Epiphone '81 SG Standard

The Epiphone '81 SG Standard (unofficial name) was a short-lived model sold only on the Japanese market, as a way of competing with the Japanese copies proliferating at the time. This model is a remarkably accurate copy (down to the crown inlay placement) of a 1981 Gibson SG Standard. These guitars were made in Japan by Mastumoku, as were all Epiphones at the time. The official name and production timeline is unknown as this model did not appear in any catalogs, but its Les Paul siblings were produced from 1982-1986.

What made these unique was that they had upscale features (like set necks) that the other Epiphone solidbodies did not have at the time. Also, they were the first ever Epiphone copies of a Gibson guitar. Prior to these models, all Epiphones were original designs or re-branded Japanese designs, and most recently prior, vague facsimiles of older Epiphone designs. Some of these models may have been sold on the American market.

The only feature differences from a Gibson are the polyurethane finish, one-piece neck and lack of a volute.

This model is most closely related to the Matsumoku-built Aria Pro II SL-420, but has significant changes to bring it closer to a real Gibson.

See also: 1980-1991 Gibson SG Standard

Features[]

Circa 1982-1986

Body:

Beveled, solid Nato body
Polyurethane finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn Nato
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 18th fret
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Small block inlays
- 12" radius
Open Book headstock
- Resin impregnated fiberboard veneer
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl Epiphone logo
  - Dot connected to body on "i"
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl crown
- 14^oheadstock pitch?
22 frets
24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
1 11/16" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Fret-edge binding

Electronics:

Two Matsumoku MMK-61 Humbuckers
- AlNiCo V magnets
- 7.7 - 8.4 K Ohms DCR
3-way switch
- Switchcraft-style
Side-mounted output jack
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Chrome Hardware
Gotoh SG30 tuning machines
- 1:18 ratio
- Chrome Keystone buttons
- Epiphone "E" engravings
5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- 2 screws
Black Speed knobs
ABR Tune-O-Matic style bridge and stopbar tailpiece

Finishes:

Walnut