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Trying to date a 70's SG


magnaphonic

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There were some Gibsons in the 70s that had the model and serial number on an oval sticker. I always assumed they were applied before the clearcoat was applied... but is it possible they were applied after?

 

Is there any hint, shadow, etc of a small oval label right where the serial number should be?

 

You could date it by the pots I suppose. Do you see any numbers stamped onto the pots? Beginning in 137 or 304 maybe?

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1363227351[/url]' post='1344951']

that's my issue. there is no serial number. i was told that it was common in the 70's.....so, welcome to my dilemma.

 

That does not sound right. I've never heard that before. I'm sure some of the other members on the forum will weigh in on this subject.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb here. Your guitar is either a copy or had a repair that destroyed the serial number. I believe all gibson solid bodies have serial numbers.

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That does not sound right. I've never heard that before. I'm sure some of the other members on the forum will weigh in on this subject.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb here. Your guitar is either a copy or had a repair that destroyed the serial number. I believe all gibson solid bodies have serial numbers.

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1363249503[/url]' post='1345046']

.

Yes, in the 70s they used decals some years.

 

Looks genuine to me. The block markers might be mid 70s. Can you read pot codes?

 

 

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Definitely, the fretboard blocks and the neck volute make one think this is definitely a genuine 70's Gibson. The only things that look funny are the woodgrain on the back of the headstock and the placement of the control knobs. I'm thinking that possibly some work was done on the guitar and the serial number was misplaced or destroyed or something like that. So as BigKahune mentioned, the best place to look for dates would be on the pots.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Definitely, the fretboard blocks and the neck volute make one think this is definitely a genuine 70's Gibson. The only things that look funny are the woodgrain on the back of the headstock and the placement of the control knobs. I'm thinking that possibly some work was done on the guitar and the serial number was misplaced or destroyed or something like that. So as BigKahune mentioned, the best place to look for dates would be on the pots.

 

Yes the neck volute is Gibson..

D

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  • 1 month later...

As far as I know ONLY in 1972 did Gibson stamp their name on pickup covers. I would look to the pot codes (if visible and not covered w solder) to date the guitar. It may even be worth it to de-solder a pot or two and confirm the pot codes for dating purposes. This may slightly devalue the guitar, but those model SG's are not super valuable, and KNOWING it's a 1972 from week "XX" helps add value to the guitar... good luck

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  • 2 weeks later...

Early 70s sounds about right. The peghead style looks similar to the Gibson L6-S, which was made between 1973-1979. 1969 SGs had a neck volute, but I don't know how long that lasted. Considering the fact that it has been severely altered, with the extra hole, pinpointing the exact year, IMO, is less important. That extra hole intrigues me, and I'm wondering if it previously had a "rotary" selector - something Gibson sometimes used. I think there's a good chance the bridge was changed. It probably had the larger, rectangular bridge Gibson used in the 70s. Best of luck!

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Early 70s sounds about right. The peghead style looks similar to the Gibson L6-S, which was made between 1973-1979. 1969 SGs had a neck volute, but I don't know how long that lasted. Considering the fact that it has been severely altered, with the extra hole, pinpointing the exact year, IMO, is less important. That extra hole intrigues me, and I'm wondering if it previously had a "rotary" selector - something Gibson sometimes used. I think there's a good chance the bridge was changed. It probably had the larger, rectangular bridge Gibson used in the 70s. Best of luck!

 

 

Are you sure about the volute on a 69? I had one several years ago and it did not have a volute. You may be right about the rotary selector. Yes I agree the bridge may not be original. I could not tell if there was any resoldering. Just a thought about the hole. A dimarzio dual sound humbucker came with a mini toggle. Could have been one in that guitar. The guitar dont appear to be stock.

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As far as I know ONLY in 1972 did Gibson stamp their name on pickup covers. I would look to the pot codes (if visible and not covered w solder) to date the guitar. It may even be worth it to de-solder a pot or two and confirm the pot codes for dating purposes. This may slightly devalue the guitar, but those model SG's are not super valuable, and KNOWING it's a 1972 from week "XX" helps add value to the guitar... good luck

I was going to say the same thing....I believe it was 72 for the humbucker covers

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