1961-62 Gibson Les Paul Standard "SG"
PAGE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION...
In 1961, the 3rd generation of the Les Paul Standard was introduced. This generation was the 1st year for the new thin double cut body SG design and replaced the underappreciated single cut bodied Les Paul Standard. The new SG design Les Paul was introduced to compete with the Fender Stratocaster, and was an instant hit. The model name SG was used on the Special starting in ’59, but wasn’t used on the Junior, Standard, or Custom until early ’63.
History & Significance
The SG is one of Gibson’s most iconic models, and many famous players are associated with it—including Angus Young of AC/DC, the Allman brothers' Duane Allman (Statesboro Blues), Dickey Betts, and Derek Trucks, Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd (Freebird), Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, Cream-era Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana (Woodstock), Robby Krieger of the Doors, George Harrison, Pete Townsend, Frank Zappa, among others.
It's simple yet inspired ingredients of thin, all-mahogany body and neck and two Gibson PAF humbucking pickups gave it a snappy attack with a muscular punch, while its slim, fast neck yielded unprecedented playability.
The redesign was done without input or collaboration with Les Paul himself. Although the new guitar was popular, he strongly disliked it and requested to terminate his contract with Gibson which ended at the end of 1962.
As such, 1962 was the last year that Gibson sold a Les Paul model until the original single cut away design was reintroduced in 1968 (in other words, NO Gibson Les Paul models were produced or sold between 1963 and 1968).
Vintage 1961-62 Gibson Les Paul’s typically sell for $15,000-$25,000, with Duane Allman’s 1961 Les Paul “Statesboro Blues” SG selling in 2019 for $591,000.
Artists & Notable Guitars
Gary Rossington used his 1961 Les Paul in Lynyrd Skynyrd’s hit "Freebird”
Duane Allman's 1961/1962 Gibson Les Paul SG, Cherry, Solid Body, SN15263sold for $591,000 in 2019- This guitar is best known as the guitar Duane Allman used on the live recording of "Statesboro Blues," the opening track of the Allman Brother's At Fillmore East album
- This is the famous "From One Brother to Another" guitar, traded between Dickey Betts and Duane on all their live shows, like at the Beacon Theatre in New York in
- Duane Allman - History of his Guitars
Angus Young (Image # ) - After his original 1970/71 SG was retired, Angus Young picked up a few classic SG models along with his factory second from the music shop in New York City. Since he preferred playing the older model guitars, most of these were 1960s-era Gibson SGs. Throughout the late ‘70s and well into the ‘80s, Angus Young played either his 1970s Factory Second SG or one of his 1960s Gibson SGs. Most of these SGs had a red cherry finish and a stop tailpiece. Everything on them was completely stock, except for a bit of tape around the pickups to prevent sweat from reaching the electronics.
Reissues & Replicas
2018 Gibson Custom Shop Historic '61 SG Standard
Gibson Custom as the Dickey Betts SG, also known as the “From One Brother to Another” SG. The limited-edition model is being produced in an extremely small run—just 250 beautiful VOS examples ($6,115) and an even more stunning 75 instruments hand-aged by Gibson Custom and featuring a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Betts ($9,880).
Mach Five Guitar
The Mach Five Guitar is a 2023 Gibson Les Paul Standard '61 "SG" Sideways Vibrola
Image Descriptions