The Gibson SG: A Short History in 4K

Almost missed this great video. 😱

I bought my first electric guitar when I was 14 years old. I didn’t have a lot of money, so when I saw a brand new GORGEOUS SG at a local music store I had to have it. I mean, this was the EXACT SAME GUITAR that I looked at every day when I was in my bedroom, staring at a huge poster of Angus Young on the wall. I couldn’t believe it. But hey, when it’s good enough for Angus Young, it certainly was good enough for me!
Of course I had no idea that Angus played a Gibson and I bought a Maya SG with a bolt on neck. After a year of intensive playing, the guitar became unplayable and I needed a REAL guitar. A GOOD one. It had to be a Gibson SG, but I couldn’t afford it. However, another local music store had a second hand Gibson SG for months already. I still couldn’t afford it, but I knew my father, who was a professional musician (organ and accordion), would be happy to help me out. So I rushed to the music store and…… it was gone. They just sold the SG a week earlier.

This young kid with a broken heart still didn’t know much about guitars, but I did know about the most important brands at the time and I knew what I found cool. With the help of my father I bought my first REAL electric guitar: a beautiful Fender Stratocaster, hardtail, Sienna Sunburst (1st Dan Smith model). I was shocked when I got home and plugged it in. All the volume was gone and it sounded very bright! That’s when I learned about the differences between single coils and humbuckers. 😅

Throughout my life as a guitarist I’ve had two dozens of electric guitars in total (not too much, is it? This is in a 42 year time span). I cannot explain why, but even though the SG was my first love when it comes to guitars, I never bought one until approximately one year ago. It was an unbelievably beautiful SG Special, new but B-stock. It was a huge disappointment however. It sounded amazing, but even after giving it a proper set-up and pulling all the slack out of the strings, it just kept going out of tune. I think I could’ve fixed it with a better bridge, but it wasn’t just that. I’m not picky about neck shapes. In fact, I love it when a guitar has its own personality and a different neck shape helps with that. But the neck on this guitar was extremely thin. I hated it. I wanted this guitar so bad, but I had to send it back unfortunately.

Warning! I will digress from now on.
Instead I bought an Explorer, another youth dream of mine. I sold it and then I bought my last electric, a Gretsch White Falcon (modern version - G6636T). I know nothing about all of this makes any sense, but I guess I couldn’t control myself. I was downsizing. It wasn’t long ago when even though I had 11 or 12 stage worthy electrics, most of them were in a very bad shape and I had only two guitars that were still perfect (Gibson ES-347 and a heavily modified Fender Telecaster), so for a couple of years I solely used these two instruments and I felt PERFECTLY HAPPY!!! When things got a little better for me financially, I bought a 50’s style Telecaster. I have a history of ‘meeting’ some of the best Telecasters ever and EVERY TIME something went wrong, so THIS time I wasn’t going to let that happen. I should have felt good, but it made things a bit more difficult. I also treated my first Stratocaster with new pickups and this made it even worse. Because…. I don’t play 4x a week anymore. When I played 16 times a year it means I had a good year. So what am I going to take with me on a gig? I could bring two Telecasters with me (or three, but because of all sorts of physical limitations, missing my lower right leg for instance, and not being able to drive anymore, I need to ask others to carry most of my stuff. And I don’t want to bother them with my problems), so… two Telecasters. But when I do that I will have to leave my best guitar at home. I can’t let that happen, can I? It’s making me feel very uncomfortable. That’s why I decided to sell a couple more guitars and keep three completely different Telecasters plus my ES-347, my Les Paul Standard Lite Double Cut (sort of like a surrogate SG - amazing guitar!) and the White Falcon.
In other words, two sets of guitars. For both sets I would have my main guitar, a spare guitar and a third guitar in an open G tuning.

I’m so sorry for my long comment. I always tell myself to keep it simple and to the point. But I usually watch your videos during the night and for reasons I don’t understand THAT’S when I keep typing after I decided to leave a comment. I just can’t stop. I just love guitars and guitar related stuff and I don’t know that many people that I can call up in the middle of the night to tell them about my enthusiasm for SG’s after I’ve seen another one of your great videos.

Thanks again, Keith! 🧡🧡🧡

My 20 year old son currently has a Squier Strat. He’s a big Pete Townshend fan. He’s dying to get an SG like the one he played.

The Gibson SG, is a fantastic guitar. They are light, bright, and the neck is unique in design so you can solo up the neck,clean, and clear, unlike any other mainstream guitar,and the guitar itself is breathtakingly beautiful,and although at 72, I have played almost every guitar on the market. A accomplished player can make that guitar sound like anything he or she wants. Not the case with the other guitars.

Great video. I wish you had included Epiphone SG's. Perhaps part two?

John Cippolina turned me on to the SG, using the stock vibrato, he played some of my favorite guitar playing, using the vibrato.Listen to Pride of Man solo, its unique, nothing but his own style. That was just one feature you got with John.

