Which Gibson SG is right for you in 2025? What are the different types of Gibson SG guitars? Read our complete SG comparison and buyer’s guide.
The Gibson SG’s double-cutaway body, thinner mahogany construction, and slim set neck were revolutionary in 1961. And since then, the SG™ has become the go-to guitar for heavy metal, classic rock, punk, and hard rock legends. Its aggressive tone, easy upper-fret access, and dominating stage personality are all reasons why you see legends like Angus Young, Tony Iommi, and other rock players gravitate towards it. However, it’s also an extremely versatile guitar, and has been used outside of the hard rock sphere by the likes of Derek Trucks, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Robbie Krieger, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The Gibson SG may be the poster child for metal, but it’s so much more!
You’re here because you know you want a Gibson SG, but you’re not quite sure which Gibson SG is the best for you. Maybe you’re unsure whether the Standard, Special, Tribute, or Modern variants suit you best. This article compares every Gibson SG model type so you can choose the best Gibson SG for you. Fun fact: I have two Gibson SGs and have played all of the guitars on this list, so I’ll help you find the best SG for your sound and style with some examples of the best Gibson SG guitars available.
We’ve already compared every Epiphone SG, and we’ve even compared the Gibson Les Paul™ to the Gibson SG, but if you’re here, the chances are you’ve already decided that the devil-horned monster of tone is the guitar for you. There are many models to choose from, but they’re all great, including the no-nonsense P-90 punch of the SG Junior, the power of the SG Standard, or the vintage styling of the SG Standard ’61. Whatever your tastes, there’s an SG for your playing style and genre.
What was the first Gibson SG?
The first Gibson SG was introduced in 1961, but it was still known as the “Les Paul.” It featured a revolutionary new double-cutaway body and a slimmer neck for easier access to the upper frets. In 1963, the model name changed to SG, which stands for “Solid Guitar,” after the Gibson endorsement deal with Les Paul ended. Today, the Gibson SG is one of the best-selling electric models in the world.
The SG stayed true to the original design until 1966, when Gibson made some changes to the SG Standard that you still find today. These included a modified neck joint and a larger pickguard, often known as the “batwing.” Unlike the single-cutaway Les Paul, the Gibson SG has remained in continuous production since it was launched in 1961.
What are the different types of Gibson SG models?
The current Gibson SG lineup includes the SG Standard ’61, SG Standard, SG Junior, SG Special, SG Supreme, SG Modern, SG Custom, and several artist signature models. Each model shares the iconic SG double-cutaway silhouette, but there are a few variations in pickups, hardware, neck profiles, and pickguards. The SG Standard still uses the iconic mahogany body with 490R and 490T pickups, but you’ll see a difference in the vintage-style ’61 reissues with SlimTaper™ necks and Burstbucker™ pickups. SG Juniors have single P-90s, and the Customs and Supremes have more elaborate finishes and upscale appointments. But don’t worry, I’ll explain the different types of Gibson SG guitars below.
Gibson SG Standard
Pictured: Gibson SG Standard in Heritage Cherry
The Gibson SG Standard is probably what most of us think about when we think of an SG guitar, with its batwing pickguard, twin humbucking pickups, and dual volume and tone controls. This model gives you a solid mahogany body with a rounded neck profile that’s slightly thicker than the ‘61 model’s SlimTaper profile, but is still super comfortable. You’ll also find a long neck tenon 19th fret neck joint for enhanced resonance and sustain, and the 490R and 490T pickups deliver a harder, driving tone that is ideal for aggressive styles.
Gibson SG Standard ’61
Pictured: Gibson SG Standard ’61 in Vintage Cherry
The Gibson SG Standard ‘61 is based on the original SG launched in—you guessed it—1961. It features a mahogany body, SlimTaper neck, bound rosewood fretboard with trapezoid inlays, and 60s Burstbucker pickups. Finished in nitrocellulose lacquer with hand-wired electronics and Orange Drop® capacitors, it’s the SG configuration many artists have made famous. This model also includes variants with a Maestro™ Vibrola™ and a Faded finish, but for simplicity, I’ve just grouped them all under the Standard ’61 section here.
