If we look back over the last 65 years, then it is fair to say that five guitars have largely dominated the sound of popular music – Strat, Tele, 335, Les Paul and the SG – I know Rickenbacker, Gretsch and later Floyd Rose based Supa Strats, amongst others, have had somewhat of a major influence at various times, but keeping it simple, then the Strat, Tele, SG, Les Paul and 335 have consistently been the major players – Together they’ve influenced most of the far eastern copy market, over the last 50 years or so – They still possess key features, shapes and styles that many of today’s custom ’boutique’ luthiers utilise as part of their own blue print – They are probably the five top selling guitars amongst todays popular ‘signature model’ market place, as well as the lucrative ‘Custom Shop vintage replica’ market – And it is the latter we turn to when I introduce you to this Gibson Custom Shop Historic 61 SG Standard – A used model from 2018 with a ‘very lightly aged’ VOS faded cherry finish – Part of me says that do I need to tell you anything about such a used guitar, but in true Guitars4You style there is always some key information that I can share with you – So in no particular order then please note the following info :-
- A clean example with no issues that is complete with the black ‘Custom’ case, appropriate certificate/wallet, various tags and the ‘gold warranty’ flyer
- Whole guitar weighs 6lbs and 8oz
- VOS ‘very lightly aged’ finish – more of a mellow character, rather than gloss and shiny – But unlike most of the Fender Custom Shop relic models and indeed the Gibson Tom Murphy aged models, the VOS models are not factory aged with dings, dints and wear and tear – So maybe imagine you’ve just found a 1961 SG that has not been played for over 60 years – Was kept in its case, under the bed, during that time, but the nitro finish has slightly mellowed and the nickel hardware has slightly tarnished – That may well sum up the factory VOS finish
- This is a used model that is now around 7 years old and has acquired a couple of additional ‘compression’ grazes to the top surface of the finish – Any such blemish is subtle and in my opinion only adds to the natural VOS character – No fret wear whatsoever
- Re-strung with a set of 10-46 gauge strings and set-up with an easy action that responds to a light touch
- Engraved Les Paul bell truss rod cover , in keeping with the original early 60’s models, before the LP tag was removed from such a guitar
- Double ring Kluson tuners
- ABR bridge with no wire retainer
- Now fitted with Dunlop strap locks
- The traditional ‘wide/slim’ early 60’s C profile is present and correct – Measures .845″ around the top nut end, then gently fattens out to .939″ around the 12th fret – Hence enough meat on it to stop it feeling skinny
- Gibson custom wound Custombucker – ‘PAF’ based replicas that both measure around 7.83K
- Other period/vintage features include the long tenon body/neck join, trapezoid fingerboard inlays, nylon top nut and the light weight aluminium tailpiece
The tone from a pair of custom wound humbuckers is as you’d expect it to be – Classic vintage/paf flavoured – Succulent warmth from the neck pick-up, that is velvet smooth, with no shortage of that tight focussed attack, body, balls and bite from the bridge pick-up – Overall it is very responsive with no shortage of soul, passion and emotion – Play it through an amp/pedal, with various overdrive levels and the 2 volume pots will allow you to dial in/out various levels of gain as required – On more subtle rock/blues overdriven amp setting it is possible to use the volume pots to obtain more of a clean chilled out voice, so maybe try this as your base tone, then wind the volume pot back towards 10, as and when required, for additional bite and that turbo boost gain – On a hi-gain amp setting you can use the same principle to obtain a less overdriven amp setting – Either way you and the guitar control the amp, so no shortage of expression at your finger tips – Angus power chords and riffs, Clapton/Cream licks, Zappa licks and even Santana singing licks are all there – So try a few modern indie based melodic licks and chords, to see why the SG has constantly been part of the Gibson catalogue for around 60 years – They still look cool with a classic styling that I’m sure will be part and parcel of popular music for many many more years
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Guitars4You is not another corporate high street guitar store - My selection of premium grade guitars is about quality not quantity. Every guitar has been selected, inspected and approved by me, with particular attention to the set-up and playing performance. Every sale, phone call, email and mail order transaction is handled by me. A journey that is now over 50 years old, has fuelled my knowledge, experience, love, devotion and passion for exceptionally fine guitars.