Photo Credit: The Music Zoo
The SG Elegant was introduced in 2003 after Gibson had been producing Les Paul Elegants for several years prior. However, unlike the Les Paul Elegant, the SG version does not have a compound radius fretboard. This model is similar in concept to the SG Supreme, but instead built by the Custom Shop to Historic specs and with features more like a Standard than a Custom. Production continued with no changes until it was discontinued in 2012.
In 2012, Japanese retailer Ikebe ordered at least two custom-spec Elegant Specials with the very unique feature of quilted maple tenon covers.
In 2017, it returned with a flamed top in two different variations; one with similar specs to the original, and another with black binding, a color-tinted headstock and nickel hardware. This was a limited run that continued through 2018.
The Quilted models use an inked "CS" prefix serial number, whereas the Flamed models use a Historic style stamped serial number with no prefix.
Related:
Quilted (2003-2012)[]
2004 Iguana Burst
- 2010:
- $5,551 MSRP
- $3,999 Street
Body:
- Solid 1-pc Honduran Mahogany back
- 3/4" Quilted Maple top
- Historic deep beveling
- Angled heel
- Tapered horn tips
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
- Aniline dye (Translucent colors)
- 2003–2006
- Aniline dye (Translucent colors)
Neck:
- 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
- 1960 Slim Taper C profile (.830" / .950")
- C-shaped
- Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- 3 degree pitch
- Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Abalone trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
- Medium Open Book headstock w/ Holly veneer
Blue Burst
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl Crown
- Custom Shop decal on rear
- 17o pitch
- 22 medium-jumbo frets
- Leveled by Plek machine (2006–2012)
- 24 5/8" scale
- Nylon nut
- Cut by Plek machine (2006–2012)
- 1 11/16" nut width
Firemist
Binding:
- Single-ply, neck
- Thinner vintage-style
- Fret-edge binding
- Abalone dot markers
Electronics:
- '57 Classic Humbuckers
- AlNiCo II magnets
- ~7.9k Ohms DCR
- Nickel plated covers
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
2012 Iguana Burst
- CTS 500k audio taper pots
- "Orange Drop" caps
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- Gotoh SD90 Kluson-style tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Double line, single ring
- Pickguard delete
- Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply, narrow bevel angle
- Blank
- Black/Gold Reflector knobs w/ pointers
- ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
- Aluminum stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
- Iguana Burst
- Firemist
- Blue Burst
Elegant Special (2012)[]
Body:
- Solid 1-pc Honduran Mahogany back
- 3/4" AAAAA grade Quilted Maple top
- Historic deep beveling
- Angled heel
- Tapered horn tips
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
Neck:
- 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
- 1960 Slim Taper C profile (.830" / .950")
- C-shaped
- Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- 3 degree pitch
- Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Abalone dot inlays
- 12" radius
- Medium Open Book headstock w/ Holly veneer
- 22 medium-jumbo frets
- Leveled by Plek machine
- 24 5/8" scale
- Nylon nut
- Cut by Plek machine
Peacock Blue
Binding:
- Single-ply, neck
- Thinner vintage-style
- Fret-edge binding
- Abalone dot markers
Electronics:
- Two "Soapbar" P-90s
- AlNiCo V magnets
- ~8K Ohms DCR
- Black plastic covers
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
- CTS audio taper pots
- "Orange Drop" caps
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- Gotoh SD91 Kluson-reissue tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- 3-on-a-plate style
- White plastic oval buttons
- Pickguard delete
- Quilted Maple tenon cover
- Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply, wide bevel angle
- Blank
- Black/Gold Reflector knobs w/ pointers
- ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
- Aluminum stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
- Peacock Blue
- Trans Red
Flamed (2017-2018)[]
Green Tiger
- 2017: $4,498 Street
- 2020: $3,499 Street
Body:
- Solid 1-pc Honduran Mahogany back
- 3/4" Flamed Maple top
- Historic deep beveling
- Angled heel
- Tapered horn tips
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
- Aniline dye (Translucent finishes)
Ruby Red Tiger
Neck:
- 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
- 1960 Slim Taper C profile (.830" / .960")
- C-shaped
- Set-in construction
- Hot hide glue
- Unsheathed truss rod
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- 3 degree pitch
- Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Abalone trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
- Medium Open Book headstock w/ Holly veneer
- 22 medium-jumbo frets
- Leveled by Plek machine
- 24 5/8" scale
Midnight Tiger Blue
- Cut by Plek machine
- 1 11/16" nut width
Aqua Blue
Binding:
- Single-ply, neck
- Black
- (Trans Charcoal, Green Tiger, Ruby Red Tiger)
- White
- (Aurora Borealis, Aqua Blue, Rust, Iguana Burst, Trans Pink)
- Black
- Thinner vintage-style
- Fret-edge binding
- Abalone dot markers
Rust (Photo Credit: Willcutt Guitars)
Electronics:
- Custombucker Humbuckers
- AlNiCo III magnets
- ~8k Ohms DCR
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
- CTS 500k audio taper pots
- Mallory 150 "Bumblebee" caps
Hardware:
Aurora Borealis
- Nickel hardware
- (Trans Charcoal, Green Tiger, Ruby Red Tiger)
- Gold hardware
- (Aurora Borealis, Aqua Blue, Rust, Iguana Burst, Trans Pink)
- Gotoh SD90 Kluson-style tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single line, single ring
- Pickguard delete
- Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply, wide bevel angle
- "Les Paul" engraving
- Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
- ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
- Aluminum stopbar tailpiece
Trans Pink (Photo Credit: Thunder Road Guitars)
Finishes:
- Midnight Tiger Blue
- Green Tiger
- Ruby Red Tiger
- Trans Charcoal
- Trans Pink
- Aqua Blue
- Iguana Burst
- Rust
- Aurora Borealis