60's Gibson SG Special

fenderchamp

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That "S" you apparently removed was, obviously, Secret to the Universe. Or maybe meant Door To Bad Things Secured.

Now we'll have to endure artificial turf, heavy metal, hip hop, Kardashians, the death of the AMC Matador.

Nice score! Looks a beaut. An SG oughta have the "Tele of the Gibson world" look to it. Yours does.
View attachment 1062055
"When Gibby met his Amp."
The guy I got it from removed the S. he says he still has it though, and he says he is going to give it to me. I doubt it's going back on there though. The SG is getting a refret, it really needs one, so bye bye nibs :(. The pickups need to be adjusted, but I'm going to wait until it's unstrung for the refret, the bridge pickup is weak, but when I do the trogley (give credit where credit is due, even though I hate his videos) trick and hook a meter to a cable, they both scope out about the same, so I'm hoping a carefully placed shim under the bridge is going to help even things up. You could easily take out a small city with the neck pickup though, it's a loud fuzzy howling H-bomb.
 

aging_rocker

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That is one beautiful SG. Never part with it!

I once had a '63 which I miss on an almost daily basis.

Mine was in much worse condition than that when I got it, that was nearly 45 years ago, and I didn't treat it gently either - it's probably long-gone for firewood now :(
 
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monkeybanana

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mmhmm
Killer.
Yeah...I didn't think I was a stickler for intonation until I played a '65 Firebird III with a bridge compensated for a wound 3rd.
It was dreadful.
I got a replacement from Philadelphia Luthier.
Very good piece, reasonably priced, nickel plating took on a nice patina very quickly.
Mojoaxe is good for that too.

I agree. Killer!
 

archetype

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It seems pretty nice, not really thin, honest, grown up size, nut width, not really chunky either...

I'll get some actual profiles and measurements on this thread.

My '62 SG Special had the biggest C-profile I've ever touched. It had no taper, with the depth at the 1st fret the same as the depth at the 12th fret. Far bigger than Gibson '58 and '59 profiles, like the business end of a youth baseball bat. I think my '62 was in such good condition because no one who had owned it could play it. I like big necks, but found this one impossible to play.
 

timbgtr

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Love my ‘69, bought new but extensively modded over the decades.

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Jay Jernigan

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Replacement wrap tails with the right lightning bolt are plentiful and various these days. Couldn't get one fifty years ago when I needed it
(Sighs)
 

AustinPaul

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That's a great find. I'm the same with guitars as I am with classic cars. I don't care whatsoever if its #s matching, just how it performs. If it's especially great, that hopefully translated into a lot of playing time. With that tuners, nuts, frets, and other 'wear' pieces will get replaced anyway.
 

fenderchamp

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After having the SG for a while, and playing it, I've decided I really like it, but it has kind of old schmutzy film on the finish, and it kind of smells like tobacco (which I kind of like) but.

I'm thinking about trying to polish the finish up a bit.

How does anybody feel about doing that on old vintage finishes?

I know "It's my guitar do what I like", but I'd like opinions and methods.

I'm thinking about getting some of that https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...and-lubricants/colortone-clean--shine-polish/ stuff and trying it.
 

hamerfan

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After having the SG for a while, and playing it, I've decided I really like it, but it has kind of old schmutzy film on the finish, and it kind of smells like tobacco (which I kind of like) but.

I'm thinking about trying to polish the finish up a bit.

How does anybody feel about doing that on old vintage finishes?

I know "It's my guitar do what I like", but I'd like opinions and methods.

I'm thinking about getting some of that https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...and-lubricants/colortone-clean--shine-polish/ stuff and trying it.
You can send it to Historic makeover for a refret (with or without nibs) and restoration of the headstock silkscreen.

 

fenderchamp

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You can send it to Historic makeover for a refret (with or without nibs) and restoration of the headstock silkscreen.


I had it refretted without nibs in omaha, I don't want to touch the headstock, it's fine with me. I just am considering polishing it it.
 

rze99

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Lovely SG Special

Can't help but post mine here too - a 1965 SG Special with the wider nut 1.69” (43.11mm) but with chrome bridge and tailpiece. Love the P90s 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. I made a Pete Townshend inspired sound demo, here:





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backporchmusic

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If you want to get the grossness off it. I use Virtuoso Cleaner, then Virtuoso Polish and have had great results, including on a 64 SG Special. It's nitro safe, and only requires clean soft cloth for application and removal.
Prices vary widely online. It's often a balance of cost + shipping.

Elderly stock
 

fenderchamp

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If you want to get the grossness off it. I use Virtuoso Cleaner, then Virtuoso Polish and have had great results, including on a 64 SG Special. It's nitro safe, and only requires clean soft cloth for application and removal.
Prices vary widely online. It's often a balance of cost + shipping.

Elderly stock
that's what I was looking for! thanks
 

ping-ping-clicka

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I believe it's a '64 untouched wiring, original tuners, original pickups. needs some fretwork. I'm stoked!

Somebody screwed a little S on the headstock. it still has the two screw holes and the shadow of the S. I'll have the S itself back next week.


And what could the S stand for? "Isn't that SPECIAL!!" It all ties together.

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o.k every body , take a deep breath and listen to the sound when the headstock breaks of, again. love the guitar hate the repair bill. It's a beauty.
 




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