Hey, could we get the link to John Corey or John Corey please? Its not in the description on my end

I bought a very well used '71 SG Special Walnut in 1991. P-90s... fastest playing guitar I've ever played. And I too love the bendability of the neck for broad vibrato, especially if you have some delay in the signal.
It needs a fret job... not just dressing, they're worn enough that they all need replacing. 🤷‍♂️.
Maybe one day.

Gave me a new appreciation of the SG

I have bought two SGs, one Gibson and one Samick. I actually prefer the Samick over the Gibson.

I also have a SG "Inspired" guitar, an LTD Viper 400. It really is more of a Les Paul (heft) meets a Jaguar (the body is really an Offset). The only "SG" thing about the guitar is the "Devil Horns." Otherwise it's really a Les Paul meets a Jaguar.🤔

Another SG alternative is a Guild Polara. I'm partial to the 1990s reissues.😎👍✨

Pete Townshends guitar tone on “Live at Leeds” is one of the greatest guitar sounds ever! From crystal clear shimmering tone to raging animal sounds! P-90’s at their best!!!❤

Frank Marino.

THE 1956 LES PAUL IS COOL
THE 1961 LES PAUL IS COOL

I DIG HUMBUCKERS TOO

CARLOS SANTANA ON HIS P 90s SG AT WOODSTOCK SURE PUTS THE GIBSON SG ON TOP OF IT ALL

I OWN 2 FINE GIBSON SGs

5 w DOES IT AGAIN

CARLOS GUITARLOS 90042 USA

My SG story takes place in a small cabin off the main road between Kingston and Port Gamble, Washington in 1976-77. I was the drummer in a little jam band and the lead guitarist had an SG. The rhythm guitarist had a Tele Custom that our SG player called a “cowboy guitar”. Being a drummer, I didn’t speak guitar so I really didn’t pay much attention to the details. But I did know that our SG lead was totally cool which meant that the totally cool guys must be playing SGs.

Great history lesson! Very iconic guitar!!!

At 46; just bought a 99 SG Custom; Alpine White Gold HW and Stop Tail. I’m really excited. I’ve wanted this guitar for 30 years 😇

Great history of this instrument. Its simply amazing how many greats used the SG.

The first time my eyes ever spied an SG in person was when my older brother brought home a Cherry SG Standard back in 1979-1980 , all I could think was " COOL !!! " Now 44 years later I think it is time to get one for myself ! Great video ! Thanks !

Just picked up a 2017 Gibson SG Standard in Autumn Shade gloss. It’s a bit beat up cosmetically, but man it plays beautifully.

Took me 20 years to be able to afford to get my SG. 1974 model in walnut with blocks. It's a special with mini-humbuckers to add. It's the best sounding guitar I have, for which I have several. Gibsons Fenders Ibanezs. 335s, Stratocasters, Les Pauls, Flying Vs. Doesn't matter, it sounds the best out of all of them.

Been waiting a couple months for my shirt order to be fulfilled, who do I contact?

Did Les ever ‘come around’ to the SG after his name was disassociated with it? It’s a not Les Paul, it’s not a 335, but it IS an all-time Rock classic. Actually, it’s my favorite Gibson model, at least aesthetically.

Gotta show some love to Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar, one of the only cats still rocking the doubleneck. A very serious guitar for a very serious guitar player, and he's been playing one for 25 years plus.

I had a 78 The SG for years. I ended up jamming a set of Toni Iomi pups in it and added a chrome switch tip. Would love to find it again. (in MA) There are a few things about it that will easily ID it. Another great video, bro.

NEVER AFTER 8 SG standards, have I had neck dive. I NEVER heard the term until the late eighties. What I find interesting, is it must be the way your build is, I am 6.1 and weigh only 140. The other is most of the complaints, come from those who are so concerned with such a easily remedied problems, like a thicker strap, are appearing nightly in their bedroom. I realize not a large amount of players, are professional, considering how many play. It just seems to me, when on one nighters for months, sick, or personal problems, are more important then sweating over NECK DIVE, which I am sorry, the term is hilarious to me. I am not really sorry, its just that everyone who knocks the SG for some reason need to apologize. Well, if I named everyone from Hendrix to Mick Taylor, we would have a longer video. In fact, almost everyone at Woodstock, as covered, used a Gibson SG. Hey what would they know compared to bedroom performers. That is a HOBBY, LIKE ME. However, I did spend from 1968, to 1990, as a professional electric guitarist, now over 70, dont get mad, get better! Not going to advertise, but there are recordings of my band guys on u tube, as I write this, from 1970! You decide, great stuff, the guitar player,wow, he shows what a SG is capable of!

To David Tokyo, I knew John Cippolina, played several openings for him and Quicksilver, you are so right to make a remark about his excusion from not only the video, but Johns revolutionary use of the whammy bar, or vibrato was unique among guitar players. Listen to Pride of Man by Quicksilver Messenger Service. John uses his bar perfect to the tempo. So many vibrato variations with a stock SG. He started me on the SG after trying Claptons at Winterland. He told me he was playing a telecaster until he tried the SG, then bought one. I tried his,did the exact thing. You must be very astute and observant to pick Cippolina, THANKS!

