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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
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What is the neck profile like on the Gibson SG Melody Maker?
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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.
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What kind of pickups does the Gibson SG Melody Maker have?
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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.
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Is the Gibson SG Melody Maker suitable for beginners?
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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.
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What is the body material of the Gibson SG Melody Maker?
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The body of the Gibson SG Melody Maker is made from mahogany, which contributes to its warm and resonant tone.
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Does the Gibson SG Melody Maker include a case or gig bag?
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Yes, the Gibson SG Melody Maker comes with a gig bag, providing protection and easy transport for the guitar.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
1968 Gibson SG Melody Maker | Guitar of the Day
Reviews
PROS
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Light weight for easy handling and playability
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Slim neck offers comfortable and fast playing experience
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Versatile sound, clean to crunchy tones
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Good tuning stability once set up
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Simple and straightforward design appeals to many players
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USA made, ensuring solid craftsmanship
CONS
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Smaller Melody Maker headstock may not appeal to everyone
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Needs mods for optimal performance and tuning stability
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Requires fretwork adjustments out of the box
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Price might not justify value without modifications
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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
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Lollar Lollartron pickups are favored for their Filtertron-like tone, providing a unique sound upgrade for the SG Melody Maker.
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Spurzel locking tuners are recommended to enhance tuning stability, especially with the use of a vibrola.
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Leo Quan Badass Bridge is praised for its ability to dial in intonation accurately.
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Features and functionality
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The lightning bar tailpiece from the 60s is dense and durable, potentially outlasting modern coated strings sliding against it.
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User experience
Comparisons
Build quality
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The wide 1 11/16th nut width is characteristic of Melody Makers from the first half of 1965.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In a 2009 performance at Amoeba, Ty Segall played a Gibson SG Melody Maker, as seen in a video by THEE ATTIC on 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.
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)."
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.
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.
In this 1990s interview, Emma says she has a Gibson SG 'with a Melody Maker neck'.
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
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.
In this photo, Schnier's broken 1967 Gibson SG Melody Maker. Description suggests that it's likely been broken by the airline company.
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.
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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