A guitarist who masters the SG model—a guitar with a distinctive look and sound.
The SG—one of Gibson’s most popular models—radiates a fierce individuality from its body shape alone.
Gibson is best known for the Les Paul, but the SG was created as the Les Paul’s successor.
It offers a different kind of appeal and has been loved by many guitarists.
Beyond being lighter than a Les Paul and easier to play in the higher frets, the SG is also beloved for what some consider drawbacks: its tendency toward neck-heaviness that can dip unless supported by the left hand, and its lively, mid-focused sound.
Here are some representative guitarists who favor the SG.
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Guitarists (ages 21–30) who master the distinctive SG model, known for its unique looks and sound
AKIHIDE
A Japanese guitarist and singer-songwriter, and the guitarist of BREAKERZ.
He has participated in various bands to date, including FAIRY FORE, a band under Avex, and the rock trio NEVER LAND.
He has also taken part in recording sessions for other rock bands and is trusted among fellow musicians.
Motoharu Iwadera
He is the guitarist of the rock band Sakanaction, formed in 2005, and also handles backing vocals.
He has been a member since the band’s inception and originally played in a band with Yamaguchi, Sakanaction’s vocalist.
He mainly uses a Fender Stratocaster, but switches between various types, such as an SG, depending on the situation.
Guitarists who master the uniquely styled and sounding SG model (ages 31–40)
Chino Moreno
Chino Moreno, known as the vocalist of Deftones, prefers to use an SG for live performances.
In this footage, he passionately plays a tremolo riff in the latter half.
He also owns a white SG, which has a sticker of the late Eazy-E from the legendary hip-hop group N.W.A.
His rough performances have led to the neck being broken multiple times, but each time his dedicated guitar tech reportedly repairs it.
Manuel Göttsching
Manuel Göttsching, known for his work with Ash Ra Tempel and as a pioneer of minimal music, is also an avid user of the SG.
The SG’s tone may well be indispensable to the ambient sonic worlds he creates.
Rei Okamoto
She is a Japanese actress and TV personality who also writes and composes music.
She originally made her CD debut as a member of the idol unit “Nicomo-no!” formed by exclusive models of the magazine Nicola.
She favors a custom-ordered original Gibson SG and plays a striking guitar with a tartan check-patterned body.
In conclusion
Because this instrument has such a strong personality as an electric guitar—both in looks and in sound—the guitarists who favor it also tend to be quite distinctive.
Compared to global standard models like Gibson’s own Les Paul or Fender’s Stratocaster and Telecaster, it may be a bit less easy to handle.
However, there’s no better partner for making your individuality stand out.
If you’re a guitarist who’s grown tired of the usual classics, why not step into this world at least once?