Gibson SG Special: A new custom look with lots of vintage vibe
Time to raid your guitar fund!
5,0 / 5,0 | 
The Gibson SG Special is getting a re-release for the end of 2018 in two custom colours. It’s based on the famous ‘bare bones’ P90-loaded guitar of the ’60s. And it looks pretty damn sweet.
Gibson SG Special
I’m a big fan of the old original Gibson SG Special models and this new release of that classic rock guitar looks more than decent. The Gibson brand has had its ups and downs, so to see guitars like this one being made makes me very happy.
Gibson SG Special in Vintage Sparkling Burgundy and Faded Pelham Blue · Source: Gibson
Grade A
With its solid mahogany body and a quarter-sawn mahogany neck incorporating a Grade A rosewood fretboard, Gibson is getting back on track with the SG Special. The two version are finished in what I can only describe as a mouth-watering, lush Faded Pelham Blue and an equally exquisite Vintage Sparkling Burgundy. This is the type of guitar that makes my wallet squirm and has me reaching for the nearest Gibson dealer, so I can go try one out.
Gibson SG Special in Faded Pelham Blue · Source: Gibson
P90 loaded, stripped back and cool
The two P90 pickups are controlled via a three-way toggle switch. These guitars also have the obligatory two Volume and two Tone controls. This is the sort of guitar that you can have a lot of fun with; it looks simple and will probably let you get a lot of nice tones easily. They even have a cool, vintage look with their Black Top Hat knobs with silver reflectors.
I’m loving the traditional wraparound bridge and simple Kluson style button tuners. Everything about this SG is classic and looks sublime to me. That rosewood fretboard looks beautiful, the simple dot markers are vintage correct and show off the Grade A wood to its best as well.
The pricing is fair for an American handmade, nitrocellulose finished guitar and I think most of you will agree it looks pretty damn fine.
RRP – USD 1499 including a Gibson hardshell case
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4 responses to “Gibson SG Special: A new custom look with lots of vintage vibe”
I was very interested in that. A step in the right direction Gibson, I thought. Then I saw the price.
The fingerboard binding looks oddly out of place on a guitar that otherwise looks very late 60’s.
A step in the right direction for design; the pricing, however…
I love the classic design (P90s are ace) and the ‘custom’ colours. How much does it cost to build a handmade US manufactured, nitrocellulose finished guitar and still make a profit? If you pay all your taxes, wage bills and promotion? I’m not sure, however, I can imagine it isn’t cheap. I’ll reserve judgement until I can play one myself. Because if these are well made then I’m probably going to buy the blue one!