Courtesy of GibsonBlack Sabbath‘s Tony Iommi has teamed with the Gibson company to create a limited-edition replica version of his modified 1964 SG Special guitar, known as “Monkey.”
Iommi’s “Monkey” was used extensively with Black Sabbath’s original lineup throughout the 1970s and was played on every album and tour by the band during that decade. The Tony Iommi “Monkey” 1964 SG Special Replica was created by the Gibson Custom Shop, which meticulously reproduced every detail of the original instrument.
Only 50 replica “Monkey” guitars have been produced, 25 right-handed and 25 left-handed instruments, each one signed and numbered by Tony. The guitars are housed in a vintage-style case and come with replicas of Iommi’s silver cross necklace, packaged in a coffin-shaped case, and his leather touring guitar strap.
“I [recently] had the opportunity to go to the [Gibson] factories, meet the people that work there, and I saw how dedicated they all are,” Tony says. “Gibson guitars have lifted a million times, and with the new team being totally involved, that’s what’s been missing in Gibson for a long time now. There’s no stopping them, which is great for all of us guitar players.”
Gibson executive Cesar Gueikian declares, “Having the opportunity to work with Tony to recreate his original 1964 SG is the ultimate honor for all of us at Gibson.”
Iommi’s “Monkey” SG Replica is available now, and currently is being displayed at the popular music-equipment conference The NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.
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