The 2011 Gibson SG Special '60s Tribute in Worn Ebony is a stripped-back USA-made SG built around the features that made early SG Specials such effective working guitars: lightweight mahogany construction, a fast '60s-style neck and a pair of powerful P-90 single-coil pickups.

Its solid mahogany body, set mahogany SlimTaper neck, rosewood fingerboard and traditional Tune-O-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece provide the familiar resonance and easy upper-fret access of the SG platform, while the twin P-90s deliver everything from warm cleans to aggressive blues, rock and punk tones.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership. Serial number 106311304. A hardcase is included.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Gibson
Model	SG Special '60s Tribute
Year	2011
Finish	Worn Ebony
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Serial Number	106311304
Included	Hardcase
Pickups	Dual Gibson P-90
Main Appeal	Lightweight USA SG with vintage-inspired P-90 character
Best For	Blues, rock, punk, indie, alternative and live performance

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Gibson SG Special '60s Tribute is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means the guitar shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and ready for regular playing.

The deliberately thin Worn Ebony nitrocellulose finish gives this model a more understated, played-in appearance than a full-gloss SG.

What's Included?

✔ Gibson SG Special '60s Tribute Worn Ebony
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

• Very Good overall condition
• Cosmetic wear consistent with previous use
• Worn Ebony finish
• Hardcase included
• Serial number: 106311304

No specific faults, repairs or modifications are recorded.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Gibson SG has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Neck P-90 tested
• Bridge P-90 tested
• 3-way pickup selector checked
• Volume controls tested
• Tone controls tested
• Output jack checked
• Neck condition assessed
• Rosewood fingerboard inspected
• Frets checked
• Tuning machines assessed
• Tune-O-Matic bridge checked
• Stopbar tailpiece inspected
• Hardware assessed
• General playability checked
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for setup and general playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Bridge setup
• Hardware
• General playability

Minor setup movement can naturally occur during transportation as temperature and humidity change.

What Makes The Gibson SG Special '60s Tribute Special?

The SG Special '60s Tribute strips the SG format back to the essentials. Rather than ornate binding or elaborate cosmetic appointments, the emphasis is on a lightweight mahogany body, fast SlimTaper neck, thin nitro finish and a pair of Gibson P-90 pickups. The result is an uncomplicated USA-made instrument with plenty of character and very little standing between the player and the amplifier.

Its P-90 configuration also gives it a distinctly different voice from a humbucker-equipped SG Standard. There is more single-coil bite and openness, but with noticeably greater midrange weight and output than a conventional Fender-style pickup.

Key Features & Benefits

Dual Gibson P-90 Pickups

The two soapbar P-90 pickups use Alnico magnets and provide the combination of clarity, midrange bite and dynamic response that has made the design a favourite for blues, rock, garage, punk and alternative styles.

'60s SlimTaper Neck

The mahogany neck uses Gibson's SlimTaper '60s profile, giving the guitar a fast, comfortable feel particularly well suited to lead playing and players who prefer a slimmer Gibson neck.

Solid Mahogany Construction

The SG's thin mahogany body keeps the guitar relatively lightweight while providing the resonant midrange response strongly associated with Gibson solid-body instruments.

Rosewood Fingerboard

A traditional rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays maintains the straightforward SG Special aesthetic while providing a familiar, comfortable playing surface.

Thin Worn Nitrocellulose Finish

The Worn Ebony finish uses a thinner nitrocellulose treatment than Gibson's traditional high-gloss finishes, giving the instrument an intentionally understated and less formal appearance.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

SG Special '60s Tribute vs Gibson SG Standard

An SG Standard typically uses twin humbuckers and more elaborate visual appointments. The '60s Tribute is intentionally simpler, with P-90 pickups, dot inlays and a worn finish giving it a rawer feel and more open single-coil response.

SG Special '60s Tribute vs Current Gibson SG Special

Both models draw inspiration from early SG Specials and use P-90 pickups, but this 2011 Tribute belongs to a distinctive stripped-down generation with its Worn finish and unbound rosewood fingerboard.

SG Special '60s Tribute vs Les Paul Special

Both can deliver classic Gibson P-90 tones, but the SG offers a thinner body and considerably easier access to the highest frets. The Les Paul Special has a different balance and physical feel despite sharing much of the same tonal vocabulary.

Who Is It For?

Blues players – P-90s respond beautifully to touch and amplifier dynamics, moving naturally between clean and overdriven sounds.

Rock guitarists – The bridge pickup provides plenty of bite and midrange presence without losing clarity.

Punk and garage players – Simple electronics, immediate response and a lightweight body make this an excellent no-nonsense performance guitar.

Indie and alternative musicians – P-90s interact particularly well with fuzz, overdrive, modulation and atmospheric pedal rigs.

