Demigawd Posted September 21, 2008 Posted September 21, 2008 Ok so I found a guy on Ebay with a half dozen MIJ '61 SG Reissues and I have a question. I would like to buy one but $700+ is kinda hard for me to part with with out being certain I am not getting a fake. So could some one that owns one of these take a look at a couple pics and tell me what you think? This guitar is supposed to have the nitro lacquer finish, which I know is supposed to be thinner than the polyurethane finishes but should you be able to see the texture of the wood's grain through the finish? This one is the one that really gets me. Granted I have not had many Epiphones or many guitars with tune-o-matic bridges but the ones I do have and all the ones I have seen have got 2 threaded ferrules that the bridge and tailpiece mount into. In this pic they seem to be threaded directly into the body. Not really sure if you can really tell anything from this one but i threw it in anyway. Any insight you guys can give would be appreciated, I'm not looking for a definitive answer just what you think. If you need more pics I can post more.
JefferySmith Posted September 21, 2008 Posted September 21, 2008 I found the guy's ebay store. I think the gig bag he is selling it with matches the gig bag my Epi '61 SG came with. I gave away my gig back to my church when I bought the HSC. Hey, CB or Ant, is this the same gig bag that came with your sg?
charlie brown Posted September 21, 2008 Posted September 21, 2008 Yes! I saw this guys stuff recently, and it looks (anyway) like the same stuff we got...just in black and white colored versions. Our's are the "cherry" versions. Ours have the light finish, and you can see the grain of the wood. That's true with American Gibson's too. People have become so used to the heavier Poly finishes, with the super glossy "translucent" finish, that are mirror polished and show NO grain, except visually. The Gig bag, is the same one I got...exactly. My SG is terrific! Because it's modeled after the '61, the bridge posts reflect that era, and not the more modern version. The ones for the Domestic Japanese market are the only ones allowed to use the actual "Gibson" correct headstock, with the Epiphone Logo. So, judging by the photos, I'd say it was legit! They are probably an over-run, unless they started making them again. Last (known) production, was 2006! I too, was skeptical, but after seeing Jeff's and his review...I took a chance, and got one, too. SO glad I did! Not only does it play well, look Great, but it sounds amazing, too! I owned 2 Gibson's, in the late '60's, and hadn't played one (except now and again, in a store) for 30+ years! I had forgotten, how much I loved SG's, until this purchase! Hope that's of some help. Edit: Are his "new" in the box? Or, slightly "used" versions? Our's were new, in the box, with all the plastic coverings (pickups, pickguard, and back plate) in tact. CB
Demigawd Posted September 21, 2008 Author Posted September 21, 2008 Thanks a lot guys that's exactly what I was hoping to hear. I think I will take the leap and buy one, now I just need to decide on the black or the white. Thanks again I appreciate the help EDIT: I just saw your edit he claims these are New 2008 models the pics show all the plastic on the pickups and the pick guard but I can't say for sure.
charlie brown Posted September 21, 2008 Posted September 21, 2008 Thanks a lot guys that's exactly what I was hoping to hear. I think I will take the leap and buy one' date=' now I just need to decide on the black or the white. Thanks again I appreciate the help EDIT: I just saw your edit he claims these are New 2008 models the pics show all the plastic on the pickups and the pick guard but I can't say for sure.[/quote'] Well, could be. Our's were 2006 versions. The contract between the Japanese company and Gibson officially ended in late 2006. Maybe they're producing them again, but I'd think they'd have to be licensed again, by Gibson, to use that headstock design? So, I'd check the serial number, just to be sure. CB
VillageIdiot Posted September 21, 2008 Posted September 21, 2008 Ok so I found a guy on Ebay with a half dozen MIJ '61 SG Reissues and I have a question. I would like to buy one but $700+ is kinda hard for me to part with with out being certain I am not getting a fake. So could some one that owns one of these take a look at a couple pics and tell me what you think? This guitar is supposed to have the nitro lacquer finish' date=' which I know is supposed to be thinner than the polyurethane finishes but should you be able to see the texture of the wood's grain through the finish? [img']http://www.bluzey.com/inventory/SG61EB_F700091/slides/R0011401.JPG[/img] This one is the one that really gets me. Granted I have not had many Epiphones or many guitars with tune-o-matic bridges but the ones I do have and all the ones I have seen have got 2 threaded ferrules that the bridge and tailpiece mount into. In this pic they seem to be threaded directly into the body. Not really sure if you can really tell anything from this one but i threw it in anyway. Any insight you guys can give would be appreciated, I'm not looking for a definitive answer just what you think. If you need more pics I can post more. You may think I am full of you know what but I have a beautiful Elitist SG 61 reissue that I am selling. I am selling because I found someone selling a Gibson SG standard for a great price so I do not need the Elitist(Japanese). It is close to mint condition, stays in tune well and I would sell for $600.00. The action was set very low by a luthier. The color is black. If interested email me at hwedm@carolina.rr.com and I will give more details and send some pictures. It would be Monday before I could get some pictures taken and sent.
