Serial number confusion: from '65 or '68?

[tgdineen]

I have an SG with serial number 513003. According to the Blue Book of Electric Guitars (2007), the guitar was therefore made in either '65 or '68.

This SG has the small, non-"batwing" pick-guard. Wikipedia (not always the most accurate source) indicates that SGs "produced between 1961 and 1965 have the original small pick-guard...the larger symmetrical 'batwing' pickguard first appeared in 1966."

Does this mean that the small pickguard was not used after 1966 (until much more recent reissues), or was it used in addition to the batwing from '66 on? If it was not, then my guitar is likely a '65.

Can you tell me any other way I can determine if the guitar is a '65 or '68?
Many thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Kris Ford]

I'd say '65..got any pics? Also, you can check the codes on the back of the pots..they should be like 137 65 16 or something to that effect..137=CTS, 65=year 16=week of the year pot was made (not the entire guitar though, as some would believe..)

 

[tgdineen]

Many thanks, Kris. I checked the back of the pots and they read 137 65 29, so this does suggest 1965. I'm terrible with photos but will try to post one.

 

[tgdineen]

Here it is. Sorry image is inverted.

 

[Kris Ford]

25 weeks after mine! My pot codes are 137 65 04, SN# is 274XXX..just goes to show how wacky the serial number scheme became..

 

[Kris Ford]

Most definitely a '65, and a beaut at that!Which nut width does it have..I know forum brother Kevin James has a lot of info on these..

 

[tgdineen]

Excellent. Nut width is 1 and 9/16th (I think...crude tape measurer). Only real blemishes are 1" belt scratch (previous owner) that went through the finish on back and a more minor 1/4-inch scratch on back of neck.

I bought it in the early 1980s for $525 (still have tag). Also have original whammy bar and white plastic pickup selector switch.

I only played it for a year or two before switching to Charvel and Jackson guitars, preferring wider necks and bigger frets. Sacrilege to some on this forum, I'm sure, but this means my SG went unplayed for the last thirty years (also sacrilege?), saving it from wear and tear.

Lads at Guitar Center assured me it was a '69...then offered me a couple thousand bucks for it. On that note, any idea of approximate value? I intend to leave it to my daughter to pay for education of her children.

 

[javamagic]

Lads at Guitar Center assured me it was a '69...then offered me a couple thousand bucks for it.

Scamming bastards! Anyone with a basic knowledge of Gibson SGs would know it was pre-'66 and you can bet your life they did too! I hope your daughter and her family get the full financial benefit from the guitar instead of those slimy creeps who were trying to screw you over.

 

[tgdineen]

Yeah, the cluelessness of Guitar Center guys sometimes compensates for their venality, and the date mishap was predictable. Of course, they may have sought to pay me $2,000 then pulled a move like this:

In Store VINTAGE GIBSON 1962 LP SG BODY/040206 | GuitarCenter

 

[VonPrikler]

That's a very late '65, last few months of '65 - they looked like that in '66 as well. Batwing guard not until very late '66.

 

[SG John]

Yeah, the cluelessness of Guitar Center guys sometimes compensates for their venality, and the date mishap was predictable. Of course, they may have sought to pay me $2,000 then pulled a move like this:

In Store VINTAGE GIBSON 1962 LP SG BODY/040206 | GuitarCenter

Unfortunately, that's their M.O.

One time I was in a GC in Danvers, MA, and one of the newer, younger, toady sales creatures was badgering me to look at guitars when I was in there for a cable or something mundane on a Sunday. He kept asking me what I played, etc. I finally mention I played a few old Gibsons. He asked "what kind. " I said mostly old SG's although I also play Les Paul's, Firebirds, and Flying V's. He then proceeded to tell me how the just bought a '67 SG Special from a customer for $800.00, the flipped it for 5 grand the next day. Chuckling all the while.

I told the manager what he told me, and that I wasn't impressed with his sales staff bragging about screwing customers, then turning a big profit. I try to avoid the place at all costs.

 

[tgdineen]

That's a chilling story about GC, John. Surprised the manager didn't try to reassure you by saying they'd have offered you at least $1,000.

 

[PermissionToLand]

I'm sure the manager was in on it too.

 

[SG John]

I'm sure the manager was in on it too.

He was probably more offended that I said something. I should have told him that I would spread it on every guitar forum that I'm a member of the moment I got home. I did anyway, but it would have been fun to tell him that. Afterthought is always 20/20.