The SG Custom was introduced in 1961, slotting above the SG Standard as the top of the line model. It has been one of the longest-lasting variants of the SG, only shortly being discontinued from 1980-1985. In October 1993, it became a Custom Shop model as part of the Historic Collection, and in 2000, it was redesigned for more historical accuracy. From 2014-2018, it was discontinued as a standard production model, but could still be ordered through the Made 2 Measure program. It returned to regular production in 2019.
Note: when it comes to vintage Gibsons, generally, older parts would continue being used longer for SG Customs because less of them were produced than Standards, so supplies of Custom-specific parts (like gold plated PAFs, for example) would take longer to run out than they did on Standards.
Black/Gold Witch Hat knobs w/ pointers (Mid 1967 - 1971)
ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and Maestro vibrola
Nylon saddles (mostly)
Finishes:
White (1966-1968)
Walnut (1969-1971)
Natural (1971)
1971-1972[]
This redesign was introduced in mid to late 1971 and discontinued mid-way through 1972. It appears the production of the previous design may have overlapped with this one in late 1971.
Around mid-1972, the control cavity cover moved to the back of the body again.
1971: $580
1972: $595
Body:
Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
Un-beveled cutaways
Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
Neck:
3-pc laminated Honduran Mahogany
Set-in construction
No angle
Titebond glue
Joins body at 20th fret
Ebony fretboard w/ block inlays
12" radius
Volute
Large Open Book headstock
Resin impregnated fiberboard veneer
Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
Squared font style
Inlaid Mother of Pearl split diamond
"Made in U.S.A." stamp
14o headstock pitch
22 "Fretless Wonder" frets
.030 narrower than Standard
24 9/16" scale
1 9/16" nut width
Binding:
Single-ply, neck
Thicker than Standard
Fret-edge binding
Multi-ply, headstock
Electronics:
Three "T-Top" humbuckers
Short bar AlNiCo V magnets
~7.5K Ohms DCR
"Gibson" embossed covers (1972)
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone
CTS 500k pots
Ceramic "disk" capacitors
Front-routed
Hardware:
Transitional model
Gold Hardware
Kluson "Waffleback" tuning machines
1:12 ratio
Grover Rotomatic tuning machines (Sporadic use)
1:14 ratio
5-ply Les Paul pickguard
5-ply Half-Moon front-mounted control plate
Bell shaped truss rod cover
2-ply black/white
"SG Custom" engraving
Black/Gold Witch Hat knobs w/ pointers
ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
Schaller "Harmonica" Tune-O-Matic bridge
Aluminum Bigsby vibrola
"Gibson" engraved
Finishes:
Walnut
1972-1979[]
Late 1972 / Early 1973
1973: $605 (Stopbar Tailpiece)
$620 (Bigsby Tailpiece)
1974: $620
1975: $670 (Stopbar)
$685 (Bigsby)
+$30 for White finish
1976: $699 (Stopbar, Walnut & Wine Red)
$729 (Stopbar, White)
$710 (Bigsby, Walnut & Wine Red)
$740 (Bigsby, White)
1977: $749 (Stopbar, Walnut & Wine Red)
$779 (Stopbar, White)
$760 (Bigsby, Walnut & Wine Red)
$790 (Bigsby, White)
1978: $799 (Stopbar)
$820 (Bisgby)
1979: $849 (Stopbar)
$869 (Bigsby)
Body:
Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
Neck:
1974 (Unusual pickup & tailpiece placement)
3-pc laminated Honduran Mahogany
Set-in construction
3 degree angle
Titebond glue
Joins body at 20th fret
Ebony fretboard
Mother of Pearl block inlays
12" radius
Volute
Large Open Book headstock
Resin impregnated fiberboard veneer
Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
Squared font style
Inlaid Mother of Pearl split diamond
"Made in U.S.A." stamp
17o headstock pitch
22 "Fretless Wonder" frets (1972-1976)
.030 narrower than Standard
22 medium frets (1977-1979)
24 9/16" scale
1 9/16" nut width
1978
Binding:
Single-ply, neck
Thicker than Standard
Fret-edge binding
Multi-ply, headstock
Electronics:
Three covered "T-Top" humbuckers (1972-1974)
Short bar AlNiCo V magnets
~7.5K Ohms DCR
Patent # sticker
Three Bill Lawrence "Super Humbuckers" (1973-1979)
Indox 7 ceramic magnets
~5.4K (neck & middle), 7.5K (bridge) Ohms DCR
Epoxy-mounted
AKA "Tarbacks"
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone
CTS 500k pots (1972 - May 1973)
CTS 300k pots (July 1973 - 1979)
100k tone (1976–1979)
Ceramic "disk" capacitors
1979
Hardware:
