What is the difference between a Gibson SG Standard ’61 Maestra Vibrola and an SG Standard? Well, in this article, you will find out how each one differs from the others and why they are important for your next guitar purchase. Also, we will discuss the Burstbucker 61 pickups, the ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge, and the Gloss nitrocellulose finish.
Table of Contents
Gibson SG Standard 61 Maestra Vibrola Explained
Set neck
The Gibson SG Standard ’61 Maestra Vibrola is one of the many guitars from the Original Collection that Gibson produces. This guitar features a slim taper mahogany neck, bound rosewood fingerboard, and a 22nd-fret neck joint. The guitar’s nickel-plated hardware includes a classic Tun-O-Matic bridge and keystone tuners.
The SG Standard ’61 features a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which is thinner than polyurethane finishes. This helps your guitar breathe, enhancing its natural tonal qualities. Plus, this guitar’s look is simply stunning – the nitro finish looks and feels vintage-like, and the instrument will continue to improve over time. The Maestro Vibrola’s tone is also unmatched.
The Maestro Vibrola in the ’61 SG is huge, offering smooth and lush vibrato. The Maestro Vibrola’s sound is versatile, enabling you to play all types of music. However, tuning a Gibson SG to a consistent pitch can be difficult. To compensate for the lack of adjustability, the Maestro Vibrola is mounted in a recessed side panel to prevent unwanted pitch shifting.
The neck of the ’61 Maestro Vibrola is rounded and shaped like the body of a classic Gibson SG. The Gibson SG Junior has a slightly narrower headstock and a rounded ‘C’ shape. It features vintage-style shoulders and a five-ply teardrop pickguard. The Gibson SG Junior is a stripped-back model that has an authentic vintage feel.
Unlike the Les Paul Standard, the SG is a set-neck guitar. It has a set-neck body, which makes it easier to play. The SG’s treble clef and bridge are mounted on the body, and the neck is a set-neck design. This design features an oversized nut for increased sustain. Moreover, the SG ’61 has a slimmer profile than the ’61 Standard, allowing a comfortable and secure fit for any player.

Burstbucker 61 pickups
The SG Standard ’61 is a USA-made guitar, sharing more in common with its predecessor than ever. With the ’61, you can expect classic US firepower along with comfortable playability. The standard guitar’s rosewood fingerboard provides smooth playing over 22 rolled frets. Unlike other guitars, the ’61 has Maestro Vibrola pickups that feature a wide range of frequencies.
The Maestro Vibrola pickups feature a double-cut design and a Lyre engraving on the tailpiece cover. Other features include a slim taper mahogany neck and a bound rosewood fingerboard. It features a 22nd-fret neck joint and nickel-plated hardware. This guitar features 61R and 61T humbuckers for a traditional sound, while the Sideways Vibrola model has lateral-motion vibrato.
If you’re looking for a guitar that has excellent value for your money, this model is a great choice. Its solid construction and comfortable neck will provide years of playability and enjoyment. Its Maestro Vibrola pickups deliver a distinctive tone and allow you to experiment with different sounds. You’ll find yourself reaching for them time again. Gibson is constantly improving its guitars, and this guitar is no exception.
The Maestro Vibrola pickups feature the same signature tone of the ’61 humbucker, and they are equally as effective in creating a vintage tone. The Maestro Vibrola pickups also give you access to a world of tones reminiscent of the classic 1960s. You can easily change the sound of the Gibson SG Standard ’61 by adjusting the volume and tone knobs.
ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge
The ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge is a 1954 creation by Ted McCarty. This bridge is fitted into the guitar’s body for firm seating and offers fine-tuning of the string height and intonation. This guitar’s ABR-1 bridge is an excellent choice for musicians who want a vintage tone. Gibson uses the highest quality materials in its guitars, which include mahogany, maple, and ash.
Another notable feature is the Maestro-style vibration system. This system is built into the bridge of Gibson SG Standard ’61 guitars. This feature allows the guitar to create intense vibrato effects. Although tremolo-style bridges are more versatile than fixed-bridge designs, they are a bit more difficult to restring than fixed-bridge models.
