Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi partners with Gibson to launch SG Special guitar
Based on his iconic 1964 Gibson SG Special
Last updated 18th Aug 2021
Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi has joined forces with Gibson to launch the Tony Iommi SG Special guitar.
The Tony Iommi SG Special is based on the iconic and heavily-modified 1964 Gibson SG Special – nicknamed ‘Monkey’ – that Tony used to create many of the colossal riffs that gave birth to the heavy metal genre.
Costing $2,399 (around £1,750), the Tony Iommi SG Special in Vintage Cherry is available in both left-handed and right-handed versions and features a mahogany body, bound mahogany neck with a rounded profile and an Indian rosewood fretboard with 22 frets.
There’s also a Graph Tech nut, Grover Rotomatic tuners with contemporary style buttons, and chrome-covered P-90 pickups. A reproduction of Tony's "Monkey" sticker is also included in the custom case.
“Recently, I was invited to Nashville by Cesar and JC who I must tell you are so enthusiastic and passionate,” explains Tony Iommi.
“I had the opportunity to go to the Gibson factories, meet the people that work there, and I saw how dedicated they all are to the craft. There’s no stopping Gibson, which is great for all of us guitar players and I am pleased to now be able to share this SG guitar with a wide audience.”
Lee Bartram, EU Head of Marketing & Cultural Influence, Gibson Brands, adds: “Tony Iommi is the true definition of a musical pioneer and as the architect of the Heavy Metal movement, he deserves to be celebrated at every opportunity.
“With this guitar, Gibson USA has created the ultimate tribute to an icon resulting in a very cool Gibson SG suitable for all genres of music.”
The guitar is available to order from Gibson's official website now.