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Epiphone SG Standard '61 Electric Guitar - Vintage Cherry

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Mahogany Neck, Indian Laurel Fretboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Vintage Cherry
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Epiphone SG Standard '61 Electric Guitar - Vintage Cherry
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A Hot-sounding Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon

With its instantly recognizable body shape and top-shelf rock ‘n’ roll sound, the SG has found its place in the pantheon of iconic electric guitars. The Epiphone SG standard '61 takes all of the qualities that made the SG a classic and fits them into a high-quality, neatly priced guitar that you’re sure to love. The Epiphone SG Standard '61’s inimitable tone begins with a solid mahogany body and mahogany neck that provide warmth and depth, then it adds an Indian laurel fretboard for clarity and punch. Twin ProBucker humbucking pickups bring the thunder, and a top-shelf hardware package rounds out this sublimely slick and uncontestably cool classic axe, available from Sweetwater.

Legendary guitar with a distinctive design

It’s hard to believe, but, in 1961, Gibson discontinued the original Les Paul guitar and replaced it with the SG, which originally bore the Les Paul name. But Les himself wasn’t a fan of that, so the guitar was renamed SG, which stood for… solid guitar! A few years later, Gibson started making the original Les Pauls again, but the SG proved so popular they continued producing them. The reason is easy to understand. It has a distinctive look and delivers a classic humbucker sound with all the thick, fat tone you could ever want. Though it’s often thought of as the archetypal rock guitar, the SG has been used across all genres of music; from jazz to fusion, metal, prog, and beyond.

Balanced tone has warmth, depth, and detail

The Epiphone SG Standard '61’s all-mahogany body has a rich and warm resonance with incredible depth, which belies the comfortable weight of the SG. From there, the SlimTaper mahogany neck extends the sonic depth of the guitar, and it’s capped with an Indian laurel fretboard that spices up the mix with brilliant highs and vibrant overtones.

Premium hardware and electronics package

Stocked with high-quality electronics and hardware, the Epiphone SG Standard '61 is built for performance. The ProBuckers on the SG Standard '61 feature Alnico II magnets — the same as those in sought-after vintage PAF humbuckers — for rich, warm tone with crystalline highs and a tight bottom. With a ProBucker-2 in the neck position and a slightly overwound ProBucker-3 in the bridge position, crank your gain, and you can do some serious damage.

Epiphone SG Standard '61 Solidbody Electric Guitar Features:

  • Instantly recognizable, iconic rock ‘n’ roll guitar, neatly priced
  • Warm and resonant all-mahogany body
  • Comfortable and quick mahogany SlimTaper neck
  • Graph Tech nut enhances sustain and tonal balance
  • ProBucker humbuckers deliver classic PAF-style tone
  • Rock-solid tuning stability with stopbar tailpiece and LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Solidbody
  • Body Shape SG Standard '61
  • Body Material Mahogany
  • Body Finish Gloss
  • Color Vintage Cherry
  • Neck
  • Neck Material Mahogany
  • Neck Shape SlimTaper
  • Neck Joint Set Neck
  • Radius 12"
  • Fingerboard Material Indian Laurel
  • Fingerboard Inlay Pearloid Trapezoids
  • Number of Frets 22, Medium Jumbo
  • Scale Length 24.75"
  • Nut Width 1.693"
  • Nut Material GraphTech
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece LockTone ABR Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Stopbar Tailpiece
  • Tuners Epiphone Deluxe Vintage 18:1 ratio
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup ProBucker-2 Humbucker
  • Bridge Pickup ProBucker-3 Humbucker
  • Controls 2 x volume, 2 x tone
  • Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings Gibson, .010-.046
  • Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: EISS61VCNH1

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

My Favorite Guitar Yet...

I started teaching myself guitar in 2013 and so far I have owned two MIM Strats, an Epi Les Paul, a Gibson Les Paul, and an Ibanez archtop. I ordered this one as a demo model from Sweetwater because I thought the light body would be easy on my shoulder at gigs, and I have always liked the way SG's looked. It arrived from Sweetwater with the most perfect action I could want. It needed no adjustment whatsoever. I had planned on replacing the humbuckers, but after playing it for a bit I realized I would need no upgrades whatsoever! These Epiphone Probuckers are fantastic for rock and blues, and the neck pickup,set clean, has a lovely jazz tone. It has been a joy to play, the price was a steal, and I will only order guitars from Sweetwater from now on.
Music background: Jazz, fusion, rock, blues, Brazilian
Rated 5/5

This has become my go-to guitar. Rock machine.

Simply, I own a 2018 Gibson SG standard in Autumn Burst. I like this Epiphone 61 SG MORE. I also own a Jackson Dinky with $250 in upgrades that shreds. A Squiere Classic Vibe Telecaster thinline that nails classic tele twang. Ibanez RG fixed bridge for prog metal. 2
2018 Fender Player HSS and SSS for blues/country/psychedelic rock. As well as an Epiphone LP ProTop honey that looks beautiful. As well as a Schecter CR6 with apocalypse USA pickups.

Many people knock points off this 2020 '61 SG for the fact that it has a maple veneer. I believe it is a real veneer, not fake, as I had the opportunity to choose from the lot and they all had very different grain patterns. I personally like it and don't mind that doesn't match the bevels. It doesn't matter, it makes up for it in sound. Plus, it looks different than your usual SG.

Why is this guitar 100% worth the money? The sound and feel. The probuckers are IMO the best pickups that come stock in any guitar under $1000. The neck is thin. The guitar is light. It has become my go-to guitar when practicing at home. I am constantly blown away at how I nail tones when playing anything from Tool to Metallica, it also does jazz tones very well. This guitar sounds GOOD, REAL GOOD. The fit and finish is expected for the price point. Nothing that would affect playability (but it depends on the batch you receive). However, there are a few cosmetic issues. The tinting on the neck binding is slightly off (1-2mm). There is a few dark spots of wood under the clear coat near the headstock, and the nut itself has a few scuffs and is dirty. The guitar also came with many tiny, less than hairline scratches. I imagine as it was handled in the factory. However, one afternoon and my car buffing/polishing compounds and it was better than new. I also like to add Wolfgangs Deep Gloss paint protectant to my guitars for an extra layer of protection.

I would 100% purchase this guitar again if I had to. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a guitar under $1000.
Music background: Hobbyist
Rated 5/5

Pleasantly surprised

Epiphone has really stepped up their game . I have the Epiphone Les Paul 60 Standard and wanted to give this SG a shot since i wasnt sure about buying a SG. Its also a keeper. I do have Gibson Les Pauls studios and tributes and these Epiphone are right up there with them. James Masterson made it very easy as usual for this purchase. The Guitar was almost in tune when it arrived and not a flaw on it.
Rated 5/5

Wow.

I put off even trying an sg for 40 years. I guess I figured I had Les Paul's...why bother? I am so in love with this guitar. The finish is perfect and the set up was top notch. The neck profile is a great compromise for an LP standard and the tone is very nice. I recommend not waiting 40 years to try one. I can't put mine down.
Rated 5/5

Epiphone SG 61

This is a fantastic SG. Sounds great, playability is so easy. Epiphone really puts out some quality guitars at very good pricing. And looks awesome. Could not be more satisfied. As always customer service is outstanding.
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