MI_Canuck Posted September 22, 2008 Posted September 22, 2008 This guitar is supposed to have the nitro lacquer finish' date=' which I know is supposed to be thinner than the polyurethane finishes but should you be able to see the texture of the wood's grain through the finish? [/quote'] That looks normal for an ebony guitar with nitro finish. My ebony Gibson SG has a bit of visible grain texture similar to that (maybe a bit less pronounced) in the right light (although it's 10yrs old). cheers
JefferySmith Posted September 22, 2008 Posted September 22, 2008 The thin nitro finish does show the grain on the wood on these SG's. Even more compelling evidence that it isn't one of the maple syrup poly.
chrisprice Posted September 22, 2008 Posted September 22, 2008 Definitely not fake...I recently bought a white one which I love...I notice that the guy you refer to has a couple of white ones up for grabs...a black one too. I'd say go for it.. These guitars are really good..probably on a par with any Gibson remake at 3 times the price and more. Might be worth checking the serial numbers. If they start with an 'F' as mine does then they apparently originate from the legendary Fujigen factory...as does my other SG - a 2002 Epi Elite SG which I gig regularly...best SG I ever played. I bought my white one recently from a guy in Switzerland...I re-strung it and spent about 30 mins on the action and intonation and it really is a great rock n roll guitar. As I understand it, these are not being distributed outside of Japan...the rest of the world has to make do with Korean and Chinese models which are ok but not remotely in this league. I read somewhere that Gibson have terminated their contract with the Japs...though Epi-Japan (Fujigen or whoever) may still have the rights to make them for their home-market...I dunno bout this one for sure....If anyone has the full story I'd like to hear it. Also I gather that these '61 SG's have now been discontinued. Don't take any of this stuff as gospel but, whatever, I'd say get one while you can - you won't regret it......Chris
Demigawd Posted September 23, 2008 Author Posted September 23, 2008 I would like to thank all of you for helping me. My experience with Epiphone is limited to the ones made in china and my experience with Gibson is even more limited since my wife always seems to block me from going near them at Guitar Center. So I was unfamiliar with the nitro finishes and I assume that is the ABR-1 bridge or something similar in those pics, but with your help and a little help from Google I have learned something new and I feel more comfortable buying one of these. I think after a trip to the bank I will buy one tomorrow. Now anyone want to help me decide between the black one or the white one?
charlie brown Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 I would like to thank all of you for helping me. My experience with Epiphone is limited to the ones made in china and my experience with Gibson is even more limited since my wife always seems to block me from going near them at Guitar Center. So I was unfamiliar with the nitro finishes and I assume that is the ABR-1 bridge or something similar in those pics' date=' but with your help and a little help from Google I have learned something new and I feel more comfortable buying one of these. I think after a trip to the bank I will buy one tomorrow. Now anyone want to help me decide between the black one or the white one?[/quote'] I think you'll be very glad you did...We certainly are glad we made our MIJ '61 SG purchases! As to "which color?" Man, that's up to you....white (Nitro finishes) may have a tendency to go slightly yellowish over time. Black will remain, well..."Black!" Some folks like the "aged" patina of the white as it goes to a more cream color. Won't effect tone, so...whatever your preference is, let 'er rip! Remember, no photos...it didn't happen! LOL! CB
Demigawd Posted September 23, 2008 Author Posted September 23, 2008 Oh I never thought of the white aging like that, looks like the black one is in my future. I'll make sure I have my camera charged when it arrives.
charlie brown Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Oh I never thought of the white aging like that' date=' looks like the black one is in my future. I'll make sure I have my camera charged when it arrives.[/quote'] Well, as I said...some like that fact, about the white "aging." Black is great looking, too...but, will show every fingerprint, smudge, particle of dust, etc. LOL! So, each has it's idiosyncrasies. But, you'll love (I'm confident) whichever one, you choose. Enjoy! CB
chrisprice Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Well' date=' as I said...some like that fact, about the white "aging." Black is great looking, too...but, will show every fingerprint, smudge, particle of dust, etc. LOL! So, each has it's idiosyncrasies. But, you'll love (I'm confident) whichever one, you choose. Enjoy! CB[/quote'] I really hope my white one does age this way. I have a white Fender 57 re-issue P-Bass (Japanese of course!!)..it was made around 2002 and that is starting to yellow already and it looks great. If I could afford it, I'd love the black '61 to complete a trio of Jap SG's!...Chris
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