Gibson USA SG 2019 Models?

[SG standard]

Why does the current standard look pretty weird to you? Looks like a '61 to me part for part other than the lack of a poker chip (which is in the case), reflector knobs, and a white switch tip.

I suspect he's referring to the body carve; on the 2018 & on the Standard 2019 the carve is more like the SGs of the 70s than the early 60's, especially the shallow carve around the horns. Of course, it's a matter of personal preference which you prefer, but it's a matter of history which shape looks like a typical '61.

Easier to see in these shots from Gibson; see how the bevel on the horn reaches down to the pick guard on the '61:

2018:

2019 '61:

[And my apologies to all who find the topic of bevels, carves and scarfs distasteful on an SG forum]

 

[cerebral gasket]

Looks like they brought back the ABR-1 on the 2019 '61. They keep flip flopping every few years between ABR-1 and Nashville on these models.

Note the crown inlay placement on the 2019 '61, it's now at the same location as the Standard. In the past, when looking at an SG with small guard and trapezoid inlays, one could identify if it was a '61 RI by looking at the headstock. The '61 RI had a wider headstock with crown inlay placed closer to the headstock logo compared to the Standards.

The line between a '61 RI and Standard is starting to blur when they begin to share the exact same features. Maybe we will see a '61 RI with a batwing and rounded neck in the near future.

As I said before, Reissues are not replicas of originals, and some features are omitted and updated, but at some point when certain distinct features are changed, it no longer identifies with the original in any sense.

I doubt any of these trivial details are going to be a deciding factor for someone looking to purchase a new SG who is not familiar with the history and evolution of the SG. A little tweak here or there, it's essentially the same guitar and is just something to give the forums something to discuss, or not.

 

[SG standard]

As I said before, Reissues are not replicas of originals, and some features are omitted and updated, but at some point when certain distinct features are changed, it no longer identifies with the original in any sense.

To be fair, I think Gibson have moved away from the 'Reissue' concept here, and are making something that just nods it's head in the direction of '61 :) I mean, it's got an SG trc, and they're also not calling it a Les Paul. :)

Personally I quite like this idea, and I guess it leaves space for the Custom Shop to do the retentive, errrr, I mean accurate Reissues for $$$$. But I think they could've called the 'other' 2019 Standard a '69 Standard (or some such), and perhaps if the SGs are selling well, the new CEO would then see fit to introduce a '7x Standard too, with all the best Norlin features.

 

[cerebral gasket]

But I think they could've called the 'other' 2019 Standard a '69 Standard (or some such), and perhaps if the SGs are selling well, the new CEO would then see fit to introduce a '7x Standard too, with all the best Norlin features.

It's great that we have all these choices, but it is overwhelming at times.

 

[Lunacy the Faded]

The Junior is sick I got one in cherry too, here's a look at the super clean top route

 

[Lunacy the Faded]

The DC was an SG at one point, here's photos of my cherry junior!!

 

[drown]

I want a blue DC JR

 

[PermissionToLand]

But I think they could've called the 'other' 2019 Standard a '69 Standard (or some such).

If only it were. I have been praying Gibson would do a proper '69 Reissue my whole life and they simply don't seem to care. Aside from all the other missing features of a real Batwing SG, giving it that horrible orangey-red finish is just bullshit. Apologies to any Standard owners out there, but Batwing SGs should be a dark - almost Wine - Red, or Walnut.

 

[papagayo]

I like the new 2019 Gibson SG Standard '61,

Nice Vintage Cherry finish, cream neck binding, Nickel-plated hardware, ABR-1 Gibson TOM bridge, Original '61 body shape with small pickguard, awesome SG imho

Congrats Gibson !

 

[No_Class]

If only it were. I have been praying Gibson would do a proper '69 Reissue my whole life and they simply don't seem to care. Aside from all the other missing features of a real Batwing SG, giving it that horrible orangey-red finish is just bullshit. Apologies to any Standard owners out there, but Batwing SGs should be a dark - almost Wine - Red, or Walnut.

Awesome!!! "The sg"!!!!

 

[MP4-22]

The 61's RI's body shape, color, binding, nickel hardware, knobs, neck profile and tuners are different then an 18 standard.... quite a difference. The big headstock of days past looked kinda goofy IMO.

 

[PermissionToLand]

The 61's RI's body shape, color, binding, nickel hardware, knobs, neck profile and tuners are different then an 18 standard.... quite a difference. The big headstock of days past looked kinda goofy IMO.

Actually, the 2018 Standard T did have a Slim Taper neck. But otherwise, you are right.

 

[andreax1985]

Gibson moved 61r and 61t pickups up in their line on the SG 61' reissue and placed 490s on the standard. Is this a downgrade of the standard?

 

[semka]

The sound of pickups is subjective, but value-wise, yes, 2019 Standard is a rather significant downgrade with lower costing parts, limited colors, lack of hard case, etc.

 

[andreax1985]

What are the lower costing parts on the '19 standard?

 

[andreax1985]

Edited

 

[semka]

What are the lower costing parts on the '19 standard?

For one, 490s are the least expensive Gibson's pickups.

 

[andreax1985]

Unlike 490s, 57 classics etc... you can't buy 61r and 61t as spare parts, is it correct?

 

[PermissionToLand]

The sound of pickups is subjective, but value-wise, yes, 2019 Standard is a rather significant downgrade with lower costing parts, limited colors, lack of hard case, etc.

I'm not sure you understand what the term "value" means (and no offense, it's a common misconception). If you get more features for more money, the value has not changed. The value only increases if you get more features for less money than they would cost otherwise. At $300 less than the '61, the Standard only trades '57s for 490s, Nickel for Chrome and and the ABR for a Nashville. None of those are even objective downgrades, they are all subjective. I personally prefer the Nashville, and really could care less whether it's nickel or chrome. And the pickups are just different. Just because Gibson charges more for '57s doesn't mean they are objectively better pickups. For somebody who wants a lot of high end definition and/or plays heavy metal, the '57s would actually be worse pickups. And the '57 only costs $50 more than the 490 buying through Gibson. So that's a $300 upcharge on the '61 for pickups that would otherwise be $100 more. That said, factoring in the deeper beveling and other small changes, I'd say the value is about equal between the two. They're both fine deals.

 

[SG standard]

The sound of pickups is subjective, but value-wise, yes, 2019 Standard is a rather significant downgrade with lower costing parts, limited colors, lack of hard case, etc.

For one, 490s are the least expensive Gibson's pickups.

It's funny how people often seem to consider the 490R/498T to be some kind of 'budget' pickup, just because there's a small difference in price. Clearly, Gibson don't think of it as such - this was the most expensive SG in their 2017 range, a $3,299 SG Custom, to which Gibson fitted 490R/498T pickups - I'm sure stretching to a pair of Classic '57s wouldn't have made that guitar unaffordable, and clearly it wasn't any kind of budget model that needed 'cheap' parts!

FWIW, I've come to prefer the 498T in the bridge position, and the '57 in the neck. Regardless of price. :)