Please help value this SG Gibson guitar

[klarson]

I have enclosed a picture of my SG Gibson that I bought for $325.00 around 1967. The serial number is 500328. I would never part with my Gibson but would like to know when it was made and it value to insure the guitar. I was told that Gibson can no longer use the imported cherry wood after 1969 since it is considered a endangered tree. Thank you for the advise.

[jimmiJAMM]

Looks like a 1964 Standard to me. A real beauty, too.

 

Drop into a Barnes & Noble and check out The 2010 Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide. That'll give you a fairly accurate estimate of the instrument's value in today's market. Unfortunately, values peaked in 2008 and have dropped substantially since.

 

The 42 Guitar Index

[sellen]

looks great[cool] , please give us more picks[biggrin]

[DiamondJig]

I was told that Gibson can no longer use the imported cherry wood after 1969 since it is considered a endangered tree.

 

I don't think they use Cherry wood in a SG.

[klarson]

This is the only picture I have but I will take one of the backside tonight.. I am really just trying to see what this guitar is worth in perfect condition.. Thanks for any help

[jimmiJAMM]

Because values fluctuates with the market, the market dictates what a guitar is worth. With the world's economy in a downturn, most people are limiting such luxury purchases as guitars. So "what it's worth" and what someone's "willing to pay for it" are two very different things. How much would a glass of water be worth in the desert?

 

Check out the book I mentioned.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Official-Vintage-Guitar-Magazine-Price/dp/1884883214/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271792536&sr=8-1

 

They'll give you a value based on condition from good to excellent.

[ironlung40]

You don't wanna sell it do ya? I hope not, it is a beaut....

 

I'd take it to an experienced guitar seller, one who deals with older instruments (not a Guitarcenter type place).....tell him, that you absolutely are not interested in selling it for any price, but you would like to know what he thinks it would be worth. If he believes that you fully intend on keeping it, he may give you an honest, and informed answer. If he thinks, you may want to sell it, though, he'll low ball it, just in case he gets to buy it, so convince him that you intend to hold onto it.

 

Another option is contact Gruhn's guitars in Nashville, TN. Gruhn They will give you estimates of it's value as well...for free to the last I checked..........keep in mind they buy and sell as well....but I had a 65' Mustang valued by them, once before.

 

 

Books are great, but I like asking people who deal with vintage instruments everyday. They are the one's who have the best feel for what the market is doing at the moment, how rare and in demand your type of instrument is, and can give an honest assessment of the instruments condition.

 

 

Ironlung40

[met1977]

I will give you your money back right now for it........

[Southpa]

The guitar dater http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx says it could be a 1965, 66, 68 or 69, funny, no 1967. Anyway, its a 65 or 66. Cherry (thats the stain not the wood. Around that year the wood would have been Honduras mahogany...nice stuff! and off limits these days.) small pickguard and deluxe vibrato. The aformentioned "book" says :Low to high mint condition for 1965 is $12,000 - $14,000 and 1966 is $8000 - $10,000. Those are current values. I also have the 2008 figures, (if you wanted to sell the guitar... NOW... is the time to kick yourself),

1965 SG Std $15,000 - $20,000 and for some reason the 1966 cherry SG Std. is not listed. Those are US dollars. I'm surprized to see how values for vintage instruments has dropped so dramatically, the books show as much as 40% for some guitars, even the LP's. You'd think they would be worth more since the man passed away (RIPLP). I guess its a reflection of the state of today's economy.