The 1987 Gibson SG 'Standard' (aka 'Shuji') is a Gibson electric guitar. Close alternatives include the Gibson Les Paul Classic 2002 and the 1961/1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom. It pairs well with the Friedman Dirty Shirley and the Blackstar St. James 100.
1987 Gibson SG 'Standard' (aka 'Shuji')
Gibson · electric guitar
This 1987 Gibson SG Standard, catalogued under the nickname Shuji, is a solid mahogany body and neck SG with a rosewood fingerboard, trapezoid inlays, a Tune-O-Matic bridge and vintage-style tuners, the specification that has defined the SG Standard since the 1970s. Angus Young of AC/DC has played Gibson SGs exclusively throughout his career, beginning with a secondhand SG bought around 1970 before the band formed, though he is generally understood to favour earlier 1960s and 70s examples over later ones. Independent sources documenting this specific 1987 guitar and its Shuji nickname are limited, so that detail is not asserted as confirmed here.
- attack
- bright
- reliable
- sustain
- mid
- hard rock
- classic sg humbucker tone
- natural
Genres the 1987 Gibson SG 'Standard' (aka 'Shuji') is commonly used in
- Hard Rock
- Blues
- Rock
- Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the 1987 Gibson SG 'Standard' (aka 'Shuji')
Friedman Dirty Shirley
Friedman
25% matchInto the Dirty Shirley's vintage British saturation, the Shuji SG's bright, sustain-heavy attack cuts through rather than thinning out.
Blackstar St. James 100
Blackstar
23% matchThe St. James' high-gain, genuinely versatile headroom gives the Shuji SG's bright, reliable attack somewhere modern to push.
Soldano Astro-20 Head
Soldano
23% matchThe Astro-20's smooth, direct-recording lead gain gives the Shuji SG's bright, sustain-heavy attack somewhere articulate to push.
Magnatone Lil Viper
Magnatone
19% matchThe Shuji SG's bright, reliable attack suits the Lil Viper's own vibrato-laced, crunchy classic-rock voice.
Blackstar Series One 200
Blackstar
tonal matchRun Blackstar Series One 200 after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchPut Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Dumble Steel String Singer
Dumble
tonal matchDumble Steel String Singer leans smooth right where the bright tone needs it
Fender Prosonic
amplifier
tonal matchFender Prosonic leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Pedals that stack with the 1987 Gibson SG 'Standard' (aka 'Shuji')
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof
EarthQuaker Devices
17% matchThe Hoof's muff-hybrid crunch pushes the Shuji SG's bright, reliable attack into something denser rather than just brighter.
EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas
EarthQuaker Devices
16% matchThe Hizumitas' gritty, Muff-style fuzz gives the Shuji SG's bright, sustain-heavy attack something much thicker to push.
NUX XTC Overdrive
Nux
tonal matchRun NUX XTC Overdrive after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Caline CP-31 Hot Spice (Black)
Caline
tonal matchCaline CP-31 Hot Spice (Black) leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Tone City Hot Mama Overdrive
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Hot Mama Overdrive leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Orange - Vintage Distortion
Orange
tonal matchOrange - Vintage Distortion's warm balances out the bright tone
Strymon Iridium
Strymon
tonal matchStrymon Iridium's warm balances out the bright tone
Wren and Cuff Tri-Pie '70
Wren And Cuff
tonal matchWren and Cuff Tri-Pie '70 leans smooth right where the bright tone needs it
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Gibson Les Paul Classic 2002
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
1961/1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom
Gibson
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Ibanez THBB10
Ibanez
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Yamaha Pacifica 1421
electric guitar
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Mark Knopfler Stratocaster Electric Guitar
electric guitar
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Erlewine Lazer
Erlewine
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Dave Murray Stratocaster
electric guitar
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson SG Standard
Gibson
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson "Old Black" 1953 Les Paul
Gibson
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson ES-335
Gibson
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender American Telecaster Black "Sendero Luminoso"
Fender
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson
94% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the 1987 Gibson SG 'Standard' (aka 'Shuji') (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the 1987 Gibson SG 'Standard' (aka 'Shuji')?+
The closest matches in character are the Gibson Les Paul Classic 2002, the 1961/1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom, the Ibanez THBB10.
What pairs well with the 1987 Gibson SG 'Standard' (aka 'Shuji')?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Friedman Dirty Shirley, Blackstar St. James 100, Soldano Astro-20 Head — Into the Dirty Shirley's vintage British saturation, the Shuji SG's bright, sustain-heavy attack cuts through rather than thinning out..