Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
Average Price: $1,899
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Gibson SG Standard Bass". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Immerse yourself in a world of distinctive, resonant sound with the Gibson SG Standard Bass. This iconic instrument, a cornerstone of Gibson's esteemed bass family, combines a classic aesthetic with superior playability, making it a worthy addition to any bassist’s collection.
The SG Standard Bass effortlessly delivers a robust, full-bodied tone that has become synonymous with the Gibson brand. Its short 30" scale length is the secret ingredient behind this unique and resonating sound, making this bass not only perfect for smaller players, but also a favorite among those seeking a strong, fundamental tone.
Rocking a solid mahogany body, this bass features deeply sculpted scarfing and a rounded profile mahogany neck, ensuring a comfortable and familiar feel in your hands. The rosewood fretboard further enhances the playability, allowing for smooth transitions between notes.
Equipped with dual calibrated SG bass pickups (neck and bridge), the Gibson SG Standard Bass offers a wide tonal range. The individual volume and master tone controls allow you to fine-tune your sound, enabling the classic Gibson bass growl to shine through in any music genre.
The vintage-looking nitrocellulose finish gives the bass an authentic look, adding to its charm. The bass also comes with a hardshell case, featuring a plush interior with crushed velvet lining and sturdy latches, providing optimal protection during storage or travel.
Key Features:
- Short 30" scale length for strong, fundamental tone
- Solid mahogany body with deeply sculpted scarfing
- Rounded profile mahogany neck for a comfortable grip
- Rosewood fretboard for smooth playability
- Dual calibrated SG bass pickups (neck and bridge) for a wide tonal range
- Individual volume and master tone controls
- Vintage-looking nitrocellulose finish for an authentic look
- Comes with a hardshell case for optimal protection
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | SG Standard |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Rounded |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Acrylic Trapezoids |
| Number of Frets | 20, Medium Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 30.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.6" |
| Nut Material | GraphTech |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | 3-point Adjustable |
| Tuners | Grover |
| Neck Pickup | Rhythm SG Bass Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | Lead SG Bass Humbucker |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 1 x master tone |
| Strings | Gibson, .045-.105 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What is the scale length of the Gibson SG Standard Bass?
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The Gibson SG Standard Bass features a short scale length of 30.5 inches, which contributes to its distinctive tone and playability.
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What type of pickups does the Gibson SG Standard Bass have?
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The Gibson SG Standard Bass is equipped with a Rhythm SG Bass Humbucker in the neck position and a Lead SG Bass Humbucker in the bridge position, offering a warm and punchy sound.
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Is the Gibson SG Standard Bass suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Gibson SG Standard Bass can be suitable for beginners due to its short scale, which makes it easier to play, and its versatile tone that accommodates various music styles.
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Does the Gibson SG Standard Bass come with a case?
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Yes, the Gibson SG Standard Bass comes with a hardshell case, providing protection and ease of transport for your instrument.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson SG Standard Bass?
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The Gibson SG Standard Bass features a rounded neck profile, offering a comfortable grip and smooth playability for bassists.
Videos
GAK
Gibson - SG Standard Bass Faded Demo at GAK
Reviews
PROS
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Classic Gibson tone ideal for rock and blues
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Short scale neck offers great playability and comfort
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Lightweight design perfect for long gigs and sessions
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Exceptional sustain and impressive low-end response
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Humbucker pickups are quiet and versatile
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Beautiful aesthetics with classic cherry red finish
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Comes with a high-quality protective case
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Easy setup and adjustment with improved bridge
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Adds unique, vintage dimension to recordings
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Perfect for players with smaller hands or seeking a lighter instrument
CONS
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Inconsistent finishing quality reported, with lacquer issues
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Neck-dive can be a concern for some players
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Volume knob may feel abrupt, acting more like an on/off switch
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Stock strap considered low quality by some users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson SG Standard Bass.
User experience
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Some owners report that the glossy neck of Gibson SG basses feels awkwardly thick, differing from the preferred feel of Fender or Warwick necks.
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Many find the SG bass feels more guitar-like due to its short scale, making it easier for players transitioning from guitar to bass.
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Some owners report that newer SG bass reissues have less neck dive and offer a range of tones, from thumpy 60s to brighter 70s sounds, when paired with half-round strings.
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Use cases and applications
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The SG bass is noted for its suitability in stoner/doom metal genres, where its distinctive tone complements slower, heavier music styles.
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SG basses are recommended for dub or reggae, benefiting from their deep, wooly low-end output.
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The SG bass excels in rock and industrial music with its unique, muddy, and overtone-rich sound, but it’s not ideal for funk or slap styles.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners frequently recommend replacing the stock three-point bridge with a Hipshot bridge for improved stability and ease of maintenance.
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A DiMarzio replacement for the Mudbucker pickup significantly enhances the sound, offering a clearer tone.
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Hipshot makes direct replacement bridges for most vintage SG bass models, addressing historical bridge design issues.
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Comparisons
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The Reverend Wattplower is suggested as a lighter, more balanced alternative with a similar body shape but better tonal options.
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The Epiphone EB-0 is praised for its reggae performance, described as producing an "808 sine wave" with flats and a neck pickup.
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Unlike Fenders, SG basses have closer string spacing (approximately 17mm), which some players find more comfortable for short-scale basses.
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Setup and maintenance
Features and functionality
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The neck pickup, often called a "mudbucker," is perceived by some as too muddy for versatile use, despite being a Thunderbird pickup in disguise.
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The modern SG bass uses thunderbird rail pickups, providing a versatile sound compared to the 60s models with the "Mudbucker" pickups known for their deep, dark tone.
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The EB-3 model includes a choke switch that adjusts the low-end of the neck humbucker for a more balanced sound.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Just for some concerts, Geezer Butler used Gison SG Bass, probably to be in agreement with thep Gibson SG Guitar of Tony Iommi.
The bass Calum uses in the "Easier" music video, is also the bass he uses now often during live performances. The bass can be seen different times in the video. There are also pictures of Calum and his bass online. For example this Instagrampost (fourth pic): https://www.instagram.com/p/ByOoMMugJEf/, or this one (lasts two pics): https://www.instagram.com/p/ByS_XbeA-a_/.
Ryan Adams is seen using a Gibson SG Standard Bass in a photo on his Instagram, where he mentions recording five songs that day.
the was the first bass that jared started using when kings of leon started. you can get a good view of the guitar at 0:07 into the video
Francis used this bass in the presentations at Plaza Dignidad and the udeC respectively, within the framework of the social outbreak in Chile in December 2019, for the song "Santiago de Chile", this bass belongs to Gonzalo López
During the performance of "Freezing moon" at Wacken open air 2024, Necrobutcher was using a Gibson SG Bass. https://youtu.be/KFyySq9xQfU?si=_s4OAnK3DcG1236X&t=2699 Pausing at this point, you can clearly see it is cherry red, despite initially appearing ebony due to stage lighting.
In this Youtube Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOA3fr5_5J8) you can see Conor Deegan III using a Gibson SG Bass.
Gonzalo used this bass as his main one from 2010 to 2012 with Los Bunkers and would later use it with his other band "López", it was used for the recording of the albums "Barrio Estación" and "La Velocidad de la luz", and for the homonym of "López", in addition to its frequent live use
According to Visconti, he acquired a modern Gibson SG bass to perform with the David Bowie tribute band "Holy Holy", needing a short scale to faithfully recreate the songs he used a Gibson EB-3 to record on the album "The Man Who Sold the World". The SG bass is pictured in the photo above the interview.
Album Usage
The Gibson SG Standard Bass 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 SG Standard Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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