cooltouch Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 I did a search on this topic and got only a single hit, so I thought I'd add to the Showcase Edition knowledge base somewhat. Most of what I've learned about the Showcase guitars has been collected from Internet searches. When I bought mine, I'd never heard of a Showcase Edition before, but I knew it had to be something special. I found mine hanging on the racks at a local Guitar Center -- about 18 years ago -- and it had a tag with the absurdly low price of $350 hanging from it. I picked it up, played it a bit, and didn't let it out of my hands until I was out of the store. And the only reason why I did then was because I had to drive. Gibson SG Showcase Edition by Michael McBroom, on Flickr This guitar features the Slim-60s profile neck (which I love), active EMG pickups, the small early-60s style pickguard, and black chrome hardware. I wasn't so sure I'd like those EMGs, but when I tried the guitar out on my Marshall, I changed my mind. It sounds fantastic with those things. From what I understand, Gibson built 250 of each Showcase model, 200 of which would be sold domestically and 50 of which would be sold internationally. Gibson built two different SG Showcase models -- the one shown here, and another that is red with three pickups and a Gibson Custom style neck and headstock. The giveaway is the Showcase Edition decal on the back of the headstock. SG Headstock showing Showcase decal by Michael McBroom, on Flickr I'm sure this guitar will have collectible value some day, but I didn't buy this guitar as a collector's item. I bought it to play and it has not disappointed. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiamondJig Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 You are one lucky guy. What a beauty! Love the color too! Looks like a 61RI in Metal flake Pelham Blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooltouch Posted September 29, 2018 Author Share Posted September 29, 2018 Thanks, I love it. I agree with your assessment -- a 61RI. The best SG design ever, in my opinion. Although I wasn't aware of the name of the blue color. There's a pretty good dose of metal flake in the paint. If I had my druthers, I'd rather have an early 60s model, but I'm not complaining. One thing I didn't mention is, because the EMGs are active, it uses a 9v battery. I wasn't aware the EMGs were active, for years, in fact. I'd had the guitar for maybe 10 years when I noticed a dramatic falloff in volume. That was when I discovered the pickups were active. It was by process of elimination that I figured out the 9v battery is located below the pickguard. The guitar gets used occasionally, which may be the reason for the very long battery life, I dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Bill 212 Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 HOW SWEET IT IS........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtim Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Great post. I have never heard of it either. Thanks for sharing and that was a great score!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megafrog Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Why doesn’t Gibson release an updated version of that? I would buy it, if they put on a Floyd or a Kahler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooltouch Posted September 30, 2018 Author Share Posted September 30, 2018 Huh. That would be an interesting addition. But I prefer the plain tailpiece. I've never cared much for wang bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 SWEET AXE! LOOKS GREAT IN THE BLUE FINISH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Squirrel Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 I"ve had my Gibson SG custom showcase edition with 2 EMG pick-ups since 1990, I played it for several years, so obviously there is some wear on the neck and a few dings on the body. I haven't played it in several years and I've been trying to find out what it is actually worth. I'ts the same colour as the SG in this thread. Serial # 80698570. I would appreciate any information or direction to go to find as much info as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Natural Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Badenov Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 I have the Ferrari red version with 3 black EMG pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfa Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 The Showcase Edition is not a '61 RI,but it' s a '62 RI . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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