SG200

[mv726x]

Trying to identify a gibson bought for me by my wife in late 1966 or early 1967. The guitar was bought used. Research on the serial number 956820 tells me it was made in 1959 because the number is inked on the headstock and below it are the words "Made In The USA". Gibson stopped putting this on in early 1961 and didn't start again til the 70's but the guitar was already used in 1967! It looks just like an SG200 but I thought they were not introduced until 1971. If it is an early prototype it's hard to believe Gibson had it 12 years before it was introduced. I am positive about the dates as we bought the guitar in Tampa and I was stationed there from mid 1966 to late 1968. Any ideas?? Picture to follow.

mike

 

[Six String]

Welcome to ETSG mv726x! :) :) :)

An interesting mystery you have there. Let's see if we can get it figured out for you!

 

[njpaulc]

According to the serial number program my 1968 Sg was made in 1955. Unfortunatly it don't alway work.

 

[hethaerto]

Cool guitar. I had one just like it for several years. It was my only axe for nearly 5 years. It had no paint, and the body was splitting.

But it played well and had a cool sound.

I'd love to replace it. In a fit of anger I smashed it on the ground.

I paid $20 for mine. Here's a nice red one on eBay for $1500:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1972-GIBSON-SG-200-Electric-Guitar-sg200-sg-200_W0QQitemZ230133935517QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item230133935517&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

[duane v]

Your guitar is a 1972 SG200.

They only made these guitars from 1971 - 1973.... They used to stamp Made in USA in the 1950's but it was stamped above the serial number. But these were guitars that were exported to Canada. Through the sixties there were no Made in USA on the headstocks. They re-introduced the Made in USA stamp in 1970, and the stamp was below the serial number.

Here's mine

 

[tpa]

Wise men have said that there normally is a code stamped on the back of the potentiometers which are more reliable than serial numbers for dating Gibsons. Nice dark finish it has, your guitar. Looks much better without the pickguard.

 

[mv726x]

tpa, thanks for the reply. Actually, I wrote to Gibson customer relations and they asked me for the pot codes also which i sent to them a little while ago. As far as the pickguard, it seems this guitar was designed with out one. The are no "holes" or unaccounted for screws where a pickguard would have been. Also, i have owned it since 1967 and it did not have one when I got it.

mike

 

[TNT]

Welcome to ESG MV726x! That's a '72 SG200 like Duane V said. The "Gibson" embossed pickups were only put on guitars in '72.

 

[toysbyus]

Yikes!!!

This is MY guitar! I bought what was told to me was a Gibson SG Jr., back in 1972 w/Gibson Hard case.........for 180- PLUS a Fender Deluxe Reverb......

Long story short....left college, eventually sold the amp to my neighbor as he was in a band.........

Fast forward: 25 years +.....I still have my old Gibson and took it to a music store in NJ 5 years ago to have a slight warp taken out of the neck and general cleanup.....it was in its hard case for all those years.....

The guy at the store told me that he also thought it was a Jr....looked it up in his catalogs and checked the serial number (also said that it was useless for ID purposes) and pronounced it an SG250.....whatever that is.

Now, at 61, having forgotten every single chord and song that I knew when I was a kid, I'm starting up again...........

This photo is definitely of the same model as mine....right down to the missing bridge cover......

I'll add the serial numbers later if anyone cares.....mine is banged up, though....chips and crazing in the finish but still sounds sweet........

We just had new windows installed in hour home and one of the installers saw the guitar and asked to look at it. He's about 50 or so (a kid) and started playing three years ago.....so.......here I go again!

Thanks for posting this image....I'm inspired more now to learn again.......

Steve

 

[TNT]

It might still be worth $180.00 and a Fender Deluxe Reverb! (Silverface) :)

 

[mv726x]

Nice to hear from someone nearly my age with the same guitar

mv

 

[nofretdave]

Just joined. Anyone have a method for replacing the nylon bridge saddles on the SG200 bent metal harmonica bridge? I can’t figure it out!