Watch: Brian Ray demos his new Gibson Custom Shop ’62 SG Junior

Back at Summer NAMM 2019, Gibson announced a new Custom Shop signature model for veteran sideman Brian Ray. Details about the ’62 SG Junior have now been revealed – the guitar builds on Ray’s ’63 SG Standard axe with new sonic features and design elements.

The instrument’s standout feature is a passive “induction coil” circuit concealed under the pickguard. When engaged by a push-push tone knob, the circuit is designed to reduce both RF interference and high-gain harshness while retaining the tone of the custom Dog-Ear P-90.

Another neat component is the axe’s convertible bridge design, which allows you to configure the bridge to either a tune-o-matic ABR-1, or a wrap-tail with a Vibrola tremolo, or a stopbar tailpiece. According to Gibson, the time taken to modify the bridge is similar to the time taken to change strings.

In the tonewood department, this signature model features a solid mahogany neck and body. The latter is slightly thicker than a normal SG, a design element that’s said to enhance the guitar’s low- and mid-range punch. The ’62 SG Junior also features a 12-inch-radius Indian rosewood fingerboard that’s decked with custom celluloid trapezoid inlays.

Aesthetically, the guitar comes in a sleek White Fox finish, and is topped off by an ebony block tailpiece along with a custom Brian Ray Hot-stamped truss rod cover.

Here’s Ray introducing his new signature model:

Retails at $4,199. More info at gibson.com.