MegRose9185 Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Hey guys, My father gave me his 1968 Gibson SG years ago. He had dropped it off at a guitar shop to have it restrung and cleaned before giving it to me. Since then, I have worried that the guitar may have been swapped out. It looks like the exact same guitar and I see no difference. I even recognize some of the small scratches. But how can I be sure this is a true 68 Gibson SG? I have been researching this and find that there are no serial numbers on any Gibsons prior to 1971. Is this true? Anyways, I was wondering if anyone could let me know how much this guitar is worth. I am not looking to sell it, I waited too long for this to be mine. I am only curious. The serial number is 830239 Thanks, Meghan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark2 Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I have been researching this and find that there are no serial numbers on any Gibsons prior to 1971. Is this true? No, it's not true. Gibson has used serial numbers for over 100 years. However, they have changed the numbering system several times throughout the years, so things can get a bit confusing--especially since some blocks of serial numbers were used multiple times. You can download Gibson serial number info here: http://www2.gibson.c...ber-Search.aspx I'm not an expert, but from what I can tell, numbers between 828002 and 847488 were used in 1966 and 1969, but not 1968. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Interesting, too...that it has a Varitone switch. That's highly unusual, on an SG, especially of that period. Did your father order it that way, or...did he install it, or have a luthier do the work, himself? No big deal, just curious. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegRose9185 Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 No, it's not true. Gibson has used serial numbers for over 100 years. However, they have changed the numbering system several times throughout the years, so things can get a bit confusing--especially since some blocks of serial numbers were used multiple times. You can download Gibson serial number info here: http://www2.gibson.c...ber-Search.aspx I'm not an expert, but from what I can tell, numbers between 828002 and 847488 were used in 1966 and 1969, but not 1968. I looked at the serial number info and found the same info that you found. Thank you for the link. I just found the insurance papers for the insurance that was put on the guitar back in 1981. The serial numbers match, which means the guitar wasn't switched out, which was my biggest worry. The insurance papers do say that the guitar is a "GIBSON S.G. STANDARD STEREO, CIRCA 1968, SERIAL NUMBER 830239, IN EXCELLENT CONDITION". The link you gave me does say that the serial numbers are not guaranteed, rather they are "approximate". SO I don't know.. Thank you for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegRose9185 Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Interesting, too...that it has a Varitone switch. That's highly unusual, on an SG, especially of that period. Did your father order it that way, or...did he install it, or have a luthier do the work, himself? No big deal, just curious. CB Hey. He actually bought it exactly the way it is. He bought it back in 1970? or 1969? I do not know exactly what year. So he bought it used. I guess they did not come with the Varitone switch? Maybe because it's a stereo guitar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Hey. He actually bought it exactly the way it is. He bought it back in 1970? or 1969? I do not know exactly what year. So he bought it used. I guess they did not come with the Varitone switch? Maybe because it's a stereo guitar? Well, the previous owner could have ordered it, that way, or had the varitone, and stereo wiring, done later. Who knows? Great guitar, though! I used to have a '68 SG Standard (in, 1968) myself. I should never have sold/traded it. But, who knew, then?! lol CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sellen Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Is there two inputs? Like Mark said it sems to be a 66 or 69. Check pot codes, google it and you will understand. Value is hard to say. People wanting a vintage sg might go for the regular stuff. If it's a good player,frets, electronic in good shape and a nice sound i would think the value should be around 4-6000$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Meghan...send your guitar's photos, to http://www.gruhn.com/appraise.html Bob and/or his cronies, will give you a pretty accurate "market value." They're well known, and respected, in the vintage arena. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegRose9185 Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 Meghan...send your guitar's photos, to http://www.gruhn.com/appraise.html Bob and/or his cronies, will give you a pretty accurate "market value." They're well known, and respected, in the vintage arena. CB Thank you! I might do that. I am thinking about selling it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Thank you! I might do that. I am thinking about selling it. Really?? Unless you are desperate for money, I'd rethink that! One, it will only go UP in value, as time goes on, and two, since it was your Dad's, you might regret selling it, later..for that fact, alone? I can tell you, from personal experience, I've regretted WAY TOO MANY, of my past guitar sales...especially, one's from "The Sixties!" But, it's up to you...my thought, is only a suggestion, based on my own personal experiences. Good Luck, whatever you decide... