The Tony Iommi ‘Monkey’ Gibson SG Special - full history of the guitar that defined heavy metal

Summary

This video explores the legendary 1965 Gibson SG Special, famously played by Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, which played a pivotal role in shaping heavy metal. Initially a modest, entry-level guitar, the SG was extensively customized to suit Iommi’s unique playing style after a fingertip injury. The video delves into its evolution, modifications by John Birch, and its distinctive features, including P90 pickups, low string action, and innovative bridges. Known as the 'Monkey SG,' this guitar was central to countless Black Sabbath classics, defining the band’s sound from 1969 to 1975. Today, it remains an iconic symbol of rock history.

Takeaways

• 🎸 The Gibson SG Special from 1965, owned by Tony Iommi, became a defining guitar for heavy metal music.
• 🔥 Originally an entry-level model with P90 pickups, simple dot inlays, and a thin mahogany body, the SG was heavily customized by Iommi to suit his needs.
• 🤘 Tony Iommi initially played a 1960s Fender Stratocaster but switched to the SG when the Stratocaster’s pickups failed during recording of Black Sabbath's first album.
• 🛠️ The SG was modified by John Birch to accommodate Tony's damaged fingertips, including lower string tension, thinner strings, and smooth polyurethane fretboard.
• 🎶 Iommi developed a unique playing technique due to an industrial accident that severed two fingertips, inspired by jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.
• ⚡ The SG’s P90 pickups, combined with a treble booster, gave Black Sabbath its iconic heavy, dynamic tone capable of both spiky rhythm and soft melodic lines.
• 🎨 The SG underwent multiple customizations including pickup rewiring, stainless steel covers, custom pickguard, and unique body bevels, resulting in its distinctive look and sound.
• 🎵 The guitar was central to the creation of countless Black Sabbath classics, such as 'Paranoid,' 'Iron Man,' and 'Children of the Grave.'
• 🔧 Despite its fame, the monkey SG faced tuning and feedback issues, leading to eventual retirement in 1975 in favor of more stable custom SGs.
• 🏛️ Tony Iommi eventually donated the monkey SG to the Hard Rock Cafe in New York, where it remains on display as an iconic piece of rock and heavy metal history.
• 📜 The monkey SG was one of the most consistently used and influential guitars in early heavy metal, shaping the genre’s sound and aesthetics for years to come.

Q & A

What is the 'Monkey SG' and why is it significant in rock history?

The 'Monkey SG' is Tony Iommi's 1965 Gibson SG Special, which he used extensively with Black Sabbath between 1969 and 1975. It is significant because it helped define the heavy metal guitar sound and was a key instrument in creating numerous classic Black Sabbath songs.

How did Tony Iommi acquire the Gibson SG Special?

Tony Iommi bought the SG Special in a music store in Birmingham in 1967. He initially obtained a right-handed model and converted it to left-handed, trading with a right-handed guitarist who had a left-handed SG.

What personal challenge did Tony Iommi face, and how did it influence his guitar playing?

Tony Iommi lost the tips of two fingers on his fretting hand in a factory accident at age 16. This forced him to develop a new playing technique, use lighter strings, and create plastic thimbles to extend his fingers, which influenced his unique guitar sound.

What modifications were made to the Monkey SG to suit Tony's playing style?

John Birch customized the guitar with low string action, thinner strings, a polyurethane-coated fretboard, rewound bridge pickup for a fatter tone, copper shielding to reduce noise, and other adjustments to improve tuning, sustain, and playability for Iommi’s damaged fingers.

Why did Tony Iommi switch from his Fender Stratocaster to the Gibson SG during recording?

While recording the first Black Sabbath album, Tony's Fender Stratocaster pickups failed and could not be repaired at the time. He switched to the SG Special, which sounded excellent and became his primary guitar.

Which Black Sabbath songs prominently feature the Monkey SG?

The Monkey SG was used on many classic Black Sabbath songs including 'Black Sabbath,' 'The Wizard,' 'Children of the Grave,' 'Sweet Leaf,' 'Into the Void,' 'Snowblind,' 'Supernaut,' and 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.'

What made the SG Special particularly suitable for heavy metal tone?

Its mahogany body and neck provided sustain and strong low-mid frequencies, while the P90 single-coil pickups offered wide frequency range, dynamic response, and compatibility with Tony's treble booster, producing the heavy and spiky tone characteristic of early Black Sabbath.

Why was the Monkey SG eventually retired?

By 1975, Tony sought a more aggressive sound with better tuning stability and less feedback. He designed a new custom SG with John Birch and John Diggins, making the Monkey SG less suitable for his evolving style.

What are some unique visual and technical features of the Monkey SG?

It has a cherry red finish, black pickup surrounds, a wraparound bridge (later replaced with a stop tailpiece), custom pickups encased in plastic, beveled body contours, a small lower pickguard, reverse-taper volume and tone pots, and a monkey sticker applied in the early 1970s.

Where can the Monkey SG be seen today?

The Monkey SG is displayed at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. Tony Iommi donated it in 2004 but retained the right to request it back.

How did Tony Iommi's modifications influence future guitar design?

The unique pickup dimensions, polyurethane-coated fretboard, low-action setup, and rewound pickups influenced John Birch’s later designs, including the high-output Magnum humbuckers, and inspired future guitarists in customizing guitars for playability and tone.