Hazy on “SG” History...

[C_corie]

I have “new” Gibsons that are more or less copies of the old ones. A 2018 1958 Les Paul Standard Reissue and a 2009 SG “classic” (special?).

Can anyone tell me, or show me (I’ve heard rumors of old catalog pictures) that the 1961-62 SG was offered with a stop tail setup. I’ve never really seen it.

Also assuming the differences in Les Pauls are pretty well covered, is it the same general difference between modern and original SGs, specifically;

Different mahogany

Brazilian Rosewood- up until?

Hide glue neck?

I know the pick guard and nickel/chrome changed at 65-66 or so but I’m looking for differences in the originals that you can’t really recreate today, or at least not easily.

 

[Cream Fan]

To my knowledge, SGs did not have a stop tail until the 70s. Brazilian rosewood was used up until around 1966. Not sure when Gibson stopped using hide glue.

 

[TrueVintageGuitar]

I'm splitting hairs here, but I suppose that the catalog listed only two "SG" guitars in 1961 and 1962: The SG Special and SG TV. Both were offered in a wrap tail bridge without a vibrato tailpiece.

I've never seen a factory original stop tail/ABR-1 set up Les Paul Standard from 1961-1962, but if it existed then I wouldn't be surprised. Gibson's price list from 1961 does not mention a non-vibrato tailpiece option for either the Les Paul Standard or the Les Paul Custom.

 

[renderit]

And SG Jr.

 

[TrueVintageGuitar]

And SG Jr.

Yes! But Gibson still called it a "Les Paul Junior" in 1961 and 1962.

 

[fernieite]

Yes! But Gibson still called it a "Les Paul Junior" in 1961 and 1962.

And the first half of 1963.