Gold Hardware
Kluson "Waffleback" tuning machines (1972-1974)
1:12 ratio
Metal Keystone buttons
Schaller M-6 tuning machines (1975-1979)
1:12 ratio
Metal Keystone buttons
Grover Rotomatic tuning machines (Sporadic use)
1:14 ratio
Metal Keystone or Kidney buttons
5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
Bell shaped truss rod cover
2-ply b/w with "SG Custom" engraving (1972-1975)
2-ply b/w with "SG Custom" hot-stamp (1974-1976)
Thicker than previous style
2-ply b/w with "S-G" hot-stamp (1976-1979)
Black Witch Hat knobs (sporadic, 1972-1973)
Black Speed knobs
Pointers (1972-1976)
Schaller "Harmonica" Tune-O-Matic bridge
Stopbar tailpiece
Aluminum (1972-1975)
Zamak (1975-1979)
Optional aluminum Bigsby vibrola
"Gibson" engraved
Finishes:
Walnut
White (1974-1979)
Wine Red (1975-1978)
Tobacco Sunburst (1978)
Ebony (7 units, 1975)
1986-1991[]
1991
The Custom returned in mid-1986, shortly after the introduction of the SG-62, sharing the same body and neck design. In fact, for the first year, it was referred to as the "SG 62 Custom" in the catalog. Of course, this means that the shape is not quite accurate to that of an original '60s SG, with the biggest issues being the smaller body, shorter lower horn and pickguard shape. However, that makes these models a good value for anyone who doesn't mind.
With a lot of overlap between the use of Shaws and Circuit Boards, many examples came from the factory with a random mix of both pickup types.
1987:
$1,049 MSRP
$1,229 MSRP (w/ Kahler vibrola)
1988: $1,250-$1,377 MSRP
1989: $1,499 MSRP
1990: $1,549 MSRP
Body:
Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
Angled heel
Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
Neck:
1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
Set-in construction
3 degree angle
Titebond glue
Joins body at 22nd fret
1961 Slim Taper D profile (.800/.875")
Ebony fretboard
Mother of Pearl block inlays
12" radius
Large Open Book headstock
Resin impregnated fiberboard veneer
Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
Squared font style (1986-1991)
Classic font style (1990-1991)
Inlaid Mother of Pearl split diamond
"Made in U.S.A." stamp
17o headstock pitch
22 frets
24 9/16" scale
1 11/16" nut width
Binding:
Neck, single-ply
Fret-edge binding
Thicker style
Headstock, multi-ply
Electronics:
Three Tim Shaw humbuckers (1986-1988)
AlNiCo V magnets
~7.5 - 8.5k Ohms D.C. resistance
Three Bill Lawrence "The Original" Humbuckers (1987-1990)
3-ply tenon cover w/ "Les Paul Custom" engraving (1990-1991)
Black/Gold Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Zamak ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
Optional Kahler SuperTune vibrola (1983-1991)
Locking nut
"Gibson" branded
Finishes:
Antique Ivory
1992-1999[]
1994
For 1992, the corrected body shape began being used (although inconsistently through 1993) and the headstock returned to the more vintage accurate medium Open Book style. This year also saw the new corrected pickguard shape from the '61 Reissue being used, although the old shape would still appear sporadically until as late as 1997. With the creation of the Custom Shop as a dedicated division in October 1993, the Custom became exclusively a Custom Shop model as part of the Historic Collection (and therefore did not use the Custom Shop logo on the back of the headstock).
1994 models used a different serial number format of "YY######" to celebrate Gibson's Centennial Anniversary. It reverted back in 1995 to the standard Gibson USA format.
In 1997, the serial number finally switched to the Custom Shop format. In 1998, for the first time since it was discontinued in 1971, the Maestro vibrola is once again offered on an SG.
2-ply b/w with "Les Paul Custom" engraving (1996-1999)
Wide bevel angle (1996-1999)
3-ply tenon cover w/ "Les Paul Custom" engraving
Black/Gold Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Zamak ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
Zamak stopbar tailpiece
Optional Maestro vibrola (1998-1999)
1999 Inverness Green
Finishes:
Antique Ivory
Limited Runs:
Ebony
1993
"Custom Shop Edition" logo
Inverness Green
1999
Nickel hardware
Ebony
1999
1961 Les Paul / SG Custom Reissue (2000-2013)[]
These models are produced in smaller numbers (less than 1,000 per year) by the Custom Shop, to vintage-accurate specs.
