How to Choose the Best SG Guitar

Sixty years after its introduction, the SG has become one of Gibson's best-selling electric guitar of all time—and for good reason. Lighter and thinner than a Les Paul Standard or Custom, it's a nimbler instrument and decidedly less complicated—it ditches the carved top in favor of a more utilitarian design. Introduced in 1961 as the Les Paul Standard and in 1963 as the SG Standard (more on that later), the SG, or "Solid Guitar," has produced some of the most vital sounds of all time. Think Pete Townshend's raucous windmill strums, pushing his amp beyond breakup with The Who on Live at Leeds, Duane Allman's soulful and supercharged slide work on "Statesboro Blues," Angus Young's powerful, gritty rhythms and searing leads with AC/DC on "Back in Black," and Eric Clapton's raw and evocative tone on Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love." Putting an SG in your hands opens up a world of possibilities. Today, there are many options available  from Gibson and Epiphone. This guide will help you cut through the clutter to find the best SG for you.

Table of Contents

History of the Gibson SG
The SG vs. Les Paul—What Are the Key Differences?
Buying an SG – Epiphone or Gibson?
How to Choose the Best Gibson SG
   Gibson SG Original Collection
   Gibson SG Modern Collection
   Gibson SG Custom Shop Collection
   Gibson SG Murphy Lab Collection
How to Choose the Best Epiphone SG
   Epiphone SG Original Collection
   Epiphone SG Modern Collection
How to Buy a Vintage SG

History of the Gibson SG

Gibson introduced its first solid body electric guitar in 1952, the Les Paul Model. Though it was a game-changing instrument, the design wasn't radical. It shared a similar outline as the ES-140 archtop. Later iterations included the Standard, Special, Custom, Junior and TV.

Pictured: Gibson Les Paul 60th Anniversary Limited Edition (2012)

While well-received, sales were slow. In 1958, Gibson made small but important updates to the Les Paul Junior and TV models, adding rounded double cutaways. Other designs that year were more radical, like the futuristic Explorer and Flying V, but Gibson only shipped 19 and 81 respectively in 1958 and discontinued both models in 1959.

It's important to understand what Fender—Gibson's main competitor—was up to at the time.

Fender built guitars with utility in mind—the Stratocaster, Esquire, Telecaster, Duo Sonic and Jazzmaster had bolt-on necks, which made them cheaper and easier to produce than Gibson's set-neck. In fact, the flagship Les Paul Custom was 20% more expensive than Fender's comparable Jazzmaster. To broaden their market share, Gibson President Ted McCarty gave shop foreman Larry Allers marching orders: redesign the Les Paul line.

Allers drew inspiration from Gibson's latest double cutaways, but instead of rounded contours, he beveled the new body at a sharp 22 degrees. It was more ergonomic (if slightly demonic), especially with horns dyed Cherry Red. The body was thinner and lighter than the ’59 Les Paul Standard or Custom; it had a slimmer profile neck that joined the body at the 22nd fret, putting every note within reach. This was a guitar unlike anything else on the market. Gibson began manufacturing the two-pickup Les Paul Standard and the three-pickup Les Paul Custom in late 1960; they hit the market in 1961.

 

Shop Now: Gibson SG Standard '61 Sideways Vibrola

Paul was less than thrilled with the design. It didn't help that he was heading toward semi-retirement with a divorce on the horizon. Plus, his contract with Gibson was set to expire in 1962. With all that on his plate, he was in no mood to renegotiate. Sometime in 1963, "Les Paul" vanished from the headstock; two letters replaced it on the truss rod cover—SG.

Today, SG-style bodies manufactured from late 1960 to 1963 with Les Paul truss rod covers are known as SG/Les Pauls or Les Paul/SGs.

The SG vs. Les Paul—What Are the Key Differences?

The SG and Les Paul play differently due to their respective designs. Here's a quick comparison.

