Hi all thought I'd finally make a post about my SG. My first professional standard guitar was a 1968 Gibson SG Special bought when I was 16. I used to plug it straight into my '70s Marshall JMP stack. Sounded incredible. I don’t remember thinking it was vintage or anyone making a deal about it then. Back then you just got what was available in shops or privately. I traded it for a Strat a couple of years later because I was obsessed with Jimi at the time and couldn't afford two guitars.
I really missed the ’68 so it so I got one of the SG Classics about ten years ago to fill the gap which is excellent (with a 50s wiring mod), but not the same as an original. I still have the JMP stack. :)But I still hankered after an original vintage SG Special. I recently bought this 1965 SG Special. It’s in overall pretty good condition, it has some dings, a few bare spots and plenty of lacquer checking over the still vibrant cherry finish.
The specs are early ’65 transition in that it was the wider nut 1.69” (43.11mm) but with chrome bridge and tailpiece. The body is a one-piece slab of Honduran Mahogany, as is the neck. The fingerboard is a richly hued Brazilian rosewood with some lovely dark red hints in strong daylight. Shows signs of some rough fret finishing and tool markings other scars. Pretty shiny and waxy and smooth.
It has the short Vibrola tailpiece and compensated lightening bar bridge in chrome the original strip-mounted Kluson Deluxe button tuners. Incredibly low action. The bridge has had string grooves cut into it. Pots and electronics are original with no signs of molestation. The pickguard is a bit warped, but nothing too Dali Clocks.
The P-90s are magnificent, especially the bridge which is perfect. Lots of top end and chimey, they retain the top end as you roll back and get lovely warm glassy cleans. Into a gainy amp it has that sound. Pots have a quick tail off so adjustment is quite fine in a live setting. The neck pickup isn’t as flutey as a Les Paul or as twangy and hollow as Strat. It’s a sort of in between tone, capable of some variety.
It is set-up to perfection with a super low action, smooth frets lower over the years but still plenty to play with. The original compensated bridge isn’t too bad, but I have Tonepros AVT2 wraparound on it currently which enables perfect intonation and the notes ring out really truly.
Hits the scales at 6.6lb and balances perfectly.
I made a Pete Townsend inspired sound demo of it, here:
Hope you like the pics
I really missed the ’68 so it so I got one of the SG Classics about ten years ago to fill the gap which is excellent (with a 50s wiring mod), but not the same as an original. I still have the JMP stack. :)But I still hankered after an original vintage SG Special. I recently bought this 1965 SG Special. It’s in overall pretty good condition, it has some dings, a few bare spots and plenty of lacquer checking over the still vibrant cherry finish.
The specs are early ’65 transition in that it was the wider nut 1.69” (43.11mm) but with chrome bridge and tailpiece. The body is a one-piece slab of Honduran Mahogany, as is the neck. The fingerboard is a richly hued Brazilian rosewood with some lovely dark red hints in strong daylight. Shows signs of some rough fret finishing and tool markings other scars. Pretty shiny and waxy and smooth.
It has the short Vibrola tailpiece and compensated lightening bar bridge in chrome the original strip-mounted Kluson Deluxe button tuners. Incredibly low action. The bridge has had string grooves cut into it. Pots and electronics are original with no signs of molestation. The pickguard is a bit warped, but nothing too Dali Clocks.
The P-90s are magnificent, especially the bridge which is perfect. Lots of top end and chimey, they retain the top end as you roll back and get lovely warm glassy cleans. Into a gainy amp it has that sound. Pots have a quick tail off so adjustment is quite fine in a live setting. The neck pickup isn’t as flutey as a Les Paul or as twangy and hollow as Strat. It’s a sort of in between tone, capable of some variety.
It is set-up to perfection with a super low action, smooth frets lower over the years but still plenty to play with. The original compensated bridge isn’t too bad, but I have Tonepros AVT2 wraparound on it currently which enables perfect intonation and the notes ring out really truly.
Hits the scales at 6.6lb and balances perfectly.
I made a Pete Townsend inspired sound demo of it, here:
Hope you like the pics
