SGJ Questions

[Bobdobalina]

New to the forum, that’s a great thing because it means I am now a 2013 SGJ owner.

But, I need some help. I needs specs for tuners and a bridge/tailpiece as it is currently a husk, and finding information is difficult.

I would assume the measurements are pretty standard for Gibson but I was wondering if anyone here knew offhand? Any information would help.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hector]

Unfortunately, it seems Gibson has taken down their legacy.gibson.com website . It used to have the details you are looking for.

However, I did make a PDF of the webpage a long time ago, so here are the texts from the page:


Gibson.com: Gibson SG J

As part of the 2013 Year of Les Paul celebrations, Gibson USA brings you a new SG model that’s available at an entry-level price to suit any budget. When it took over briefly from the Les Paul Standard in 1961, the SG was very much a part of Les Paul’s vision, and the SG remained an iconic Gibson electric even after the single-cutaway Les Paul Standard returned later in the decade. The SGJ offers all the ingredients that made the most desirable Les Paul Standards legendary—classic tonewoods, innovative hardware, two genuine humbucking pickups, and of course Gibson’s acclaimed build quality and playability—all wrapped up in a stripped-down, no-nonsense package that makes this guitar a flat-out performer. Simpler esthetics and a cool worn-look finish technique add up to big savings for the player, and the SGJ still looks great in your choice of Cherry, Chocolate, Hand-Rubbed Vintage Burst, or Hand-Rubbed Transparent White, all in grain- textured nitrocellulose lacquer.

Mahogany is one of the most revered tonewoods in the history of guitar making, with a rich, deep sound and a long tradition at Gibson USA, and it remains the cornerstone of the SGJ. The guitar’s body is crafted from solid mahogany in the iconic thin, lightweight offset-double-cutaway style, with distinctive “horns” and beveled edges for improved playing comfort. A neck made from hard-wearing maple is glued into the body and carved to a ’50s rounded profile that measures .818” at the 1st fret and .963” at the 12th. It is topped with a genuine rosewood fingerboard that carries 24 medium-jumbo frets to extend your playing reach, and elegant pearloid dot inlays. There’s no pickguard or fingerboard binding to clutter the straight-on, stripped-down look of the SGJ, while quality touches continue with a PLEK-cut nut made from black CorianTM to subtly echo the black top-hat knobs and black pickup rings and covers. The traditional back-angled headstock is silkscreened with a gold Gibson logo that stands out clear and proud.

A pair of Gibson’s popular Modern ClassicsTM humbucking pickups fire up the SGJ. The 490R in the neck position and 490T in the bridge are made to emulate PAF humbucker and modified to suit the needs of the contemporary guitarist, with Alnico II magnets and standard-wound coils for plenty of warmth and clarity and scorch and sizzle in your lead playing. An independent volume and tone control per pickup plus a three-way toggle selector switch allows a broad range of sonic variations, while Gibson USA’s legendary Tune-o-Matic bridge and Stopbar tailpiece ensure solid sustain and outstanding intonation. A set of vintage-style tuners with black keys provides an impressive 16:1 gear ratio for precise and efficient tuning. Put it all together, and the new SGJ is the fastest road to a genuine Les Paul, sparing none of the tone, while putting the legend in your hands with far less load on your wallet.

Each guitar includes a black Gibson gigbag, owner’s manual, and truss-rod wrench, and comes covered by Gibson USA’s Limited Lifetime Warranty and 24/7/365 Customer Service.

Product Features

Solid Mahogany body in four worn-look finishes
Maple neck with comfortable, rounded '50s profile
Rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays
490R and 490T humbucking pickups in the neck and bridge positions
Vintage-style tuners with 16:1 gear ratio

 

[Hector]

You can also find more information here: https://solidguitar.fandom.com/wiki/SGJ

 

[Decadent Dan]

Don’t worry about exact specs for that model. Just decide whether you want chrome, nickel or ? and then which pickups, tuners etc. because pretty much any newer Gibson SG parts will fit.
It probably had a zamak bridge and tailpiece then. They’re aluminum now.
It’s a good platform for a personalized, custom build.

https://reverb.com/shop/the-stratosphere?make=gibson

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

How much did the husk set you back?

By the end of the SGJ run, they were selling new for less than $500 for a complete SGJ.

If I remember right, they had '61 Zebra Pups in 2014 vs Covered 490's at some point.

My opinion on the 2014 Gibson SGJ

Hello everyone ! I notice a lot of people post questions regarding the SGJ, especially from those who are considering acquiring this model of instrument. So I decided to take a few minutes and share my opinion after almost a year of ownership, and answer/address some of the more common...

www.everythingsg.com

What's the real differences between the SGJ 2013 and 2014 ?

Hi everyone, I just ordered a white SGJ 2013 and right after :hmm: I saw the new 2014 120th anniversary models on the Gibson website and i noticed these changes that make me wonder if I should have waited to get one of these... - Maple neck with comfortable, rounded '50s profile on 2013 - SG...

www.everythingsg.com

Advice please - 2013 or 2014 SGJ?

