Vintage Gibson SG Project:

[SG John]

'61 and '62 had the angled tailpiece, with no raised casting for string intonation. The angled bar was cast with a slight ridge that allowed for a sharp break for intonation. It was the same bridge as used on '53 - '55 Les Paul Standards and then Les Paul Juniors and Specials from '55 to '60.

Here's my early '62 SG Special with a five digit serial number.

 

[Inspector #20]

All parts are now ordered up.

The Maestro is a relic reproduction from Tricked Out Guitar, I found original Gibson knobs and pointers...and the bridge is from Mojoaxe.

 

[syscokid]

All parts are now ordered up.

The Maestro is a relic reproduction from Tricked Out Guitar, I found original Gibson knobs and pointers...and the bridge is from Mojoaxe.

What about the tuners?

 

[Inspector #20]

What about the tuners?

We decided to leave the gold Gibson logo tuners on it. they work good and the holes are already there, not to mention the headstock has probably already been punched out to 10mm.

Last night, I got the electronics working by repairing a loose solder joint at the input jack. It plays and sounds pretty nice.

 

[syscokid]

Out of curiosity, can you measure and post the DCR of that P90?

 

[Astral Traveler]

The neck angle was severely off on that guitar. To get the strings off the bridge took a stack of Faber tailpiece stud bushings. Even top-wrapped, the strings dug grooves in the bridge.

View attachment 76423

It also had shorted pickups, that Gibson eventually replaced for me under warranty. I bought the SG brand new in 2017 for around $800.00

I tried GFS, Virgil Arlo, Thro-Baks, Duncans, Carvins and just about every pickup you can think of and nothing worked. I had Gary 'Tone Man' Standefer build me a 50's style harness too. Huge waste of money. Not a SINGLE IMPROVEMENT over the stock PCB. Zero. Nada.

View attachment 76424

I played it for about a year and just never liked it. That guitar probably spent more time in the case than it did being played. TBTH, I think my students played it more than I did.

It also had intonation anomalies and I believe that several frets were misplaced.

I couldn't wait to get rid of it....

View attachment 76422

I love SG's but the worst guitar I've ever owned was a SG, a 2019 Gibson SG Special. It was gorgeous and I really wanted to like it but ended up selling it. It was a real pig.

 

[Inspector #20]

Out of curiosity, can you measure and post the DCR of that P90?

Yes. I will!

 

[Inspector #20]

In late 1965, the Maestro Vibrola was made standard.

Gibson SG Junior 1961 - 1966 | Reverb

Compare prices on vintage Gibson SG (Les Paul) Junior guitars from 1961 to 1966 on Reverb.

reverb.com

 

[eSGEe]

just send it to Me Robert I have an EXCELLENT PLAYING Ibanez w/ floyd that you will LOVE .... and Ill take another of those PESKY problematic SG's off yer hands

 

[Inspector #20]

just send it to Me Robert I have an EXCELLENT PLAYING Ibanez w/ floyd that you will LOVE .... and Ill take another of those PESKY problematic SG's off yer hands

I have no love for these. It's just a job.

 

[eSGEe]

well see ya wont miss it a bit

 

[Inspector #20]

well see ya wont miss it a bit

I can't understand the appeal of these guitars to anyone. Everything is a compromise. Like a 2x4 with strings.

 

[eSGEe]

dunno -- send it here and Ill asses it and give you a proper review on my thoughts

 

[Inspector #20]

dunno -- send it here and Ill asses it and give you a proper review on my thoughts

I just replaced a missing trapeze tailpiece on the owner's 1953 Les Paul. He has a thing for ugly guitars....

 

[eSGEe]

not sure ... I like the SG ... always had -- got my first one in '86 ... been smitten ever since

 

[Inspector #20]

This guitar has had a very poor repaint at some point in its lifetime...



Sanded areas exist all over the guitar...Serial stamp is likely buried.



Lots of poor quality work abounds...



The idea here is not to do a refinish or a polish. I've been asked to functionally restore it to working condition for a display case.

I'm thinking of trying to cut through some of the paint with finer paper on the back of the headstock to see if the number can be revealed.

"SERIAL 11995w" is written on a small sticker on the back of the guitar. This is incorrect in both format and range for a guitar of this vintage.

 

[Don O]

Well, this is special. Says MacGyver all over it

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Stolen?

 

[Inspector #20]

Well, this is special. Says MacGyver all over it


View attachment 77010

That's a $49 Guitar Sinner Setup....

 

[Inspector #20]

Stolen?

View attachment 77011View attachment 77011

I doubt it....

In 1965, serials were stamped. This guitar appears to have been a all-wood finish, so the serial is likely buried under this thick paint....