NGD! Well, sort of... 1968 Gibson SG Special

[DirtySteve]

I acquired the guitar heavily modified in 1986. Doesn't surprise me a pot might have been changed out.

Yeah, and the soldering on the back of those pots is scary, somebody didn't use a hot enough iron and it looks like there has been many pickup swaps done. I recognize the signs because I'm guilty. lol.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

I acquired the guitar heavily modified in 1986. Doesn't surprise me a pot might have been changed out.

Yeah it's heavily modded alright!

 

[Cadorman]

Yeah, and the soldering on the back of those pots is scary, somebody didn't use a hot enough iron and it looks like there has been many pickup swaps done. I recognize the signs because I'm guilty. lol.

Me too. So, the question is do I replace the pots, or will that hurt the value. They currently work.

 

[DirtySteve]

Me too. So, the question is do I replace the pots, or will that hurt the value. They currently work.

For a collector, probably...for a player, probably not. But that's just a guess.

 

[Cadorman]

For a collector, probably...for a player, probably not. But that's just a guess.

I should focus on making it a technically close to stock player. It's not in good enough shape finish wise to be a great collector piece. Plus I already have new CTS pots....

 

[Cadorman]

And that plastic output jack is certainly not original.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Me too. So, the question is do I replace the pots, or will that hurt the value. They currently work.

If they work I'd just leave em.

 

[Mitch Pearrow SJMP]

Congratulations on a great looking SG
HNGD

 

[Robb]

Congrats, I'd leave it as is.

 

[blues]

View attachment 111116
Back

What a cool guitar. If you look where the body joins the neck you can see the original Polaris White peaking out.
It's same color along the right side of the neck.

It's possible it had a repair at the heel and the paint chipped off. I think someone tried to refinish it with a similar color.

View attachment 111113
Back of headstock.

It's also probably why the paint is so think you can't see the serial number.

Also I notice one of the pots are date coded 1970. Must have changed out at some point. Seems odd that the pots are 2 years older than the git? Serial matches tho...
I like Graph tech or Tusq myself.

I think if the guitar was a 1970 it would have a volute.

What should I get for a Knut? I'm thinking Graphtek, but I'm totally open. I'm putting this back to stock right handed. I'll never be able to play it. I just want it as good as it can be.

Stock would probably be nylon.

IDK how much money you want to throw at it but there are vintage parts available. They wont be cheap though. But there
are replacement parts that will work. You could probably find a replacement bridge that will intonate better.

Here is an after market replacement pickguard PG 2504: GIBSON 1968 SG Special - Pickguard Heaven

I used to have a 69 SG standard that was already stripped when I bought it. I painted it. But if I had it to do all over
I probably would have left it naked. If this is your first time restoring a guitar it can go south in a hurry. Whatever you
do just take your time.

You have a cool player as is, If it were mine I would probably just use that badass bridge. Find a pick guard and some P-90s
and play it for a while.

Nothing like the smell of old mahogany in the morning.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Nothing like the smell of old mahogany in the morning

Yeah! My 1953 smells like old wood and electronics!

 

[blues]

Yeah! My 1953 smells like old wood and electronics!

My 59 Melody Maker was like that.