Players looking for a USA Gibson without excessive ornamentation – The Tribute format concentrates on construction, feel and tone rather than decorative features.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Blues
• Blues rock
• Classic rock
• Garage rock
• Punk
• Indie
• Alternative
• Grunge
• Hard rock
• Soul
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar
• Pedal-based rigs

Why Choose A P-90 SG?

P-90s occupy a useful middle ground between traditional single coils and humbuckers. They retain plenty of attack and openness but have considerably more midrange presence and output than many narrower single-coil designs.

In an SG, that character is combined with a lightweight mahogany body and exceptional access to the upper frets. The result is particularly responsive with valve amplifiers and overdrive pedals, where changes in picking strength and guitar volume can produce a broad range of textures.

For players who find a humbucker SG slightly too compressed or thick, the P-90 format can be a very appealing alternative.

Story & Context

The original SG Special developed during the early 1960s as a more straightforward counterpart to Gibson's higher-spec SG models.

Its P-90 pickups, simple appointments and lightweight double-cutaway construction made it a practical instrument for working musicians while retaining the core playability of the SG design.

Gibson revisited that concept with the SG Special '60s Tribute, introduced during the early 2010s as a deliberately stripped-back USA model. The Tribute paired classic SG ingredients with a thin worn finish and a competitive specification aimed at players rather than decorative excess.

Serial number 106311304 dates this example to 2011, placing it within the original period of the '60s Tribute series.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	SG Special '60s Tribute
Year	2011
Serial Number	106311304
Country of Manufacture	USA
Finish	Worn Ebony
Body Shape	SG
Body Material	Mahogany
Body Finish	Thin Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Neck Profile	'60s SlimTaper
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Scale Length	24.75"
Number of Frets	22
Fingerboard Inlays	Dot
Nut Material	Corian
Nut Width	Approx. 1.695" / 43mm
Pickup Configuration	SS
Neck Pickup	Gibson P-90
Bridge Pickup	Gibson P-90
Pickup Type	Soapbar Single Coil
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Stopbar
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Pickguard	Black, Small SG Style
Included	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Serial Number Note

Gibson USA used a nine-digit serial format between 2005 and 2014.

Serial number 106311304 is consistent with 2011 production.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The two Gibson P-90 pickups and traditional control circuit are passive and connect to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The 2011 Gibson SG Special '60s Tribute in Worn Ebony is a superb player's SG for anyone who values simplicity, lightweight construction and the unmistakable attack of Gibson P-90s.

The SlimTaper neck and unrestricted upper-fret access make it immediately comfortable, while the P-90 electronics give it enough tonal range for everything from blues and classic rock to punk, indie and heavier pedal-driven sounds.

Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a hardcase, this is an appealing pre-owned USA Gibson with a distinctive specification that differs significantly from the more familiar humbucker-equipped SG Standard.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying pre-owned can provide access to discontinued specifications and earlier generations of well-established instruments that are no longer available through current production.

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed before sale so its condition and included items are clearly represented.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new, used and pre-owned musical equipment.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with Gibson and pre-owned guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing gear could help towards the cost of this Gibson.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your existing gear could be worth towards this Gibson SG Special '60s Tribute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year was this Gibson SG Special '60s Tribute made?

Serial number 106311304 dates this example to 2011.

Is this guitar made in the USA?

Yes. The SG Special '60s Tribute was manufactured by Gibson USA.

What pickups does it have?

It uses two Gibson P-90 soapbar single-coil pickups.

How do P-90 pickups differ from humbuckers?

P-90s generally have a more open and aggressive single-coil attack while still offering considerably more midrange and output than many traditional single-coil pickups.

Are P-90 pickups completely noise-free?

No. Like most true single-coil pickups, P-90s can produce some mains hum depending on the electrical environment and gain level.

What is the neck profile like?

It uses Gibson's '60s SlimTaper profile, making it noticeably slimmer than many traditional '50s-style Gibson necks.

Does it have a rosewood fingerboard?

Yes. This model uses an unbound rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays.

What scale length does it have?

It uses Gibson's traditional 24.75" scale length.

What does Worn Ebony mean?

Worn Ebony refers to the model's intentionally thin, understated black nitrocellulose finish. It has a less glossy appearance than a conventional polished Gibson finish.

What bridge is fitted?

It uses a traditional Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece.

Is this suitable for higher-gain rock?

Yes. The bridge P-90 has plenty of output and midrange for rock and heavier styles, although it retains the natural noise characteristics of a single-coil pickup.

Does the guitar require a battery?

No. The P-90 pickups and electronics are completely passive.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. This example includes a hardcase.

Is the hardcase original?

No claim is made that the hardcase is the original factory-supplied case. The guitar is sold with the hardcase currently accompanying it.

Can I request a video of the individual guitar?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like a closer look at the Worn Ebony finish and individual condition before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.