Skip to product information

The Heavy Metal Machine

Tony Iommi's iconic riffs, heavy tones and massively-influential albums created the blueprint for Heavy Metal and many other genres to follow. His career, like the man himself, is universally loved and revered. And while his innovative tuning and playing styles were a major part of his monstrous tones, a Gibson SG named "Monkey" was at the center of it all. This heavily-modified 1964 SG Special was used extensively with the original lineup of Black Sabbath, heard on every album and tour of the 1970s. It features, most notably, a polyurethane-coated fingerboard, a zero fret, and a unique set of hand-made pickups. Combined with the dropped tuning and Tony's unique playing style, the power and depth of sound from the "Monkey" SG is unlike any other axe available. That is until now, thanks to the meticulous reverse-engineering and painstaking attention to detail employed by Gibson Custom Shop. 50 exact replicas have been created, 25 right-handed and 25 left-handed like the original, each signed and numbered by Tony Iommi himself. No detail was overlooked in the construction and aging, telling the complete story of the “Monkey” from the zero fret to the stop tailpiece bushings to the legendary pickups, which were hand-made in the UK by the apprentice of the late John Birch. Each guitar will include an exclusive replica of Tony's silver cross necklace with a coffin case, a replica of Tony's leather touring guitar strap, a 1960s replica case and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Read more

Specifications

Electronics Specs

Bridge Pickup John Birch P-90

Controls 2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 2 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness

Neck Pickup John Birch Superflux

Output Jack Switchcraft

Pickup Selector 3-Way Switchcraft

Hardware Specs

Bridge Adjustable Wrap-Around

Control Covers Black

Control Knobs Black Witch Hats w/ Silver Inserts

finish Chrome - Aged

Mounting Rings Custom John Birch

Pickguard Black 5-Ply Wide Bevel

Pickup Covers Chrome Engraved

Saddle Material Brass

Strap Buttons Aluminum

Switch Tip Black

Switchwasher Thin Black

Tailpiece Stud Anchors Only

Truss Rod 2-way Adjustable

Truss Rod Cover 3-Ply Black/White/Black

Tuner Plating Chrome - Aged

Tuning Machines Schaller M6

Misc Specs

Accessories Certificate of Authenticity, Replica Heavy Leather Strap, Replica Silver Cross Necklace in Coffin

Model: SGSPC64TIACH1

Case 1960s Replica Black/Yellow Hardshell

Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046

Gibson Custom Tony Iommi "Monkey" 1964 SG Special Replica, Right-Handed Aged / Signed, Right-Handed Aged/Signed

Gibson Custom Tony Iommi "Monkey" 1964 SG Special Replica, Right-Handed Aged / Signed, Right-Handed Aged/Signed

Sorry, the Gibson Custom Tony Iommi "Monkey" 1964 SG Special Replica, Right-Handed Aged / Signed, Right-Handed Aged/Signed is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only.

Check out the great alternatives on this page or reach out to us directly with any questions!

View full details

The Heavy Metal Machine

Tony Iommi's iconic riffs, heavy tones and massively-influential albums created the blueprint for Heavy Metal and many other genres to follow. His career, like the man himself, is universally loved and revered. And while his innovative tuning and playing styles were a major part of his monstrous tones, a Gibson SG named "Monkey" was at the center of it all. This heavily-modified 1964 SG Special was used extensively with the original lineup of Black Sabbath, heard on every album and tour of the 1970s. It features, most notably, a polyurethane-coated fingerboard, a zero fret, and a unique set of hand-made pickups. Combined with the dropped tuning and Tony's unique playing style, the power and depth of sound from the "Monkey" SG is unlike any other axe available. That is until now, thanks to the meticulous reverse-engineering and painstaking attention to detail employed by Gibson Custom Shop. 50 exact replicas have been created, 25 right-handed and 25 left-handed like the original, each signed and numbered by Tony Iommi himself. No detail was overlooked in the construction and aging, telling the complete story of the “Monkey” from the zero fret to the stop tailpiece bushings to the legendary pickups, which were hand-made in the UK by the apprentice of the late John Birch. Each guitar will include an exclusive replica of Tony's silver cross necklace with a coffin case, a replica of Tony's leather touring guitar strap, a 1960s replica case and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Read more

Specifications

Electronics Specs

Bridge Pickup John Birch P-90

Controls 2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 2 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness

Neck Pickup John Birch Superflux

Output Jack Switchcraft

Pickup Selector 3-Way Switchcraft

Hardware Specs

Bridge Adjustable Wrap-Around

Control Covers Black

Control Knobs Black Witch Hats w/ Silver Inserts

finish Chrome - Aged

Mounting Rings Custom John Birch

Pickguard Black 5-Ply Wide Bevel

Pickup Covers Chrome Engraved

Saddle Material Brass

Strap Buttons Aluminum

Switch Tip Black

Switchwasher Thin Black

Tailpiece Stud Anchors Only

Truss Rod 2-way Adjustable

Truss Rod Cover 3-Ply Black/White/Black

Tuner Plating Chrome - Aged

Tuning Machines Schaller M6

Misc Specs

Accessories Certificate of Authenticity, Replica Heavy Leather Strap, Replica Silver Cross Necklace in Coffin

Model: SGSPC64TIACH1

Case 1960s Replica Black/Yellow Hardshell

Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046