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Need help with SG Special

Cowentin40

New member
Joined
Nov 21, 2020
Messages
9
Hello everybody,
I’m from France and sorry for my English.
I have the opportunity to get a 1966 (Maybe) SG Special by trade. But I have a doubt about the year : the serial number correspond to the year 1966, but not the specs ( large pickguard, neck jonction case). It is possible it’s a late 1966 with 1967 specs ?
I don’t have the knowledge to answer this question…
What do you think when you see the photos ?
 

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poor man's burst

Active member
Joined
Oct 3, 2010
Messages
421
The serial Nr can be '66, '67 or '68. The pots (at least the tone pots) were made in 1967. The guitar was made after the pots (if they are originals. Nothing seems to show they are not).
 

Cowentin40

New member
Joined
Nov 21, 2020
Messages
9
Ok thanks I think it’s ´67 too but I saw on the web that serial number started with 3 are for the year 1966.
 

poor man's burst

Active member
Joined
Oct 3, 2010
Messages
421
"Gibson Electrics" by André Duchossoir Ed. Hal Leonard ISBN 0-7935-3124-1 page 253.
 
Last edited:

Aloha_Ark

Active member
Joined
Apr 2, 2020
Messages
154
These two links may help:

https://truevintageguitar.com/blogs/tvg-blog/how-to-date-gibson-sg

https://truevintageguitar.com/blogs/tvg-blog/how-to-date-a-vintage-gibson-les-paul-guitar

Both guides were written by John Shults, a vintage expert. The pots and wiring appear to be original. Yet, I would still check the P-90's to verify that they are vintage. Whether this is a 1966 or 1967 is not that relevant. A future buyer will usually base his decision on the nut width, with 1-9/16" being the nominal value, and 1-10/16" being a better value, but not always possible. The Gibson stairstep wraparound bridge is a feature of this time, but more adjustable bridges are available.
 

charliechitlins

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
1,016
Those tone pots appear different from the volumes...could be the angle...but the solders don't look original to me.
Anytime I see bent up legs on a tone cap, I can be pretty sure someone has been in there.
To add confusion...that bridge is compensated for a wound 3rd.
I thought '65 was the last of those.
No crack by the output jack.
I love SG Specials.
Thin mahogany, wraparound, P90s...
If you like acoustically resonant guitars, these are amazing.
Hang it by the headstock, pluck the high E and you can feel the body vibrate all the way down by the jack.
And, yeah...the 1 11/16" neck always brings more money, but I don't think there were any in 65, 6, 7.
 
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