SGs - Standard vs. '61 Reissue

[Simon_F]

The '61 Reissue SG has a slightly thinner neck than the Standard, '57 Classics instead of 490R/498T, a small pickguard and a different neck joint (22nd fret instead of 19th).

Are there any other differences, and is it worth the extra cash? I saw a thread under The Other Gibsons at the LPF and a few people were raving about the '61s....

Anyway, I definitely prefer the small pickguard (you get proper angled mounting rings, and it reminds me of my ol' '74) and I'd be more likely to keep the '57 Classics (490R/498T HAVE to go), but does that different neck joint make the thing less robust? Mind you, an SG is a flimsy beast at the best of times - you just have to look after 'em!

I know, I know, go out and play a few.......

Any thoughts?

Anyone here got a '61 RI?

Cheers,

Simon

PS - Yes, I have a little money to spend.

 

[jeremy]

i love the small pick guard and the look of the '61. id change the pups either way so thats not really a consideration for me.
the neck joint is more solid on the std with the long tenon joint than on the ri, but the ri should have a steeper headstock angle if its true to 61 specs.
ive played both and i do like the ri better

 

[TattooedCarrot]

I had a couple standards recently and just picked up a 61 2 months ago. The 61 is hands down a better guitar. Better wood, better pickups, I prefer the thinner neck, smaller pickguard. And here's the fun part, you can get them for less than a regularly priced standard if you know where to hop. Saul at www.ccitymusic.com sells the 61 for $1199 new with case. Call him up !!

 

[Gearjoneser]

I had a 61 Reissue and if I was to get another one, I'd get a
Standard.

The 61 Reissue looks better, and has the smaller pickguard, which I prefer, but the thicker neck, bigger heel, and neck profile of the Standard keeps the tone and tuning much better.

The 61 has the 60's tapered neck, which has too much flexibility.
That guitar, even tho it was intonated, was a tuning hassle.

I wish the Standards had the smaller pickguard, so the pickups could go on the rings, not the guard. THAT would be the perfect SG IMO. Does anyone know which neck profile the Angus SG has?

 

[sgstrat]

Hi Simon,

You might want to send Jeffrec a pm with your question. He has a '61 RI SG Standard that I saw last Sunday. It's as very pretty guitar although the red is much lighter than my '66.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

I've had no tuning issues or stability problems with my 61RI and the 60's slim taper neck. I also have a Les Paul standard and a standard DC, and an SG classic, all with 60's slim taper necks and no tuning issues with any of them. The thin neck vs. fat neck is a player preference. The weak SG necks haven't been a problem for years.

 

[Simon_F]

Thanks for your input guys.

 

[orbiter]

I've been torn myself.

I love the 61 ri .. less wood routed out of the body and the smaller pickguard looks better hands down. I'm not fond of the neckshape tho.. I cant comment on tuning stability .. but I think bigger necks tend to sound better. and in my case the larger shape feels better. I also like 57's better than 490's .. but I'd take 59's over either.

as for the STD .. a solid guitar w/ killer tone and the neck isnt that much bigger .. but slightly .. swap pu's and you're $.

I really wanted a 61 but the neck was just a lil too small for me.. so I bought a 70's model SG STD for $500.. and I like it better than either of those two. it has nice vintage vibe and the cool block inlays w/ small pickguard.

also~ the newer std's are a great deal on the used market .. I see them for $600+ ... I really love the natural burst ones.

 

[Dirtyking]

I see great deals on Ebay all the time on STD SG's. The hard part is taking the leap of faith that your not gonna purchase a lemon :blindfold

 

[ex-250]

i was gonna get a 61 RI, but i played one about a month ago and while it played really nice it was too light and just didnt *fit* me.....whatever that means....just didnt feel like it should be mine. kinda too much of an antique i guess, and its so thin i dont wanna be worrying about breaking the sombitch, cause im pretty rough with everything. so now im gonna get an explorer. big thick heavy metal machine \m/(><)\m/ but if it feels right for you, like your an SG person, then you should definately get it. i might still get one further down the road, but it not right for me at this time

 

[Gearjoneser]

If only that new SG Custom in Blueburst, Greenburst, and Antiqueburst was a 22 fret model!

 

[green_insomniac]

They both look sweet and I don't think you can go wrong either way but I'd prefer the standard. I don't know why, though. I just like it's looks more. I've never played either one but I'm sure both would sound great with a JB and a Jazz. Yeah!

 

[papersoul]

I had a 61 Reissue and if I was to get another one, I'd get a
Standard.

The 61 Reissue looks better, and has the smaller pickguard, which I prefer, but the thicker neck, bigger heel, and neck profile of the Standard keeps the tone and tuning much better.

The 61 has the 60's tapered neck, which has too much flexibility.
That guitar, even tho it was intonated, was a tuning hassle.

I wish the Standards had the smaller pickguard, so the pickups could go on the rings, not the guard. THAT would be the perfect SG IMO. Does anyone know which neck profile the Angus SG has?

Same with the LP Classics.

 

[Simon_F]

Thanks guys.

My old SG (a '74 Standard) had the small pickguard and mounting rings. If you have an SG with the large pickguard and the pickups mounted in the guard surely the pickups aren't parallel to the strings?

 

[orbiter]

true.. it's the one funky thing about the PU's on the guard when using a TOM style bridge. the angles are all outta whack.

sounds good though..

 

[grendeltone]

Re: SGs - Standard vs. '61 Reissue

true.. it's the one funky thing about the PU's on the guard when using a TOM style bridge. the angles are all outta whack.

sounds good though..

I agree.. I have a 1971 SG w/ the smaller pickguard.. and the humbucking rings... so much easier...

 

[papersoul]

Re: SGs - Standard vs. '61 Reissue

The ,61 sounds great! I like the tone more than the Standard and the pickups are great!

 

[lex666]

Re: SGs - Standard vs. '61 Reissue

I've only played the standards, but I've been wanting a RI, just to add to my collection.

If I had the $$$, I'd go with the RI. Sounds like the RI has all the thing you like that the standard does not.

The standard does have a very noticeable string angle over all the pups.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: SGs - Standard vs. '61 Reissue

The '61 has a nicer bevel to the outside edges of the horns. I had a '67 Standard and I remember the neck being somewhat chunkier, but still nicely tapered. The '61 has a beautifully tapered neck.

My '61 has Seths in it. The '57's were good, but the Seths are much better sounding to me.

Jeff

 

[big_black]

Re: SGs - Standard vs. '61 Reissue

I've had no tuning issues or stability problems with my 61RI and the 60's slim taper neck. I also have a Les Paul standard and a standard DC, and an SG classic, all with 60's slim taper necks and no tuning issues with any of them. The thin neck vs. fat neck is a player preference. The weak SG necks haven't been a problem for years.

The SG Classic uses the same neck and joint as the Standard.