Presenting the New SG Carved Top-Autumn Burst

The model that replaced the original single-cutaway Les Paul Standard in 1961 was considered a more straight-on take on the solid body electric guitar.

The Les Paul/SG (later simply the SG) lacked the elaborate crafting, multi-wood body and arched top of its predecessor, and was also a step further away from Gibson’s traditional guitar-building routine. Now, however, the introduction of the new SG Carved Top Autumn Burst – Gibson USA’s latest addition to its Limited Run Series – applies a large slice of elegance and painstaking luthiery to this already iconic rock guitar, making it the perfect marriage of Gibson’s heritage and innovation. Available beginning in early March 2009, the SG Carved Top will be produced in a strictly limited run of only 350 guitars, making it the ideal acquisition for both players and collectors alike.

The most stunning attribute of the new SG Carved Top Autumn Burst is its highly figured top that rises unexpectedly from the radical dual-horned body shape, where history tells us there is usually only a flat expanse of mahogany. The famed craftsmen at Gibson USA have applied a gently hand-carved arch to an AAA-grade maple cap atop a solid mahogany body, and given it a gloss Autumn Burst nitrocellulose finish to bring out the full depth of its stunning grain. This is undoubtedly the finest wood ever applied to the SG in its 49-year history, and it makes this Limited Run Series guitar a true attention getter.

While its hand-carved top separates it from the crowd, its effect is more than simply visual. The maple cap gives this rare SG a touch more of the snap, sizzle and sustain of a Les Paul Standard, partnered — as it is — with the solid mahogany back that its sibling likewise carries. The guitar’s tone is also enhanced by a pair of Burstbucker Pro humbucking pickups, calibrated for balanced output in the neck and bridge positions. The BurstBucker Pros employ Alnico V magnets for a little extra sting and punch, and feature wax-potted coils to combat potential squeal and microphony. Like the standard Burstbuckers, and Gibson’s original PAF humbuckers, the Burstbucker Pros use two coils with unmatched windings to retain a little extra sonic edge in their “enhanced vintage” performance.

An unabashed looker and a real tone monster, the SG Carved Top Autumn Burst is also an extremely playable instrument. It has Gibson’s famously fast and comfortable neck, with two extra frets for enhanced upper-neck lead work — a total of 24 jumbo frets — and the traditional 24-3/4″ scale length and 1-11/16″ neck width at the nut. The SG Carved Top Autumn Burst’s control complement has been simplified, too, and its single volume and tone controls and three-way switch serve to both ease function mid flight, while staying out of the way of the visual expanse of that gorgeous AAA-grade maple top.

The original SG is one of the greatest rock guitars of all time, and the SG Carved Top Autumn Burst has all of its predecessor’s performance appeal, and then some. Whether you’re a player looking for a distinctive new stage guitar, or a collector seeking a rare new acquisition, this is a highly desirable release. This new Limited Run Series guitar from Gibson USA is restricted to just 350 guitars, so contact your authorized Gibson dealer today. Each comes with a special certificate of authenticity and a black hardshell case with white interior and silkscreened Gibson USA logo.

Full specifications include:

Made In: Nashville, TN USA

Body Wood: Carved AAA-grade maple top and mahogany back

Finish: Autumn Burst

Neck Wood: Mahogany

Nut: Corian

Neck Joint: Set; Glued-in

Fingerboard: Rosewood with acrylic trapezoid inlays

Scale Length: 24-3/4″

Nut Width: 1.695″ +/- .050″

Fingerboard Radius: 12″

Frets: 24; Jumbo

Machine Heads: Grover kidney

Hardware: Chrome

Pickups: Burstbucker Pros

Controls: One Volume control, one Tone control, three-way switch

Bridge: Tune-O-Matic

Tailpiece: Gibson Stop Bar

Includes: Hard Case

For more information, please visit www.gibson.com

This is a Press Release