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Gibson SG Family Chronology Part 1 - 1960s
1960s Timeline
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Gibson Guitar Parts
bridges, machineheads
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Gibson SG
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Gibson SG Introduction | Vintage SG adverts
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SG timeline 1960s |
1970s
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| YEAR |
PRICE |
NOTES |
| 1960 |
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The Gibson SG or solid guitar was announced in late 1960. As they were redesigned Les Paul instruments, they initially were marked and sold as such. Initially just the white SG Custom, and Cherry SG standard were announced. |
| 1961 |
Early 1961 prices [1]
Les Paul Custom $395
Les Paul Standard $265
September 1961 prices [2]
Les Paul Custom $425
Les Paul Standard $290
SG Special $210
Les Paul Jnr $147.50
SG TV $147.50 |
 This was the launch year. Listed as 'Les Paul' solid bodies rather than SGs because the instrument was actually planned as a redesigned Les Paul. Shipping figures also include a 'Les Paul Special 3/4 size' [3] - though this does not appear in the price list
The image above is taken from the 1961 Gibson promotional leaflet announcing The first of the new Gibsons for '61 |
| 1962 |
1962 prices [4]
Les Paul Custom $425
Les Paul Standard $290
SG Special $210
Les Paul Jnr $147.50
SG TV $147.50 |
 Left: Two 1962 Les Paul Standards. Notice the ebony tailblock with Maestro vibrola, and the side to side vibrola In the 1962 catalogue (which states that model specifications are from May 1961), the Custom, Standard and Junior are listed as 'Les Pauls' though the Special and TV are now SGs. The special has two colour options, SG-R Special - cherry red finnish, and SGC Special - cream finish
| Two ways new! A lovely new finish in a new shade of limed mahogany or Gibson's new cherry red |
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| 1963 |
July 1963 prices [5]
Les Paul Custom $425
Les Paul Standard $290
SG Special $210
Les Paul Jnr $147.50
SG TV $147.50
September 1963 prices [6]
Les Paul Custom $450
Les Paul Standard $310
SG Special $225
Les Paul Jnr $155
SG TV $155
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Top left: 1963 SG Standard. Below: 1963 SG Custom 1963 saw the publication of a new catalogue featuring five SG models, the top of the range Custom, the Standard, Special, and two entry level models the Junior and TV |
| 1964 |
September 1964 prices [7]
SG Custom $480
SG Standard $330
SG Special $240
SG Jnr $165
SG TV $165
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 Left: 1964 Gibson SG Special |
| 1965 |
February 1965 prices [8]
SG Custom $480
SG Standard $330
SG Special $240
SG-TV $165
June 1965 prices [9]
SG Custom $455
SG Standard $305
SG Special $225
SG Jnr $165
SG TV $165
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 This was the decades peak year with a total of 8871 instruments shipped. The previously used nickel hardware was replaced with chrome in this year. |
| 1966 |
April 1966 prices [10]
SG Custom $455
SG Standard $305
SG Special $225
SG-TV $165
SG Jnr $165
October 1966 prices [11]
SG Custom $455
SG Standard $305
SG Special $225
SG-TV $169.50
SG Jnr $169.50
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 The series was redesigned in late 1966; larger scratchplate, with pickups mounted into it, rather than directly onto the body. The full colour catalogue from that year still shows the smaller scratchplates - examine the 1966 Gibson catalogue
George Harrison gets an SG Standard, using it live, and recording much of the Revolver album with it. |
| 1967 |
September 1967 prices [12]
SG Custom $455
SG Standard $305
SG Special $225
SG-TV $179.50
SG Jnr $179.50
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 In 1967 Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce of Cream comissioned psychedelic artists The Fool to paint an SG standard and a Fender Bass VI. Clapton gave the guitar plenty of use both on stage and in the studio until the band split in 1969. |
| 1968 |
June 1968 prices [13]
SG Custom $495
SG Standard $335
SG Special $245
SG-TV $189.50
SG Jnr $189.50
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| 1969 |
September 1969 prices [14]
SG Custom $525
SG Standard $355
SG Special $265
SG Jnr $199.50
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 1968 saw a dip in SG sales - they were at just 40% of their peak in 1965. So in 1969 the model that had sold the least; the SG-TV, was dropped, as was the unpopular white-finish SG special. Check out a 1969 SG special in Cherry finish
Both Pete Townsend and Carlos Santana give iconic performances on their SG Specials at
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Back to the GIBSON INDEX |
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Gibson Les Paul SG Custom Historic Electric Guitar
With its classic white finish and complement of gold hardware, mother-of-pearl inlays and neck and peg head binding, the SG Custom is a pleasure to behold. Faithful to the original, it also features a sculpted mahogany body and Gibson's great slim-taper mahogany neck. The 3 '57 classic humbuckers offer a combination of soaring leads, funky mid tones, and fat rhythm sounds. Also includes a 22-fret ebony fingerboard, tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece, 24-3/4" scale, and a 1-11/16" nut width. Includes Gibson hardshell case. 
Gibson SG Standard Historic Reissue Guitar with Maestro
With its ultra-thin, double-cutaway body, the SG was lighter than the Les Paul and allowed freer access to the upper register -- both features that rockers immediately appreciated. This reissue features a mahogany body, Maestro tailpiece, 1960 slim-taper neck profile, vintage tulip tuners, and '57 Classic humbucking pickups -- all features of the original SG. 
Gibson Faded SG Special
The Special has always represented a combination of looks, functionality, and value, and the new Faded SG Special maintains this tradition. Under its attractive faded finish, it is the traditional SG, with mahogany body and neck, tune-o-matic/stopbar bridge, and alnico 490 pickups. Its faded finish gives it the look of an axe that started its rockin' days in the '60s. 
Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul SG Custom Historic Electric Guitar with Maestro Classic White
A meticulous re-creation of a legendary guitar, the Les Paul SG Standard is back with historically accurate appointments including heel shape, holly peg veneer, tapered peghead, and vintage body shape and scarfing |
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