first ever Gibbo !!

[Bristol Fashion]

Hi,

I live in Bristol, UK  - I don't play in a band and have never properly learned how to play guitar but I figure it's never too late!  I just bought an SG and this will be the first ever real deal Gibson guitar, after looking at catalogues and shop windows since forever!!

It's an SG with the serial number 17 000 5623, which I understand was from a run of models available exclusively via Amazon...  Amazon & Gibson - now there's two brands I never thought I'd hear in the same sentance!

Does anyone have any detailed info on this model as it seems to be a bit elusive.  As it's my first Gibson, I'm super-keen to find out as much as I can.

[brad1]

Welcome! From the serial number I found this:

Your guitar was made at the
Nashville Plant, TN, USA
in 2017
Production Number: 562

 

Post some pics of the front of the guitar and the front of the headstock. That would  help in identifying your guitar.
 

[Bristol Fashion]

Cool!   Key info. from the guy I bought it off is as follows:  he tells me it started life as a "Zebra."  It has been modded by replacing the plain nickel (?) components with gold-plated alternatives. So the Kluson tuners, the truss rod cover, the pup covers, the bridge and the Bigsby are late additions.  Obviously this makes it harder to id the model !  But I have full confidence in you guys...  I had thought to have a look at the back of the pups to see what model they are - I'm told they're '57 Classics but without have a closer look behind covers, it'll be hard to tell for sure - although someone did tell me that the '57s have wire-braided leads, whereas other pups that might come with similar models have plastic covered leads.

[Sgt. Pepper]

With the Big's on it there is no way the SG does the classic neck dive.

Nice SG.

[Bristol Fashion]

Cheers, Sarge 😉

I remember back when I first became aware of Gibson, my favourite out of all the catalogue was the Les Paul custom, in the gloss black finish, with its gold plated parts, ebony f' board with mop inlays and of course that diamond shape inlay on the headstock.  So this SG kind-of reminds me of that LP vibe but for a lot less money and in many ways it seems to me a more practical guitar to own than a nine or ten pound LP.  I'm well pleased.

Just off to practice my scales 😉

[tx-ogre]

Welcome aboard.  Very nice SG.  Enjoy.

[Bristol Fashion]

btw, what is the emblem featured on the headstock supposed to be?  I've seen it described as 'thistle' or 'holly' but it'd be great if I could find out for sure.  What is it and what is its history, please?

[kidblast]

23 hours ago, Bristol Fashion said:

btw, what is the emblem featured on the headstock supposed to be?  I've seen it described as 'thistle' or 'holly' but it'd be great if I could find out for sure.  What is it and what is its history, please?

I believe what you refer to is called a "Crown" inlay.    the history of why it's there, I am really not sure.

[Bristol Fashion]

OK, so crown it is 🙂

It turns out there are one or two minor issues with the guitar, inspite of its bling good looks, but nothing I can't sort out myself.  The humbuckers are '57 classics, which is nice and Gibson customer service confirm the serial number and model, which is the satin ebony special sold through Amazon in 2017.  The guy I bought it off put all the gold bling on it, which is a nice look, but I think I'm going back to  a stop bar - the very fine gold Bigsby sits kind-of where I like to rest my palm.

The issues I've inherited from the seller (to whom I bare no ill will) are one: the bridge pup gold cover doesn't have the right hole spacing to match the pole pieces, so it's coming off.  Two: the bridge is fitted with a couple of spindly studs which don't thread into the original inserts so there's no way to adjust the bridge height.  At the moment, I've got round this by popping selected washers under the turn collars to get the correct height.

Edited August 11, 2022 by Bristol Fashion
inaccurate reference

[HamburgerShins]

That’s a nice SG, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one with block inlays, as opposed to trapezoid, that wasn’t a custom. If it were mine I’d try to take it back to stock. I’m not personally a fan of the gold even on customs. I don’t like gold jewelry either, personal preference I guess. I think that beast would look slick as hell if you got rid of the Bigsby and took it all back to nickel. Of course, she don’t look bad as is either. Personal preference but, if you did take it back to stock it might improve the value too…in some peoples eyes anyway.

[HamburgerShins]

Looks like this might have been how she started life.

 

https://reverb.com/item/5615231-2017-gibson-limited-edition-57-classic-zebra-pickups-satin-ebony-sg-special

[Bristol Fashion]

The bridge pick-up has two items of interest on the back - a 'patent applied for' decal and a white sticker, announcing it to be a 57 +, 860 15039 L with a date of 28 July '16.  I've read somewhere that the plus model was equipped with multiple lead outs, but would love more info.

[Bristol Fashion]

Quote

the plus model was equipped with multiple lead outs...

Seems not.  Just a slightly hotter version of the classic.  Nice 🙂  Neck pup, it seems, is 'just' a 57 classic...

btw I've finally nailed the exact model, after I read a tip that models sold via Amazon have the model number displayed in the product details, which turned out to be the case.  So mine's an SG SP Z 17 SE NH 3  which I can readily see equates to SG Special zebra 2017 satin ebony, nickle hardware - but what the 3 on the end means I have no idea!  Somebody suggested the number refers to stock grade - a 3 suggests a lower stock grading than 2 or 1, which maybe why these particular guitars ended up on Amazon at 'keen' prices - I think they sold for around £5 or 6 hundred here in the UK, which was half what the next 'best' SG cost, back in 2017.  If they were down-graded stock, I can't see where mine could have lost any marks...

Anyway, now I've figured out exactly what I've got, it's time to potter off and learn how to play it!

Edited August 11, 2022 by Bristol Fashion
extra info. added

[sparquelito]

Very nice. 
Congratulations. 

Play hard. 
Practice. 
Learn, grow, expand musically. 
Jam with others. 
Play live. 
Have fun. 

😗