SG Standard Confusion

[Wagonpeddler]

I have seen 2011-2012 SG Standards advertised....some with baked maple fret boards, some with rosewood. I am considering getting one of these, and not even sure if maple or rosewood boards really make a difference. However, what is the true type of fret board for these?
Thank you.

 

[Gear.Pig]

Normally rosewood. They switched to baked maple on a lot of production models the past year because of the raids on Gibson's factory by the Govt for violations related to sourcing woods illegally. They lost their stash in the seizure and switched to baked maple as an alternative for a while.

There's a ton of info and opinions out there about both the raids, and baked maple. Do a little searching on the forums and Google and bring yourself up to speed.

 

[technomancer]

I've gotten two 2012 Ebony SG Standards from Sam Ash and both have rosewood boards (there were some defects on the first one so it was exchanged for the second)

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

The 'boards aren't difficult to tell apart if you are playing in a store.

On the left is a maple 'board (LP Studio), on the right is rosewood (Epi Sheraton):

There will sometimes be figuring on the maple 'boards, but it's still very easy to spot.

 

[Wagonpeddler]

OK..thanks.

 

[LesLuvva]

I believe, though am not certain, that the standard production SG Standards (ebony & heritage cherry) come with rosewood. The limited edition SG Standards (cream, aged cherry, natural burst, vintage sunburst) have baked maple fingerboards:

Gibson.com: Gibson SG Standard Limited

 

[KRaZeE]

They also feel very different. The maple will be smooth, while you can feel the grain in the rosewood. Sound-wise the maple is a slight bit more...spanky.

 

[MiniB]

Add to that....the ones up until this year were the 'bat-wing' pickguard design with a fuller 50's neck and higher heel-joint....

Starting this year, it goes to the older smaller pickguard, pickup rings, slimmer 60's neck, and lower heel-joint....

Which is pretty much exactly (except for headstock size) like the Gibson USA '61 SG reissue...

...which they also still sell. Weird.

 

[Gear.Pig]

I don't think the 61RI is still being produced as of 2013, those being sold are existing stock/orders.

And I thought the 2013 standard was going to retain the bigger heal.

Here's something to add to the confusion, Sweatwater has this listed as a 2013 Standard, yet its identical to an unchanged 61RI, big headstock and all.

 

[MiniB]

That would make sense, since they're basically redundant now. What was nice was when they offered (for one year only?) a 'vintage cherry' on the 'limited' SG standard....which is that wonderful old dark red....

...but it was only on the baked-maple board ones, IIRC.

 

[michaelinokc]

I believe, though am not certain, that the standard production SG Standards (ebony & heritage cherry) come with rosewood. The limited edition SG Standards (cream, aged cherry, natural burst, vintage sunburst) have baked maple fingerboards:

Gibson.com: Gibson SG Standard Limited

That's what I heard, too. Also, the special builds for Sam Ash in Pelham Blue and Gold Bullion had rosewood boards, too. I know mine does.

 

[MiniB]

I don't think the 61RI is still being produced as of 2013, those being sold are existing stock/orders.

And I thought the 2013 standard was going to retain the bigger heal.

Here's something to add to the confusion, Sweatwater has this listed as a 2013 Standard, yet its identical to an unchanged 61RI, big headstock and all.

That actually looks like a smaller/normal headstock. The bigger ones are even more paddle-like....

Looks like a shovel.

 

[Wagonpeddler]

Again...appreciate all the help. Found a 2007 SG Standard, Heritage Cherry. Pics when it arrives.

 

[LesLuvva]

That's what I heard, too. Also, the special builds for Sam Ash in Pelham Blue and Gold Bullion had rosewood boards, too. I know mine does.

Wow, really? I was on the verge of snagging one of those pelham blue SGs awhile back, but he who hesitates... When they cleared out the heritage cherry model @ $799, I had to pull the trigger.

 

[AXXTACYGuitars&GearCHRIS]

Add to that....the ones up until this year were the 'bat-wing' pickguard design with a fuller 50's neck and higher heel-joint....

Starting this year, it goes to the older smaller pickguard, pickup rings, slimmer 60's neck, and lower heel-joint....

Which is pretty much exactly (except for headstock size) like the Gibson USA '61 SG reissue...

...which they also still sell. Weird.

That clears up alot of the confusion, and if I had paid $2,000 for a '61 reissue I would be pretty peeved...the halfguard standards are only $1200. Anyway, for what it's worth...too many Epiphone G-400s out there (I have four of em) with the half guards, so don't be surprised if you pay $1200 for your Gibson and someone looks at quick and says nice Epiphone! Meanwhile over at Epip the G-400s just switched to '66 full guards. Go figure.

 

[Kalamazuu]

I didn't know the Epis were changing too, and I know what you mean.

And good golly man! Shorten your username!

 

[Raidersfan]

I believe, though am not certain, that the standard production SG Standards (ebony & heritage cherry) come with rosewood. The limited edition SG Standards (cream, aged cherry, natural burst, vintage sunburst) have baked maple fingerboards:

Gibson.com: Gibson SG Standard Limited

I've got one of the limited edition SG Standards (natural burst) and it does have the baked maple fretboard. I love the look and feel of it. The neck is definitely thinner than the Epi G-400 Custom I used to own and the guitar is beautifully balanced.

 

[mesaray]

I ordered one of the SG standards in Ebony from Samash yesterday afternoon for $799.99. There were only 2 left! NGD coming up!! The ad said that they had baked maple but when i threw it in my cart it said rosewood. I called them and they said that it had rosewood. I wouldn't have minded at all if it would have had baked maple...my classic custom has it and I love it... This coming from a big rosewood guy.

 

[colchar]

Add to that....the ones up until this year were the 'bat-wing' pickguard design with a fuller 50's neck and higher heel-joint....

Starting this year, it goes to the older smaller pickguard, pickup rings, slimmer 60's neck, and lower heel-joint....

Which is pretty much exactly (except for headstock size) like the Gibson USA '61 SG reissue...

...which they also still sell. Weird.

Well so much for my plan to buy a new SG at some point (unless, of course, I can find an NOS one). I far prefer the larger pick guard and also like larger necks so would prefer a '50s neck to a '60s neck.

 

[colchar]

That would make sense, since they're basically redundant now. What was nice was when they offered (for one year only?) a 'vintage cherry' on the 'limited' SG standard....which is that wonderful old dark red....

...but it was only on the backed-maple board ones, IIRC.

The boards I saw were pretty light and ruined the effect of the body colour. If they were to make that colour with a rosewood board I'd be all over it.