Best Gibson SGs: Our budget-spanning picks of Gibson’s famous Solid Guitar

Gibson SG 61 Standard with blue wooden background
(Image credit: Future)

Starting life as a radical costume change for the flailing Les Paul, the SG would go on to become a rock 'n' roll icon in its own right, earning accolades from guitar heroes such as Angus Young, Tony Iommi, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Frank Zappa, among many, many more. These musical legends have used the SG's fierce mid-range bark to create some of the most recognizable tones of all time. Luckily, if you fancy following in the footsteps of rock royalty, now is the time, as the guitar giant is producing some of the best Gibson SGs ever, with more configurations than you can shake your devil horns at. 

While its flashier, flame-topped brother is often thought of as the poster child for the brand, the SG has an enduring presence in the Gibson catalog, having never been out of production since it hit the scene in 1961. Today the Gibson SG's legacy is celebrated with a slew of era-specific reissues, modern updates and affordable variations – meaning there's most definitely an SG out there for everyone. 

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

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