gibson sg standard electric guitar

gibson sg standard electric guitar

 

Alright, let’s dive into the gibson sg standard electric guitar, a guitar that’s been making noise for a long, long time. We’re going to look at what it is, what it’s made of, and what it does, without getting too caught up in the hype.

The Basics: What is the SG Standard?

The gibson sg standard electric guitar. It’s known for its distinctive double-cutaway body shape, which means it has two “scooped” areas that let you reach the higher frets on the neck more easily. This design isn’t just for looks; it’s meant to make the guitar more comfortable to play, especially when you’re playing solos or higher-pitched melodies.

It’s a solid-body guitar, which means the main part of the guitar (the body) is made from a single piece of wood, or several pieces glued together. This is different from hollow-body guitars, which have a hollow space inside them. Solid-body guitars are known for their sustain, which means the notes ring out for a longer time. They also tend to be less prone to feedback, which is that unwanted squealing sound you sometimes get with electric guitars.

 

The Body: Mahogany and Design

The body of the gibson sg standard electric guitar is typically made from mahogany. Mahogany is a medium-density wood that’s known for its warm, rich tone. It’s also relatively lightweight, which is important for a guitar that you might be playing for hours on end. The gibson sg standard electric guitar’s body is fairly thin, which contributes to its light weight and also affects its sound.

The double-cutaway design is a key feature. It’s not just about reaching the high notes; it also helps to balance the guitar. Without the cutaways, the guitar might feel neck-heavy, meaning the neck would tend to dip down when you’re playing.

The finish on the body is usually a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer. Nitrocellulose lacquer is a type of finish that’s been used on guitars for a long time. It’s known for its thinness, which allows the wood to resonate more freely. Some people believe this contributes to a better tone, but it’s also more delicate and can chip or crack more easily than other finishes.

 

The Neck: Mahogany and Rosewood/or other woods

The neck of the gibson sg standard electric guitar is also made from mahogany. It’s glued to the body using a technique called a “set neck” construction. This means the neck is fitted into a pocket in the body and glued in place. This is different from bolt-on necks, which are screwed on. Set necks are generally considered to provide better sustain and a warmer tone.

The fingerboard, which is the flat surface on the neck where you press down the strings, is traditionally made from rosewood. Rosewood is a dense wood that’s known for its smooth feel and warm tone. However, due to regulations on the harvesting of certain rosewood species, Gibson has been using alternative woods like Richlite or baked maple on some models. These woods are chosen to provide similar tonal and feel characteristics to rosewood.

The fingerboard has inlays, which are markers that help you find your way around the neck. The standard inlays on an SG are usually trapezoid-shaped, made from acrylic or other materials.

The neck profile refers to the shape of the back of the neck. The SG Standard usually has a slim taper neck profile, which means it’s relatively thin and comfortable to play. This is a matter of personal preference; some players prefer thicker necks, while others prefer thinner necks.

 

The Electronics: Pickups and Controls

The gibson sg standard electric guitar is equipped with two humbucker pickups. Humbuckers are a type of pickup that’s designed to reduce hum and noise. They’re known for their powerful, thick tone, which is well-suited for rock and blues music.

The pickups are controlled by a three-way toggle switch, which allows you to select the neck pickup, the bridge pickup, or both. There are also two volume controls and two tone controls, which allow you to adjust the volume and tone of each pickup independently.8

The pickups in the gibson sg standard electric guitar are typically Gibson’s own humbuckers, like the 490R in the neck position and the 498T in the bridge position. These pickups are known for their classic rock sound, with plenty of midrange and a powerful output.

 

The Hardware: Tuners, Bridge, and Tailpiece

The tuners on the gibson sg standard electric guitar are typically Grover Rotomatics. These are high-quality tuners that are known for their stability and accuracy. They help to keep the guitar in tune, even when you’re playing aggressively.

The bridge is a Tune-o-matic bridge, which is a common type of bridge used on Gibson guitars. It’s adjustable, which allows you to set the intonation of the guitar. Intonation refers to the accuracy of the pitch of the notes as you play up the neck.

The tailpiece is a stop bar tailpiece, which is a simple and effective design. It helps to transfer the vibrations of the strings to the body of the guitar, which contributes to its sustain.

 

The Sound: What Does it Sound Like?

The gibson sg standard electric guitar is known for its distinctive sound, which is often described as warm, thick, and powerful. The mahogany body and neck contribute to its warm tone, while the humbucker pickups provide plenty of output and midrange.

The SG is a versatile guitar that can be used for a wide range of musical styles, including rock, blues, jazz, and metal. It’s particularly well-suited for rock and blues, thanks to its powerful tone and sustain.

The thin body and slim taper neck make the SG comfortable to play, even for long periods of time. The double-cutaway design allows easy access to the higher frets, which is important for playing solos and higher-pitched melodies.

 

Considerations: What to Think About

Like any guitar, the gibson sg standard electric guitar has its own set of characteristics that may or may not be suitable for every player. The thin body and lightweight design can be an advantage for some, but others may prefer a heavier guitar. The slim taper neck is comfortable for many players, but those with larger hands may prefer a thicker neck.

The nitrocellulose lacquer finish is known for its tone, but it’s also more delicate than other finishes. The gibson sg standard electric guitar’s design can be prone to neck dive, though this can often be mitigated by using a wide strap. The SG is also known to have a thinner sound than a Gibson Les Paul, which is another famous Gibson guitar.

The price of a gibson sg standard electric guitar is something to consider. They are not inexpensive. There are many other guitars, from other brands, that provide similar functionality for a lower price.

 

In Summary

The gibson sg standard electric guitar is a classic electric guitar that’s known for its distinctive design, warm tone, and comfortable playability. It’s a versatile guitar that can be used for a wide range of musical styles, but it’s particularly well-suited for rock and blues. It has a long and storied history, and many famous musicians have used it.

Whether or not the SG Standard is the right guitar for you depends on your personal preferences and playing style. It’s important to try out different guitars and find one that feels comfortable and sounds good to you. Consider the features, the sound, and the price. If you are a player who prefers a lighter guitar with a comfortable neck and a classic rock sound, then the SG Standard might be worth considering.