Tim Shaw was tasked by Gibson with getting closer to the original late-’50s PAF recipe, and his humbuckers have become collectible in their own right

Really cool piece of Gibson history here. This is a 1986 Gibson SG Reissue, from the first year of this early-'60s-style SG reissue run and loaded with the highly sought-after Tim Shaw humbuckers.

The Shaw pickups are a big part of what makes these mid-'80s Gibsons special. They were Gibson's early attempt at recreating the sound and construction of the original late-'50s PAFs, with a lower-output, open and articulate sound. Original Shaw-equipped Gibsons have become increasingly desirable on their own, and finding them in a first-year SG Reissue makes this one particularly interesting.

This model would later become known as the SG '62 Reissue and eventually evolve into the SG '61 Reissue that Gibson still produces today. The 1986 guitars represent the beginning of that lineage.

Classic cherry finish, early-'60s SG styling, and everything you want out of an old SG: lightweight, resonant, fast playing and plenty of bite when you dig into it. The Shaws clean up beautifully and have noticeably more clarity than a lot of hotter modern humbuckers.

Highlights:

• 1986 Gibson SG Reissue
• First year of this SG Reissue model
• Original Tim Shaw humbuckers
• Cherry finish
• Early-'60s SG styling
• Mahogany body and neck
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Made in USA
• Nearly 40 years old

A very cool SG from an interesting transitional period at Gibson. Between the first-year reissue status and the Tim Shaw pickups, this is one of those '80s Gibsons that has a lot more going for it than the year on the serial number might initially suggest.