The Gibson SG is a model of Electric guitar of full the body type (solidbody) manufactured by the American firm Gibson Guitar Corporation.
It is in 1961 that the first version left the factory of Kalamazoo under the name of “Gibson Paul SG” (SG for Solid Guitar ). In the beginning, this guitar had been designed to replace the models the Paul existing. Its design original with a double notch, not completely symmetrical, with the points bevelled in the shape of “horns of Belzébuth”, the red completion (cherry finish) and its handiness due to its reduced weight, in quickly made the instrument of predilection of much of guitarists style “Rock'n'roll”. At his exit the guitarist the Paul did not appreciate at all the design of this guitar which did not correspond to the idea that it was done of a guitar. Its contract the binder with Gibson expiring was not renewed, but the design of the guitar was preserved. It was finally called “Gibson SG” starting from 1963.
Construction
Since its creation, SG was declined in a certain number of alternatives and underwent some modifications, but finally rather little. This section describes the specifications common to the various models with in aside some details particular when it is significant.
The sawn timber body is manufactured in a thin part of Acajou. It is flat following the example models the Paul Junior or Special, without brought back table. The edges have a chamfer very marked on the left side and in the round-off of the notches, and more discrete on the high part of the right-sided.
The handle is also in mahogany tree generally of only one part. It is stuck to the case according to the technique Mortaise - Tenon on the level of the 19th box. On the first models the junction was carried out on the level of the 22e box, which conferred on the instrument a real brittleness taking into account the weak surface of joining. This handle is very fine and famous for its facility of play. It is equipped with an integrated system, the Truss rod being used to regulate its curve. The access to the truss rod is under a small plate (mask truss rod) screwed on the head of the handle. The touches in Palissandre or in ebony on the models “Custom”, bordered of a net (binding) white-cream, is provided with 22 hoops and reference marks encrusted in Nacre. The Diapason is of 24 ¾ inches.
Upperworks is generally identical to that of the Paul “traditional”. The “standard” model is equipped with a rest of the type Tune-o-matic, making it possible to regulate the action cords on the handle and to make a very precise adjustment vibrating length of each cord (compensation) and a rope-maker of the type Stop-bar, both being fixed directly in the body of the guitar. The mechanics laid out in 2 lines of 3 on each side of the head of the handle, is of the type Kluson with buttons characteristic in the shape of “tulip”.
The microphones are Humbucker S. They in the beginning were fixed via “contours of black plastic microphones”, on the body in cavities envisaged for this purpose. From 1967 Gibson adopted an appreciably different attachment unit by using a broad plate (scratchplate) screwed on the body according to a principle initially developed by the mark Fender. This plate which includes also space where is fixed Tune-o-matic is used at the same time as support of microphones and plate of protection Pickguard . On the models former to 1967, the pickguard of small size screwed on the body is “except microphones” and one can note the presence of another small plate kind “hiding place misery” fixed between the “microphone handle” and the end of the key. A selector (switch) with 3 positions, allowing for choice of one or the other microphone or both in parallel, is positioned close to the four buttons of Potentiomètre S of adjustment - one of volume and one of tonality engraves/acute for each microphone - in the right lower part of the body. There is traditionally at the base of the selector a round black plastic plate being marked Rhythm for the “microphone handle” and Treble for the “micro rest”. One reaches the housing of the potentiometers and wiring, by removing the plate which masks the cavity envisaged for this purpose with the back of the guitar. The exit, a taken Jack fixed on the top of the body, is located near the buttons of adjustment.
Like the majority of the Gibson instruments, the completion of guitars SG is made with a varnish nitrocellulosic applied in several polished layers.
History
At the beginning of the Years 1960, the sales of Gibson in the segment of the guitars solidbody were not satisfactory. the firm of the Michigan with its range the Paul did not arrive has to suppress the progression of its Fender competitor. Ted McCarty had tried well to launch a range of new guitars with the models Flying V, Explorer and Moderne, the latter not having exceeded the stage of prototype, but these too futuristic guitars did not have any business success.The problem was “simple”, it was necessary to make a guitar, as it is known as higher, to replace the Paul. It was to be less heavy, more “comfortable”, of production costs less low while keeping nevertheless an air of Lutherie of quality, to have a modern line, a tantinet subversive, to reach the young customers of vagueness incipient from the groups Pop Rock'n'roll.
When Gibson introduced to this news “the Paul” to the guitarist éponyme, this last did not appreciate the design at all. He would have said in a discussion with Tom Wheeler, the specialized journalist in the music: “One could commit suicide with horns sharpened out of the kind”. That created a serious disagreement between him and Gibson because it wished that its name be withdrawn from these guitars.
The business was not regulated immediately. The contract binding for 10 years the Paul to Gibson was to expire in 1963. In 1961 when the first models were marketed, the name of the guitarist was engraved on the plate “hides truss rod ”, then in 1962, in a more discrete way, on the plate at the base of the key. Finally it is into 1963 that Gibson ceased making appear the name of the Paul. It should be specified that at this time there, the popularity of the guitarist was clearly on the decline.
Since 1961, Gibson launched on the market a range including/understanding the Standard model, the Custom model and a low EB3, and this with various options relating to the number of microphones and the presence or not of a Vibrato. Thereafter with the wire of the years, range SG not having never ceased being produced, Gibson marketed a great number of models having their own characteristics but never very far away from the models from origin.
Principal models and alternatives
; SG/Les Paul Standard: the first model of 1961 with 2 microphones humbucker, small a pickguard screwed on the body, and in option a vibrato Vibrola with side action. upperworks is nickelled and the red completion sinks (cherry) or white. the mention “the Paul” disappears in 1963.; SG/Les Paul Custom: as from 1961, it is the model luxates with 2 or 3 humbuckers, small a pickguard , and the option vibrato. Upperworks is gilded and the white completion. the mention “the Paul” disappears in 1963.
; SG Junior: It is the “economic” version of the range with 1 only microphone simple winding (Single coil) P-90, not of vibrato, the key does not have nets and the reference marks are simple points of Nacre (dowry) . The model cherished of the guitarist Louis Bertignac.
; SG Special: It is a version of the Junior with 2 microphones individual coil P-90 , and as from 1967 a simplified vibrato with vertical action.
; SG Standard: On the model of 1967 small the pickguard is replaced by a broad screwed plate scratchplate which acts as support of microphones, upperworks is chrome.
; Melody Maker: From 1966 Melody Maker is marketed with a form from SG, 2 or 3 microphones individual coil , a broad plate scratchplate and in option a vibrato simplified “Vibrola” with vertical action.
; SG-R1/SG Artist: In 1980 The Gibson proposed the SG-R1 equipped with an “active” electronics. The body in solid mahogany is a little thicker, not pickguard , transparent buttons of adjustment, a selector to activate or not the Booster of the “micro rest” (acute) and a black completion. In 1981 the SG-R1 was famous SG Artist. This model was produced in very minor amount.
There exist many variations on the topic of the SG which was or is marketed by Gibson. One can in particular quote models SG '61 Reissue, SG Custom Reissue, SG Angus Young Signature, SG Pete Townshend Signature, SG Supreme, SG Menace, SG Gothic, SG Faded (in several versions), SG Special New Century, SG WP, SG Select, SG Goddess.
See too
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