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Average Price: $9,890
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Description
The Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola 1961 - 1962 is a legendary instrument that combines vintage appeal with modern craftsmanship. Originally designed as a more accessible version of the iconic Les Paul, this guitar became a classic in its own right. With its sleek, double-cutaway body, it offers players enhanced access to the upper frets, making it a favorite among lead guitarists.
One of the standout features of this model is the Sideways Vibrola, a unique tremolo system from the early '60s that allows players to achieve smooth vibrato effects. This feature, combined with the guitar's lightweight mahogany body, delivers an exceptional playing experience that is as pleasing to the hands as it is to the ears. The guitar is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, providing a powerful and versatile tone that can handle everything from blues to rock and beyond.
Additionally, the Les Paul (SG) Standard is known for its comfortable neck profile and precisely set frets, ensuring a fast and fluid playing experience. Whether you're a collector or a performer, this guitar is a testament to Gibson's enduring craftsmanship and innovation.
Key Features:
- Sideways Vibrola for expressive vibrato effects
- Lightweight mahogany body for comfortable play
- Dual humbucking pickups for versatile sound
- Sleek double-cutaway design for enhanced fret access
- Comfortable neck profile for fast, fluid playing
- Vintage appeal with modern craftsmanship
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola |
| Finish | Cherry |
| Year | 1961 - 1962 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Tailpiece |
| Color Family | Red |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson SG |
| Model Sub-Family | Gibson SG Les Paul Standard |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola 1961 - 1962?
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The neck of the Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola from 1961 - 1962 features a slim taper profile, offering a fast and comfortable playing experience, ideal for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
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What type of pickups are used in the 1961 - 1962 Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola?
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This model is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, which deliver a warm, full-bodied tone with excellent sustain, suitable for a variety of music genres from rock to blues.
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How does the Sideways Vibrola affect the playability of the Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard from 1961 - 1962?
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The Sideways Vibrola adds a unique vibrato effect to your playing, allowing for expressive pitch modulation while maintaining the guitar's classic tone and tuning stability.
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Is the Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola 1961 - 1962 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, its lightweight mahogany body and double cutaway design make it comfortable for extended play, while the humbucking pickups provide powerful sound projection suitable for live settings.
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What is the body material of the Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola 1961 - 1962?
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The body is made from solid mahogany, contributing to the guitar's rich tonal quality and sustain, characteristic of Gibson's classic sound.
Videos
Alamo Music Center
The Gibson SG Standard Vs The SG Standard ‘61 | Whats the difference and which should you get?
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional playability with a 60s slim taper neck
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PAF pickups deliver dynamic, characterful sound
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High-quality mahogany and Brazilian rosewood construction
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Minimal neck dive due to the sideways Vibrola's weight distribution
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Vintage appeal with a strong historical significance in rock music
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Sympathetic vibrations from the Vibrola enhance tone
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Solid heel repair and clean finish
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High resale value and desirability among collectors
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Superior sound and build quality compared to modern reissues
CONS
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Sideways Vibrola can cause tuning instability
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Vulnerable to body cracks over time
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Repairs and vintage parts can be costly
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Not suitable for aggressive vibrato use
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola 1961 - 1962.
Features and functionality
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The 61 Standard comes with 61 burstbuckers and orange drop caps, providing a distinct tone with a bit more bite compared to the regular SG Standard.
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The sideways vibrola is often criticized for its design; some users prefer replacing it due to its limitations.
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Faded models feature satin finishes and uncovered pickups, differing from the gloss finish and covered pickups of standard models.
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Build quality
Comparisons
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The 61 Standard is favored for its slim taper neck and easier access to higher frets, making it preferable over the Les Paul for some players.
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The 1962 model is compared to Sister Rosetta Tharpe's guitar, noted for its historical significance and visual appeal.
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The added weight of the vibrola is said to improve balance, reducing neck dive compared to non-vibrola models.
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Use cases and applications
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Owners report the sideways vibrola is reliable for subtle vibrato, but not suitable for aggressive use like dive bombing.
