Officially in its 6th decade of turning heads and rattling eardrums, the Gibson SG Special continues to invite superlatives and adoration for its iconic body design and absolute mind-blowing tone. Launched in 1961, the SG Special became a staple stage axe for legends like Pete Townshend, Angus Young, Frank Zappa, and Tony Iommi, just to name a few. Its incredible balance and unique playability continue to win over legions of younger players as they fall instantly in love with this bona fide classic. Staying true to its origins, the SG Special features an all-mahogany body with a SlimTaper neck profile and a rosewood fingerboard; these time-tested materials produce a resonant tone that many can identify when blindfolded! Two soapbar P-90 pickups magnify all that resonance with searing hot, defined single-coil tone. The SG Special is just one of the seminal guitars that helped launch the golden era of rock ’n’ roll, and there is no doubt it will continue to rock the stages and garages of players for decades to come.

Dare to sound different  

We have many fiercely loyal P-90 fans here at Music Experience. These guitarists know that the P-90 offers a unique tonal palette that is distinct from — and complements — humbuckers and traditional single-coils. Gibson’s first successful single-coil pickup, the P-90 can be heard on countless classic recordings. With its biting treble and high output, the P-90 cleans up nicely when you roll back your guitar’s volume pot. It’s an amazingly versatile pickup with its own brand of grit — a bit brighter, leaner, and less refined than a humbucker and almost as hot. Hit your amp hard, and the P-90 really wails. Plugged into a proper high-gain tube amp, you can elicit grind, sizzle, and bark that would be impossible with humbuckers — or with other single-coils, for that matter. To hear P-90s brilliantly deployed in historical context, check out Santana’s fiery Woodstock performance, the Who’s masterful Live at Leeds album, or any number of classic Beatles tunes.

SlimTaper neck and Plek’d frets for optimized playability  

Comfort and playability were two of Gibson’s primary concerns when they were designing the SG Special. You’ll be delighted by how this guitar’s fast SlimTaper neck profile comfortably fits your hand in just the right way. For your playing pleasure, the rosewood fingerboard is buffed to silky smoothness and bound with rolled edges so that no fret ends impede your dexterity. The frets are dressed to perfection using a Plek Pro machine for optimized playability. Typically reserved for top-dollar custom guitars, this process levels the frets with pinpoint precision, providing you with the most playable fretboard you’re likely to own.

Nitro finish for the look and feel of a classic   

Gibson gave the SG Special a gorgeous nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Nitro finishes — standard back in the day — are significantly thinner than today’s polyurethane finishes, allowing the guitar to “breathe.” Nitro finishes not only look amazing, but they also enhance the instrument’s tonal qualities. The SG Special has the look and feel of a lovingly cared-for classic — one that will only improve with age.

What Gibson Says...

The SG™ Special returns to the classic design that made it relevant, played, and loved -- shaping sound across generations and genres of music. This early 60s style SG Special has the vibe and sound heard on countless classic rock recordings. The comfortable, SlimTaper™ mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard are well known for fast, effortless playing. The two P-90 pickups are noted for their fat snarl when driven and their smooth sweetness when played clean. The SG Special is equipped with the 3-way toggle switch and has hand-wired controls with Orange Drop® capacitors. A hardshell case is included.