The Underrated Legacy of the Gibson SG Standard: A Closer Look at a Classic Guitar
The Gibson SG Standard is a solidbody electric guitar that has often been overshadowed by the more popular Gibson Les Paul Standard and Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster models. Despite its significant presence in classic recordings, particularly in hard rock and metal genres, the SG Standard has not received the recognition it deserves. The SG model, which stands for "solid guitar," was introduced in 1959, initially as a revamped version of the Les Paul Special and Les Paul TV models. In 1960, the iconic SG body style with a double cutaway design and mahogany slab body was introduced, offering improved upper-fret access and a sleeker profile compared to the Les Paul Standard. The SG Standard, previously known as the Les Paul Standard, underwent various changes in the Sixties, including different vibrato tailpiece options and the transition to a larger "batwing" pickguard design in the late 1960s. The SG Standard was briefly discontinued in 1971 but quickly returned and has been in production ever since. The specifications of the SG Standard varied over the years, so it is recommended to try out different models before making a purchase. The SG Standard has been favored by numerous famous guitarists over the years, including George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Robby Krieger, Angus Young, Tony Iommi, and many others. Its versatility and fretboard access have made it a popular choice among players across different genres and eras.