Les Paul Standard	SG Standard
Approx. weight: 9—12 lb.	Approx. weight: 6—7 lb.
Neck joins body between 16th and 17th frets	Neck joins body at 22nd fret
Approx. thickness: 2-3/8"	Approx. thickness 1-3/8"
Single cutaway	Double cutaway
Chunky neck profile	Slimmer neck profile

The SG is 1" thinner and approximately 2 lb. lighter than a typical Les Paul Standard. The double cutaway offers complete access to all 22 frets, something the single cutaway Les Paul can't match. The neck profile is slimmer, too. In a sense, the SG opened the door for faster, more muscular styles of music, but it was only in the late ’60 and early ’70s that players made the discovery.

How Many SG Models Are There?

The initial ’60s run of SG guitars included the two-humbucker SG Standard, the three-humbucker SG Custom, single P-90 equipped SG Junior, dual P-90 SG Special, SG TV and Melody Maker SG from 1966 to 1970. Over the years, Gibson has added more variations with models made in the Custom Shop, the Murphy Lab, plus many artist signature SGs. Epiphone has also released artist signature SGs, plus vintage-inspired and modern takes on the form.

Who Plays an SG?

Sixty years after its release, the SG has been seen on stages and played in studios by some of the best musicians in the business. In addition to Townshend, Allman, Clapton and Young, many others have succumbed to the sounds of the SG, including Frank Zappa, Celisse, The Cars' Elliot Easton, Derek Trucks, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Leslie West, Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), Keith Urban and more.

Pictured: The Who's Live at Leeds

What Does an SG Sound Like?

The answer: It depends. The 1961 Les Paul/SG Custom (SG in appearance, Les Paul in name) came with a set of P.A.F. or "Patent Applied For" pickups. Warm and creamy, throaty and raw, P.A.F. pickups can do it all. Every humbucker today is a variation of the original that either replicates the sound or adds to it. Note that a vintage P.A.F. won't sound the same today as it did back then. Components have drifted over 60 years, plus tolerances weren't as tight.

SG models with P-90 single coils have a sound all their own. They play clean, but get raspier as you turn them up. The tone is thicker than a Strat or Tele, but still rings clear—when you want it to. For more, read our Ultimate Guide to Gibson Pickups.

If you're interested in changing up the tone of your SG, be sure to check out The Best Pickups for Gibson SG Guitars and find the set that's right for your sound.

Buying an SG – Epiphone or Gibson?

Quick question: Which company is older—Gibson or Epiphone? If you answered Epiphone, you're right. Its roots go back to 1873, when Anastasios Stathopolous began making lutes and fiddles in Turkey before settling in New York at the turn of the century. Upon his death, his son Epaminodas "Epi" took the reins. Epiphone added guitars to its lineup in 1928 to compete with its biggest rival—Gibson. The two companies battled head-to-head, but Gibson had more muscle, eventually purchasing Epiphone in 1957, and moving its headquarters to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

In 1969, Ecuadorian beer and cement company ECL bought Gibson/Epiphone. Many felt that the quality of the guitars suffered as a result. Whether that was accurate or just perception is up for debate. After rebranding itself as the Norlin Music Company, production of Epiphone guitars went overseas—first to Japan, later China and Korea.

Today, Gibson is led by CEO Cesar Gueikian. Under their leadership, Gibson and Epiphone have launched new SG lines with unprecedented quality and tones, from exacting reissues to updated models with game-changing features. With these offerings, there's never been a better time to buy an SG.

