & NEW Custom Color Series SG

Mark Agnesi Talks About The SG Standard '61 Model

Jeff George Demos The SG Standard '61

Description
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 solidbody 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.



Features
- 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
Specs
- Body shape: SG
- Body wood: Mahogany
- Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose
- Pickguard: 5-ply teardrop
- Neck joint: Set neck at 22nd fret
- Neck wood: Mahogany
- Neck profile: SlimTaper
- Scale length: 24.75"
- Fingerboard wood: Rosewood
- Fingerboard binding: Single-ply
- Number of frets: 22
- Inlays: Acrylic trapezoid
- Bridge: Tune-o-matic
- Tailpiece: Stopbar
- Tuning machines: Keystone
- Hardware finish: Nickel
- Configuration: HH
- Neck pickup: 61R humbucker
- Bridge pickup: 61T humbucker
- Controls: Two volume, two tone with audio taper potentiometers
- Capacitors: Orange Drop
- Strings: Gibson Brite Wires .010–.046
- Orientation: Right-handed
- Case: Hardshell
Reviews
4.78
36 Reviews
94%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
Most Liked Positive Review
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.
Most Liked Negative Review
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.
- Jamming29
- Practicing27
- Recording20
- Small Venues18
- Rock Concerts15
- None3
- Craftsmanship1
- none1
- Experienced28
- Professional Musician5
- Novice1
- Good Tone34
- Fun To Play33
- Good Feel33
- Good Pick Up31
- Solid Electronics31
Reviewed by 36 customers
Yes. I would this again.
submitted14 days ago
byMichael
fromFort Walton Beach, FL
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
It is a Gibson SG Standard. It is a great guitar and I enjoy playing.
Great feel and nice growl and tone!! #sweepstakes
submitted21 days ago
byJoey
fromGettysburg PA
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
Very nice playing guitar, I love the sound of this guitar and the easy access to the upper frets, I play all types of rock music from Ozzy to Steely Dan and this gutar sounds great on all of it. I love the TV yellow color and the fit and finish of the guitar is very nice. THe GIbson hardshell case is almost as pretty as the guitar.
Dream come true
submitted4 months 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
Verified Buyer
submitted4 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
submitted7 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.
submitted7 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.
Q&A
Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.
submitted2 years ago
asked byTimothy
fromNashville tn
Is this a reissue ???
Yes, It's a '61 reissue.submitted2 years ago
asked byDano
fromSan Jose
Does it Come with a case?
Yes, the SG includes a hard shell case.submitted2 years ago
asked byRalph
fromFt.Collins, CO
Does this come set up or do I need to have it set up.
The SG will be set up by Gibson, but it may require some adjustment for personal preference.submitted4 years ago
asked byCHARLES
fromWI
Does Gibson do the Plex setup on this guitar?
Gibson does not do the Plex setup on this guitar.submitted5 years ago
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?
This would be a great choice. Very well built and versatile guitar.submitted5 years ago
asked byDavid
fromTX
What strings come stock...9's or 10's ?
This guitar would come with light gauge or 9's.