Rarity of 1961-65 SGs with Bigsbys

[crlong]

I've been on the lookout for a nice 63-65 SG Standard (as posted in the WTB section) and wondering what the relative rarity is of an SG Standard with a factory bigsby. I see a handful of images online but I havent found much info on how many were made like this. Any ideas? Wondering if I should keep looking or find a nice one with a regular maestro... thanks for the help.

 

[garywright]

I have no idea how many were offered with a factory bigsby but I agree on the coolness factor ...I'd like to know how many Mr. Southworth has seen over the years as he's always had plenty of great/clean vintage SGs.:jim

 

[Kris Ford]

This one is cool..
www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Gibson-SG-Sta...s-/261487087037?pt=Guitar&hash=item3ce1d84dbd
14.5 K is waaaay out of my league...:dang
I would still take my lighted 30x loupe and check for old lyre Maestro holes when checking one out..:hmm

 

[crlong]

I agree that one is cool Kris. It just seems really steep considering the headstock break.

And speaking of Gil, what is the best way to get in touch with him? I've tried emailing/voicemails, and would love to pick his brain and see what all he has in the '60s SG department.

 

[j45]

I don't recall ever seeing a 1961 SG with a horseshoe Bigsby although I'm sure it's possible. Although that is a handsome look, make SURE you try before you commit. The string break is non existent and a very poor choice for a tailpiece for an early SG. Most certainly the reason they are so few compared to other models. Because of the early SG's flat top, the strings literally float lightly on top of the ABR-1 and BARELY make contact with saddles on the few I've owned. Really hard to play without lots of frustration and strings CONSTANTLY popping off the bridge. I love the horseshoe/SG look and was suckered into to trying several modded for Bigs early SG's before I got pissed off enough never to own one again. I have to wonder if the neck angle is different on 64 and after with the different neck joints and after because for some reason the break is better than 64 and before.

one of my Bigsby SG's a 1962 model

 

[j45]

re: the ebay guitar above...OMG, $14,500 for a repaired neck break '65 SG? Mint, and unbroken it wouldn't be worth half....I bought the 1962 above for $3000 at the Dallas show in 2006 when vintage prices were at peak. That's a $2000 guitar at best IMO. Geez.....

 

[Kris Ford]

re: the ebay guitar above...OMG, $14,500 for a repaired neck break '65 SG? Mint, and unbroken it wouldn't be worth half....I bought the 1962 above for $3000 at the Dallas show in 2006 when vintage prices were at peak. That's a $2000 guitar at best IMO. Geez.....

Agreed, but it was the only postable one I could find at the moment..the price is wack..

 

[latestarter]

re: the ebay guitar above...OMG, $14,500 for a repaired neck break '65 SG? Mint, and unbroken it wouldn't be worth half....I bought the 1962 above for $3000 at the Dallas show in 2006 when vintage prices were at peak. That's a $2000 guitar at best IMO. Geez.....

if the pickups and all else is original, and it was confirmed a 1 11/16ths nut, I would jump, twice, at $2K. I think that price is a little under cooked, in my view.

 

[crlong]

That guitar is awesome j45! Love that custom made plate on there!

 

[EdKing]

I have a 64 SG w/ the horse shoe and it has a great break angle. One of the best guitars I own.
The 64 on the right, no Bigsby, has a terrible break angle. It's a monster player. Go figure.
Also...my
Bigsby is WAY closer to the bridge.

 

[EdKing]

BTW...on the photo at the top? ...your tune a matic Is backwards. Have the bridge screws facing the pickup. That way the distance from the Bigsby to the bridge isn't impeded.

 

[garywright]

I have a 64 SG w/ the horse shoe and it has a great break angle. One of the best guitars I own.
The 64 on the right, no Bigsby, has a terrible break angle. It's a monster player. Go figure.
Also...my
Bigsby is WAY closer to the bridge.

Ed thats one sweet SG ! :salude ...your bigsby is properly mounted ..what happened to the original pickguard ?

 

[MIKE LEAF]

I don't recall ever seeing a 1961 SG with a horseshoe Bigsby although I'm sure it's possible.

Well they do exist!

 

[j45]

I have a 64 SG w/ the horse shoe and it has a great break angle. One of the best guitars I own.
The 64 on the right, no Bigsby, has a terrible break angle. It's a monster player. Go figure.
Also...my
Bigsby is WAY closer to the bridge.

There you go, that's why I say make sure you try before commit. It was the earlier SG's that I've had break angle issues and strings that sit with so little down pressure on saddles they won't stay in. During 64, in my luck of the draw was the year that things changed most with angle. One of my '64s was a killer player, I've posted clips, and also had the poor break angle but sounded so good I kept it for years. Has anybody researched the neck angles over the years? We have good info on the neck joint changes...somewhere in there must be changes in neck angle when Gibson made those changes. You can see Ed's ABR-1 is adjusted high. Earlier SG's I've owned had ABR-1's virtually flush w/body to compensate for angle....causing the poor string break. I did have a '67 with Bigsby that wouldn't hold strings well but the Bigs was aftermarket and installed low on the body. The best Standards to me were always the Lyre Vibrola models out of all configuration, including Ebony Block.

 

[MIKE LEAF]

 

[latestarter]

I'll grab a shot of mine this weekend. It has a screaming nickel pat no in the bridge...reading 8.2k, and the Bigsby works fantastic. The neck angle is such that I guess a Maestro wouldn't work for the reasons described here. Although one was on it at some point in time. As was a stop tail.

I'd love a clean 64 with nickel maestro BUT, these Bigsby SGs have a special thing going on.

 

[crlong]

Wow, by the looks of this thread, everyone here seems to have 2 or 3 just lying around.. Awesome photos, keep em comin! (And if anyone has any leads on one, per my wtb post please let me know.)

 

[Kris Ford]

One thing I've noticed in my years of SG research is that the '60's factory Bigsbys used flathead screws FWIW..

 

[latestarter]

Kris, interesting observation. Thanks

 

[EdKing]

Ed thats one sweet SG ! :salude ...your bigsby is properly mounted ..what happened to the original pickguard ?

Long story. By neccesity, I had to install a P90 in the bridge in 75. Messed up the guard. That's the short version. I used this every day from 1970-75. It's probably my favorite guitar, next to my 57 Strat.