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’61 SG/LP Back from the Dead…and as good as…Gold!

pinefd

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
3,060
In case you hadn’t already seen this at the other forum, I thought I’d consolidate the info and pics, in one dedicated thread here.

This was a project that was inspired by a similar ’61 SG/LP formerly owned by Charlie Daughtry, and refinished in gold by Dave Johnson. The first time I saw a photo of that guitar, it was love at first sight. From that moment on, I was determined to have one of my very own.

Shortly after seeing Charlie’s guitar, I found a ’61 husk right here in the classified section, being sold by a fellow member. I jumped on it right away, and then started collecting parts for the guitar over a period of a year or two. And now for some before, after and in-process pics.

Here’s the husk before any work was done. As with many SGs, the neck had broken off of the body at one point, and was poorly repaired (with screws and epoxy):

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Not having had any experience working on SGs myself, and unsure of my own ability (and knowledge) to be able to tackle the job myself, I contacted fellow member SG Lou, to see if he’d be up for the challenge of helping to restore this guitar. He’s rebuilt similar SGs before, and I was confident he would be up to the challenge; thankfully, he was very willing to take on the project…at a very reasonable cost.

Here are some progress pics of him re-doing the neck/body joint:

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...to be continued in the next post...
 

pinefd

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
3,060
...and the work continues...

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Here's the guitar, in one solid piece again, dry fitted with most parts, and ready for finishing:

SG:LP_Body.jpg


For the finishing, I decided to turn the guitar over to Historic Makeovers, as I was impressed with some of the recent GTs I had seen them do. That, combined with their great communications, updates and relatively fast turnaround, made them an easy choice for me. Again, I’ll now let the pics tell the story. Here is the finished product, with some before and after shots as well:

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I am so thrilled with the outcome of this guitar. I absolutely love it. It’s now one of a handful of my guitars that I can honestly say is a “keeper”.

I hope you enjoyed coming along on this journey with me! It just goes to show what can be done to seemingly trashed guitars when in the right hands.


Frank
 

Ryan Givhan

New member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
3,220
that guitar looks great. ever since i saw CD's gold sg i have been jonesing for one myself. i was thinking about just getting and sg faded for really cheap and then trying my hand at refinishing it myself. i think gold sg's look amazing. would have been cool if it was an original color option.
 

CDaughtry

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner and Moderator
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
12,646
Very cool Frank.....killer photography too!:dude:
 

pinefd

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
3,060
Thanks, guys! And thanks again, Charlie, for the inspiration! :salude
 

pinefd

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
3,060
...and here's the guitar along with some friends:

BH4A0926_1400.jpg
 

ourmaninthenorth

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
I really love these sort of threads, this being no exception.

Congratulations Frank, it's turned out fantastic. :salude
 

Grog

Active member
Joined
Apr 7, 2012
Messages
562
Impressive job! It's always great to see a vintage guitar get a second chance! Gold Fetishes can be contagious................................

 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
Absol-friggin-lutely Gorgeous! I still want to see one of those with white plastics!
 

SG Lou

New member
Joined
Jan 28, 2015
Messages
5
My god this guitar looks incredible!!! :dude:

BH4A0979_900_Black.jpg
She sure looks sweet. When Frank asked me If I'd be interested to take on this project I was hesitant at first. After looking at the pictures he sent me for a few days I decided what the hell, go for it. I had, to some degree, worked out how I was going to go about repairing this beast in my head but I wasn't really sure it was going to work. Needless to say, as I begun the "Idea's" began to come to me as I went along. Sounds silly I know, but I have to admit it did turn out well.
 
K

Kim R

Guest
That is superb and also major kudos for seeing the potential in that project!

Really stunning-
 
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