Gibson SG Standard 61 Faded Vintage Cherry Satin

The classic SG for every generation, now featuring a beautiful faded finish and ’60s Burstbucker pickups

The SG Standard ’61 Faded returns to the classic design that made it the legendary, widely played, and beloved instrument whose sound has shaped generations and musical genres. In 1961, production of the classic Les Paul model was briefly discontinued, and a completely new design evolved into what is known today as the SG, or “Solid Guitar.” The Gibson SG Standard ’61 Faded preserves the design of the legendary original models from the early 1960s. It features a solid mahogany body with the SG’s classic double cutaway, complemented by the characteristic deep body scarfing and the two horns that make the model instantly recognizable. The faded nitrocellulose lacquer finish gives it an unmistakable vintage charm and makes it look like a long-time, cherished musical companion.

The mahogany neck features a comfortable, nimble-playing SlimTaper profile and is fitted with a rosewood fingerboard with binding, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and acrylic trapezoid inlays. Thanks to the fretboard’s 12" radius, open chords are easy to play, and even during solo runs higher up on the neck, the individual notes aren’t smothered. The neck meets the body at the 22nd fret. This makes it easily accessible along its entire length and makes the SG the ideal instrument for lead guitarists. Like the first SG models, the SG Standard ’61 Faded features a 5-ply, teardrop-shaped pickguard instead of the larger batwing design used on later SG models.

The nickel-plated hardware includes an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and an aluminum Stopbar tailpiece. The SG Standard ’61 Faded is equipped with smooth-action Vintage Deluxe tuning machines with Keystone knobs and a Graph Tech nut, which together ensure reliable tuning stability. The tone of the SG Standard ’61 Faded is produced by two ’60s-era Burstbucker humbuckers, which feature vintage unbalanced coils and Alnico-5 magnets and deliver the classic “Patent Applied For” sound, known for its airiness and richness. When driven into overdrive, it produces a magical distortion with slightly boosted highs—the very quality that makes the original so coveted. The individual volume and tone controls for each pickup are fitted with Audio Taper potentiometers and hand-soldered with Orange Drop capacitors, allowing for responsive adjustment of the tonal spectrum. The controls feature black top-hat knobs with silver reflectors, further emphasizing the classic aesthetic.

The SG Standard ’61 Faded delivers the legendary SG sound, outstanding playability, and Gibson “Made in the USA” quality—features that countless players worldwide have relied on for decades. A Gibson hard case is also included, ensuring safe storage and transport.

Incl. case