SG 90

The **SG 90** was a radical new take on the SG introduced in 1988. One big departure from traditional SG features is the longer 25.5" scale length. Other firsts for the SG include 24 frets, the string-through-body anchor option and graphite reinforced neck. Variants were distinguished by the names Single and Double, denoting the number of pickups. While the catalogs specified an L-200L single coil for the Double, examples have been found with an L-450L pickup as well. This model used the body and neck design of the SG-62. It was discontinued in 1990.

These models are notorious for the celluloid pickguards off-gassing fumes that damage/rust the surrounding metal parts. The way to avoid this is to NOT store the guitar in the case, where the fumes will be trapped, but in open air. Another well-known issue is with the Steinberger KB-X tremolo; the posts it sits on are prone to bend forward from the string tension. This is also very difficult to fix because Steinberger does not make replacement parts for this tremolo.

A similar model debuted in 1998 as the SG-Z.

**Related:**

* SG-62
* SG-Z

## Single

* **1988:** $599 MSRP
* **1989:** $839 MSRP
* **1990:** $999 MSRP (w/ vibrola)

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Angled heel
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* Graphite reinforced
* Set-in construction
	+ 3 degree angle
	+ Franklin Titebond 50 glue
	+ Joins body at 22nd fret
	+ '61 style heel

* Slim Taper profile (.800/.875")
* Ebony fretboard
	+ Mother of Pearl Split Diamond inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Large Open Book headstock
	+ Resin impregnated fiberboard veneer
	+ Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
		- Squared font style (early - mid 1988)
		- Classic font style (mid 1988 - 1990)
	+ Inlaid Mother of Pearl crown
	+ "Made in U.S.A." stamp
	+ 17o pitch
* 24 frets
* 25 1/2" scale
* 1 11/16" nut width

**Binding:**

* Neck, single-ply
* Thinner style
* Fret-edge binding

**Electronics:**

* One Bill Lawrence "L-8" humbucker (bridge)
	+ AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~13k Ohms D.C. resistance
	+ Circuit board baseplate
	+ Uncovered

* 1 Vol, 1 Tone
	+ Push / Push coil tap
* Recessed output jack
	+ Side-mounted

**Hardware:**

* Black Hardware
* Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
	+ 14:1 ratio
	+ Manufactured by Ping
* Single-ply pearloid pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
* Black Bell knobs
* Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
* Offset body anchors
* Optional Steinberger KB-X tremolo (1988)
	+ Roller saddles
	+ Locking nut
* Optional Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo (1989-1990)
	+ Locking nut
	+ Made in Germany by Schaller

**Finishes:**

* Heritage Cherry
* Alpine White
* Metallic Turquoise

## Double

* **1988:** $696 MSRP
* **1989:** $939 MSRP
* **1990:** $1099 MSRP (w/ vibrola)

**Body:**

* Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
* Angled heel
* Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
* Graphite reinforced
* Set-in construction
	+ 3 degree angle
	+ Franklin Titebond 50 glue
	+ Joins body at 22nd fret
	+ '61 style heel

* Slim Taper profile (.800/.875")
* Ebony fretboard
	+ Mother of Pearl Split Diamond inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Large Open Book headstock
	+ Resin impregnated fiberboard veneer
	+ Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo
		- Squared font style (early - mid 1988)
		- Classic font style (mid 1988 - 1990)
	+ Inlaid Mother of Pearl crown
	+ "Made in U.S.A." stamp
	+ 17o pitch
* 24 frets
* 25 1/2" scale
* 1 11/16" nut width

**Binding:**

* Neck, single-ply
* Thinner style
* Fret-edge binding

**Electronics:**

* One Bill Lawrence L-200L or L-450L pickup (neck)
	+ Mounted diagonally
	+ Circuit board baseplate

* One Bill Lawrence L-8 humbucker (bridge)
	+ AlNiCo V magnet
	+ ~13k Ohms D.C. resistance
	+ Circuit board baseplate
	+ Uncovered

* 3-way switch
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone
	+ Push / Push coil tap
* Recessed output jack
	+ Side-mounted

**Hardware:**

* Black Hardware
* Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
	+ 14:1 ratio
	+ Manufactured by Ping
* Single-ply pearloid pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
* Black Bell knobs
* Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge and offset body anchors
* Optional Steinberger KB-X tremolo (1988)
	+ Roller saddles
	+ Locking nut
* Optional Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo (1989-1990)
	+ Locking nut
	+ Made in Germany by Schaller

**Finishes:**

* Heritage Cherry
* Alpine White
* Metallic Turquoise