The 1988 Gibson SG Special in Ebony is a late-Norlin/early-Modern-Era USA-made SG variant featuring simplified cosmetics, dual humbuckers, and the slim ’80s SG feel.
Type
Solidbody electric guitar
Model
SG Special (Ebony)
Manufacturer
Gibson
Country of Manufacture
United States
Era
Late 1980s transitional Gibson era
Year of Introduction
1972 (SG Special reissue line; 1988 specific build year)
Pickups
Two Gibson humbuckers late-’80s spec
Controls
2 × Volume, 2 × Tone, 3-way pickup selector toggle
Notable Features
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Solid mahogany body and set mahogany neck in classic SG profile
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Slim ’80s neck carve for fast, modern playability
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Dual humbuckers delivering punchy midrange and higher-output late-’80s Gibson tone
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Unbound rosewood fingerboard with simple dot inlays
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Black (Ebony) finish typical of late-’80s SG Specials
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Lighter, more stripped-down alternative to the SG Standard
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Represents Gibson’s manufacturing shift from Norlin-era specs into the early modern period