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SG date problem


lglassco

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I've got an SG standard with the serial on the headstock dating to the 70-72 period. I recently had it appraised (Chicago Music Exchange) and they said something looked funny about it. When they looked at the pots, they dated to 1975. The guy at the store says that the guitar probably left the factory in '75 and they used an older body / neck to fulfill the order. He said he's seen it on a few other SG's and LP's and said that a 70-72 LP he looked at recently had pots from '77. I'm currently trying to sell the guitar and am getting some flack about the date discrepancy (It's listed as a '75). Has anyone ever run across this situation before?

 

I know the original owner of the guitar and trust him. He bought the guitar "sometime in the '70's" for his son who promptly gave up on lessons and the guitar went into a closet for 30 years. It's practically flawless, and I don't think he would have replaced the original neck or pots.

 

SG #911192

 

Any help would be appreciated.

-Larry

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I never heard that one before. I can understand your buyers concern - most would accept pot dates a tad earlier than the headstock serial year, but not later. AFAIK, the headstock info isn't stamped until the guitar in the production process. Seems odd to me that a prestamped neck (or neck/body assembly) would sit around for 2 or 3 years before assembly was completed, but if so, it wouldn't be the first time I was surprised by Gibson.

 

Didn't you get an appraisal write up with a photo, description, date and value signed off by CME?

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I've got an SG standard with the serial on the headstock dating to the 70-72 period. I recently had it appraised (Chicago Music Exchange) and they said something looked funny about it. When they looked at the pots, they dated to 1975. The guy at the store says that the guitar probably left the factory in '75 and they used an older body / neck to fulfill the order. He said he's seen it on a few other SG's and LP's and said that a 70-72 LP he looked at recently had pots from '77. I'm currently trying to sell the guitar and am getting some flack about the date discrepancy (It's listed as a '75). Has anyone ever run across this situation before?

 

I know the original owner of the guitar and trust him. He bought the guitar "sometime in the '70's" for his son who promptly gave up on lessons and the guitar went into a closet for 30 years. It's practically flawless, and I don't think he would have replaced the original neck or pots.

 

SG #911192

 

Any help would be appreciated.

-Larry

 

I have an SG that has a '66 serial number and '68 pot dates, therefore, it is a '68. The features also are more consistent with 1968 and definitely before '69. Many of my guitars have mismatched pot dates and serial numbers. No big deal. Gibson serial numbers lists are approximate and usually they will state this. The value of your SG will be more affected by condition, playability, etc. There is no difference in value between a '72 and a '75. If the pots are original then the guitar is a '75 or later. I'm assuming that it has a 20th fret neck joint. Pics?

 

DSCF0204.jpg

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Actually the neck joint is at the 18th fret (19th if you include the head nut). Pic attached.post-36033-015074500 1316571031_thumb.jpg

Looks like it is in really nice shape. Most dealers are asking around $2000 for them so $1100 is not out of line for a dealer offer. You may do a bit better if you push it. In a private sale you'll probably get $1500 or so unless you live in a big city you may do better. Float it out there for $1700 or $1800 and see what happens. The right player might pay it in that kind of condition. Good luck.

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Thanks for all of your help Jones.

Am I correct that if the neck joint is at the 19th fret it is more likely a pre '72 body/neck? I double checked the pots and both tone and volume are #70-028 with serials starting 13775XX. From what I've read, that does indicate '75 pots.

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Thanks for all of your help Jones.

Am I correct that if the neck joint is at the 19th fret it is more likely a pre '72 body/neck? I double checked the pots and both tone and volume are #70-028 with serials starting 13775XX. From what I've read, that does indicate '75 pots.

 

No problem. My pleasure. Yes, 137=CTS, 75=1975, and XX is the week in 1975. When all 22 frets are clear of the body it is '71 or earlier although most '71s have only 20 frets clear like yours. 1961 to 1970 all have 22 frets clear.

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Thanks again everybody. I got a response from Gibson regarding the matter that I thought I would forward on. They consider the guitar a 70-72 even though it didn't leave the factory until '75. I've got it listed on Craigslist (Chicago) right now for $1600.00 if anybody is interested in a pristine walnut std.

 

(email from Gibson support)

 

[Hello Larry,

[

[Thank you for writing. Though not entirely common, we have seen bodies

[and necks that date to a certain time period, and electronics that would

[date later. The serial number still indicates a 1970-72 year of

[manufacture, though the instrument may have not been finished and

[shipped until after that date range. We would still consider the

[instrument a 1970-72.

[

[Thank you for the inquiry.

[

[best regards,

[benton Cummings

[Gibson Customer Service

[1-800-4GIBSON

[www.gibson.com

post-36033-017123100 1316750014_thumb.jpg

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