The Gibson SG Custom 1973 is a Gibson electric guitar, currently around $6799. Close alternatives include the Fender Stratocaster and the 1978 Danelectro/Charvel Star. It pairs well with the PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head and the Bad Cat Cub.
Gibson SG Custom 1973
Gibson · electric guitar
Dave Murray can be seen holding a three-pickup Gibson SG on the back cover of Iron Maiden's second album Killers, a guitar likely dating to 1973 based on its block inlays and triple-pickup layout consistent with an SG Custom, and its bridge lacking a tremolo arm, a standard SG Custom feature only through 1973. By the time it was photographed, the neck pickup had been swapped for a high-output bladed humbucker, most likely a DiMarzio X2N, though that pickup wasn't introduced until 1979, meaning the guitar was modified sometime after its Killers-era appearances. The guitar made no further documented appearances following the Killers tour but resurfaced decades later during Iron Maiden's Future Past Tour for a performance of Wasted Years.
- hard rock
- rhythm
- tremolo
- production
- modern
- consistent
- return
- sg custom
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Gibson SG Custom 1973 is commonly used in
- Hard Rock
- Rock
- Metal
- Blues
- Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Christian Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Gibson SG Custom 1973
PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head
PRS
10% matchWhat PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head brings here leans toward dynamic — that's worth building a pairing around
Bad Cat Cub
Bad Cat
10% matchWhat Bad Cat Cub brings here leans toward harmonically rich — that's worth building a pairing around
Milkman Sound Creamer 20W Combo
Milkman Sound
10% matchMilkman Sound Creamer 20W Combo leans toward edge of breakup, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Pedals that stack with the Gibson SG Custom 1973
Cheaper alternatives
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe
Gibson
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Les Paul 1958
Gibson
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Ibanez SLM10 Scott LePage Signature
Ibanez
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature Model Guitar
Charvel
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Les Paul Custom 1969
Gibson
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Ibanez Iceman Electric Guitar
electric guitar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Fender Stratocaster
Fender
70% similarity“though Murray's later signature sound became far more associated with Stratocasters than this early Gibson”
1978 Danelectro/Charvel Star
Danelectro
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Hamer KK Downing
Hamer
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Yamaha SG-175B
electric guitar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Hamer Phantom GT
Hamer
91% similaritysimilar tone character
ESP Tiger
Esp
91% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Gibson SG Custom 1973 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Gibson SG Custom 1973?+
The closest matches in character are the Fender Stratocaster, the 1978 Danelectro/Charvel Star, the Hamer KK Downing. Budget picks: Gibson Les Paul Deluxe, Gibson Les Paul 1958, Ibanez SLM10 Scott LePage Signature.
What pairs well with the Gibson SG Custom 1973?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head, Bad Cat Cub, Milkman Sound Creamer 20W Combo — What PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head brings here leans toward dynamic — that's worth building a pairing around.
How much does the Gibson SG Custom 1973 cost?+
Around $6799 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).