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Description

The Gibson SG Melody Maker is a testament to Gibson's knack for blending tradition with innovation. This solid body electric guitar offers an unparalleled opportunity for musicians to experience the renowned Gibson craftsmanship at an accessible price. Born from the iconic Melody Maker lineage, the SG version boasts a sleek double-cutaway design, delivering a lightweight yet robust playing experience. Its 491T ceramic-magnet humbucker is a standout, providing a punchy, pure tone perfect for both vintage enthusiasts and modern rockers. With a minimalist setup of just a single volume knob, the SG Melody Maker ensures you enjoy a direct and unfettered connection to your sound.

Crafted with a one-piece mahogany neck and rock-solid wraparound tailpiece, this guitar promises exceptional sustain and resonance. The slim Melody Maker neck profile is designed for ultra-playability, making it comfortable for long gigs and jam sessions. Whether you're an aspiring guitarist or a seasoned pro, the SG Melody Maker is a reliable companion on your musical journey. Plus, it comes with a deluxe gig bag, ensuring your new instrument is protected and ready for the road.

Key Features:

  • Double-cutaway SG body shape
  • Single 491T ceramic-magnet humbucker for pure tone with punch
  • Slim Melody Maker neck profile for enhanced playability
  • One-piece set mahogany neck for rock-solid sustain
  • Wraparound tailpiece for excellent resonance
  • Deluxe gig bag included

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Melody Maker SG
Finish Satin Blue, Satin Ebony, Satin White
Year 2011 - 2013
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Wrap-Around
Color Family Black, Blue, White
Finish Style Satin
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson SG
Model Sub-Family Gibson SG Melody Maker
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration H
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Gibson SG Melody Maker?

The Gibson SG Melody Maker features a Melody Maker neck profile, offering a slim and comfortable feel that is ideal for fast playing and easy access to all 22 frets.

What kind of pickups does the Gibson SG Melody Maker have?

The Gibson SG Melody Maker is equipped with a 491T ceramic-magnet humbucker, providing a powerful and versatile tone suitable for a variety of music genres.

Is the Gibson SG Melody Maker suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Gibson SG Melody Maker is suitable for beginners due to its straightforward design, comfortable neck profile, and versatile sound, making it an accessible choice for new guitarists.

What is the body material of the Gibson SG Melody Maker?

The body of the Gibson SG Melody Maker is made from mahogany, which contributes to its warm and resonant tone.

Does the Gibson SG Melody Maker include a case or gig bag?

Yes, the Gibson SG Melody Maker comes with a gig bag, providing protection and easy transport for the guitar.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

1968 Gibson SG Melody Maker | Guitar of the Day

Video thumbnail for 1968 Gibson SG Melody Maker | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1968 Gibson SG Melody Maker | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson SG Melody Maker  •  Wildwood Guitars Overview by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson SG Melody Maker • Wildwood Guitars Overview

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Liz Herrin demos 1968 Gibson SG Melody Maker by Emerald City Guitars

Liz Herrin demos 1968 Gibson SG Melody Maker

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for 2011 Gibson SG Melody Maker OMG by Searcy String Works

2011 Gibson SG Melody Maker OMG

Searcy String Works

Searcy String Works

Video thumbnail for 1968 Gibson SG Melody Maker - Pelham Blue / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1968 Gibson SG Melody Maker - Pelham Blue / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Reviews

PROS

  • Light weight for easy handling and playability

  • Slim neck offers comfortable and fast playing experience

  • Versatile sound, clean to crunchy tones

  • Good tuning stability once set up

  • Simple and straightforward design appeals to many players

  • USA made, ensuring solid craftsmanship

CONS

  • Smaller Melody Maker headstock may not appeal to everyone

  • Needs mods for optimal performance and tuning stability

  • Requires fretwork adjustments out of the box

  • Price might not justify value without modifications

  • Stock tailpiece may not maintain tuning without upgrade

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson SG Melody Maker.

Mods and upgrades

  • Lollar Lollartron pickups are favored for their Filtertron-like tone, providing a unique sound upgrade for the SG Melody Maker.

    Source
  • Spurzel locking tuners are recommended to enhance tuning stability, especially with the use of a vibrola.

    Source
  • Leo Quan Badass Bridge is praised for its ability to dial in intonation accurately.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The lightning bar tailpiece from the 60s is dense and durable, potentially outlasting modern coated strings sliding against it.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners note the placement of the output jack next to the bridge as a potential design flaw, though it mirrors vintage Melody Maker models.

    Source
  • Original cases are recommended to be stored safely, with a generic used case suggested for regular use due to the original's value.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners suggest that if the SG Melody Maker exceeds $800, it's better to consider a Studio or Special model for more features.