Nothing about Bertignac neither sg hp dude : (

So what is the best year model of the SG.

Another great video Keith. I was a huge fan of Carlos Santana and Jerry García back in the early '70s so the SG was my dream guitar. My flatmate bought one and I occasionally strummed it, but I could never afford one. I had to make do with a cheap acoustic. By the time I could afford an electric guitar and amp my guitar heroes were Hank Marvin, David Gilmour and Mark Knopfler so I chose to buy a Strat and Fender amp which I still play, though I have since acquired a number of other electrics for different musical styles. However, my son approached me in his teens saying he wanted to learn to play the guitar and I lent him my old Yamaha acoustic and showed him the basics. Within a few months he was playing barre chords and jazz chords and asked if I'd buy him an electric. By then he was heavily into AC/DC so it had to be a black SG. We found a nice Epiphone SG with wax potted humbuckers and Grover tuners for 250€ and a Boss Katana 50 amp and he was away. He then got into Red Hot Chili Peppers and brought himself a Strat and now plays more jazz funk but he won't part with his SG and still plays it regularly.

I drive past Derek's house quite often; but I never hear no SG noises! Bummer, what?

Great video and lots of cool SGs!
I still have my first real guitar, a 64 SG Special.
I switched to Strats and then the Tele for about 25 years.
I recently got a Bell and Hern SG with a red sparkle finish.
Amazing guitar.
I guess I'm back!

This original X hardcore Punker Atomic Fusion death metal guy will confess the best musicians I've seen in my entire life were in Church ! No doubt about it them guys just got the music .

When i first started learning, my uncle let me borrow his 61 SG. For some reason his son had brushed a thick layer of lacquer on the whole thing and put his name on the pickguard in nail polish. It took me a few months to get everything cleaned up and my uncle was overjoyed with the result. A couple years later the same son asked to use it. I didn't want to but my uncle reminded me that I was only borrowing it, so I had no choice. A couple months later I learned that my cousin had completely destroyed it because he got mad at my uncle. That was around 35 years ago and I'm still pissed about it.

Great. I am better informed. Being silly, I have wasted hours looking at guitar sites. I probably like you best. Watching professional guitarists talk nonsense about the guitar they play, for money, after controlling for the number of pickups, volume and tone controls, no professional guitarist now uses fewer than 10 "pedals", modifying the sound before they get to the first amp, the mic, a complete bank of computers and the PA system. Squier is fine😇

I listened to the Who in the 70's and wanted an SG. I found a used 76 in a walnut color with an ebony fretboard for $335 at Saul Bentnam's Music in Hollywood. It played so smoothly. I started playing Fenders and gave it to my son, and it's gone now. Like most guitars and amps I've parted with, I wish I hadn't.

Great video, but dont forget Robby Krieger! what was that tune played at the end called?

I'm sure this has been pointed out to you, but I just saw this error. The pictures of Harrison's SG do not match the batwing pickguard guitar photo that accompanies the segment. In all pictures with Harrison, it is clearly not a batwing pickguard SG. I'm surprised since that is a major difference in SGs through the years.

Thanks for this. Great info about a great guitar. I bought a 2023 '61 Reissue and it's an excellent guitar. was definitely a good day at the factory when it was made. Can't afford a vintage model, but maybe one day!

For me, this is the sweetest-sounding instrument I've ever heard.

Gary Rossington should have been included with the players in the intro. He played an sg for years

I just love my SG’s I have 2 srandards. One is a little beat up and one is pristine. Guess which one I play most? I think What I really love about them is the low weight and not quite but pretty close to a LP sound . But they did take a little time to get used to playing with the neck seeming so long. The older one came with the Tony Iommi Pickup in the Bridge. I just preferred the 498 that came original in it. Im thinking of trying the Tony Iommi in the neck because the neck 490 is a bit muddy for some reason.

You forgot to mention Ruyter Suys, another great SG player

"A short history" ????? Click bait...I am boycotting you until after dinner.

My very first guitar was an Epiphone SG that I got for $100 with a hard case and a Crate Practice amp. I still play that guitar a lot. It has a Seymour Duncan Distortion in the bridge and a Seymour Duncan Jazz pickup in the bridge, plus a set of locking tuners.

1275s have TWO cheeseboards.

Would you do the a piece on the Japanese line of Gibson guitars, the Orville. I bought an SG on EBay in the late 90’s to mod so not to bastardize my Gibsons. They are excellent guitars. Thanks

Excellent Cheers AAA

Always wanted one of those...Might have to get one..retire the Fender Strats.The Sg's have an excellent sound...must have a whammy bar..Frank marino had a great one..

I love the looks and sound of an SG. SG doesn't like me with the fat heavy neck. Angus Young said he plays his hard because a small guy like him has to fight it. I still wish I had another one.