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegRose9185 Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 Really?? Unless you are desperate for money, I'd rethink that! One, it will only go UP in value, as time goes on, and two, since it was your Dad's, you might regret selling it, later..for that fact, alone? I can tell you, from personal experience, I've regretted WAY TOO MANY, of my past guitar sales...especially, one's from "The Sixties!" But, it's up to you...my thought, is only a suggestion, based on my own personal experiences. Good Luck, whatever you decide... CB You are right. It has sentimental value because my Dad gave me it and I do LOVE it. It sounds amazing. I probably would regret selling it. Student loans just have me stressed!Thank you for your above words, they made me decide to not sell it, because I know I will regret it, but I guess I just needed to be reminded... One of the pickups works when it wants to, so I have been trying to find someone to fix it, without me letting it out of my sight. I am not going to go through wondering if it was switched out again!! The soldering on the switch snapped, making it so that the pickup goes in and out, only working when the soldering accidentally makes contact... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 You are right. It has sentimental value because my Dad gave me it and I do LOVE it. It sounds amazing. I probably would regret selling it. Student loans just have me stressed!Thank you for your above words, they made me decide to not sell it, because I know I will regret it, but I guess I just needed to be reminded... One of the pickups works when it wants to, so I have been trying to find someone to fix it, without me letting it out of my sight. I am not going to go through wondering if it was switched out again!! The soldering on the switch snapped, making it so that the pickup goes in and out, only working when the soldering accidentally makes contact... Well, depending on what's "really" causing the problem, it could/should be a simple "fix." Any decent, reliable, guitar repair shop, should be able to do it, "while you wait"...provided you call ahead of time, and make an appointment. And, of course, that it IS a "simple fix." Otherwise, you may well have to leave it, with them...or, if you don't want to do that, choose to do it yourself? Check around, with friends, or some "Pro's," in your area, and see who they use, and/or recommend! Good Luck! ;>) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dallastx Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 I own 9 guitars right now. Every one has a history. I would like to think that my kids would keep them in the family. D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegRose9185 Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 I own 9 guitars right now. Every one has a history. I would like to think that my kids would keep them in the family. D Wow, you have some collection! As much as I need the cash right now (student loans have me strapped big time), I would not be able to bring myself to sell it for two reasons- the sentimental value being that my Dad gave me it after years of not letting me touch it... Also, I absolutely love my guitar. I have spoken about selling it, but the truth is, if a buyer came forward, I would clam up and refuse to sell it. It is too meaningful to me. I completely understand what you are saying because I plan to one day give it to my kids. Desperation had me thinking about it, but it will never happen. Also, my first guitar was an acoustic. My grandmother gave it to me when I was in 6th grade, when I went for my first guitar lesson. It was her first guitar. Someone stole it from me a few years ago and to this day I still get very upset about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegRose9185 Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 Well, depending on what's "really" causing the problem, it could/should be a simple "fix." Any decent, reliable, guitar repair shop, should be able to do it, "while you wait"...provided you call ahead of time, and make an appointment. And, of course, that it IS a "simple fix." Otherwise, you may well have to leave it, with them...or, if you don't want to do that, choose to do it yourself? Check around, with friends, or some "Pro's," in your area, and see who they use, and/or recommend! Good Luck! ;>) CB I am going to look around for a reliable guitar shop to try and fix it. Unfortunately, the 2 that used to be right in my neighborhood have recently closed down. There aren't many around and I certainly will not take it to Guitar Center or any chain place like that. I don't feel that real pros work there. Maybe I am wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 I am going to look around for a reliable guitar shop to try and fix it. Unfortunately, the 2 that used to be right in my neighborhood have recently closed down. There aren't many around and I certainly will not take it to Guitar Center or any chain place like that. I don't feel that real pros work there. Maybe I am wrong? Well, you're probably (mostly) right, about GC. There have been a few, that had good, even great, service, and repair/set-up people. But, those are pretty rare, in my experience, with that company. The Guitar Center's, in Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, and Pasadena, California, were all pretty good, when I was living out there. But, that's been nearly 7 years ago, now. So, I don't know how they are, now. Good luck, with your search, and whatever work you need done! But, if you find the right person, to do it, it will be well worth the effort! Cheers, CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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