SG I / II / III

The SG I, II and III models were introduced in mid 1972 as replacements for the SG 100 / 200 / 250 models, respectively. Production largely ended in mid 1974, with small numbers being shipped until 1978. There was no replacement for this model.

Sales Figures

	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	Total
SG I Cherry	241	844	548	136	68	7		1,844
SG I Walnut	85	210	109	18	40	23	2	487
SG II Cherry	229	775	446	156	23			1,629
SG II Walnut	173	532	383	165	40	1	3	1,298
SG III	180	475	262	29	3	4		953

SG I

• June 1972: $229.50
• October 1972: $249.50
• June 1973 - February 1974: $259

Body:

• Beveled, solid Alder / Poplar body
  • No cutaway bevels
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 3-pc laminated Maple
• Set-in construction
  • Non-angled
  • Joins body at 18th fret

• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Wide Open Book headstock
  • Silk-screened Gibson logo
    • Squared font style
  • "Made in U.S.A." stamp
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 9/16" nut width

Electronics:

• One "Tarback" Mini-Humbucker
  • Ceramic magnet
  • ~6.2k D.C. Resistance
  • Black plastic cover
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots

Hardware:

• Chrome Hardware
• Kluson 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
  • 12:1 ratio
  • Metal Keystone buttons
• Les Paul style raised pickguard, single-ply
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
• Witch Hat knobs
• Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece
  • Compensated for wound G string
• Optional aluminum Bigsby vibrola
  • "Gibson" engraved

Finishes:

• Cherry
• Walnut

SG II

• June 1972: $259.50
• October 1972: $279.50
• June 1973 - February 1974: $290

Body:

• Beveled, solid Alder / Poplar body
  • No cutaway bevels
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 3-pc laminated Maple
• Set-in construction
  • Non-angled
  • Joins body at 18th fret

• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Wide Open Book headstock
  • Silk-screened Gibson logo
    • Squared font style
  • "Made in U.S.A." stamp
  • 17^o pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 9/16" nut width

Electronics:

• Two "Tarback" Mini-Humbuckers
  • Ceramic magnets
  • ~6.2k D.C. Resistance
  • Black plastic covers
• 2 on / off slide switches
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots

Natural finish, Goof Hiders

Hardware:

• Chrome Hardware
• Kluson 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
  • 12:1 ratio
  • Metal Keystone buttons
• Les Paul style raised pickguard, single-ply
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
• Witch Hat knobs
• "Goof Hiders" around bridge posts or pickups (Sporadic use)
• Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece
• Optional aluminum Bigsby vibrola
  • "Gibson" engraved

Finishes:

• Cherry
• Walnut
• Natural

SG III

Same features as SG II, but with Cherry Sunburst finish.

• October 1972: $299.50
• June 1973 - February 1974: $310

 SG-100 Junior (1972)

As the SG-100 was being replaced by the SG I in mid 1972, some were made with the SG I's style of control plate.

• Limited run: 272 produced

Body:

• Beveled, solid Poplar body
  • No cutaway bevels
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

SG I transitional model (w/ aftermarket bridge)

Neck:

• 1-pc Maple
• Set-in construction
  • No angle
  • Titebond glue
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Large Open Book headstock
  • Silk-screened Gibson logo
  • "Made in U.S.A." stamp
  • Volute
  • Shallow pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 9/16" nut width

Electronics:

• One "Dog Ear" P-90
  • Short AlNiCo V magnet
  • ~8.5k Ohms D.C. resistance
  • Chrome cover w/ "Gibson" engraving
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • CTS 500k pots
  • Ceramic capacitor

Hardware:

• Chrome hardware
• Kluson Deluxe 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
  • 12:1 ratio
  • Chrome Keystone buttons
  • Closed gears
• Single-ply Les Paul pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
• Black Witch Hat knobs
• Chrome front-mounted control plate
• Black plastic front-mounted control plate (mid '72)

• Fully adjustable bridge
  • "Gibson" engraved bridge cover

• Compensated wraparound bridge/tailpiece (mid '72)
  • Compensated for wound G string

Finishes:

• Cherry
• Walnut