Gibson SG 61 Tremolo

Gibson SG ’61 Tremolo – Vintage Cherry (2019)

The Gibson SG ’61 Tremolo combines the classic SG look with the signature sound and feel of the original. The mahogany body, the slim Slim Taper neck and the rosewood fingerboard deliver a direct playing feel, plenty of sustain and the typical assertive SG sound.

A special detail of this guitar is the Sideways Vibrola tremolo, which gives the classic SG design an extra vintage touch. The combination of punchy mids, open attack and good cut makes it a versatile rock guitar.

We did some work on the bridge pickup ourselves: The original Gibson Burstbucker ’61T was swapped for an original Gibson Burstbucker Type 3 with nickel cover. This gives the guitar a bit more push at the bridge and a stronger, more assertive sound.

Visually, the SG comes in classic Vintage Cherry with a glossy nitro finish and nickel-plated hardware. At just 3.24 kg, it stays pleasantly light.

Technical Specs

• Model: Gibson SG ’61 Tremolo

• Year: 2019

• Origin: Made in USA

• Body: Mahogany

• Neck: Mahogany, Slim Taper profile

• Fingerboard: Rosewood

• Fingerboard radius: 12"

• Frets: 22 medium jumbo

• Scale length: 24.75" (628 mm)

• Nut width: approx. 43 mm

• Neck pickup: Gibson Burstbucker ’61R

• Bridge pickup: Gibson Burstbucker Type 3, nickel cover (retrofitted by us)

• Controls: 2x volume, 2x tone

• Switch: 3-way toggle

• Bridge: LockTone Tune-O-Matic

• Tremolo: Sideways Vibrola

• Hardware: Nickel

• Finish: Vintage Cherry Gloss Nitrocellulose

• Weight: 3.24 kg

• Condition: Like new, only minimal to no visible signs of use

• Case: Not included

A classic SG with vintage character and a targeted pickup upgrade for anyone who wants a bit more punch at the bridge.

Before it was Vintage

When Gibson completely redesigned the Les Paul in 1961, one of the most influential guitar shapes in music history was born. The previous single-cut body gave way to a much thinner, lighter mahogany body with two pointed horns and generous access to the upper frets. What was initially still sold as the new Les Paul Standard soon evolved into the standalone Gibson SG. The abbreviation stands for “Solid Guitar.”

There was also an economic consideration behind the radical design: Gibson wanted to offer a more modern, more comfortable solidbody guitar and stay competitive with Fender. The plan worked. The SG became one of the company’s most successful models and went on to shape generations of rock guitarists.

A special chapter in this early SG history is the Sideways Vibrola. With this side-operated vibrato system, Gibson wanted to create an additional means of expression while also offering an alternative to the competition’s tremolo systems. Today the design is known above all for its unusual mechanics and its distinctive vintage look. It represents an era when guitar makers experimented a great deal and kept developing the electric guitar both technically and visually.

The SG ’61 Tremolo captures exactly this early period: slim lines, mahogany, Cherry Red and the signature tremolo system come together in a design that has lost none of its individuality to this day. A guitar from a time when Gibson dared to take the step from the classic fifties instrument to modern rock design.