The Maestro Vibrola ABR-1 bridge adds vibrato capabilities to the SG Standard ’61. This guitar features a slim taper mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard with a 5-ply teardrop pickguard. It has a 22nd-fret neck joint and nickel-plated hardware, including the classic Tun-O-Matic bridge and keystone tuners.
All guitar photos are of actual guitars for sale. Although the pictures are of the actual products, their quality may vary from one another. This guitar is sold as-is, so the exact model might not be available. You may receive a different one. We do not ship internationally, so make sure you double-check the details before buying. Just don’t wait until it’s too late.
Gloss nitrocellulose finish
If you’re looking for a guitar with a high gloss nitrocellulose finish, you’ve come to the right place. The SG Standard ’61 has a gloss nitrocellulose finish, and the ’61 is painted in the same way. Guitar players are well aware that finishes have many factors to do with a guitar’s sound. The debate between polyurethane and nitro finishes is an old one, and they are slightly different.
The SG Standard ’61 Maestro combines the classic guitar with a vibrato pickup. The guitar features a slim taper mahogany neck with a bound rosewood fingerboard, a 5-ply teardrop pickguard, and a 22nd-fret neck joint. It also features nickel-plated hardware, including a classic Tun-O-Matic bridge and keystone tuners.
The ’61 models have dot inlays in place of acrylic trapezoids. The ’61 models feature a compensated wraparound bridge and ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge. A great guitar can be played for a long time without breaking the bank. Gibson SG players love their guitars, and the ’61 model is no exception. They’re known for their Gibson SGs, but they’re wary of tremolo systems.
This guitar is one of the most popular models from Gibson and has been a favorite of many famous players. It’s lightweight, has excellent access to higher frets, and comes with a tremolo system for expanding sound possibilities. The SG has an incredible history, and many legendary players have stuck with it. If you’re looking for a new guitar to play, look no further than a Gibson SG Standard ’61.
Tone-o-Matic bridge
The Tone-o-Matic bridge for the Gibson SG Standard ’61 Maestro has been a popular upgrade in many vintages and current guitars, thanks to its vibration system. A standard Vibrola does not offer this benefit. A sideways Vibrola adds mass but offers little practical gain. It is also awkward to use, and often throws the guitar out of tune. Although this bridge allows for a more comfortable playing position, it can cause some injuries. It also comes with a ’61-style Gibson warranty. A printed photo of the guitar’s finished appearance may be included in the package.
The Tone-o-Matic bridge for Gibson’s SG Standard ’61 Maestro models comes with a compensated wraparound bridge. This bridge features an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic for smooth vibrato effects. This bridge features a Lyre engraving on its tailpiece cover. Other features of the Maestro Vibrola include a slim taper mahogany neck, bound rosewood fingerboard, deep body scarfing, nickel-plated hardware, Maestro Vibrola tailpiece, and 61R and 61T humbuckers. Tone-o-mats also feature audio taper potentiometers and orange drop capacitors.
The Tone-o-Matic bridge is also compatible with a vintage 1961 SG Maestro Vibrola-equipped SG. It is made in the USA. However, compared to the original, the new Tone-o-Matic bridge is heavier and wider. It also conforms to the body better. Moreover, the tone-o-Matic bridge can be installed with ease.
Another great feature of a Tune-o-Matic bridge is its versatility. Unlike fixed bridges, it lets you adjust the note pitch without adjusting the guitar’s pitch. In addition, the bridge itself is flexible, which means that it can move with the string’s bend. The downside is that it requires more maintenance than a fixed bridge.
Gibson SG Standard 61 Maestra Vibrola Specs
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The NEW '61 SG | 2019 Gibson SG Standard Maestro Vibrola | In-Depth Review + Demo
For Sale: https://reverb.com/item/23163366-video-2019-gibson-original-collection-61-reissue-sg-with-maestro-vibrola-cherry?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=TroglySea…