Gibson Custom SG Standard ’64
Pictured: Gibson Custom 1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Vibrola in Cherry Red
The Gibson Custom SG Standard ’64 is a standout in the Gibson SG lineup. The 1964 model was famously played by George Harrison during The Beatles’ creative peak and by Eric Clapton in Cream, with his iconic “Fool” SG. It also features Custombucker pickups with Alnico 3 magnets, which offer a more vintage voicing than the Burstbuckers on the ‘61. For many, 1964 was the moment when the SG’s playability, balance, and visual appeal truly came into their own.
Gibson SG Junior
Pictured: Gibson SG Junior in Vintage Cherry
Introduced in 1961, the Gibson SG Junior was the single-pickup evolution of the Les Paul Junior, again designed originally for students. Mahogany body, wraparound bridge, single P‑90 pickup—the model is beloved for its gritty punch and simplicity, which punk, hard rock, and Southern rock slide players gravitate towards. Fun fact: From 1961 to 1963, the SG Junior was branded with the “Les Paul Junior” model name. In 1963, “Les Paul” was removed from the headstock, and it was officially rechristened the SG Junior.
Gibson SG Special
Pictured: Gibson SG Special in Ebony
The Gibson SG Special takes the simplicity of the single-pickup SG Junior and adds fretboard binding and another P-90 to play with. This is ideal if you love the sound of P-90 pickups and want the tonal variety of a neck/bridge pickup configuration, but still in a no-frills package. Again, you get the compensated wraparound bridge for bags of sustain and dynamics, a SlimTaper mahogany neck, and Orange Drop caps and hand-wired electronics for nuanced control. If you’ve ever wondered how versatile a Gibson SG Special can be, check out The Who’s performance at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970 for a masterclass in controlled aggression from Pete Townshend.
Gibson SG Supreme
Pictured: Gibson SG Supreme in Ebony
The Gibson SG Supreme is one of the most feature-rich and visually striking models in the SG lineup. It was designed for modern players who want advanced features and more bling, hence the addition of a AAA figured maple top on the guitar’s contoured mahogany body. You also get a SlimTaper neck with a compound-radius ebony fingerboard, Burstbucker Pro pickups with coil-tapping for single-coil tones, and a striking mother-of-pearl headstock inlay inspired by an original Gibson design from the Art Deco era. From metal to jazz, the SG Supreme can do it all and will never look underdressed.
Gibson SG Modern
Pictured: Gibson SG Modern in Dark Purple Burst
The Gibson SG Modern is a contemporary take on the SG Standard, offering advanced playability and tonal variety for modern technical players. The SG Modern comes with an asymmetrical SlimTaper mahogany neck with a compound fretboard radius for smooth transitions between chords and solos. It comes loaded with Burstbucker Pro pickups, plus coil-tapping via push/pull volume knobs to unlock single-coil-style tones.
Gibson Custom SG Custom
Pictured: Gibson Custom SG Custom in Gloss Ebony
The Gibson SG Custom was first introduced in 1961 as the top-of-the-line SG model—then known as the Les Paul Custom—and was very much the “upgraded” version of the SG Standard. Early models were introduced in a white finish with three Patent Applied For humbuckers. Today, the SG Custom appears in a range of different configurations, including a two-pickup model and the 1963 Les Paul SG Custom Reissue with three pickups.
What’s the deal with Gibson SG collections?
Gibson SG guitars currently appear in several distinct collections: the Original Collection, Modern Collection, Gibson Custom Collections, Gibson Custom Select, and the MOD™ Collection. Each assortment gives players different aesthetic and playability options, from faithful recreations of historic models, to modern guitars for today’s technical players and one-of-a-kind customizations.
SGs in the Original Collection
Pictured: Gibson SG Standard ’61 Faded Maestro Vibrola
Guitars in the Gibson Original Collection pay homage to the SG’s early 60s roots. These SGs predominantly feature mahogany bodies, vintage-style hardware, classic finishes like Ebony and Cherry, and SlimTaper necks. The Original Collection delivers that unmistakable early SG vibe in tribute to the guitars they’re inspired by.
In my opinion, four standout SGs from the Original Collection are the SG Junior, SG Standard ’61, SG Special, and SG Standard ’61 Faded Maestro Vibrola, all of which deliver that iconic Gibson SG tone and look.