Comparing SG Models

Model	Body Wood	Fretboard	Pickups	Neck Shape	Weight Relief	Enhanced Electronics	Price*
Gibson SG Standard ’61	Mahogany	Rosewood	Burstbucker 61R/61T	SlimTaper	None	No	$1,999
Gibson SG Standard	Mahogany	Rosewood	490R/490T	Rounded	None	No	$1,799
Gibson SG Modern	Mahogany with maple top	Ebony	Burstbucker Pro	Asymmetrical SlimTaper	Ultra-Modern	Yes (coil-split)	$2,499
Gibson Custom Shop 60th Anniversary 1961 Les Paul SG Custom VOS	Mahogany	Ebony	Custombucker 3x	Slim ’60s	None	Handwired with vintage components	Call for price
Gibson Murphy Lab 1964 SG Standard with Maestro Vibrola	Mahogany	Rosewood	Custombucker	Mid-’60s Slim	None	Handwired with CTS pots & PIO caps	$6,999
Epiphone 1961 Les Paul SG Standard	Mahogany	Indian laurel	ProBucker	’60s SlimTaper	No	Yes (CTS pots, Mallory caps)	$949
Epiphone 1963 Les Paul SG Custom with Maestro Vibrola	Mahogany	Ebony	ProBucker 3x	’60s SlimTaper	No	Yes (CTS pots, Mallory caps)	$1,499
Custom 1964 SG Standard Reissue with Maestro Vibrola	Mahogany 2-piece)	Rosewood	Gibson Custombucker (USA)	1960s SlimTaper	No	Yes (CTS pots, Black Beauty caps)	$1,299
Epiphone SG Custom	Mahogany	Ebony	ProBucker	’60s SlimTaper	No	No	$699
Epiphone SG Special	Mahogany	Laurel	P-90 PRO soapbar	’60s SlimTaper	No	No	$449
Epiphone SG Standard	Mahogany	Indian laurel	Alnico Classic PRO	’60s  SlimTaper	No	No	$499
Epiphone SG Prophecy	Mahogany	Ebony	Fishman Fluence	SlimTaper	Yes	Yes (multi-voice)	$899

Pricing as of April 2025*

How to Choose the Best Gibson SG

Today, Gibson makes over 25 different SG models—it's a lot to wade through. Fortunately,  Gibson organizes its SGs in four different collections: Original, Modern, Artist and Custom Shop.

Gibson SG Original Collection

CEO Cesar Gueikian describes his position as "custodian to Gibson and steward of its future." There's no better example than the Original Collection, featuring US-made instruments with heritage style and sounds.

Gibson SG Standard '61

Why It's Cool: This model channels the early ’60s SG with vintage-voiced pickups.

Things to Consider:

• SlimTaper neck offers classic ’60s-style playability
• '61R and '61T pickups offer vintage vibe
• Gloss nitrocellulose finish ages beautifully, but may show wear over time

Shop Now: Gibson SG Standard '61

The Gibson SG Standard ’61 replicates the first SG-style guitar out of the gate. That includes a mahogany body, mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard with acrylic trapezoid inlays. Burstbucker 61R/T pickups have unbalanced coils, matching vintage humbuckers that were wound without a counter. Expect an edgier top end and an overall brighter sound—think "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC—Burstbuckers can scream. This SG is available with a stopbar tailpiece, or two different vibrato systems. The Sideways Vibrola moves in the direction of your pick stroke. Original units were fussy; fortunately, Gibson has re-engineered this Vibrola so that strings faithfully return to pitch. The nickel-plated tailpiece cover has an Art Deco look that would fit right on the Chrysler Building. The Maestro Vibrola is a mid-60s fulcrum-based design with a simpler—but just as effective—mechanism. It has an engraved lyre on the cover plate. In 2023 Gibson introduced a slew of vibrant new color options to the stopbar model, including Silver Mist, Pelham Blue and Translucent Teal among other eye-catching finishes.

Gibson SG Standard

Why It's Cool: A contemporary classic, this SG nails the essentials with punchy pickups and no-nonsense hardware.

Things to Consider:

• Rounded neck profile offers a thicker, vintage-style grip
• No vibrato tailpiece—great for tuning stability, but no wiggle room for bends
• Standard Alnico II pickups deliver warm, articulate tones

Shop Now: Gibson SG Standard in Ebony

The Modern Collection's Gibson SG Standard incorporates elements of an original ’66 in its build. The neck has a rounder profile than early model SGs; it joins the body at the 19th fret for enhanced stability. You can't miss the bigger batwing pickguard, or the 490R/T humbuckers that conjure the rock-oriented aggressive tones of the late ’60s. They're wax-potted to stifle high-gain squeal. This SG Standard comes with Grover Rotomatic tuners and a Nashville bridge, offering a fuller range of saddle movement for enhanced intonation. As with the Standard '61 model, in late 2023 Gibson introduced a host of new color options including a striking Cardinal Red Burst, classic TV Yellow and always eye-catching Pelham Blue Burst. 

