1968-1970 SG Junior

Astral Traveler

Astral Traveler

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Yes, yes I know. I'm bad! Now that's out of the way, have a look at this: Gibson SG junior. 1968. (439963277) ᐈ Köp på Tradera

It's advertised as a 1968 SG Jr but based on the neck heel I'd say it's probably around 1970 but I ain't no SG expert. What do you think?
There's very little info, basically advertised as a 1968 SG Junior, all original except the wraparound tailpiece and tuners. The serial no is 906165.

The current owner had it for 30 years and isn't very good with communications. I asked about the condition of frets, neck and truss rod and the only reply I got was the photo below. It's an auction so there's no telling what it'll end up costing but it is within pickup distance :whistle:
SG Jr.jpg
 
I looked at the auction site, it seems to be on par with a standard 1968 SG Jr, especially the vibrola screw holes ( the Vibrola was standard issue for this era), the batwing pickguard, its finish and the headstock.

Changes have been made obviously, as they've removed the Vibrola with a wraparound bridge and the tuners look like Gotohs ( originally either Kluson or white mandolin 3x3s). Theres some scuffing on the back as well as the big peace symbol sticker but nothing glaringly bad.

Serial numbers? Its on par with a 1968. Gibson had a confusing system before the mid 70s but i looked it up and it seems to be right.
Screenshots_2021-01-05-09-16-27.png

Going rate for guitars like this year and model with the vibrola replaced is around $1500 to $1800 depending on its condition from what im seeing others selling for
 
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Clockworkmike said:
I looked at the auction site, it seems to be on par with a standard 1968 SG Jr, especially the vibrola screw holes ( the Vibrola was standard issue for this era), the batwing pickguard, its finish and the headstock.

Changes have been made obviously, as they've removed the Vibrola with a wraparound bridge and the tuners look like Gotohs ( originally either Kluson or white mandolin 3x3s). Theres some scuffing on the back as well as the big peace symbol sticker but nothing glaringly bad.

Serial numbers? Its on par with a 1968. Gibson had a confusing system before the mid 70s but i looked it up and it seems to be right.
View attachment 55713

Going rate for guitars like this year and model with the vibrola replaced is around $1500 to $1800 depending on its condition from what im seeing others selling for
Click to expand...
Excellent, thank you!

I'm very tempted... We'll see where it's at in a week from now.
 
Astral Traveler said:
Yes, yes I know. I'm bad! Now that's out of the way, have a look at this: Gibson SG junior. 1968. (439963277) ᐈ Köp på Tradera

It's advertised as a 1968 SG Jr but based on the neck heel I'd say it's probably around 1970 but I ain't no SG expert. What do you think?
There's very little info, basically advertised as a 1968 SG Junior, all original except the wraparound tailpiece and tuners. The serial no is 906165.

The current owner had it for 30 years and isn't very good with communications. I asked about the condition of frets, neck and truss rod and the only reply I got was the photo below. It's an auction so there's no telling what it'll end up costing but it is within pickup distance :whistle:
View attachment 55711
Click to expand...

Cool guitar especially for slide players.
The P90 sounds way different and has a bite all it's own.
I used to have one.
 
Beagle said:
View attachment 55723
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That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

There was this english professor who had a lecture on the differencies and similarities between English and other languages. He talked about double negatives and said that one thing all languages have in common is that a double negative always becomes a positive and in no language does double positives become a negative. As he finished his sentence there was a moment of silence as the class took it all in, then a little voice in the back piped up "Yeah, right! "
 
And if (hypothetically) I was looking, this would fit right into what I was looking for, just like Deathtrap. A well played (bad guitars don't get played much), worn (not a collectors item) guitar. If it stops under $1500 I could find a way to make it happen, for anything above that I could get a new one.
 
With that heel, it’s not a ‘68. My ‘68 Junior has a big, round neck with very little transition into the heel and joint. The serial number is 300 lower than mine, but means nothing. I have one ‘69 Standard (and had a second) that I thought were both from ‘68. The neck heel, three piece neck, and missing dot for the “I” said otherwise. Pot codes were late ‘68 on both guitars.

My guess is early ‘70, before the volute and “made in USA.”

‘68 neck joint.

189C32BE-7A0A-4759-B707-58EBA4052780.jpeg

‘69 neck joint.

5A478E72-CFE0-49A2-B7B1-A8FC00928952.jpeg
 
SG John said:
With that heel, it’s not a ‘68. My ‘68 Junior has a big, round neck with very little transition into the heel and joint. The serial number is 300 lower than mine, but means nothing. I have one ‘69 Standard (and had a second) that I thought were both from ‘68. The neck heel, three piece neck, and missing dot for the “I” said otherwise. Pot codes were late ‘68 on both guitars.

My guess is early ‘70, before the volute and “made in USA.”

‘68 neck joint.

View attachment 55748

‘69 neck joint.

View attachment 55749
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Yeah, that was what I was thinking. Thanks!
 
Heres a blow up of the same guitar for auction and its neck joint for clarity. If its a 1970, the serial number can be a 900000 number, indicating a late 1970 but it should end in S and have Made In USA stamped on it as well. I cant make that part out in the pic he has honestly. The other guitar is a 1970 sg jr's neck joint.


Screenshot_20210105-195331.png390321331_9a9ad00b-062e-4b7c-b4fd-e2ee312a73be.jpg
 

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Clockworkmike said:
Adrians link shows Gibsons numbering. Nothing pops up 1968 but it does for 1970 ( Although as it says, it would have to say Made in USA). With all that and the neck heel, i retract my statement and am with your initial suspicion , @Astral Traveler
along with @SG John 's in that is in fact not a 1968 but a 1970. If it says Made in Usa that would be the smoking gun.View attachment 55770
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From what I've read, seen, heard over the years... it would be late '70 if it has "Made In USA." That was the same time they introduced the volute on the back of the headstock to prevent breakage. But, you never know with Gibson.
 
Price wise? Still about the same as a 1968 according to what they sell for on Reverb. With its changes, id say closer the the lower end of this figureScreenshot_20210105-202119.png
 
Clockworkmike said:
Adrians link shows Gibsons numbering. Nothing pops up 1968 but it does for 1970 ( Although as it says, it would have to say Made in USA). With all that and the neck heel, i retract my statement and am with your initial suspicion , @Astral Traveler
along with @SG John 's in that is in fact not a 1968 but a 1970. If it says Made in Usa that would be the smoking gun.View attachment 55770
Click to expand...
Thanks!

What do we make of this? Worth a few bucks and a car trip? :sneaky:
 
Clockworkmike said:
Price wise? Still about the same as a 1968 according to what they sell for on Reverb. With its changes, id say closer the the lower end of this figureView attachment 55775
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was hoping for something close to the lower end, I could make that happen. Who knows, sometimes these auctions run off and sell for outrageous amounts, sometimes there are bargains. This is where I got the Vox MV50 with cabinet for $100 and a brand new SolidgoldFX Surf rider reverb pedal for $90.
 
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