Description: SG Les Paul Standard & SG Standard guitars
Available: late 1960 to present
Case: Black hardshell case with yellow lining was the top-end case. Also came with a brown softshell case with a red lining.
General Comments: Personally I like the 1962 to 1964 variant of this model best. The first incarnation (1960/1961) often have the sideways vibrato, which I find problematic. Also the 1960-1961 models have very thin backshaped necks which again I don't like personally. By 1962 these two problems were largely rectified - the 1962 ebony vibrato with the inlaid pearl is very cool and functional, as is the 1963 style Lyre vibrato. And the neck backshape fills out in 1962 making the neck more meaty.

If you need to figure out the exact year of your Gibson SG Standard guitar, use the serial number. This is located on the back of the peghead. See the Gibson Serial Number Info web page for help determining the exact year.

If you have a vintage Gibson SG guitar for sale, please contact me at cfh@provide.net

late 1960 SG Les Paul Std introduction specs:

From late 1960 to 1962, this model takes over the "Les Paul" name as the single cutaway version is replaced by this model. Double pointed cutaways, scaloped mahogany body, 2 humbucking P.A.F. pickups, 3 layer black beveled small pickguard, pearloid trapezoid fingerboard inlays, crown peghead inlay, "Les Paul" on truss rod cover, "sideways" vibrato (1960-1961), nickel plated parts, cherry red finish. Incredibly thin neck back shape.

1962 SG Les Paul Std specs:

Some models with pearl inlaid ebony vibrato tailpiece. Sideways vibrato still seen on some SG Standard models, but now not the norm. Neck backshape fills out making the neck more meaty feeling.

1963 SG Std specs:

"Patent Number" humbucking pickups, Maestro vibrato with lyre and logo on coverplate (but occassionally the sideways vibrato is still seen on a few 1963 Gibson SG Standard models). "Les Paul" is now removed from the truss rod cover and model officially known as the "SG Standard", neck shape get slightly larger. Neck tenon size is increased, so the necks on 1963 and later SGs are more stable. 1963 to 1964 SG Standards (without the sideways vibrato, and slightly larger, more stable necks) are the best of the SG Standards.

1965 SG Std specs:

Chrome parts instead of nickel, pickguard now surrounds the pickups thus eliminating the need for separate pickup surrounds. Peghead angle changes from 17 degrees to 14 degrees, nut width narrows from 1 11/16" to 1 9/16" or 1 5/8". 1965 models can have any one or all of those changes (they didn't happen all at once during 1965).

Discontinued in 1971 and replace by the SG Deluxe.

1972 SG Standard re-introduced, and still available today in several forms.