This Gibson SG was Angus Young’s main guitar during the Razors Edge (1990) and Ballbreaker (1995) tours, judging by how frequently he used it. Most notably, Angus played it on August 17, 1991, during the Live at Donington (aka Monsters of Rock) gig, and again on July 10, 1996, during the No Bull concert in Madrid.
While it’s not confirmed that the guitar used in both performances is the exact same instrument, the photos suggest they are. Both guitars share identical finishes, specs, and the distinct Les Paul truss rod cover, indicating that it’s likely an early to mid-1960s model.
Specs
Based on the truss rod cover—assuming it’s original—this SG appears to be an early to mid-1960s SG Standard. However, the black finish isn’t original, as this wasn’t a factory option on early ’60s models. This raises the possibility that the guitar was one of Angus’s older instruments, perhaps a favorite, which he decided to restore and refinish for the Razors Edge tour.
Another notable modification is the Grover tuners, which replaced the original Kluson tuners with plastic buttons, likely for better tuning stability.
Use in the Studio
Given its heavy use during both the Razors Edge and Ballbreaker tours, it’s reasonable to assume this guitar saw some studio time as well—though to what extent remains unclear. If you’ve come across interviews or photos from these recording sessions that feature this guitar, feel free to share them in the comments to help clarify its history.
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