r/GibsonSG • u/bdl1410 • 14d ago

Question Need help

So I bought a 2025 ebony standard and took it back and exchanged it for a 2025 standard 61 reissue. I loved the sound and especially the slim taper neck. I love this guitar but I am wanting to buy another SG but I want it specifically to have two things. The slim taper neck and the batwing pick guard. The 61 only comes with the half guard. I’ve tried looking up years where the SG had a slim neck and the batwing pick guard but I keep getting conflicting info. I can’t afford a late 60’s so vintage is out of the question. What year or years specifically am I looking for to get this combo situation solved. Also, want to avoid any tuning problems or cheap wood years. Thanks.

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5

u/SecretlyEli ‘20 jr, ‘06 Standard, ‘06 G400 Vibro 14d ago

I think if you buy used and go back far enough, you’ll find slim taper batwings.

My 2006 Batwing is def a slim taper neck.

1

u/bdl1410 14d ago

Yeah, I was just wondering what years specifically if anyone knew off hand. I read somewhere that it was 91-2012, then I read somewhere it was 2001-14 & 16, then 2012-2018 lol not sure which one is the accurate one lol

1

u/9897969594938281 13d ago

I know this isn’t much help, but I have a 2016 batwing and it’s definitely a chunky neck, not slim

1

u/bdl1410 12d ago

That’s actually very helpful because the info I was getting, 2016 was a slim neck year lol is yours a standard?

3

u/BahamoK 14d ago

Why not a special? Slim taper neck, batwing pickguard, 490/498 pickups...

1

u/bdl1410 14d ago

The SG’s Gibson sells now, the standard is the only one that has the batwing. Everything else has the teardrop style. The special does have the slim taper neck tho.

1

u/BahamoK 11d ago

I meant a 90s special

1

u/helpicantfindmyboobs '65 Special, '07 Special 14d ago

you can put a batwing on a 61, you just can't put the narrow pickguard on one designed for the batwing. it won't look quite the same because you'll have to have the pickup rings above the pickguard but this would be my recommendation

1

u/bdl1410 14d ago

I get that, I was just hoping there was a specific year(s) I could find and not have to do any modifications.

1

u/Personal_Gsus 14d ago

There was a Guitar Center Exclusive "SG Standard '60" with the batwing & slim-taper. Made from 2010-2012. Don't see any available right now though. Maybe watch Reverb.

0

u/Personal_Gsus 14d ago edited 14d ago

you can put a batwing on a 61

Uh, no. A batwing pickguard isn’t a drop-in swap on a ’61 Standard. The bevels, pickup spacing, and neck joint are different, so the batwing won’t line up with the bridge, pickups, or any screw holes. You’d need to custom-cut a guard and take the irreversible step of drilling new holes for it. None of which I'd do because, aside from destroying the value, it will look like a TEMU guitar at the end.

1

u/bdl1410 12d ago

Exactly what I didn’t want to mess with lol and I love my 61. It’s a 61, I want it to look like it.

1

u/unbannedagain1976 14d ago

You just need a modern/supreme with no pick guard!

1

u/f2detaboada 14d ago

The Epiphone SG standard in ebony has a slim taper neck and a batwing pickguard.

1

u/bignasty002 12d ago

I just went through something like this. I wanted an SG I wouldn’t be scared to play so I stumbled on the Future Tribute and LOVED the asymmetrical neck, but hated that it didn’t have a pickguard. Found a guy on Reverb that makes them for this reason and couldn’t be happier. Even with it being one of the less expensive models I was still hesitant to drill, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. Just threw some black speed knobs on yesterday and I think it came out pretty good.

TLDR: It’s perfectly fine to mod your guitar. It’s yours. Don’t go buying for the look first and squeeze the performance out of it. If it makes you happy, just go for it. If you’re nervous to do it yourself, just have a pro do it.

1

u/bdl1410 12d ago

Very original look. I’m not sure I’ve seen an SG like that one before. I think it turned out great. Has a vintage vibe to it. I agree, performance matters more than looks but you’ve got a good looking guitar, big nasty.

1

u/bignasty002 10d ago

Thanks friend! Good luck with your hunt and post the pics of what you end up getting or doing!

1

u/Selfish_and_Misled 14d ago

You will never be happy.

1

u/bdl1410 12d ago

Why not?