Gibson SG Standard
2001 Gibson SG Standard
Color: Ebony
Color: Ebony
(b)Seymour Duncan SH-5 Custom
(n) Gibson 490R
(n) Gibson 490R
It’s hard not to love a good SG. As with most Gibson model’s, you can feel the quality as soon as you pick it up and strum a few chords. Most noticeable for me was the nitrocellulose finish on the body and neck. It’s much thinner and softer than poly urethane and looks much more natural. In the years I’ve had this guitar I’ve managed to wear out a spot on the bout where my forearm comes into contact with the body. It’s a visual blemish, but this kind of wear is what makes a guitar more comfortable and a natural feel.
SG Mods
Normally a pickup swap is in the works when i acquire a new guitar but I didn’t get the same vibe I normally do with less-expensive guitars. I kept the stock 498T/490R Gibson pickup combo in for almost a year until I found a great deal on a Seymour Duncan SH-5 Custom pickup. After a quick install, I was glad I did. Gibson SG’s tend to have a spike in the midrange area that makes these guitars great for lead work and cleans, but not as great for chording and rhythm work as some of my Les Paul style guitars. The Duncan Custom fixed all of this. It smoothed out the overall EQ without killing the sweet spots. It also added a fair gain boost which tightened up the low end significantly.
The Gibson Kluson-style tuners are very sold and didn’t warrant a swap in my opinion. The bridge, stop bar, nut, neck binding, pots and knobs were all top-notch and are still holding strong today. It’s hard to beat the sharp look of a black Gibson SG Standard, too.
