NGD: Gibson SG Special Aged Cherry with Short Vibrola.

Mr Grumpy said:
I have noticed a problem - it's quite a small problem, but I will get onto Thomann to seek compensation anyways...

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That highE intonation screw has lost its thread, so cannot be adjusted. I thought it was strange that it didn't come on the guitar, but rather floating in the case. There's also a tiny little mark on the nitro (it's hardly noticeable and I'm not worried about it, but it looks worse using the pretty high quality macro lens on the Galaxy Note 10).

So, to intonate the guitar perfectly, I need the lowE side of the bridge a tad further back, but I cannot get it there with that screw because it's locked in place, won't budge... It's only slightly sharp (and I could change that by altering the action), but it is an issue (if a small one).

Other than that, everything is looking good although I might take the guitar to a guy for a setup as he'll probably do a better job than I've done.

Just oiled the fretboard with some F1. I'll do that again next time I change the strings, and that'll make the board a tad darker which'll better suit the body colour, imho.

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It is always safer to relieve string tension before moving the intonation screw. Some bridges, especially aluminum, will strip out. It is a pain to keep loosening while intonating, but it is the safe way to go.

It is really a beauty!! It also looks like it was made to be played!!
 
SG John said:
I installed that bridge on the SG Junior I made for my friend in London. It is excellent quality, and intonates well. I've been hoping to eventually get one of those for my '68 Junior. They also make an excellent tailpiece for '54 - '62 Juniors, Specials, and Standards (that used that tailpiece in '54 & '55). I want to put one of those on my '62 Special.
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^ thanks SG John.

I don't know what, but this bridge just doesn't give me the positive vibes that the junior bridge did, and MojoAxe have a really good reputation. I think (and you know a lot more than me here) that on these juniors/specials the neck angle, nut and bridge must integrate perfectly to get everything out of the guitar, and in this instance the bridge is a bit meh, imho...
 
^ thanks Hackmaster - do you think she needs another PU in the middle? :oops:

RVA said:
It is always safer to relieve string tension before moving the intonation screw. Some bridges, especially aluminum, will strip out. It is a pain to keep loosening while intonating, but it is the safe way to go.

It is really a beauty!! It also looks like it was made to be played!!
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The adjustment screw was stripped before the guitar got to me.

She plays really well, so much so my fingers are hurting... I've always been shockingly poor at the basic E to C chord change (for some insane reason), so I've been going over and over trying a few finger positions to get it right and speedy; getting there. I will play a sexy version of Hey Joe before the weekend is over. I've chosen one song a week, and am practicing hard to get them decent; next week we've got Boom Boom Boom then the week after Maybe Tomorrow. I've put a much tougher practice regime in place than I used to have, so this guitar will be used and I will bloodywell improve! As ChokDee is my witness!

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Mr Grumpy said:
OK, some slightly better pictures outside in the sunlight trying (mostly failing...) to avoid reflections:

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See, she is pretty after all, in an oxblood kinda way...
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I'm curious to know what this guitar sounds like recorded.
Its got to be special.

I don't ever recall seeing a guitar finish like this one.

The guitar refuses to have its picture taken! :LOL:

Good to read that you spent time playing on it! :dood:
 
Mr Grumpy said:
OK, some slightly better pictures outside in the sunlight trying (mostly failing...) to avoid reflections:
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Reposting the stock pic that you posted:
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Studio photography (... duh!), with the majority of the lighting being very direct and strong at the right side of the guitar. Then there's some very diffused and subtle lighting illuminating the opposite side. And with that black background that guitar's finish is going to pop, pop, pop!
 
RVA said:
Really amazing grain!

BTW, I was not suggesting that you stripped it out, only a possible reason it got that way and a cautionary tale. Sorry I was not more clear.
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Thanks, it's is pretty (even if I cannot get a photo of it... :celebrate: ).

&, yeah, you're right, one has to take care (I've stripped many screws over the years); this was a rare occasion that it was ruined before I touched it! :)
 
syscokid said:
Reposting the stock pic that you posted:
View attachment 36827

Studio photography (... duh!), with the majority of the lighting being very direct and strong at the right side of the guitar. Then there's some very diffused and subtle lighting illuminating the opposite side. And with that black background that guitar's finish is going to pop, pop, pop!
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Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

If only Gibson had done a 25% lighter nitro on this guitar (and an inlay and strip tuners) it would have been perfect. Such is life - I kinda get the feeling that they wanna keep a distance between $1500/$1800 SGs and $3000 CS SGs.
 
^ yes. &, I have hurt my fingers the last couple of days trying; when I feel horny, I don't touch the wife (or meself), I just get the guitar out of its case and frantically rub up and down the neck!

I wish you could all come here and hold her, she is lovely - it doesn't come across in pictures though. Plays great, sounds good.

eSGEe said:
Agreed with Goo.
Sorry Grump but from your review sounds like the Jr. Was the cats meow
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Any more of those kinda comments and I'll send the wife over to the swamp to steal your Mesa and berate you firmly! (She'll probably eat your dogs while she's there...) :alien:

I've been grumbling, but overall the guitars are close - they play equally well, the wood on the junior is nicer to look at while the special is a nicer colour and has cool binding. The vibrola and general look of the special is better, but the junior has the bite that gets ones gonads moving... Really, despite my girlie whinging, there's nothing between the two guitars; they are very different, so ideally one would want to own both.

:D
 
Mr Grumpy said:
^ yes. &, I have hurt my fingers the last couple of days trying; when I feel horny, I don't touch the wife (or meself), I just get the guitar out of its case and frantically rub up and down the neck!

I wish you could all come here and hold her, she is lovely - it doesn't come across in pictures though. Plays great, sounds good.



Any more of those kinda comments and I'll send the wife over to the swamp to steal your Mesa and berate you firmly! (She'll probably eat your dogs while she's there...) :alien:

I've been grumbling, but overall the guitars are close - they play equally well, the wood on the junior is nicer to look at while the special is a nicer colour and has cool binding. The vibrola and general look of the special is better, but the junior has the bite that gets ones gonads moving... Really, despite my girlie whinging, there's nothing between the two guitars; they are very different, so ideally one would want to own both.

:D
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I predict you will by another junior in the future! The Special looks great. I have to say, I'm really gasing for a dual P90 Special myself...
 
Gahr said:
I predict you will by another junior in the future! The Special looks great. I have to say, I'm really gasing for a dual P90 Special myself...
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With the specials, I'd say it's the look and style more than the sound alone. You have the 60s junior and a superb standard, so I'm not sure the special will add tone. But, I'm not sure any SG looks as sexy as a 61, 64 or 67 special (I love the 61 bridge, the 64 vibrola and the 67 batwing...).

But, as we've said a few times, a 64-ish special, a 61-ish junior or standard and a 67 junior or standard to fill the trio would really be a treat. So, I reckon you're right because I'd love to have that trio.
 
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Gahr said:
I predict you will by another junior in the future! The Special looks great. I have to say, I'm really gasing for a dual P90 Special myself...
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Torn between the Junior and Special. On the one hand, the Jr. is so pure and straightforward and on the other hand I really like neck pickups. Yes, this does signal my general intent to try another P-90 guitar, it's been too long and my general taste has "evolved" a bit since I last had one.
 
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