    Source
  • The 1965 Melody Maker's tone is unexpectedly rich, surpassing the expectations of some owners familiar with other models.

    Source

Build quality

  • The wide 1 11/16th nut width is characteristic of Melody Makers from the first half of 1965.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • This model is noted for its comfortable playability, described as "playing like butter", making it ideal for various musical styles.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ty Segall uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

Ty Segall

Guitarist, Drummer

Fuzz

...
Verified via YouTube

In a 2009 performance at Amoeba, Ty Segall played a Gibson SG Melody Maker, as seen in a video by THEE ATTIC on YouTube.

See how John Dwyer uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

John Dwyer

Singer, Guitarist

Thee OhSees

...
Verified via YouTube

John can be seen using an old SG style Gibson Melody Maker throughout their recent rehearsal video. It looks like he's modded it with 2 Electrical Guitar Company Single Coils or some brand of P90s. The color is Pelham Blue, which ages into this green-ish color due to the metallics in the paint.

See how Brian Bell uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

Brian Bell

Singer, Guitarist

Weezer

...
Verified via Photo

Karl Koch, longtime friend of Weezer, writes: "Brian joined the band in the fall of 1993. At this point he was playing a red 1963 Gibson SG Melody Maker. Anyway, Brian has said it was a '63, while some folks insist it's a '66. In any case it had a very low 4-digit serial number (possibly #1030), so it was old. The headstock was in the early rectangular shape, which came before the more familiar curved style. The tremolo bar assembly was missing, but you'd never know it unless you knew it was supposed to be there. This guitar was all original except for the tuning pegs, which Brian had replaced with locking ones to help keep the thing in tune (which was an uphill battle). The pickups were the original ones, but what they were remains unknown at this writing ('hotrails' have been suggested, but perhaps they are recognizable fromn the picture below)."

See how Finn Wolfhard uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

Finn Wolfhard

Singer, Guitarist

Calpurnia

...
Verified via Photo

Finn can be seen with a Gibson SG Melody Maker in this picture.

See how Matt Sharp uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

Matt Sharp

Bassist

Weezer

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Red Year: 1960s

In the YouTube upload of Weezer's DVD "Video Capture Device," from approximately 24:58 to 25:28, Matt Sharp can be seen using fellow Weezer bandmate Brian Bell's Gibson SG Melody Maker. This footage appears to be from a rehearsal for Weezer's January 1995 TV performance on the British music show "The Word," during which all the members swapped instruments. The source of this footage is credited to the YouTube channel Weezer Uploads.

See how David Ryan Harris uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

David Ryan Harris

Guitarist

Brand New Immortals

...
Verified via Vintageguitar

In this article, DRH lists off a few guitars that he has used in the studio and live with John Mayer. Among them is a Gibson SG Melody Maker.

His is this configuration but in Pelham Blue.

See how Emma Anderson uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

Emma Anderson

Guitarist

Lush

...
Verified via Lightfromadeadstar

In this 1990s interview, Emma says she has a Gibson SG 'with a Melody Maker neck'.

See how Ruben Block uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

Ruben Block

Singer, Guitarist

Triggerfinger

...
Verified via YouTube

Ruben is using an old Pelham Blue SG with a rail humbucker in bridge and with vibrola uninstalled, it first appears on 0:47 in this video.

Also in this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN7AFyfJLTQ&t=70s) where he talks about it; it has a Danny Gatton pickup

See how Nina Gordon uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

Nina Gordon

Singer, Guitarist

Veruca Salt

...
Verified via Photo

Nina Gordon is frequently seen using a Gibson SG Melody Maker, modified with the tremolo removed and equipped with mini-humbuckers on both the bridge and neck pickups. This is evident in the user-uploaded photo on Imgur.

A

Al Schnier

Guitarist

Phil Lesh and Friends

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Schnier's broken 1967 Gibson SG Melody Maker. Description suggests that it's likely been broken by the airline company.

See how Delicate Steve uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

Delicate Steve

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Guitar.com | All Things Guitar

I have a friend in New York who knows more about guitars than anybody I know; this Rain Man-level wisdom. He buys them for nothing, knows the value, and fixes them up. He got, I think, a ’66 Melody Maker SG in Pelham Blue, modified with two PAF humbuckers. He got it for like $900 and was like: ‘Dude, these pickups are worth a grand each.’ I convinced him to sell me that and it’s been my main guitar since. It’s the only one I used on the album.

See how Bardo Pond uses Gibson SG Melody Maker

Bardo Pond

Music Producer

Bardo Pond

...
Verified via Blow The Scene

Michael's shown playing an SG Melody Maker w/ vibrola

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 SG Melody Maker, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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