Gibson SG ’61 Reissue Cherry Red, 2007

The Gibson SG ’61 Reissue is a very practical guitar. It’s got all the key elements – an interesting shape, good balance, tonewood choice that provides a wide-ranging rich tone, light weight and full sound from a pair of humbuckers.

First introduced as a new version of the very poorly selling Les Paul model, what became the SG appeared at the end of Gibson’s license agreement with Les Paul and co-incidentally with Paul’s divorce. Not wanting to further complicate that legal matter, the license agreement was ended and the 1960/61 Les Paul was quickly renamed the SG, for Solid Guitar.

The very first Les Paul / SG models used a ‘Sideways’ Vibrato unit. This quickly gave way to the use of a Maestro Vibrola unit, or a factory installed Bigsby. Some deluxe models used a short version of the Maestro with a pearl-inlaid ebony block on the spring retainer.

This is a Gibson SG ’61 Reissue, based on the physical specs of that year. There are some technical differences – the Stop Tailpiece was not apparently used in that year, and the neck joint tenon size is improved compared to the original. That’s a good thing! It dates to August 20th, 2007 and was built at the Gibson Nashville plant.

This guitar is very comfortable, responsive, resonant, and plays clean up and down the neck.  The Gibson SG ’61 Reissue Cherry Red guitar is in good shape, with the slight wear that comes with being 11 years old. The finish is developing a genuine patina and looks great.

The original hard shell case is included.