Gibson SG Modern Collection

Classic guitars from the golden age of Gibson offer their own rewards, but sometimes you need more current features. This collection borrows classic elements from the SG's past, but adds refinements for those who require more versatility and enhanced playability. You'll see different specs in appearance, electronics and construction, but the DNA remains Gibson.

Gibson SG Modern

Why It's Cool: With a contoured heel, compound-radius fingerboard and coil tapping, this SG is built for today’s shredders.

Things to Consider:

• Asymmetrical SlimTaper neck offers ergonomic comfort
• Push-pull pots add tonal versatility with coil splitting
• Heavier than traditional SGs due to maple top and Ultra-Modern weight relief

Shop Now: Gibson SG Modern

The Gibson SG Modern breaks the mold with an AA flame maple top, a feature normally found on Les Paul Standard. That's one sign that this Gibson has a few tricks up its sleeve. It features BurstBucker Pro pickups made with stronger magnets—Alnico V vs. Alnico II— that are fatter and edgier than a vintage P.A.F, and altogether quieter, too. A 24-fret neck makes the SG Modern a best-bet for metal and hard rock; its asymmetrical profile follows the natural contours of your hand for playing comfort. The compound radius ebony fingerboard is rounder by the nut for chording ease, but flatter at higher registers for soloing speed.

Gibson SG Custom Shop Collection

Based in Nashville, the Gibson Custom Shop creates instruments made to exacting detail by the company's most skilled luthiers. Every spec is carefully considered. Some upper-end models offer unique finish options, hardware matches, one-off designs and more. In any case, with a Gibson Custom SG, you'll own the best of the best.

Gibson Custom Shop 60th Anniversary 1961 Les Paul SG Custom

Why It's Cool: This triple-pickup Custom Shop reissue captures the elegance and bite of the original Les Paul SG Custom in glorious vintage detail.

Things to Consider:

• Ebony fingerboard and gold hardware deliver upscale aesthetics and crisp tonal attack
• Three Custombucker pickups offer expanded tonal options and classic Gibson growl
• VOS finish and construction mirror the 1961 original for maximum vintage authenticity

Shop Now: Gibson Custom 1961 SG Les Paul Custom Reissue VOS

One of the first adopters of the SG was Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Her guitar might have appeared angelic, but when it came to the gospels, she rocked them raw. The Gibson Custom 60th Anniversary 1961 SG Les Paul Custom VOS is a revelation in classic white with gold hardware. Move the Sideways Vibrola bar out of the way if you're not feeling it, but when the spirit hits you, you have to shake that thing.

Gibson SG Murphy Lab Collection

When Tom Murphy heard The Who's Live at Leeds in 1970, he immediately went out and bought an SG Junior to sound like Pete Townshend. Thus began a never-ending passion for vintage guitars. Murphy has spent decades developing techniques to make new instruments match up to old favorites. The Murphy Lab is a division in the Gibson Custom Shop where his trained team creates SG models with four levels of wear: Ultra Light, Light, Heavy and Ultra Heavy.

Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab SG Standard Reissue

Why It's Cool: Murphy Lab aging gives this SG a road-worn vibe and vintage mojo that looks and feels decades deep.

Things to Consider:

• Light to heavy relic finishes create a broken-in aesthetic that plays like a well-loved vintage original
• Nitrocellulose lacquer and aged hardware enhance resonance and visual character
• Historic-spec pickups and wiring offer articulate, era-accurate tone for vintage purists

Shop Now: Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1964 SG Standard Reissue Maestro with Vibrola Light Aged

The Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1964 SG Standard With Maestro Vibrola is a prime example. Choose Ultra Light aging if you prefer few signs of playing wear. It gives the appearance of a guitar kept in a case under the bed for decades. Heavy aging simulates a life on the road with the scars of 50+ years of use and abuse. 

Browse our full collection of Gibson Custom Murphy Lab guitars.

