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King Loudness « Just a great SG »
Published on 09/02/11 at 21:40The Gibson SG Classic is a recent model reissue of the famous Gibson SG Special as used by players like Pete Townshend in the sixties and seventies. This guitar models the guitar that was made in the latter half of the sixties with the larger "batwing" pickguard. It features a host of specs that are as close to an original '60s SG Special as you're going to find without going Custom Shop or getting the real deal. It has a mahogany body and neck, a rosewood fretboard with dot inlays and binding, 22 frets, classic style Kluson tuners, a tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece, classic SG "batwing" pickguard, and a pair of dual Gibson P90 pickups, each with its own volume and tone control. Finishing things off is a 3 way toggle switch to select the pickup settings. The Classic is made in Gibson's USA plant in Nashville.
UTILIZATION
The SG Classic is definitely what I would call an ergonomic guitar for sure. It's finely sculpted and contoured so that it sits on the body quite well regardless of the player's size or whether they are sitting or standing. It's got a great feeling neck profile that to me is the perfect blend between the '50s and '60s neck profiles - excellent match for the SG's thinner body. The weight is reasonably light and I've played the guitar standing up at gigs with no problems. The upper fret access is great on the guitar as well.
SOUNDS
I've tried this guitar most notably through a Fender Deluxe Reverb reissue with a few pedals out front. I've always been a fan of P90s (especially in Gibson guitars) and this one is no exception to that longstanding rule. They offer this delightfully raunchy and chewy tone that is like ear candy when put through the right amp. The neck pickup sings with a strong low end clarity that is perfect for jazz and blues tones, in both comping chords as well as for some horn-like lead lines. The middle position (both pickups on) provides a nice take on a Fender-y funk sort of tone - just with a bit more of that woody Gibson flavour. The bridge pickup is a diabolical delight, perfect for everything from classic rock (think The Who or Thin Lizzy) all the way up to molten high gain tones. Sure the pickups will hum and buzz a bit at higher gain settings, but they're very pure and clear sounding all the way and allow the true tone of the guitar and wood to come through the speakers of the amplifier.
OVERALL OPINION
All in all I think the SG Classic is definitely a wonderful guitar. Gibson has been making them off and on for a few years and recently they've started to pop into Long and McQuade stores here in Canada on a more regular basis. They're great guitars - very versatile, and for the $1,000 new that they cost, it's a genuine bargain. Sure it might not have all the bells and whistles of the more expensive Gibbys, but it's got the mojo... and that's not something that money will always buy.
UTILIZATION
The SG Classic is definitely what I would call an ergonomic guitar for sure. It's finely sculpted and contoured so that it sits on the body quite well regardless of the player's size or whether they are sitting or standing. It's got a great feeling neck profile that to me is the perfect blend between the '50s and '60s neck profiles - excellent match for the SG's thinner body. The weight is reasonably light and I've played the guitar standing up at gigs with no problems. The upper fret access is great on the guitar as well.
SOUNDS
I've tried this guitar most notably through a Fender Deluxe Reverb reissue with a few pedals out front. I've always been a fan of P90s (especially in Gibson guitars) and this one is no exception to that longstanding rule. They offer this delightfully raunchy and chewy tone that is like ear candy when put through the right amp. The neck pickup sings with a strong low end clarity that is perfect for jazz and blues tones, in both comping chords as well as for some horn-like lead lines. The middle position (both pickups on) provides a nice take on a Fender-y funk sort of tone - just with a bit more of that woody Gibson flavour. The bridge pickup is a diabolical delight, perfect for everything from classic rock (think The Who or Thin Lizzy) all the way up to molten high gain tones. Sure the pickups will hum and buzz a bit at higher gain settings, but they're very pure and clear sounding all the way and allow the true tone of the guitar and wood to come through the speakers of the amplifier.
OVERALL OPINION
All in all I think the SG Classic is definitely a wonderful guitar. Gibson has been making them off and on for a few years and recently they've started to pop into Long and McQuade stores here in Canada on a more regular basis. They're great guitars - very versatile, and for the $1,000 new that they cost, it's a genuine bargain. Sure it might not have all the bells and whistles of the more expensive Gibbys, but it's got the mojo... and that's not something that money will always buy.