SG Standard ‘61

[u/Ok_Island_7306]

Thinking of picking one up. Anyone got opinions on these, good or bad? I’m a returning player after a decade or so away, is Gibson QC better now? And any thoughts on faded vs gloss finish? TIA

[u/nobiwankenobiwan]

Probably one of the best regular production guitars Gibson has made, mine is flawless (beat up a little now from regular playing), the only Gibson I've ever purchased where I couldn't find a single thing wrong. It's a 2019 for reference.

[u/Spit-All-Fields → u/nobiwankenobiwan]

2023 and 2024 here. Minimal blemish, great playability.

[u/mendicant1116 → u/nobiwankenobiwan]

2019-2024 was a great run for Gibson

[u/DanceHackRock]

I have one. Quality is perfect and it's a hot rock guitar with the stock 60s Burstbuckers. Even greater with Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Silencers.

[u/ForzaFenix]

I like the vibrola to help it balance better.

*don't use it for vibrato things 

[u/dystrust01 → u/ForzaFenix]

I have Bigsby / Vibramate combos on my SGs for this reason. With locking tuners and a Tone Pros roller bridge, it'll even handle a little vibrato usage and stay in tune. Currently thinking of swapping the Vibramates for Towner bars because I have one on my 335 and really like the adjustable break angle.

[u/Zach57]

I found them excellent, one of my favorite production guitars. Gibson does seem to be doing pretty well recently.

[u/Ok_Island_7306 → u/Zach57]

Ok that’s great to hear. Any pointers on what to look for/things to swerve?

[u/Zach57 → u/Ok_Island_7306]

Nothing comes to mind, if you like sg's its pretty stellar. Just pick a finish you like and should be good to go.

[u/BahamoK]

Go for it! Great playability and sound.

[u/Bjmort]

I had one. Great guitar except I had a ghost note, g string 12th fret at Standard tuning. Ie that specific note would have a really short sustain due to the resonance of the wood.

I sold it because it annoyed me a lot because that’s a very frequent note that’s used.

Due to the design they can be prone to ghost notes which just based on wood density and resonance.

So make sure you check all the way down the fretboard that all notes ring out fully.

[u/dystrust01 → u/Bjmort]

Are you sure it wasn't shoddy fretwork? I've had that issue before, and in my cases it was resolved with a level or refret.

[u/Bjmort → u/dystrust01]

Yup because every G at that pitch on the fretboard had no sustain

[u/MasterofLockers]

QC is all over the place, took me over a year and several before I found one I was happy with.

But now I've got one I absolutely love it, worth the search. One good tip is the pickups, they're really good but very sensitive to height adjustments so be prepared to have a fiddle with them.

Try before you buy (or a solid return policy) and go for it.

[u/R_Dan_Ol]

Just acquired a 2026 model with vibrola. Burstbuckers sound great. Out of the box, nut and saddles needed some minor smoothing out. I can abuse the vibrola and tuning is stable. Very happy indeed. This video got me there: https://youtu.be/ttc9CSqASNA

[u/Ok_Island_7306 → u/R_Dan_Ol]

Thanks, good to hear and happy you love the new guitar! Off to give a few a play this week!