The Gibson SG Special... Quality Gibson specifications with an exceptional price!
With it's distinctive tone, the SG has remained one of the most popular Gibson's ever for over 40 years. Built in the USA, the body and la long neck joint for improved sustain & high-end punch. The Special also features a rosewood fretboard for increased highs and years of solid performance. 40 years ago, the rock sound of the SG made it required equipment & that sound is as right today as it was then. Other features include Gibson 490 humbuckers, a 1-piece mahogany set-in neck, 22 frets, chrome hardware and the '50s SG shape neck. Price includes gig bag.
Gibson SG Special Features
- Solid Mahogany Body with Nitrocellulose Finish
- ’50s Rounded Neck Profile with Set-Neck Construction
- 22-Fret Rosewood Fingerboard with Nickel/Silver Frets
- Gibson’s 490R and 490T Pickups
- Tune-O-Matic Bridge
- Angled Headstock and Adjustable Truss Rod
- Dot Inlays and the Gibson Logo
- Gig Bag Included
Gibson’s 490 (R) Rhythm and (T) Treble Pickup
The mid to late 1960s saw the emergence of a very different type of music coming from the clubs of England. It was an interpretation of the blues that hadn’t been heard before, and it was much harder, more rocking, and definitely louder than anything else before it. As such, this new genre’s players were demanding more powerful amplifiers with increased volume outputs to satisfy their sonic explorations. This led to a call for a more versatile pickup that could split coils through a push/pull knob, and prevent microphonic feedback from occurring when the volumes were turned up to maximum levels. Gibson answered this call with the introduction of the revolutionary 490T and 490R pickups (
T for treble, and
R for rhythm), which has the traditional characteristics of the original
Patent Applied For pickups, but with two key modifications. First, a four-conductor wiring scheme allows the 490s to be connected to any push/pull knob, which lets players split the coils and increase versatility. Gibson also introduced wax potting, which does away with any air space, minimalizing microphonic feedback. The 490R is a humbucker with the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, with a slight increase in upper mid-range response. The 490T bridge pickup is calibrated to match the 490R, with pole pieces aligned a little further apart to accommodate the spacing of the strings at the bridge, which is different than the spacing of the strings at the neck.
’50s Rounded Neck Profile
No guitar neck profiles are more distinguishable than the neck profiles employed on the Gibson models of today. The more traditional ’50s neck profile on the SG Special is the thicker, rounder profile, emulating the neck shapes found on the iconic 1958 and 1959 Les Paul Standards. The neck is machined in Gibson’s rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. But once the fingerboard gets glued on, the rest, including the final sanding, is done by hand. That means there are no two necks with the exact same dimensions. So while it still has the basic characteristics of its respective profile, each neck will be slightly different, with a distinct but traditional feel.
Solid Mahogany Body
Probably the most central of all the SG Special’s features is its solid mahogany body—lightweight, strong, with a thick, warm tone. The mahogany goes through the same rigorous selection process as all of Gibson’s woods, and is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson’s team of skilled wood experts before it enters the Gibson factories. Inside the Gibson factories, humidity is maintained at 45 percent, and the temperature at 70 degrees. This ensures all woods are dried to a level of
equilibrium, where the moisture content does not change during the manufacturing process. This guarantees tight-fitting joints and no expansion, in addition to reducing the weight. It also helps with improving the woods’ machinability and finishing properties. Consistent moisture content means that a Gibson guitar will respond evenly to temperature and humidity changes long after it leaves the factory.
Dot Inlays
Over the years, the classic dot inlay has been one of the more traditional features of many Gibson models, including the SG. A figured, swirl acrylic gives these inlays that classic
pearl look. They are inserted into the fingerboard using a process that eliminates gaps and doesn’t require the use of fillers.
American Musical Supply - an Authorized Gibson Internet Retailer
AmericanMusical.com has been selected as one of Gibson's very few Authorized Internet Retail Sites in the United States. As one of these select few Internet sites, AMS offers an unparalleled selection of all of Gibson’s premium brands, all covered by Gibson’s Limited Lifetime Warranty – only available from Authorized Gibson retailers.
Gibson is recognized as one of the most respected guitar builders in the world. AMS is proud to have a decades-long history with them and honored that Gibson has chosen us to bring their world-class instruments to you. Look for more new product announcements, special events and promotions in the coming months.
Gibson - Pure.