Gibson 61/62 Historic SG Les Paul Standard Reissue

I'm gonna be really picky here, because I was somewhat disappointed in this one for its lack of historical "accuracy" (and the fact that it is advertised as an exact replica of a vintage one...the BBB may be getting a call), and I sold a couple of halfway decent vintage 60's SGs to get it (not to mention my '99 SG/LP w/Maestro reissue-shoulda' kept that one), and am now in regret. This guitar is laid out like the original early 60's SG Standard: Mahogany body and neck, with deep contours and bevels on the cutaways and bouts; 2 humbucking pickups with the 3-way switch; small ("treble-side") b/w/b/w/b pickguard; 2 volume, and 2 tone knobs; Trapezoid-inlaid, 22-fret neck; Kluson Deluxe tuning machines; the "Holy Grail": the Deluxe Maestro "lyre-plate" vibrola; "Faded Cherry" finish (they're on the "aged" guitar kick, making over-priced, new, beat-up guitars...what a joke...I opted for the NON-aged hardware and all though). It's just a basic, elegant, classy SG Std. It's representative of why this was my favorite era and model of these guitars, but falls short in some cosmetic areas which keep it from being a TRUE "replica".

I had no complaints at all about the guitar's sound. It's meaty, with a lot of mids and decent amount of lows, and thankfully not as bright as a Les Paul (I find the "Paul-tone" a bit too trebly). The pickups give it a sound really close to that of an original, making it perfect for the type of music I play, which is a conglomerate of high-energy rock like AC/DC, Black Sabbath, the Stones, KISS and C.O.C. and more laid-back tones of the Jayhawks, the Doors, Velvet Underground and Wilco. I played it through all my different setups, including various combinations of: BOS SD-1 & DS-1, Crybaby Wah, Big Muff Pi, Ibanez 70's model Phasor, Sansamp GT-2, and Danelectro Dan-Echo through either my VOX Cambridge, '74 Fender Twin, or '76 Fender Vibro-Sonic. I got nothing but great SG-tone. All the power of a 'Paul', without the screechy high-end. *Best setting:bridge pickup, CRANKED!*

Here's where I lost my hard-on for this guitar...

First off, upon taking the case out of the shipping box, I noticed the brown leather covering was literally falling off in places, and coming unstitched in other places. Also, the case was missing the traditional "blanket" which covers the guitar in the case. I was getting discouraged, and the guitar was still unseen.

Overall, the analine-dyed, thin nitro "Faded Cherry" finish is okay, although a little too brown or orange-looking in certain lights. A little TOO faded, and not RED enough. I prefer the Custom/Historic "Wine Red" (NOT cherry), for a more authentic old-school SG look. I was willing to overlook this until I noticed the 3 chips (VERY NOTICEABLE) out of the front of the guitar. Remember, this is NOT the "aged" or "relic" guitar, but it had these dings/chips out of the paint that really looked like someone slammed the case latches down on it or bumped into something with it. I immediately made arrangements to have it returned because of its damage. Pretty slack-assed for the "best custom shop in the world", from the Cadillac of American guitars, Gibson. You know, I don't expect a NON-Historic to have those sorts of blemishes and damage, and was VERY peeved to find this kind of problem with the Historic. *Note: the same week I got this guitar, I also got the Angus Young Signature SG-see my Harmony Central review on it too...I could not have been happier with the Angus SG, and it was FLAWLESS. The Historics are supposed to blow their USA stuff away, but this proved quite the contrary.*

Now onto my issues with this guitar (as advertised) being an "accurate reproduction" of a real SG Les Paul. I will admit that from the front view, this guitar looks impeccable (slightly more 'meat' on the upper horn, making it less "pointy", like the real ones used to also be). Nice deep beveling all around, like the originals, even down to the lower cutaway beveling perfectly lining the edge of the pickguard at the horn. The overlapping smooth neck-joint is cool, although I have seen very few of the originals with that particular joint (it was changed to the boxed-in type joint like the NON-Historic SG/LP reissue in '62 or '63, and even examples of real '61s have the non-overlapping joint). The old-style "in-between" neck shape is not too thick at the nut, but gets more round and thicker as you go towards the body--this is the best neck I've ever played. The headstock is smaller than on the Non-Historic SG'61, but that holds little significance since the vintage ones varied as well. With so much going for it, it almost sounds like a good replica, doesn't it? Close, but not as accurate as it is advertised.