How to Choose the Best Epiphone SG

Epiphone relaunched its line of SG guitars in 2020, improving the quality, fit and finish of these more accessible instruments. For a new player, an Epiphone is an outstanding first guitar that lasts. There's plenty in the line to appeal to pros, too.

Epiphone SG Original Collection

Coming closer than ever to matching the Gibson aesthetic, Epiphone's Original Collection pays tribute to those Kalamazoo classics in a completely authentic way. The designs are based on Gibson blueprints and incorporate period-correct specs.

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1961 Les Paul SG Standard

Why It's Cool: This faithful recreation of a ’61 SG delivers vintage tone and feel with solid reliability at a wallet-friendly price.

Things to Consider:

• Same tonewoods and pickups as the Vibrola version
• More tuning stability without the tailpiece
• Satin neck finish gives a fast, broken-in feel

Shop Now: Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1961 Les Paul SG Standard

One of the most exciting guitars in this collection is the 1961 Les Paul SG Standard, a collaboration between Epiphone and Gibson Custom. It has a 2-piece mahogany body—there's no veneer here—with deeper bevels; the mahogany neck has hand-rolled fretboard edges, making it feel as comfortable as an old baseball glove. The big surprise is the addition of Gibson Burstbucker pickups. One of the joys of a vintage SG is that the humbuckers didn't always have a matching number of windings. That's repeated on this Epiphone—the neck Burstbucker is medium output, while the bridge is overwound and hotter. They're wired with CTS pots, Mallory caps, Switchcraft output jack and toggle. The quality on the Epiphone 1961 Les Paul Standard is next level. It comes with a vintage-style hardshell case.

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Les Paul SG Custom with Maestro Vibrola

Why It's Cool: This vintage-inspired SG delivers classic rock tones and Vibrola shimmer without breaking the bank.

Things to Consider:

• SlimTaper neck and bound fingerboard nod to ’60s Gibson feel
• Vibrola adds flair, but not ideal for heavy dive bombing
• Gibson Custombuckers offer vintage punch

Shop Now: Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Les Paul SG Custom with Maestro Vibrola

The 1963 Les Paul SG Custom with Maestro Vibrola stands out as a pinnacle of vintage-inspired craftsmanship. Collaboratively designed with the Gibson Custom team, this guitar exudes elegance, boasting features like the iconic bound "open book" headstock with split-diamond inlay, VOS Classic White finish over a slim mahogany body, and gold hardware, all meticulously faithful to its historical counterpart. Of course, this instrument plays exceptionally well thanks to the SlimTaper one-piece mahogany neck with bound ebony 12” fretboard with Medium Jump frets.  Beyond its stunning aesthetics and effortless playability, the '63 LP SG Custom delivers classic, rich tone through a trio of Gibson Custombucker humbucking pickups, featuring alnico magnets, enamel coated wire, and uneven winding akin to the originals. Wired with CTS pots, Mallory caps, and a Switchcraft toggle switch, this instrument promises an authentic vintage experience.

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Vibrola

Why It's Cool: This meticulously crafted reissue delivers vintage SG tone, Gibson USA pickups and a full-on Lyre Vibrola tailpiece for period-correct feel and flair.

Things to Consider:

• 1960s SlimTaper neck and long neck tenon add stability without sacrificing speed
• Gibson Custombucker pickups and Black Beauty caps provide top-tier tone
• A step up for Epiphone, featuring Gibson Custom-level accuracy and vibe

Shop Now: Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Vibrola in Cherry Red

Created in collaboration with Gibson Custom, the 1964 SG Standard Reissue is Epiphone’s most faithful SG reissue yet. It sports a one-piece mahogany neck, bound rosewood fingerboard and a long-style Lyre Vibrola with the unmistakable engraving. Other vintage cues include double-ring tuners, aged mother-of-pearl inlays and nickel hardware. If you’re after a mid-’60s SG sound and feel without crossing into Custom Shop pricing, this is the one to get.

Epiphone SG Custom

Why It's Cool: Classic SG Custom aesthetics meet solid ProBucker tone and modern Epiphone reliability.

