Gibson SG Standard '61 Electric Guitar Cardinal Red Burst

The aptly named Gibson SG Standard '61, with its infamous "devil horns," debuted in the early '60s as the first double-cut electric guitar from the renowned purveyors of the Les Paul. Then headed by Ted McCarty, Gibson responded to the growing popularity of double-cut instruments by introducing the Solid Guitar (SG). A truly versatile classic, the reissued SG Standard '61 embodies the looks and features associated with the guitar that temporarily halted LP production, including a SlimTaper neck, rosewood fingerboard and solid mahogany body. Gibson Burstbucker '61 pickups lace the SG with vintage voicing, power and top-end clarity. The Gibson SG Standard ’61 honors a legacy of profound innovation—a future-proof double cut recalling the guitar’s everlasting prime.

Iconic Outline

The Gibson SG Standard ’61 features the same contoured mahogany body as the original—a thinner, lighter-weight, double-cut answer to the Les Paul. Always ahead of its time, Gibson developed the legendary SG outline after they’d already experimented with trailblazing shapes like the Flying V and Explorer. The Solid Guitar was another bold, recognizable design from Gibson, going on to become the "signature" instrument associated with icons like Tony Iommi, Pete Townshend, Angus Young and Robby Krieger. While many iterations of the guitar have existed, the hardtail Gibson SG Standard '61 is the flagship.

Quality Controls

Understated inclusions in the SG Standard ’61 are audio taper volume potentiometers and Orange Drop tone capacitors. Both electronic components contribute to the response of the volume and tone controls, and subsequently the range of tones you can coax from the Gibson SG. Audio taper pots increase or decrease volume in a logarithmic fashion, which is most conducive to how the human ear perceives sound level. Practically, it means that greater adjustment is required to note an audible change—perfect for guitarists who might inadvertently roll a volume knob on stage. Additionally, Orange Drop capacitors are regarded for their openness and reliability, quietly helping guitarists find their unique sound by harnessing the SG Standard ’61 tone controls.