None more cherry, here is the 1964 Gibson SG Standard

Designed to take on the Fender Stratocaster with a lighter body and a different feeling neck, the modified Les Paul came into being in 1960/61 to be quickly excommunicated by its namesake and received the monicker SG (solid guitar) by 1963. By this period, there had been some design improvements. The neck tenon was improved making the guitar more stable and less prone to breaks and the sideways vibrato was replaced with the ‘Lyre’ version which worked far better. Many consider this to be the best version of the guitar.

This guitar is a stunner. The body is remarkably free of any real wear and the top has retained its rich cherry colour. Another point of note is the mahogany grain which is showcased so wonderfully here. The back does have a little clearcoat worming but this hasn’t broken through the finish. Its always nice to see a cherry finished Gibson where the colour of the front and the back match.

The neck, like the body, is free of any bumps and again retains it wonderful cherry hue with possibly some light fading but again. the stunning mahogany grain. The fretboard shows no signs of wear and the frets have lots of life left in them.

The nickel parts look fantastic with maybe a very little dulling. The lyre tremolo looks good and works so well. The plastics are in great shape. Electoincially nothing has been changed and all the solder joints look untouched.

The guitar comes with its correct black hardshell case with orange lining, which just like the guitar is also in pretty exceptional condition.

As soon as you pick this guitar up you realise why 1964 was such a good year for Gibson. The profile of the neck is so instantly comfortable, quite a way from the wide narrow feel of earlier models. Tonally, the SG really brings quite a unique perspective on the twin humbucker combination. The smoothness of the neck pickup with the bite of the bridge and never too woofy. Like any Gibson from this period and earlier, there is such a scope to the sound, a notion that was lost with later incarnations from the venerable manufacturer.

If you’re searching for an SG for the collection then you cannot go wrong with this one. If it was good enough for George then surely it should be for you!