Northern Guitars SG Copy?

Worn · August 28th, 2008, 12:55 AM

Anyone familiar with Northern guitars? I've come a cross an SG bass copy in a pawn shop. Seems to be an excellent SG knockoff, very well made. I've been told Northern were Canadian made, but I suspect they're Japanese.
Anybody?

Dave W · August 28th, 2008, 01:47 PM

Japanese, IIRC they were a house brand of a Canadian importer or music store chain.

Shoved BassVIII · August 28th, 2008, 06:47 PM

any pic?

Worn · August 28th, 2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoved BassVIII

any pic?

Didn't have a camera with me, so no pics. It does look like a late '60s or '70s SG with the 2 different size humbuckers, bridge cover, transparent red stain on what looks to be mahogany. If I remember correctly, sides of the neck have cream binding. Without the "Northern" logo on the headstock, it would pass as an old Gibson. I think I've talked myself into it, but I have to sell something before I can buy anything else!

Shoved BassVIII · August 29th, 2008, 06:54 PM

sell the car. with all the $ you save on not buying gas you'll be happy you did.

telechucker · August 29th, 2008, 07:15 PM

Hey Worn - if the price is good ; buy the guitar. I remember when the Northern guitars were around in Canada - they were excellent. Think along the quality of the Ibanez lawsuits. Northern used to have a cheeky marketing slogan that reflected the sad state of major American guitar building at the time : "It's no longer a copy when it's better than the original." I'm still looking for a Northern Tele or Strat ; any help out there ????? Regards.

Worn · August 29th, 2008, 07:49 PM

Bought it on the way home from work and it looks a lot better quality than I originally thought. Its the only one I've seen, never heard of them until recently.
I've put a couple of pics in my gallery after giving it a quick cleaning. It doesn't need much work - frets are good, neck needs adjusting, maybe shimming, new strings, new jack socket and switch. It does sound very good.
I think I did alright for $200!

Paul in Colorado · August 30th, 2008, 07:19 AM

That maple fingerboard looks odd, though.

Shoved BassVIII · August 30th, 2008, 04:45 PM

yes it does

August 28th, 2008, 12:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Worn Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto Age: 57 Posts: 408 2 Photos	Northern Guitars SG Copy? Anyone familiar with Northern guitars? I've come a cross an SG bass copy in a pawn shop. Seems to be an excellent SG knockoff, very well made. I've been told Northern were Canadian made, but I suspect they're Japanese. Anybody?

August 29th, 2008, 07:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
telechucker Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 47 Posts: 297	Hey Worn - if the price is good ; buy the guitar. I remember when the Northern guitars were around in Canada - they were excellent. Think along the quality of the Ibanez lawsuits. Northern used to have a cheeky marketing slogan that reflected the sad state of major American guitar building at the time : "It's no longer a copy when it's better than the original." I'm still looking for a Northern Tele or Strat ; any help out there ????? Regards. __________________ A man's best friend is his Tele - not his dog.

August 30th, 2008, 07:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 56 Posts: 4,938 3 Photos	That maple fingerboard looks odd, though. __________________ www.tuatha.net "There are only two kinds of music. Fast and slow."

August 28th, 2008, 01:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dave W Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2003 Location: Guadalupe County, TX Age: 62 Posts: 1,925	Japanese, IIRC they were a house brand of a Canadian importer or music store chain.

August 28th, 2008, 06:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Shoved BassVIII Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lima Ohio Age: 27 Posts: 495	any pic?

August 29th, 2008, 06:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Shoved BassVIII Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lima Ohio Age: 27 Posts: 495	sell the car. with all the $ you save on not buying gas you'll be happy you did.

August 29th, 2008, 07:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Worn Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto Age: 57 Posts: 408 2 Photos	Bought it on the way home from work and it looks a lot better quality than I originally thought. Its the only one I've seen, never heard of them until recently. I've put a couple of pics in my gallery after giving it a quick cleaning. It doesn't need much work - frets are good, neck needs adjusting, maybe shimming, new strings, new jack socket and switch. It does sound very good. I think I did alright for $200!

August 30th, 2008, 04:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
Shoved BassVIII Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lima Ohio Age: 27 Posts: 495	yes it does