Jim Dandy Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 In 1976 I bought a pretty badly mangled SG for $300. A 1963, the seller told me. Now many years later, I've decided to restore or customize it. But I can't tell what year or model it is. The serial number had been painted over, and I haven't yet tried to expose it. The pickups (labeled 59M and 59B) and electronics are, I think, original. The Gibson logo and crown inlays on the headstock appear to be pretty old but in good repair. The rest of the hardware, including the top-mount tremolo, had been removed or changed. It's got the slimline neck. What blows my mind is, the wiring cavity cover is on the top of the guitar instead of the back, with the controls mounted in the cover, and there is no pickguard. I can't identify what model it is; I can't find any reference to a top-cavity-cover-no-pickguard on an SG. Does anyone know what kind of SG I have on my hands?
Jim Dandy Posted March 25, 2013 Author Posted March 25, 2013 P.S. I now wonder if it may be a Les Paul SG Pro missing it's LP style pick guard...
Greg Jacob Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Sounds like you are describing a SG Deluxe, but those didn't come out until the 1970's SG Deluxe Pics
BigKahune Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 . Does the guitar have a volute? That would definitely make it 1970s. The SG Pro came with 90s and the SG Deluxe came with humbuckers, both made in 70s. With a crown inlay it's probably a Deluxe.
Jim Dandy Posted March 26, 2013 Author Posted March 26, 2013 Thanks, guys. It is the Deluxe, so it's certainly not a '63. Can anyone tell me, is the serial number embossed or only printed on the back of the headstock? I'd like to dig it out from a few layers of varnish and paint, but I'm not sure whether I should slowly sand down to it or use a paint stripping product to expose it. Also, by what means was the pickguard 'elevated.' Think I could get by with felt stap-button washers? Thanks again. Jimmy
BigKahune Posted March 26, 2013 Posted March 26, 2013 . Sorry, I'm not up on what years went which way on the serial number - some years they were embossed stamped, some they were ink stamped, and some years they used stickers/decals. Someone with more knowledge of these years might comment. .
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