Gibson SG Standard Review – Play or Pass?

The Gibson SG is a major part of music history although it doesn’t have the same iconic status as a Les Paul or Stratocaster. Artists as diverse as Eric Clapton and Angus Young have used this influential guitar at one point or another.

The SG has found its way into rock, blues, and even jazz artists at one time or another, and the current Gibson SG Standard is the company’s attempt to fuse the best of the past with the present. Not to give away the ending, but we think Gibson succeeded. Let’s take a look at the SG Standard in more detail.

To grab those signature SG sounds, Gibson uses a 490R neck humbucker and a 498T bridge humbucker, a versatile combination. Of course, the SG Standard has the typical double-cutaway body. Gibson chose mahogany for the body and neck wood with rosewood for the bound fretboard. Trapezoid fretboard inlays complete the package.

In common Gibson fashion, the SG has double volume and tone controls in addition to a 3-way switch. The guitar features chrome hardware.

As you might expect, the SG is pretty light, particularly compared to a Les Paul. What would you expect from an instrument that’s been Angus Young’s choice for years?

We chose the Heritage Cherry finish and could find absolutely no issues with it whatsoever. Similarly, the action could be set very low with no noticeable fret buzz. Score!

We tested the SG Standard through a variety of amps, including a Marshall JCM800, Rivera Chubster 55 Combo, and a Dr. Z MAZ-18. We definitely liked the sound through all three amps, though the Marshall/Gibson combination was perhaps our favorite.

Though the SG lacks the bottom end of its big brother, the Les Paul, it definitely has a bite and character all its own. It cuts through a mix with ease, and we were able to coax world-class blues, rock, and even jazz tones through our amplifier selections. If you’re looking for a solid, USA-made instrument at a solid price (street price is around $1,200 new), then you can’t beat the Gibson SG Standard.

If you are searching for the absolute cheapest price on a new or used Gibson SG Standard, then you must visit Ray’s Guitar Shop, which offers the lowest prices on all used and new guitars (electric and acoustic). It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for a PRS McCarty, an Ibanez JEM7V, or a Fender Stratocaster, Ray’s Guitar Shop has what you’re looking for!


Related Posts:

  1. Gibson Les Paul Standard Review
  2. Fender Standard Stratocaster and Telecaster Review
  3. Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Review
  4. Gibson ES-339 Review – Tone Machine!
  5. Gibson Les Paul Studio Review


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