Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
Average Price: $8,492
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Gibson Les Paul "SG" Custom (1961-1962)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom, a masterpiece guitar that blends the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. This instrument embodies Gibson's legacy through its accuracy, authenticity, and meticulous attention to detail. Proudly recreated by Gibson's Custom Shop, this guitar is a faithful rendition of the 1963 Les Paul SG Custom, boasting original construction methods and contours.
The Gibson Les Paul SG Custom stands as a tribute to a pivotal moment in music history – the last year the "Les Paul" moniker graced this SG Custom and the first year of the Maestro Vibrola, 1963. This guitar doesn't just mimic its predecessor; it improves upon it, reaching new sonic heights with its solid ebony fingerboard and revamped vintage-style electronics.
The elegantly contoured mahogany body and 1959 Authentic Medium neck provide an effortless playing experience. The CustomBucker Alnico III unpotted humbucking pickups faithfully reproduce the iconic 1963 SG tone, offering you the chance to own a piece of music history. The Vintage Original Sheen finish gives this guitar the look and feel of a lovingly played and cared-for classic.
Key Features:
- 1-piece lightweight mahogany body with VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish
- Mahogany 1959 Authentic Medium neck profile, VOS nitro finish
- Ebony fingerboard with a 12" radius and 22 Authentic medium jumbo frets
- Plek'd frets for optimized playability
- 3 Custombucker Alnico III unpotted humbucking pickups
- 3-way pickup selector switch
- Bridge and neck Volume and Tone controls
- 24.75" scale length; 1.687" nylon nut
- ABR-1 bridge; Maestro Vibrola tailpiece
- Grover Kidney tuners
- Vintage Original Sheen finish package with light matte nitrocellulose and aged hardware
- Includes hard case and Custom Shop certificate of authenticity
- Quality crafted in the USA
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | 1963 Les Paul SG |
| Body Material | 1-piece Mahogany |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | 1959 Authentic Medium |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Mother-of-Pearl Trapezoids |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Nut Width | 1.687" |
| Nut Material | Nylon |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | ABR-1 with Maestro Vibrola |
| Tuners | Gold Grover Kidney |
| Neck Pickup | Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker |
| Middle Pickup | Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 2 x tone |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch |
| Strings | Gibson, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom best suited for?
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The Gibson Les Paul SG Custom is ideal for rock and metal genres due to its sharp tones and lightweight body, making it suitable for aggressive playing styles and extended performances.
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How does the Maestro Vibrola affect the playability of the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom?
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The Maestro Vibrola allows for subtle pitch modulation and smooth vibrato effects, enhancing the guitar's expressive capabilities without significantly altering the tuning stability.
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Custombucker Alnico III Humbuckers on the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom?
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The Custombucker Alnico III Humbuckers provide a warm and vintage tone with excellent clarity and sustain, making them versatile for both clean and overdriven sounds.
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Is the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom suitable for beginner guitarists?
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While the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom offers professional-grade features and craftsmanship, its lightweight body and comfortable neck profile can also be appealing to dedicated beginners willing to invest in a high-quality instrument.
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What is the neck profile like on the Gibson Les Paul SG Custom?
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The Gibson Les Paul SG Custom features a 1959 Authentic Medium neck profile, providing a comfortable grip that balances vintage feel with modern playability for a wide range of styles.
Videos
Pawn Stars
Pawn Stars: Gibson Les Paul SG Custom | History
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul "SG" Custom (1961-1962).
Mods and upgrades
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Knob pointers added for improved look and functionality; suggested Faber ABR-1 conversion posts/bridge for enhanced performance.
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Faber bridges praised for quality; multiple users prefer swapping out Nashville tune-o-matics for Faber's products.
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Owners have swapped in Firebird pickups for a unique tonal change distinct from stock options.
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Comparisons
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SG Custom deemed more comfortable than Les Paul due to lighter weight, making it suitable for users with shoulder or back issues.
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It's mentioned that '64 Custom Shop reissues and some models with a '59 neck offer thicker neck profiles compared to standard SG necks.
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An owner found an Epiphone LP '59 superior in playability and sound compared to their Epiphone LP Custom.
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User experience
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SG Custom reported to have no neck dive, offering a balanced playing experience.
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Owners often find the pinstriping and relic job by Dax&Co to greatly enhance the guitar's aesthetic appeal.
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Owners who prefer thicker necks often find the thin SG necks less comfortable, but note the availability of models with larger necks in custom shop options.
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An owner expressed satisfaction with the SG Custom Ebony, emphasizing its quality and customization potential.
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Features and functionality
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The Maestro Vibrola is noted for its non-adjustable nature; some owners prefer removing the bar due to limited use.
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Use cases and applications
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An SG Custom with P90s is noted as a vibey rhythm machine, contrasting with a Les Paul which excels as a lead guitar.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
From a Vintage Guitar Magazine article, "John Frusciante: Red Hot On The Empyrean" it is revealed that John Frusciante owns a circa 1961 Gibson SG/Les Paul Custom in Cherry Red finish.
Article can be found here.
Allan used the Gibson SG Custom (Les Paul) quite extensively in the group Soft Machine back in the early 70s.
In this photo, where and when it's taken - it is pretty much unknown, we can see Bell playing Gibson SG Custom.
However, in an interview for Ultimate Guitar, he states following. "My favorite guitar right now is a reissue of a '61 Gibson Les Paul Custom and confusingly it has an SG shape. And not only do I like its tone, which has had the pickups changed out but I really like the neck width. I once wasted a whole evening geeking out over the neck width of different guitars. I was getting lost in the vortex of online forums before I realized that my '61 Les Paul Custom was the exact neck width I was looking for. I'd like to have that night back if I could."
The photograph from Indexvas shows Gilby Clarke with a Gibson Les Paul SG Custom, illustrating his use of this iconic electric guitar.
"As a tribute to Cooper’s original guitarist Glen Buxton, Tommy Henriksen goes with three Gibson SG Customs" - *Premier Guitar.
Tommy shows us his main SG custom at 15:00.
Scott Pike just returned this beauty to me after some tedious fixes, all issues repaired and it's awesome now.
Genre Usage
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Used With
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