'61 Gibson Les Paul SG

[Aular]

I've been drooling all over that guitar at Solid Body Guitars but the axe is marked at $17,500..... :wha , is that too much?, it looks nice and clean but gosh is really crazy out there with the vintage guitars and their prices and I don't know if I will be regreting it later.
Any suggestions?.

http://www.solidbodyguitar.com/1961jsglp.htm


Thanks for your opinions..... :dude

 

[The Boz 56]

I've been drooling all over that guitar at Solid Body Guitars but the axe is marked at $17,500..... :wha , is that too much?, it looks nice and clean but gosh is really crazy out there with the vintage guitars and their prices and I don't know if I will be regreting it later.
Any suggestions?.

http://www.solidbodyguitar.com/1961jsglp.htm


Thanks for your opinions..... :dude

It's BEAUTIFUL. On one hand $17.5 is a lot to spend on a flawed guitar but on the other hand it'll probably be worth $30K in no time. As cool as they are I haven't played one that sustains above the 12th fret. Don't yell SG/LP fans/owners - I love 'em and owned at least a dozen of 'em but when the price of admission is that high IDK if its worth it when you can piss all over it with a new LPR9 with Tims.

 

[Dave G]

I currently have one that I've had for about 15 years. While it sounds GREAT it does lack sustain compared to my other SG.

 

[young angus]

Nice Les Paul-Sg there. But the number on the back of the headstock show 5 digits? My Les Paul-Sg from 1961 has only four digits. I´m not so much into dating and stuff, but had Gibson 5 digits already in 1961?

 

[Aular]

Lots of complaints regarding the sustain issues among early 60's SG, I wonder if there's any year in which Gibson corrected this problem and if ALL early SG have this problem..?

 

[Aular]

Nice Les Paul-Sg there. But the number on the back of the headstock show 5 digits? My Les Paul-Sg from 1961 has only four digits. I´m not so much into dating and stuff, but had Gibson 5 digits already in 1961?

Up to serial number 42440 should be from 61 so that number is correct with the year.

 

[young angus]

Ok, so mine is just an early -61.

 

[Aular]

Ok, so mine is just an early -61.

How does it play?, a pic would be nice..... :dude

 

[58burst]

If you set them up right, these things are GREAT playing guitars- some of gibson's finest.
I've owned several over the years, and my current one (a '62) plays great- NO sustain problems, on the contrary a singing, very resonant voice through the whole scale.

They don't work as well with heavier strings as lighter- with 9's they scream. Also they play much better with very low action- have the frets done if needed, and keep the neck straight. Played loud, through a dirty amp, they take off like nothing else.

They've been going throught the roof price-wise in the last year or two- they were around 5k for one in decent shape two years ago or so-

"Flawed guitar"? I don't see any flaws (?)

 

[young angus]

Well, what can I say: I´m the proud owner since 30 years so I´m biased. But: it´s a luthiers master piece: action is extremely low, but no buzz. Plays like butter, sounds wonderful. And yes, it has less sustain compared to an ordinary Les Paul or ES 335. The thinner body and the side-to-side tremolo has those disadvantages (you know). But no big issue really: one adapt ones playing style to it - a "nervous" style fits the sound. Say Clapton in "I´m so glad" or Angus. I have no pic for the moment, but it looks like Zappa´s.

 

[Aular]

If you set them up right, these things are GREAT playing guitars- some of gibson's finest.
I've owned several over the years, and my current one (a '62) plays great- NO sustain problems, on the contrary a singing, very resonant voice through the whole scale.

They don't work as well with heavier strings as lighter- with 9's they scream. Also they play much better with very low action- have the frets done if needed, and keep the neck straight. Played loud, through a dirty amp, they take off like nothing else.

They've been going throught the roof price-wise in the last year or two- they were around 5k for one in decent shape two years ago or so-

"Flawed guitar"? I don't see any flaws (?)

I think he was talking about the shrunk tuners, no biggie to me, at least the guitar har the original tuners....correct me if I'm wrong Boz 56.

 

[young angus]

Original tuners on a 45 years old guitar? Come on: tuners are stuff that has to changed after some 20 years.

 

[Aular]

Original tuners on a 45 years old guitar? Come on: tuners are stuff that has to changed after some 20 years.

Not every 45 year old guitar has been excessively abused, so yeah I do believe that guitar has the original tuners....

 

[wildelectric]

I own an SG/LP with a serial pretty close to that one AND a little more beat up. Its all original, though, and with an expert set up it sustains well at any fret.

BTW, I'm looking for a truss rod cover for it, the original kind that says only "Les Paul." Anyone know of a source or if Gibson even still makes them?

-John

 

['s mel gibson]

My 61 LP/SG Custom w/Bigsby is a 5 digit sn. 22***. No sustain problems. I got it for $350us in Indiana 1971. Hoo hah! Still got it!

 

[Dave G]

I currently have one that I've had for about 15 years. While it sounds GREAT it does lack sustain compared to my other SG.

While my 61 has less sustain than my SG90, it still sustains very well. My SG90 has the strings mount thru the body which gives it incredible sustain.
My 61 sounds incredible and low no buzz action. I have 10's on it.

 

[young angus]

Not every 45 year old guitar has been excessively abused, so yeah I do believe that guitar has the original tuners....

Reminds me of the scene in the Spinal Tap-movie:

Guitarist: Look, here´s a Les Paul from 1954. It´s never played. It even has the original price tag!
journalist: Oh, let me test!
Guitarist: No! Don´t touch it!
Journalist: Ok, but I can watch?
Guitarist: Eh...no. Come look over here instead. This is my amp with controls that goes to 11.

 

[Aular]

Reminds me of the scene in the Spinal Tap-movie:

Guitarist: Look, here´s a Les Paul from 1954. It´s never played. It even has the original price tag!
journalist: Oh, let me test!
Guitarist: No! Don´t touch it!
Journalist: Ok, but I can watch?
Guitarist: Eh...no. Come look over here instead. This is my amp with controls that goes to 11.

I'm glad you like the movie..... , now I have a 58 LP junior that I bought from the original owner (in very good condition) and now that I PLAY this guitar I sure try not to smash it against the wall so hopefully it will last another 50 years.... :dude

 

[Hammerhead]

Seem to recall that it was a strat rather than an LP...

 

[young angus]

I'm glad you like the movie..... , now I have a 58 LP junior that I bought from the original owner (in very good condition) and now that I PLAY this guitar I sure try not to smash it against the wall so hopefully it will last another 50 years.... :dude

A Les Paul Jr -58? With a P90 pickup?


GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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