I haven’t seen much information about it, but it seems that Gibson has recently produced a limited number of Derek Trucks Signature SG guitars. The guitar is spec’d similarly to Gibson’s ’61 Reissue SG with a few special appointments. For example, the Trucks Signature SG includes a Lyre tailpiece like that seem on Trucks’ own guitar. The pickguard has also been removed to match the guitar that Trucks is most known for. The headstock includes a 50th anniversary graphic to mark the 50th anniversary of the ’61 SG.
The full specs of the guitar are:
- Mahogany Body
- Heritage Cherry finish
- Mahogany Neck
- Rosewood Fretboard
- 22 frets
- 2 Gibson ’57 Classic Humbucker
- 2 Volume, 2 Tone controls
- Chrome Hardware
- Includes Gibson Case
The guitar has a street price of $1699 and is available at Musicians Friend, Guitar Center, and Music 123.
I’ve been thinking about getting an ’61 reissue SG for many months. I’ve played one at Guitar Center and loved the thin neck, low action and warm pickup tones. Negative comments posted about the “set neck” on Gibson’s own website is the only thing holding me back. Of course, I could throw in an extra $1000+ and get a Custom SG VOS with a one piece neck…lol.
I used to have a ’61 RI, and I thought it was a nice guitar. The one I had wasn’t very resonant, though, so that’s why I sold it. I don’t don’t if that’s typical of SGs or if it was just the one I had. The neck was a nice size, but it being a “set neck” really didn’t bother me one way or another.
The body of an SG is light and that’s got to limit resonants. A little more body weight would also help balance the guitar by keeping the neck tilted upward IMHO. Did you opt for a Les Paul as a replacement?
Yes, I have a Les Paul that is probably the most resonant guitar I own. You have to get used to the limited upper fret access, but the tone out of the guitar is really something else.