Well, hold it up against an original and you'll find the only real dead "reissue" giveaway lies in the tapering (or lack thereof) in the tips of the cutaways. The vast majority of original early SGs' horns were tapered to a MUCH thinner thickness than the 1 & 5/16" thick body (up to 5/8" or 11/16" for the upper, and 3/4" to 7/8" for the lower, of course it varied due to the hand-sanding that occured). On the Historic, the upper horn is a slabby 7/8", and the lower is barely beveled off, measuring a whopping 1". This results in a lack of the sexy curvature and smoothness of the originals, and looks more "slabby" and edgy, like those horrible SGs of the 70's and 80's. It may seem like a small cosmetic issue, but when you pay for a replica, it should make even the most anal-retentive fanatic take a second look (need I remind people of the Les Paul "knob-placement" Historic reissue scandal last year?). This baffles me that Gibson didn't taper the horns right, especially considering that a year ago (actually July '99), they re-vamped the NON-Historic SG/LP '61 reissue by giving it the Maestro Vibrola and

This one would live though a gig, as would ANY SG, unless you're a clutz. The nitro finish on the Historic is thinner, and wouldn't be quite as durable, and the nickel hardware oxidizes if you look at it wrong, so cleaning this one is ESSENTIAL. The only thing I strongly recommend for ANY SG purchase are a set of Dunlop strap locks, to avoid any neck or headstock damage. So it gets an "8" for the weak finish.

I give them a "5" here, but I must explain...

When I contacted Gibson about fixing the damage on the case and guitar, they were very kind and swift in getting the RA and UPS tag to get it shipped back. Kudos to Alan in Customer Relations, he is great!

Also, my dealing with the Warranty Department Manager has been very good. He has been in constant contact with me about my guitar (explained below), and more than eager to please. My problems (and the reason they still have my guitar after a MONTH) lie below.

I sent along with the guitar a letter directed to the Custom Shop Manager (hand delivered to him by another employee) regarding the historical fallacies with the guitar. I requested that this be investigated, and that my guitar be modified to TRUE historical spec's (cause I dunno where they got their "specs" from). A week passed, and no response. I then sent several emails, and within them attached more pictures of vintage SGs depicting the REAL way the horns should be tapered. 2 more weeks after all the emails (AND voicemail messages!!!), no contact. Then I sent an attachment of the Gibson archive showing where they finally fixed the NON-Historic SG reissue, and requested an explanation also as to why the Non-Historic reissue was appointed with correct horn-tapering and the Historic (the advertised "replica") not. Another 2 weeks have passed, also with the addition of voice-mail messages, an STILL not even a real response to even the contacts I have at Gibson.

Keep in mind I have not pushed this work's speed, only for a response. I want them to correct the guitar, but he has not contacted the Warranty Dept with the "OK" to do the work, nor have I been contacted. That lack of respect for a good consumer is sickening. I have bought several Gibson's AND Epiphone's over the last few years, and to think that I am treated like some one-time buyer with a small complaint.

My problems are 1)that the guitar IS NOT an "accurate" reissue, as it is advertised (and the reason I bought it)--and I couldn't see one previous to buying because my local dealers (within 100 miles even) WILL NOT stock them, so I HAD to order one unseen. This guitar SHOULD live up to its hype and proclamations and should LOOK as authentic as it sounds; and 2)that my LEGITIMATE complaints (and even simple emails and phone calls) are being ignored, no matter how much proof I have sent him regarding this guitar's historical blunder. That is a terribly pathetic way of dealing with consumers. I have nearly begged for a simple reply, with no avail. I will gladly give a better rating on here if that changes within the next week, but feel like any potential consumers should be warned of this type of lousy commerce.

So, for my friends at Gibson, you get 15 points cause y'all have been great. But minus 10 points to the gentleman who is avoiding me at all cost.

Being an SG fanatic for 10 years, and very knowledgeable about the guitar's specifications and history, I expected more from such an advertising buzz when this guitar first came out. I am NOT one of those people who simply buy a guitar because of the name on the headstock, or one of those who accept what they're told something is supposed to be if it isn't really right. I consider myself an expert on SG's, and I know what to expect when I am told something is an "accurate recreation".

I love the feel and sound of this guitar, and it does have the vibe...but it falls short in cosmetics, which I feel are equally important when it comes to buying a reissue (otherwise I'd have bought a vintage one and not cared). If it would have come from the factory without the scratches and dings, and with the correct cutaway dimensions, I would be thrilled with it. If Gibson does not correct the guitar to make it REALLY accurate, I am probably going to sell it for a couple hundred bucks less than what I have in it (a steal, considering it hasn't been played but once, very carefully, and still has all the paperwork), and buy back a NON-Historic SG/LP w/Maestro and a Fender '72 Telecaster reissue. If they fix it right for me, it will be my prized possession.

Like I said, if Gibson makes good on their customer service & advertising claims and fixes mine right, I will gladly RE-review it and give sparkling reviews.