So pleased to find this site of SG Aficionados. (posted in the wrong thread) I am looking for some help. I have had a Standard SG for many years but know little about its production year. The Gibson Data project does not recognize the number. I know the tuners are not original and neither is the pickguard and I don't have the original case. Just uncertain what I should be looking for short of no confirmation on the serial number (which is inked on back of headstock as 533165). I did see a '66 SG Standard sell on the web which had a number two digits away from my serial number (either 533167 or 533163). Anyhow, wishing I knew what to look for specifically. If anyone can help that would be amazing. Attaching a few pics... any other telltail details I should be looking for would be so very much appreciated !
On the back of the pots there is an EIA number that starts with 137. The entire number S/B 6 or 7 numbers long. You might have luck finding the rest of the number by moving the black wire at the top of the pic. 137 is the manufacturer CTS. The rest of the numbers are the year and week of that year. Your guitar could be a year or 2 newer that the date on the pot. Plug the EIA number into the date finder linked. https://www.guitarinsite.nl/serienu...xt=The first 3 digits on,2 digits of the year.
From the Gibson decoder on that site: Serial number: 553165 Production year: 1955 (Only applies to solidbody) Manufactured in Nashville Production year: 1974 -1975 (if 'Made in USA' on headstock) Manufactured in Kalamazoo Production year: 1995 or 2005 (if serial no. is stamped on the headstock of Les Paul Classic) Manufactured in Nashville (recurrent serial as a result of the 70's random method) For more accurate annual determination for electric models see: potmeters
Crown inlay is at location for a 1961-65 SG Standard. Pot Code Format 137YYWW 137 = CTS YY = Year WW = Week I'm seeing 13765?? in the photo which indicates the pot is from 1965. 1965 - transition of nut width from 1-11/16 to 1-9/16. Looks like a 1-11/16 nut width in the photo. 1966 - transition from small guard to batwing. Based on the features above, it appears to be a 1965 SG Standard.
