Gibson SG - Special Edition Models
The 2nd Generation of the Gibson SG was introduced in 1963, and was differentiated from the prior generation by it's new larger "Batwing" style pickguard which resulted in this generation being known as "Largeguard" SG's.
2013 Gibson Limited Edition "Government I" SG
History & Significance
The Story of Gibson's 'Government Series' Guitars | Ultimate Guitar
Federal agents raided Gibson in 2011 to seize stocks of ebony and rosewood that they claimed were in violation of the Lacey Act.
They also seized several completed necks and bodies made largely from wood that was uncontested.
Federal charges were eventually dropped and several partially completed neck and body blanks were returned and incorporated into Gibson USA' Government Series guitars
- In November 2009, more than a dozen agents raided the Nashville factory in search of illegally harvested Madagascar Ebony and Indian Rosewood, marking the first major enforcement action of the 2008 Lacey Act. Originally passed in 1900 to protect wildlife, the Lacey Act was expanded in 2008 under the Obama administration to cover wood products.
- On Aug. 24, 2011 agents from the FWS and Department of Homeland Security again raided Gibson’s executive headquarters, as well as two factories in Nashville and Memphis, Tenn., where they confiscated ~$1M of guitars, pallets of wood, and electronic files for alleged violations of the Lacey Act.
- From September 2011 till mid 2012 when the Case was closed Gibson used a few different fretboards including Richlite & Granadillo. Rosewood was used but it was layered to get around the ruling during this time…
- Baked Maple was used as a substitute while Gibson tried to continue production of their guitars
- On Aug 6, 2012 Gibson agreed to pay a $300,000 penalty, plus a $50,000 "community service payment, and to forfeited its right to about $260,000 worth of wood seized in the investigation. In return, the Obama administration will not charge Gibson criminally for violating the Lacey Act.
- Gibson Guitar got most of its stolen wood back after the settlement and in the great American spirit of capitalism, the seized material was used to make 1750 “Government Series” guitars.
- 2013 Government Series I - Limited edition 900 total (300 LP/ 300 SG /300 ES) made in Gunmetal Gray
- 2015-18 Government Series II - Limited edition 900 total/300 of each made in Government Tan
- http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/SG/Gibson-USA/Government-Series-II-SG.aspx
- http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Government-Series-II-Les-Paul.aspx
- http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Flying-V/Gibson-USA/Government-Series-II-Flying-V.aspx
- http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015/Memphis/ES-335-Government-Series.aspx
In 2015, a Gibson SG was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the Worlds Most Valuable Guitar at that time with a value of $2,000,000
- In November 2009, more than a dozen agents raided the Nashville factory in search of illegally harvested Madagascar Ebony and Indian Rosewood, marking the first major enforcement action of the 2008 Lacey Act. Originally passed in 1900 to protect wildlife, the Lacey Act was expanded in 2008 under the Obama administration to cover wood products.
Mach Five Guitar
The Mach Five Guitar is a 2013 Gibson USA Government Series I SG Gunmetal Gray Model Number: SGGVGVBC1 SN 101830611
- Mahogany body in commemorative Government Grey finish in vintage gloss nitrocellulose
- Solid, quarter-sawn mahogany neck is glued in and carved to a round SG profile
- 24-3/4" scale length
- Unbound fingerboard made from genuine, one-piece rosewood that was once confiscated, then returned to Gibson by the US government
- 12" Radius fingerboard
- Dot fingerboard inlays
- 22 frets
- 1.69" (11/16) PLEK-cut Corian nut
- Tune-o-matic/Stop bar bridge
Image Descriptions