Evening all, I have managed to track down 2 great deals on a new Gibson SGJ in Rubbed Vintage Burst here in England but I can't decide what to get help!! I can get a new 2013 version for a great price or the newest 2014 version for only £50 more. I have been weighing up the pros and cons of...

www.everythingsg.com

 

[Hector]

How much did the husk set you back?

By the end of the SGJ run, they were selling new for less than $500 for a complete SGJ.

If I remember right, they had '61 Zebra Pups in 2014 vs Covered 490's at some point.

2013 model had the black plastic covers hot-glued to the 490s (SGJ and LPJ both)

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

2013 model had the black plastic covers hot-glued to the 490s (SGJ and LPJ both)

Yup, Thanks for the clarification on how it was done in '13, Hector.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Also, welcome to the forum Bobdobalina.

I might suggest sticking with putting Kluson or Gibson Deluxe tuners on due to Grovers weighing more and leading to a neck heavy scenario some people experience.

The pickup choice for you is wide open, since yours had none.
Pots, I like Bourns Audio Taper 500k, The guitar likely came with CTS 500K,
I cannot answer if these had a PCB controls board or were old school wired, but Old school allows for choices of wiring styles, 50's, Modern etc.

I put 50's style for a change of sound in my SG Faded Walnut, when it developed a dodgy Tone pot causing loss of signal issue.

Here are 3 of my 4 SG's. As you can see, I have the normal Gibson 4 control versions, and a 3 knob in the black one from 87.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Also, if you ever want to add a pick guard to yours, I will post a thread where our member gball used a good source of guards that they carry SGJ ones and are easily acquired. It is called Pickguardian. Pretty sure you can get control cavity covers from them too if your husk did not come with those either.

That SGJ finish... 2013 vs 2014

The pickguard showed up from Pickguardian today and I put it on. Perfect fit and total installation time to drill holes and mount it was about 10 minutes. Here it is: The pic came out really dark so hope you can see it ok (sorry, cell phone pic). Looks great - like it came from the...

www.everythingsg.com

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Don’t worry about exact specs for that model. Just decide whether you want chrome, nickel or ? and then which pickups, tuners etc. because pretty much any newer Gibson SG parts will fit.
It probably had a zamak bridge and tailpiece then. They’re aluminum now.
It’s a good platform for a personalized, custom build.

https://reverb.com/shop/the-stratosphere?make=gibson

I needed a new bridge for my '79 Les Paul std and went with a new Kluson Zinc/Chrome one from ebay seller- sporthitech

Here is their ebay store. https://www.ebay.com/str/sporthitech?_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2563



They sold me my Hipshot Bridge for my P bass too.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

I got my components HERE and wired them in myself. But you can buy a pre wired setup from them too.

Gibson Epipone SG wiring upgrade kits

Best selection of DG upgrade wiring kits. Pots, caps and wiring.

www.tonemanguitar.com

Improve your SG Gibson or Epiphone tone with Tone Man Guitar upgrade wiring kit

The best vintage 50s tone for Gibson or Epiphone SG Guitars. The best high grade parts available.

www.tonemanguitar.com

 

[Bobdobalina]

thank you Hector!

 

[Bobdobalina]

E

Don’t worry about exact specs for that model. Just decide whether you want chrome, nickel or ? and then which pickups, tuners etc. because pretty much any newer Gibson SG parts will fit.
It probably had a zamak bridge and tailpiece then. They’re aluminum now.
It’s a good platform for a personalized, custom build.

https://reverb.com/shop/the-stratosphere?make=gibson

Extremely helpful, looking into it

 

[Bobdobalina]

How much did the husk set you back?

By the end of the SGJ run, they were selling new for less than $500 for a complete SGJ.

If I remember right, they had '61 Zebra Pups in 2014 vs Covered 490's at some point.

My opinion on the 2014 Gibson SGJ

Hello everyone ! I notice a lot of people post questions regarding the SGJ, especially from those who are considering acquiring this model of instrument. So I decided to take a few minutes and share my opinion after almost a year of ownership, and answer/address some of the more common...

www.everythingsg.com

What's the real differences between the SGJ 2013 and 2014 ?

Hi everyone, I just ordered a white SGJ 2013 and right after :hmm: I saw the new 2014 120th anniversary models on the Gibson website and i noticed these changes that make me wonder if I should have waited to get one of these... - Maple neck with comfortable, rounded '50s profile on 2013 - SG...

www.everythingsg.com

Advice please - 2013 or 2014 SGJ?

