NGD : 2019 Gibson SG Standard w/ Sideways Vibrola

[KS 5150]

Hi everyone,

I am new here, although I've been a longtime member of the My Les Paul forums. I've previously had a 2004 SG Standard w/ Bigsby, that I sold to get the new '61 SG, that was introduced at NAMM 2019.
This particular guitar I got out of London, and it's great! The '61 Tribute pickups sound fantastic, and it's very resonant and loud acoustically.
I did a few mods when I received it, including blocking the trem to ensure tuning stability, and adding aged nickel pickup covers as I've never liked the super-shiny covers that were stock. Here are a few pics. The 1st one was right when I received it, before the mods, which shows off the lovely grain in the mahogany. The other pics were taken after mods, although it was a dreary day, so it doesn't show the wood as well :

 

[SG standard]

Congratulations! Great looking piece of mahogany. :)

I do like the look of those old Vibrolas, but from what I've heard about their impact on tuning stability I reckon they're best as decoration only.

Happy NGD, have fun. :)

 

[KS 5150]

Thanks! I played it this morning. Once I took out the springs on the Sideways, it make a huge difference in stability. I also added Big Bends sauce, which seems to help as well.

 

[football27]

That's a beautiful guitar. Enjoy.

 

[Goldtone]

Outstanding

 

[tolm]

Lovely! I have the, er, “frontways” (?!) model and absolutely love it.

 

[papagayo]

Nice SG, very good choice

 

[pancake81]

That is very nice, would love to have one in my collection.

 

[papagayo]

A 5 ply wide bevel pickguard, vintage repro knobs and M-69 pickup rings, this SG is perfect.

 

[Dale]

I love the look of those!

 

[KS 5150]

A 5 ply wide bevel pickguard, vintage repro knobs and M-69 pickup rings, this SG is perfect.

I'm going to get the pickguard for sure. The rings are stamped M-69 from the factory...I don't really know the difference myself.

 

[papagayo]

I'm going to get the pickguard for sure. The rings are stamped M-69 from the factory...I don't really know the difference myself.

Standard pickup rings (cream) vs M-69 (vintage original rings specs)

 

[KS 5150]

Ah, I see. Something I'll keep an eye out for

 

[Mwltsg]

Thanks! I played it this morning. Once I took out the springs on the Sideways, it make a huge difference in stability. I also added Big Bends sauce, which seems to help as well.

Lovely Sg !!
So even with the trem not in use, it's causing issues?
Have one on the way, i am aware of it's problems. But was hoping for as long as you don't use the arm it's good
But will try it a couple of month's before i lock the Trem.
Got other sg's i can play while i try breaking it in :)

 

[Mike Fried]

I spent a fair amount of time adjusting the trem springs, with some improvement in stability, but the tuning still creeps sharp over time when in use. I'm thinking it may have more to do with binding nut slots at this point. I replaced the stock bridge saddles with Tusq with no effect on that issue, but an improvement (to my ears) in string-to-string evenness and overtones.

 

[OldDog]

Guitars are as much visual art as they are music makers. That's a real nice guitar.

 

[Mwltsg]

I spent a fair amount of time adjusting the trem springs, with some improvement in stability, but the tuning still creeps sharp over time when in use. I'm thinking it may have more to do with binding nut slots at this point. I replaced the stock bridge saddles with Tusq with no effect on that issue, but an improvement (to my ears) in string-to-string evenness and overtones.

When you say «creeps sharp over time when in use»
So do you mean using the vibrola, or just playing the guitar.

One thing to try out is to get the bridge stable.
The thumbwheel screw is pretty loose in the bridge bushing. How tight is the abr bridge in the thumbwheel screew ?
I might just try with toothpick in those places

 

[KS 5150]

Lovely Sg !!
So even with the trem not in use, it's causing issues?
Have one on the way, i am aware of it's problems. But was hoping for as long as you don't use the arm it's good
But will try it a couple of month's before i lock the Trem.
Got other sg's i can play while i try breaking it in :)

No, once I removed the springs in the vibrola, the tuning has been rock solid, and it also moves the trem arm closer to the vibrola, so its more out of the way. I think the vibrola does get better when played in, but I just wanted the look, as I have several guitars with trems already.

 

[hdvades]

Nice axe. You blocked the trem and removed the springs rendering the vibrola unusable.
You bought a SG w/sideways vibrola just for the looks. I guess to each their own. On the other hand, an aged nickel vibrola ass'y would complete the look...go for it!

 

[Rusty Chops]

Beautiful ax!