Things to Consider:

• Dual ProBucker humbuckers offer warm, articulate tones
• Mahogany body and set neck deliver classic SG sustain and resonance
• Gold hardware and block inlays give it vintage-correct style

Shop Now: Epiphone SG Custom

Gibson first reserved its 5-ply Split Diamond headstock inlay for high-end instruments like the Super 400 and the ’54 Les Paul Custom. Get the same look for less with the Epiphone SG Custom. Other upscale appointments include an ebony fingerboard and gold hardware.Epiphone's Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers are made with higher strength magnets for more drive, but they're just as capable dimed down for jazz and other genres.

Epiphone SG Special

Why It’s Cool: This stripped-down SG pairs vintage P-90 tones with no-nonsense styling and a fast neck.

Things to Consider:

• Dual P-90 PRO pickups deliver snappy, raw-edged tones perfect for blues and punk
• Vintage-style wraparound bridge keeps things simple and resonant
• Great balance of affordability and vintage voice

Shop Now: Epiphone SG Special P-90

The Epiphone SG Special (P-90) sports a pair of soapbar-style single coils that are wax-potted and made with vintage-spec'd braided, two-conductor wire. These P-90s work for ’40s-style jazz and blues, ’50s-style rockabilly, ’70s-style arena rock and virtually anything today. This SG Special has a mahogany neck with an Indian laurel fretboard that looks and wears like rosewood.

Epiphone SG Standard

Why It's Cool: A solid, no-frills SG that captures the spirit of early hard rock and blues with a vintage look.

Things to Consider:

• ’60s SlimTaper neck shape supports expressive lead playing
• Lower-cost model, but still delivers strong tone and build
• No weight relief—expect the full mahogany heft

Shop Now: Epiphone SG Standard

Angus Young's guitar sound is one of the best around. The AC/DC rocker plays (and slays) a ’68 SG with larger-than-life tones. Epiphone's SG Standard is just as capable with Alnico Classic PRO pickups that get grittier at higher volumes. Young's wicked vibrato comes from his hands, not hardware; this SG keeps strings stable with a LockTone Stop Bar and tune-o-matic bridge. An old-school "pineapple crown" inlay tops the headstock. Modern touches include high-ratio Epiphone deluxe tuners and a neck with rolled edges for comfort.

Epiphone SG Modern Collection

You can respect SG history without being a slave to the ’60s. Epiphone's Modern Collection pairs classic style with player-friendly features like faster necks and updated fits and finishes.

Epiphone SG Prophecy

Why It's Cool: The Prophecy SG pairs Fishman Fluence humbuckers with fast access and dark aesthetics for progressive players.

Things to Consider:

• Three voicing modes per pickup allow broad tonal range
• Slim neck with jumbo frets suits fast, aggressive styles
• Sleek styling and high-output pickups may not suit vintage purists

Shop Now: Epiphone SG Prophecy

The phrase "high performance" is frequently thrown around in guitar circles, but it's an apt description of the Epiphone SG Prophecy. We could start with the Fishman Fluence humbuckers—they're noise free, making this SG one of the best for recording. The pickups can be voiced three ways with push/pull controls: vintage humbucker, modern high-gain active humbucker and a split single-coil sound. Math rockers will find the 24-fret asymmetrical neck perfect for angular, progressive riffs. Grover locking tuners, mother-of-pearl inlays, knurled metal knobs and a maple top capped with AAA flame maple veneer are more reasons the Prophecy might be in your future.

How to Buy a Vintage SG

Sometimes a vintage Gibson SG can be worth its weight in gold, especially if all the specs are correct. Before offering up an instrument, we thoroughly inspect it to spot repairs, modifications, refinishes or anything not original. But keep in mind that a guitar doesn't have to be 100% original to play and sound superb. Our vintage team is just as excited about SGs as you; rest assured that we'll do the work to ensure that there are no surprises.

We hope you've enjoyed this deep dive into all things SG. Come in to your local store to explore more, check out our extensive online selection of Gibson and Epiphone SGs, or give our Contact Center a call to find a Gear Adviser who shares your passion in finding the perfect guitar