The SG Special is the P-90 version of the SG, a single wraparound unit combining bridge and tailpiece rather than a separate TOM-and-stopbar setup.
8 mods reviewed: 6 drop-in, 2 need verification.
Places we know sell the Gibson SG Special.
Andertons
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The SG Special is the P-90 version of the SG, a single wraparound unit combining bridge and tailpiece rather than a separate TOM-and-stopbar setup. That single-piece design means there's no separate tailpiece to swap, though a common real-world upgrade is a TonePros adjustable wraparound, which adds intonation adjustment the stock unit lacks.
Tailpiece
None (bridge-integrated, wraparound)
String spacing
52mm (2.05")
Scale length
24.75" (629mm)
Nut width
43.05mm (1.695")
Not published by Gibson: tuner hole size and bridge mounting spacing. Measure these before buying tuners or a bridge.
Another genuine wraparound bridge upgrade with individual saddle adjustment, an alternative to the TonePros option.
Gotoh's wraparound bridge and tailpiece is a direct alternative to the TonePros option, also adding individual saddle adjustment to this style of bridge.
See also
Adds proper intonation adjustment that the stock wraparound bridge does not have, a common and well-regarded upgrade for this bridge style.
A genuine locking wraparound bridge replacement, adds intonation adjustment the stock single-piece unit lacks, a well-known upgrade path for wraparound-bridge Gibsons. This is the US-thread AVT2G, which matches the US-spec stud bushings on a USA-made Gibson. TonePros lists the AVT2G as fitting USA guitars with stud-mount bridges at standard 82mm center spacing; the metric AVT2M would not thread into these bushings.
See also
Built for this guitar's soapbar-shaped route, not the dogear style used on hollow-body guitars like the Casino. You will need to solder it in.
A genuine soapbar-shaped P90 set, a distinct product from the dogear version used on hollow-body guitars, matching this guitar's confirmed soapbar route.
See current price at Reverb
View at ReverbBuilt for this guitar's soapbar-shaped route, not the dogear style used on hollow-body guitars like the Casino. You will need to solder it in.
A genuine soapbar-shaped P90 set, a distinct product from the dogear version used on hollow-body guitars, matching this guitar's confirmed soapbar route.
£279.00 at Andertons
View at AndertonsFits this guitar's soapbar P90 route directly. A higher-output alternative to the stock pickups. Needs soldering.
DiMarzio markets this as a direct drop-in for guitars routed for a standard P90 soapbar, no modification needed, matching this guitar's confirmed soapbar mounting.
Fits this guitar's soapbar P90 route directly. A vintage-voiced alternative to the stock pickups. Needs soldering.
DiMarzio markets this explicitly as a drop-in replacement for any standard soapbar-sized P90 route, matching this guitar's confirmed soapbar mounting.
Likely matches the standard 10mm bore most current Gibsons use, but this guitar's exact hole size hasn't been independently confirmed. Measure before buying.
This guitar's exact tuner hole size has not been independently confirmed. Matches the well-corroborated 10mm standard seen across most current Gibson USA models, but not specifically measured on this one.
Help confirm this fit
£129.99 at Andertons
View at Andertons
Likely matches the standard 10mm bore most current Gibsons use, but this guitar's exact hole size hasn't been independently confirmed. Measure before buying. This tuner is also vintage-hole sized rather than modern, worth factoring into the fit question either way.
This guitar's exact tuner hole size has not been independently confirmed. Matches the well-corroborated 10mm standard seen across most current Gibson USA models, but not specifically measured on this one. Separately, this tuner is itself vintage-hole spec (8.73 to 8.8mm), not the modern 10mm size, so even where this guitar's hole size is eventually confirmed as modern 10mm, conversion bushings would be needed regardless.
Help confirm this fit
If you have fitted any of these to this Gibson SG Special, tell us what you found and we'll update the data.