While the Custom was the first SG model introduced to the Historic Collection in 1993, it didn't receive a redesign for increased historical accuracy until 2000, when the Historic Standard and Special were introduced with this new design as well. This included a new heel design, deeper beveling with tapered horns and a more accurate headstock shape including a real Holly veneer, among many other changes. Unlike the Historic Standard and Special, this model does not use an amber tinted clearcoat to give the binding and inlays a slightly aged look. Certificates of authenticity were introduced in 2001.
Originally, it was offered with aged hardware as an option. In 2006, they introduced the "V.O.S." (Vintage Original Spec) treatment with lightly dulled finish and hardware as the standard finish, with a gloss finish being optional for an upcharge.
2004:
$2,465 Street (Sale Price)
2005:
$3,399 Street (Classic White w/ Maestro, Aged)
2006:
$3,299 Street (Classic White, VOS)
$3,499 Street (Classic White w/ Maestro, VOS)
Mid 2006 - Early 2007:
$3,499 Street (Classic White, VOS)
$3,699 Street (Classic White & Faded Cherry w/ Maestro, VOS)
$3,799 Street (Ebony w/ Maestro, Gloss)
$3,999 Street (Classic White w/ Maestro, Gloss)
Early 2007 - 2008:
$2,999 Street (Ebony, VOS)
$3,499 Street (Ebony, Gloss)
$3,699 Street (Classic White & Faded Cherry, VOS)
$3,799 Street (Classic White & Faded Cherry w/ Maestro, VOS)
$3,799-$3,999 Street (Ebony w/ Maestro, Gloss)
$3,999 Street (Classic White, Gloss)
$4,099 Street (Classic White w/ Maestro, Gloss)
$4,399 Street (Classic White, Gloss, Left-handed)
2009-2013:
$3,999 Street (Classic White, VOS)
$3,799 Street (Ebony, Gloss)
$3,999 Street (Ebony w/ Maestro, Gloss)
$4,199 Street (Classic White & Faded Cherry w/ Maestro, VOS)
Since 2014, as a part of Gibson's "Made 2 Measure" program, the Custom could be special ordered with almost any option desired (even with a Batwing pickguard) and different levels of aging. However, regular production of the Custom ended in 2014, making them only available by order, or when offered as a limited run. Another result of this change was the proliferation of limited runs (which are listed at the end of this page under "Other Variants"). The Custom returned to regular production in 2019, but can still be ordered through the Made 2 Measure program as well.
Dealers can also order one-offs through this program.
Coral Pink (for Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes)
Basic specs remain the same as previous Custom, except the introduction of an unsheathed truss rod and aniline dye on translucent finishes.
Note: Satin and Fog finishes tend to have binding and inlays painted over with a translucent coat of the body color.
Finishes:
Cherry Red
Faded Cherry
Ebony
Alpine White
Vintage Sunburst
Cardinal Red
Wine Red
Natural
Antique Gold
Red Mist Satin
Candy Apple Red
Candy Apple Blue
Verdoro Green
Kerry Green
Pelham Blue
Inverness Green
Heather Poly
Silverburst
Gold Mist Poly
Red Mist Satin
Sparkle
Satin Gray Fog
Satin Blue Burst Mist
Frost Blue
Coral Pink
Brunswick Blue
Oxblood
Nordic Blue
Custom 2-Pickup (2019 - Present)[]
2019-2021: $4,699 Street
2022-Present:
$4,799 Street
$3,599 Street (Demo)
Body:
Solid Honduran Mahogany body
One-piece construction
Historic deep beveling
Angled heel
Tapered horn tips
Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
Neck:
1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
1960 Slim Taper C profile (.830" / .930")
Set-in construction
Hot hide glue
Unsheathed truss rod
Joins body at 22nd fret
Ebony fretboard
Mother of Pearl block inlays
12" radius
Medium Open Book headstock w/ Holly veneer
Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
Classic font style
Inlaid Mother of Pearl split diamond
17o headstock pitch
22 medium-jumbo frets
Leveled by Plek machine
24 5/8" scale
Nylon nut
Cut by Plek machine
1 11/16" nut width
Binding:
Single-ply, neck
Thicker style
Fret-edge binding
Multi-ply, headstock
Electronics:
Two 490R / 498T Humbuckers
AlNiCo II (neck) & V (bridge) magnets
7.4k (neck) & 9-13k (bridge) Ohms D.C. resistance
Made 2 Measure Classic White VOS
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone
CTS 500k pots
Hardware:
Gold hardware
Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
1:14 ratio
Manufactured by Ping
5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
Wide bevel angle
Bell shaped truss rod cover
2-ply, blank
3-ply tenon cover w/ "Les Paul Custom" engraving
Black/Gold Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
Aluminum stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
Ebony
1963 Les Paul / SG Custom Reissue (2019 - Present)[]
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