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User experience
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One guitar weighed 8.4 pounds, which is heavier than typical for this model, indicating potential variability in weight among different units.
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The guitar is praised for its aesthetic and considered a collector's item, despite mixed feelings about the tremolo system.
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Some owners find the vibrola arm's placement problematic, as minor bumps can significantly affect tuning stability.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
The link provided is to an Instagram account, Johnmayergear, that documents the instruments and other equipment used by John Mayer. There are several pictures and videos in this post in which he can be seen playing a '61 Gibson Les Paul (SG). Mayer played it a lot live circa 2009 and 2010. YouTube videos below.
https://youtu.be/CZYknJ9CYVo?si=NIbsjlV4oUhfDxiG
https://youtu.be/xt-5AoIsqy0?si=T6ZHCXXViGtM767v
He also spoke briefly about the guitar in an interview with Musicradar.
"My favourite guitar right now is this Les Paul SG - you know what I'm talking about?"
The '61?
"Yeah, '61 something like that, such a cool guitar."
That's a very different vibe for you, compared with the usual Strats?
"Yeah, like I said, I've sort of pulled out of the muscular, kinda' atom bomb guitar playing. It's more fun for me now to… like the lead line in Friends Lovers Or Nothing - I take more pride in having composed that than in having recited an Albert King thing on top of another composition."
Carlos played this guitar during the Woodstock gig in August 1969. It featured cherry red finish, brazilian rosewood fingerboard, two P90 single-coil pickups, Grover tuners, ABR-1 Tune-o-matic bridge and a wrap-around stop-tailpiece. The Maestro tremolo (VMA-1 version – often used on cheaper Epiphones) which originally came with the guitar was moved back to make space for the stop-tailpiece. The strings were never attached to it, but for some reason Santana kept it on the guitar – most likely to balance the guitar’s weight, or he just hoped it’ll add more sustain to the sound.
Carlos stopped using this guitar going towards 1970, when a black SG Special with white P90s took it’s place. He allegedly destroyed it because it wouldn’t stay in tune.
In a 1978 photograph from Abalonevintage, Ace Frehley is shown with a 1961-1962 Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard featuring a Sideways Vibrola, during his time with Kiss.
For playing slide, Duane usually used the 1961 Gibson SG cherry red which he got from Dickey Betts, who played it in the early days of the Allman Brothers.
Derek’s backup SG; he keeps it tuned one whole step down – Drop D. This one has the tremolo tailpiece.
In this shortened clip from the GVF Rig Rundown, Jake talks to John about his original '61 LP/SG
This Gibson Les Paul SG is owned by Deryck Whibley Of Sum 41
Used on Underclass Hero album. Songs - Walking Disaster, Pull the Curtain
Featured in this August 25, 2021 Instagram post.
A @gibsonguitar Les Paul/Solid Guitar from 1961. Thanks for the deal @chicagomusicexchange
Bob Weir, the guitarist and composer known for his work in bands like The Grateful Dead, Wolf Brothers, Ratdog, and Dead & Co., is confirmed to have used the Gibson Les Paul Standard (1961 SG) with a sideways vibrola. This is evidenced by photographs shared on the Grateful Dead's official website and Facebook pages, dated from 1972 and 1973, where Weir is visibly playing the instrument. Although there is an instance from around 1969 showing Weir alongside Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh each playing SG-style Gibsons, it wasn't until 1973 that he began using the 1961 Gibson SG Standard more regularly in performances.
In the early days of The Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts played a Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with a Sideways Vibrola, featuring banjo frets and a cherry finish. This guitar can be seen in the band's performance of "Whipping Post" at Fillmore East on September 23, 1970, as captured in the video by Allman Brothers on MV. Betts eventually passed the guitar to Duane Allman, who used it until his passing. It was then owned by Gerry Groom before being sold to Graham Nash's wife, who gifted it to Nash. The guitar is currently on loan to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Album Usage
The Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola 1961 - 1962 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson Les Paul (SG) Standard with Sideways Vibrola 1961 - 1962, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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