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Products Electric Guitars SG Gibson USA
Neck and Headstock
Neck Species
The neck of the SG Special is constructed from solid mahogany, cut using the superior "quarter sawn" orientation for improved strength and resonance. Neck Species Neck Profile
The neck on the SG Special is carved to Gibson's comfortable, rounded '50s profile, which offers a smooth playing feel in the hand. This neck shape has been a favorite with many players since its arrival on the SG Standards of the mid '60s. Neck Profile Tonal Characteristics
The angled, classical-style peg head and mahogany neck work together to provide exceptional tonal richness and resonance from the neck, with a good string definition and sustain. Average Weight
The average weight of the neck is .96 lbs. Joint
Gibson uses what is known as the Mortis & Tenon joint to bind neck to body so that the two pieces form one solid unit. This time-tested technique has been used for millennia in all the great woodworking arts – from shipbuilding to cabinetry – to create one solid wood unit from two separate sections, and has been proven to yield a stronger neck and body than if the instrument was made from a single piece of wood. Neck Joint Joint Angle
4.25° (+/- 15 seconds)
Headstock Angle
The SG Special headstock is carefully angled at Gibson's traditional 17 degrees, which increases pressure on the strings and helps them stay in the nut slots. An increase in string pressure also means there is no loss of string vibration between the nut and the tuners, which equals better sustain. Truss Rod
Gibson's traditional truss rod, found in most all of our guitars, is highly responsive to the individual adjustments you'll want to make to personalize and optimize string action and sustain. Truss Rod Logo
The Gibson logo – one of the most globally recognized logos of all time – is silkscreened in gold across the top of the headstock face of the SG Special, and the "SG" model name is imprinted in the truss-rod cover. Logo Adhesive
The adhesive used to join neck and body is Franklin Titebond 50, one of the strongest glues on the market today. Tolerance
When fitting the neck and body together, we take advantage of our precise measuring equipment so that all angles, pitches and alignments maintain a tolerance within .005 of an inch. Not only does this help to keep your guitar in tune but it also maintains proper string alignment relative to the fingerboard.
Fingerboard and Nut
Fingerboard Species
The neck of the SG Special carries a granadillo fingerboard. Granadillo is non-porous, straight grained, very dense, and has a ringing warm tap tone that is well balanced. Fingerboard Species Frets
The SG Special sports 22 medium-jumbo frets, all immaculately dressed and polished. Frets Tonal Characteristics
Granadillo fingerboards are known for their well-balanced, ringing, warm tap tones. Radius
The 12-inch radius of the SG Special fingerboard provides smooth note bending capabilities and eliminates "dead" or "choked out" notes, common occurrences on fingerboards with lesser radiuses.
Inlays
The SG Special fingerboard carries acrylic dot position markers. Inlays Nut Material
The nut on the SG Special is made from Corian, which is mainly composed of acrylic polymer. This popular synthetic alternative to bone offers a very durable material, delivers enhanced sustain, and holds the tolerances of the precision cuts made in the slotting process. It is installed into the top surface of the neck, butting up to the end of the fingerboard to ensure proper tone and sustain transfer, and its nut slots are cut with Gibson's PLEK system to ensure precise fit, break angle, and string spacing. Nut Width Nut Width
The width of the nut on the SG Special is approximately 1-11/16", the traditional nut width of Gibson electric guitars.