Image Credit: Guitar Chimp
Gibson released the first Tony Iommi Signature SG in 1999 as the first ever artist signature SG model. Originally, it was intended to be a limited run of 200 guitars built by the Custom Shop. Ultimately, the run does not appear to have had a production limit, but serial numbers don't seem to exceed 300. It's also unclear how many years they were actually produced over. COAs are only issued starting at some point in 2000; models built from 1999 through early 2000 will have red warranty card with serial number instead. This model actually introduced some of the historically accurate features that would debut in 2000 on the Historic 1961 Les Paul/SG Standard Reissue, including the design of the beveling, heel and tenon. However, it also uses the USA SG Standard control placement and larger, post-1965 style control cavity route and cover. The pickguard shape was unique to this model and was never used again.
A regular production USA version was introduced in 2001. The Custom Shop model used a serial number format of "TI XXX" whereas the USA model used the standard USA serial number system. According to Gibson, one outlier Custom Shop model was custom ordered in 2008. Beware sellers trying to blur the line between the USA and Custom Shop versions.
In 2020, a Custom Shop replica of his famous "Monkey" 1964 SG Special was released, limited to 50 aged and signed units (half being left-handed). Every guitar is stamped with the actual serial number of the original, and numbered in marker by Iommi. Curiously, while the pickguard was redesigned for accuracy, the aftermarket deepened bevels of the original were not recreated.
In 2021, a Gibson USA version of the "Monkey" SG was released. The bass side horn was rounded off somewhat to more securely fit the strap button in Iommi's desired location. Coincidentally, this also makes it more historically accurate, as '60s SGs had more rounded off bass side horns than modern SGs do.
Iommi's signature models are some of the few artist signatures to be offered in both left-handed and right-handed configurations.
1999-2003 Custom Shop[]
This model is loosely inspired by an SG made for Iommi by John Birch.
- $3,799 Street
- Avg. weight: 7.65 lbs.
Body:
- Solid Honduran Mahogany body
- Historic deep beveling
- Angled heel
- Tapered horn tips
- One-piece construction
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
- Aniline dye (Wine Red finish)
Neck:
- 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
- Slim Taper profile (.800" / .880")
- Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Ebony fretboard
- Sterling Silver cross inlays
- 12" radius
- Large Open Book headstock w/ Holly veneer
- 24 medium-jumbo frets
- 24 5/8" scale
- Graphite nut
- 1 11/16" nut width
Binding:
- Single-ply, neck
- Thicker style
- Fret-edge binding
- Black dot markers
Electronics:
- Two Tony Iommi Signature humbuckers
- Ceramic & AlNiCo II magnets
- ~15.5K Ohms DC Resistance
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
- Ceramic "disk" capacitors
- Recessed, side-mounted output jack
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Satin chrome Sperzel locking tuning machines
- 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
- Wide bevel angle
- Reshaped with sharper points
- Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply, standard bevel angle
- 2 ply, wide bevel angle (2003)
- Black Reflector knobs
- ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
- Aluminum stopbar tailpiece
Finishes:
- Ebony
- Wine Red
2001-2002 USA[]
Earlier models have upper strap button in the regular location, whereas later examples have it behind the bass horn.
- Avg. weight: 7.5 lbs.
Body:
- Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
- '61 Reissue beveling
- Angled heel
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
Neck:
- 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
- Set-in construction
- 5 degree angle
- Franklin Titebond 50 glue
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- '61 style heel
- 1961 Slim Taper D profile (.810 / .910")
- Ebony fretboard
- Acrylic cross inlays
- 12" radius
- Large Open Book headstock
- 24 frets
- 24 9/16" scale
- 1 11/16" nut width
Electronics:
- Two Tony Iommi Signature humbuckers
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
- Ceramic "disk" capacitors
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
- Single-ply black "Angel Wing" pickguard
- Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Iommi signature decal
- Black Reflector knobs
- ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
- Stopbar tailpiece
Finish:
- Ebony
2020 Custom Shop Monkey SG[]
- $19,999 Street
- Avg. weight: 6.5 lbs.
Body:
- Solid Honduran Mahogany body
- One-piece construction
- Historic deep beveling
- Angled heel
- Tapered horn tips
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
- Aniline dye
- Aged
Neck:
- 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
- Medium C profile (.880" / .990")
- Recreated from scan of original
- Set-in construction
- Hot hide glue
- Unsheathed truss rod
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Pearloid dot inlays
- Polyurethane coating
- 12" radius
- Medium Open Book headstock
- Holly veneer
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
- Finish marring from sticker
- 17o pitch
- 22 medium-jumbo frets
- Leveled by Plek machine
- 24 5/8" scale
- Bone zero-fret nut
- Cut by Plek machine
- 1 11/16" nut width
Binding:
- Single-ply, neck
- Fret-edge binding
- Thinner style
Electronics:
- John Birch Superflux (Neck)
- AlNiCo V "cryogenically enhanced" magnets
- ~16K Ohms DCR
- Chrome cover
- "John Birch Superflux" engraved
- John Birch P-90 (Bridge)
- 3-way Switchcraft switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
- CTS 500k pots
- Ceramic "disk" capacitors
- Hand-wired
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Schaller M-6 tuning machines
- 18:1 ratio
- 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
- Bell shaped truss rod cover
- 3-ply, unbeveled
- "Tony Iommi" scratched into control cover
- Fiddler Monkey sticker
- Pre-installed & aged
- Black Witch Hat knobs
- Badass-style wraparound bridge/tailpiece
- Plastic "goof hiders"
Finishes:
- Faded Cherry
2021-Present USA Monkey SG[]
- $2,399 Street
Body:
- Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
- '61 Reissue beveling
- Rounded bass horn
- Tapered horn tips
- Angled heel
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish
Neck:
- 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
- '50s Rounded profile (.830" / .970")
- Set-in construction
- '61 style heel
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic dot inlays
- 12" radius
- Medium Open Book headstock
- Resin impregnated fiberboard veneer
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
- 17o pitch
- 22 medium-jumbo frets
- 24 5/8" scale
- Graph Tech nut
- Cut by Plek machine
- 1 11/16" nut width
Binding:
- Single-ply, neck
- Cream color
- Fret-edge binding
- Thicker style
- Rolled edges
Electronics:
- Two "Soapbar" P-90s
- AlNiCo V magnets
- ~7-8K Ohms DCR
- Chrome plated covers
- Black plastic surrounds
- 3-way switch
- Blank washer
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
- CTS 500k pots
- Orange Drop caps
- Hand-wired
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
- 14:1 ratio
- Schaller-style buttons
- Manufactured by Ping
- 5-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
- Standard bevel angle
- Bell shaped truss rod cover
- Single-ply, beveled
- Fiddler Monkey sticker included
- Black Witch Hat knobs
- Badass-style wraparound bridge/tailpiece
Finishes:
- Vintage Cherry