Angus Young’s Gibson SG (walnut, lightning inlays)

Angus was seen using this guitar extensively during the 1985/86 tours – based on the photos available. But the first time he used the guitar was sometime during the 1980/81 tour, at least if the dating on the photos available online is to be believed (search for 1980 Hammersmith Odeon or see comments below).

Guitar prior to Modifications, Young’s Old SG?

There are a few photos of this guitar from the 1980/81 “Back In Black” World Tour tour, showing the SG in its “stock” state. We see the original neck with trapezoid inlays, little bit of scuffs here and there.

Jaydee’s description of the state that the guitar was in when he got his hands on it (see the section below) raises the question of whether this could possibly be one of Angus’ original 1970s walnut SGs (see 1970s Gibson SG Standard (Factory Second) and 1970/71 Gibson SG Standard).

It’s very hard to tell though just from the photos. One might rely on the fact that both of those guitars had tremolo pieces, which would leave empty screw holes exposed when removed. Based on the photos of the guitar prior to mods, it’s hard to spot any holes on the body, but they might’ve been there. Or it could be that whoever removed the tailpiece, also filled the holes, and possibly repainted the guitar.

Angus Young of AC/DC, photographed at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1980. An outtake, was the first cover of Kerrang: pic.twitter.com/o53iFhbT

— Ross Halfin (@RossHalfin) October 22, 2012

Modified by John Diggins / Jaydee

This guitar, according to John Diggins, was modified by him at some point in the early 80s. Most notably, John replaced the whole neck and inlayed the fretboard with lightning flesh inlays. But basically, based on his description, the only untouched part was the headstock veneer.

The next was a body repair where the whole of the control area had been eaten away by the Angus sweat, and the wood knock clinched it to make it unusable. I made a new one neck and all, including the lighting flash inlays. The only original thing left on the guitar was the head face with the Gibson logo.

The Angus Young Connection – Jaydee

2000 and Beyond

This guitar made a comeback with the 2000 Stuff Upper Lip tour, during which Angus used it extensively. Based on the photos, the guitar was used alongside a few more SG.

It was used again during the Black Ice tour circa 2010, which means that this guitar was probably among Angus’ favorites – at least based on the frequency of use over the years.