Gibson SG Standard Walnut with Bigsby, 1973

Shown here is an original condition Gibson SG Standard with optional Bigsby from 1973, in Walnut finish and originally sold at Mamelok LTD in Manchester, England, which closed in 1993.

The Gibson SG Standard launched with the SG name in 1963, but really first appeared in 1961 as a radical redesign of the Les Paul model. The endorsement contract between Gibson and Les Paul ended in 1963, and his name was removed. The now-familiar SG design used a thinner body Mahogany body, paired with Mahogany for the neck and Rosewood for the bound fingerboard, though the Custom level used Ebony.

The SG design was tweaked a number of times until 1971, when the SG Standard was discontinued in favour of the SG Deluxe, which had a front-mounted plate for the controls. Deluxe production lasted a year and the Standard was reintroduced, with a return to rear-mounted controls, an optional Gibson branded Bigsby tailpiece and a new ‘Harmonica’ bridge that allowed much greater travel for the saddles. Another introduction in late 1972 was the Bill Lawrence designed ‘Tarback’ humbucking pickups, officially named ‘Super Humbuckers’. These are based on the earlier humbucker design, but the assembled pickups are filled with a black epoxy to reduce the problem of microphonic feedback, which was increasing in step with stage volumes. For this version of the SG Standard, the fingerboard is Ebony with Mother of Pearl for the small-block position markers and headstock inlays. The tuners are Gibson-branded Schaller models with metal Keystone buttons.

This Gibson SG Standard dates to late 1972 or early 1973 and is in overall good, original condition. Fret wear is light, and the body finish has a few expected wear marks. The back of the head features a sticker from Mamelok LTD 192 Deansgate Manchester, the original seller. It plays well and is strung with a 9-42 set.

Sold with a modern TKL ‘Case Made in Canada’ black flat top hard shell case.