Metal Guitar of the Week - Tony Iommi's Old Boy Jaydee SG Custom

This week's metal guitar is Tony Iommi's Jaydee SG Custom, also known as the "Old Boy." This is Tony's main electric guitar, both live and in studio. He has a lot of Gibson SG customs but Tony don't give two shits about them. The "Old Boy" is his guitar workhorse because he prefers its tone more than anything else. IMO, I think there is also some sentimental emotions involved.

According to Iommi's website, "Old Boy" was built in Birmingham, England by John Diggins, now known for his Jaydee Custom guitars. The guitar has a distinguishable distressed maroon finished with Iommi's cross inlay trademarks. The pickups were hot-rodded by Diggins himself. The bridge is Schaller and the machine heads are Sperzels. The body and neck are mahogany, I believe, and the the fretboard is ebony.

Although "Old Boy" looks grotesque and terribly old, it has a very dark but sweet tone. I bet the frets feel like heaven! Iommi plays the guitar as if it's a part of his body. Just watch the Heaven and Hell DVD and you'll see "Old Boy" in action.

Unfortunately, this guitar is one of a kind. There is no way in the world you can get an exact replica.

- Eihcral