Evening all, I have managed to track down 2 great deals on a new Gibson SGJ in Rubbed Vintage Burst here in England but I can't decide what to get help!! I can get a new 2013 version for a great price or the newest 2014 version for only £50 more. I have been weighing up the pros and cons of...

www.everythingsg.com

4 and change. I wanted a project guitar and was planning on painting it “good grey” but everyone said I should keep it so I’m going to leave it for now. Considering what I see any Gibson go for I think it’s a great price

 

[Bobdobalina]

Also, if you ever want to add a pick guard to yours, I will post a thread where our member gball used a good source of guards that they carry SGJ ones and are easily acquired. It is called Pickguardian. Pretty sure you can get control cavity covers from them too if your husk did not come with those either.

That SGJ finish... 2013 vs 2014

The pickguard showed up from Pickguardian today and I put it on. Perfect fit and total installation time to drill holes and mount it was about 10 minutes. Here it is: The pic came out really dark so hope you can see it ok (sorry, cell phone pic). Looks great - like it came from the...

www.everythingsg.com

I purchased one off eBay, it stated it fits a 61 reissue and I was tired of trying to find specs so I just bought it. Can’t imagine it won’t fit but with my luck

 

[Col Mustard]

Welcome to ETSG!
and good luck with your project...

You'll have a lot of choices to make
based on how much you want to spend
and what you want your guitar to sound like.

Any Humbuckers will fit, from Gibson's hottest
"Dirty Fingers" to the PAF clone '57 classics
or the more modern '61 zebras...
...and then there's all the aftermarket p'ups!
Seymour Duncans and Lollars and Rio Grandes
and Bare Knuckles... Dig into our sections on
pickups and bridges and tuners and all...
I recommend a set of Stew Mac's Golden Age
Humbuckers. Put the Overwound one at the
bridge position.

Lots of choices. I recommend Grover Vintage Keystone
tuners, or similar ones. The weight is the most important
feature. Locking tuners are too heavy, and so are Grover
Rotomatics. Others here will recommend other gear.

But you get to read all our various opinions and make
up your own mind. Trem or no trem... pick guard or
no pick guard. Your SGJ doesn't need one, unless you
are heavy handed with a heavy pick.

once you've got some decisions made, remember
our motto:

PICTURES, OR IT
NEVER HAPPENED

 

[Bobdobalina]

Welcome to ETSG!
and good luck with your project...

You'll have a lot of choices to make
based on how much you want to spend
and what you want your guitar to sound like.

Any Humbuckers will fit, from Gibson's hottest
"Dirty Fingers" to the PAF clone '57 classics
or the more modern '61 zebras...
...and then there's all the aftermarket p'ups!
Seymour Duncans and Lollars and Rio Grandes
and Bare Knuckles... Dig into our sections on
pickups and bridges and tuners and all...
I recommend a set of Stew Mac's Golden Age
Humbuckers. Put the Overwound one at the
bridge position.

Lots of choices. I recommend Grover Vintage Keystone
tuners, or similar ones. The weight is the most important
feature. Locking tuners are too heavy, and so are Grover
Rotomatics. Others here will recommend other gear.

But you get to read all our various opinions and make
up your own mind. Trem or no trem... pick guard or
no pick guard. Your SGJ doesn't need one, unless you
are heavy handed with a heavy pick.

once you've got some decisions made, remember
our motto:

PICTURES, OR IT
NEVER HAPPENED

Thanks for the warm welcome and information. I have never thought about tuning peg weight until joining this forum. Considering the weight of this guitar it makes absolute sense. Definitely one of the lightest guitars I own.

As far as pickups, I’m actually going with a single EMG 81. It’s not my usual preference and I know a lot of people are screaming at their computer screen and I get it. It has its place and it’s going to be my starting point.

Looking forward to finishing the project, thanks again!

 

[Knucklehead71]

Thanks for the warm welcome and information. I have never thought about tuning peg weight until joining this forum. Considering the weight of this guitar it makes absolute sense. Definitely one of the lightest guitars I own.

As far as pickups, I’m actually going with a single EMG 81. It’s not my usual preference and I know a lot of people are screaming at their computer screen and I get it. It has its place and it’s going to be my starting point.

Looking forward to finishing the project, thanks again! View attachment 47667

I would highly recommend the Hipshot open gear tuners. They are super light and you can get them in locking or non-locking versions.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Thanks for the warm welcome and information. I have never thought about tuning peg weight until joining this forum. Considering the weight of this guitar it makes absolute sense. Definitely one of the lightest guitars I own.

As far as pickups, I’m actually going with a single EMG 81. It’s not my usual preference and I know a lot of people are screaming at their computer screen and I get it. It has its place and it’s going to be my starting point.

Looking forward to finishing the project, thanks again! View attachment 47667

Bobdo..... Interesting. I have a set of EMG's but you went the opposite of my scenario. I had this set in a guitar plus the complete pots, switch and wiring set for an SG. BUT my set is unlike your typical 81/85. Mine came as an H and an 85.

OH MAN, you just gave me ideas for mine. I bought a couple project guitars myself and the one double cut would be a good place to put these.

Good luck with your build.