* Real-Deal 1961 SG/LP -- A Boy and His Thirty Year Guitar Saga (80's Content)

[gcat]

I read your post last year, and then I read it again today. Still a great read, except for reminding me of those guitars I foolishly traded away in my quest for something cooler. I can't even say what they were out loud anymore.
But I did just get this! (I didn't trade for it either). Cheers

 

[sgt_steiner]

What a beauty, Gcat! Total score! Did you switch it over to the Nashville bridge or did she come that way?

All the best, brother. That looks like an AMAZING guitar! :dude:

 

[j45]

general question: I've had a few '61-'63 SG's and if I recall correctly they had the smooth neck joint. When was this 64 or modern type neck joint first used?? Don't recall ever seeing a 61 built like this....

 

[renderit]

All the reissues are like that. I'm guessing it's correct...

 

[Kevin James]

general question: I've had a few '61-'63 SG's and if I recall correctly they had the smooth neck joint. When was this 64 or modern type neck joint first used?? Don't recall ever seeing a 61 built like this....

Kerry, The neck joint pictured here is the very first version and actually pre-dates the smooth neck joint. This is the neck joint found on all of the late 1960 LP SG's and the very first 61's. Another detail this example exhibits that points to it being a very early 61 is the spacing of the switch ring to the pick guard which is much closer together than later examples.

 

[T.Allen]

Kevin, you know way too much about SG's. It's good to have you around. :salude

 

[moonweasel]

Kevin, you know way too much about SG's. It's good to have you around. :salude

Yes it is! Thanks Kevin!

 

[j45]

Kerry, The neck joint pictured here is the very first version and actually pre-dates the smooth neck joint. This is the neck joint found on all of the late 1960 LP SG's and the very first 61's. Another detail this example exhibits that points to it being a very early 61 is the spacing of the switch ring to the pick guard which is much closer together than later examples.

No kidding... I agree, the combined knowledge here is amazing. I've had many early SG's but obviously never one that early... So let me get this straight. They started with a fairly decent neck joint but only built a few... then messed it up for a while with the smooth joint... then a few years later...WENT BACK to pretty much the same joint... ???

And did these early SG's have ink serial #'s?

 

[Kevin James]

Kevin, you know way too much about SG's. It's good to have you around. :salude

Yes it is! Thanks Kevin!

Thanks guys. I don't post a lot, but I read the forums every day and do try to post if I have something to contribute. It's all of us sharing knowledge that makes this place great. :salude

No kidding... I agree, the combined knowledge here is amazing. I've had many early SG's but obviously never one that early... So let me get this straight. They started with a fairly decent neck joint but only built a few... then messed it up for a while with the smooth joint... then a few years later...WENT BACK to pretty much the same joint... ???

And did these early SG's have ink serial #'s?

The neck joints on SG's were all over the place. This one is still a little different than the 63/64 joint though because the 63/64 joint had a lip that extended up about a half inch on the body side of the joint whereas this one doesn't. That actually started in 62 although the shape of the heel is different in 62 (comes to an oval or almost soft V shape as pictured on mine below). They went back to something closer to the one pictured in mid 65 when all the other changes started (narrow nut etc), a stepped heel with no lip. What is really funny is in 63 there are smooth heels again on some and stepped heels on others.

All of the 1960 LP SG's did have an inked on number starting with 0, and there were a very few 61's that had an inked number starting with 1 but they are extremely rare and the impressed numbers started very early in 61.

Here are a few different heels from my own stable:

The stepped "oval or soft v" shaped 62 heel:


Here is a early 65 heel, same as 63/64 (and some very late 62's as well) which is stepped with the lip:


And the mid/late 65 heel which reverts back to something similar to the OP's guitar, stepped with no lip (although the shape is more squared)

 

[sgt_steiner]

Kevin -- You have an AWESOME amount of knowledge, my friend! Any questions I ever have moving forward, count on me sending you a PM Thanks brother!

 

[Kevin James]

Kevin -- You have an AWESOME amount of knowledge, my friend! Any questions I ever have moving forward, count on me sending you a PM Thanks brother!

No problem SGT .

Not sure if I ever told you this but looking back at the guitar in your original post (not the new one, the guitar you got back in the 80's) it was actually a 63. Tell tale signs are the additional screw in the pick guard next to the bridge PAF and six digit serial number in 133xxx range. Both the six digit serial numbers and the addition of the 6th pick guard screw started in 63. Also, love the Maiden shirt eace2

 

[j45]

Late getting back. Kevin, do you have any photos of an early SG with joint like the OP's?

 

[Kevin James]

Late getting back. Kevin, do you have any photos of an early SG with joint like the OP's?

Hi Kerry, Yes, here are two with the same joint. Both if these are late 1960 Les Paul SG's.

I think this one was owned by forum brother Rev.WillieVK.


This one was owned by forum brother LandmineLenny.


And here's a 1960 husk that was bought by another forum brother MS 57. Ths one has an ugly heel repair but it is also the same joint.

 

[sgt_steiner]

Covers back on!

 

[Tarcisioo]

What a great thread!

Let me ask, what you think about the tailpiece? I know I don't like the way it looks and I know they don't work properly, but I doubt you would mess with it


Another thing, were the PAFs virgin or the cover had signs of already been off one time?


And lastly, you're a brave man to play this guitar, being as clean as it is I would shit myself to put a dent on her. Maybe that's why I like the beaten ones


Congratulations, and I can't wait until life give me an opportunity to own a good playing and inspiring vintage guitar. Maybe when I turn 46 I will be able to afford one. Only 25 years of waiting from now :laugh2:

 

[sgt_steiner]

Great story, told with literary flair! Glad you put the covers back on (and skipped the TP-6).

You just HAD to mention the TP-6. Ha! For those of us who were there back in the early '80's, well, it SEEMED like a good idea at the time

Cheers Ali!

 

[Kris Ford]

You just HAD to mention the TP-6. Ha! For those of us who were there back in the early '80's, well, it SEEMED like a good idea at the time

Cheers Ali!

JUST like us Junior guys who thought the Badass was a "upgrade".. Now, I just use a .018 wound G and use the original bridge..it's within a few cents, and definitely close enough for rock and roll!

 

[sgt_steiner]

Been playing a '62 Brown Fender Super and a '63 Blonde Tremolux with the SG and they sound fantastic together. Need to get a shot of all three together, but meantime, here are the amps.

The Early 60's -- what an amazing era for guitars, amps and everything Fender and Gibson

 

[latestarter]

 

[sgt_steiner]

Have a legendary DeArmond R15T incoming - known as the Tweed Deluxe Killer . We'll see how she pairs with the '61 SG/LP.