SGs in the Modern Collection
Pictured: Gibson SG Modern in Blueberry Fade
Designed for contemporary players, Gibson Modern Collection SGs include performance-focused updates like faster neck profiles, different finishes and tonewoods, and advanced electronics. These guitars retain the iconic SG silhouette but offer features such as push/pull coil taps, phase switching, and different pickups. The classic SG format is still there, just modernized with additional functionality and easier playability for more technical styles.
Three of my favorite SGs in the Modern Collection are the SG Supreme, SG Modern, and SG Standard. The SG Supreme and Modern feature push-pull coil tap functionality and other ergonomic upgrades, while the SG Standard is your no-nonsense vintage-style SG, ready to rock.
Gibson Custom SGs
Pictured: 1963 Les Paul SG Custom Reissue with Maestro Vibrola
Gibson Custom SGs are handcrafted in the Nashville Custom Shop and offer period-correct details along with elite tone and playability—this is the peak of Gibson craftsmanship, right here. These guitars showcase the very best that Gibson Custom has to offer and are designed to be a musical companion for generations. The Gibson Custom Historic Collection features guitars like the 1963 Les Paul SG Custom Reissue with Maestro Vibrola and the Gibson 1964 SG Standard Reissue with Maestro Vibrola.
SGs with Murphy Lab aging are part of the Gibson Custom lineup, too. They undergo meticulous aging processes to emulate the look and feel of authentic vintage instruments. From light wear and lacquer checking to instruments that look like they’ve been touring the world for decades, several levels of aging are available. In my opinion, two standout options from this collection are the Gibson 1963 SG Special Classic White Ultra Light Aged and the Gibson 1964 SG Standard Reissue with Maestro Vibrola Heavy Aged.
If you are looking for something truly bespoke, the Gibson Custom Made to Measure program is there to help you design the Gibson SG of your dreams.
Gibson Custom Select SGs
Pictured: Gibson 1963 Les Paul SG Junior Reissue Light Aged in TV Inverness Green
Gibson Custom Select SGs are small-batch runs designed and built by the expert artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop, delivering some really cool pickup, hardware, and finish combinations that you’ll only find on Gibson.com and at Gibson Garage locations. With regular new drops, the Custom Select new arrivals page is worth bookmarking if you want to play something different with guaranteed Gibson Custom craftsmanship and quality.
Three standout guitars from the current Gibson Custom Select Collection are the Gibson 1962 Les Paul SG Custom, the Gibson 1964 SG Standard Reissue and the Gibson 1963 Les Paul SG Junior Reissue Light Aged.
Gibson MOD Collection SGs
Pictured: Gibson 1961 Les Paul SG Standard Reissue in Mauvelous
The Gibson MOD Collection is the destination for Gibson SGs that are truly unique. All Gibson guitars go through rigorous QC, but occasionally, even though we’ve built a guitar with outstanding playability and tone, it doesn’t quite meet the strict cosmetic standards at our craftories. Now, as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, these guitars are sent to the MOD Collection team to use as a blank canvas. With a fresh batch of Gibson MOD Collection guitars dropping every week, act fast to get your hands on these one-of-a-kind guitars with unique hardware and electronics customizations, and finishes you likely have never seen before.
As stated in the Gibson Les Paul comparison article, it’s difficult to choose the standout models in the Gibson MOD Collection as they are true one-offs that get snapped up quickly. But when an SG does arrive in the MOD Collection, you can expect some very cool features. Right now, I love the Gibson 1961 Les Paul SG Standard Reissue in Mauvelous finish, even if it is a leftie!
Which Gibson SG is best for you?
If you’re still asking yourself, “Which Gibson SG should I buy?” or you’re way down the rabbit hole into Gibson SG comparison research, here’s the good news: there’s no right or wrong answer. All of your options are world-class musical instruments and every Gibson SG brings something special and inspiring to the table.
Whether you want the bite of an SG Standard, the contemporary features of the SG Modern, the simplicity of a Junior, or a Gibson Custom SG with Murphy Lab aging and a playing experience that feels like time travel, there’s a Gibson SG to match your tonal needs, playing style, and most importantly, your personality. This Gibson SG comparison and buyer’s guide will help you make your buying decision with confidence, but remember: no matter what Gibson SG you choose, you’re getting a professional musical instrument that’s built to last for generations.
Shop Gibson SG guitars today. Curious if another Gibson guitar model is for you? Click through if you want to know the differences between the Gibson Les Paul versus the Gibson SG, and read our complete comparison and guide.
