rescued and mostly restored '61 SGLP

[jimmi]

I have been meaning to post this for a while but took me 6 months. I bought this off ebay last year for a good price. A relatively rare '61 without a neck or heel break that had the side Trem removed and a stop tail placed and the plastics were original. That was the good. The bad? Someone had replaced the fretboard and placed a shim under the last 7 or so frets I assume to thicken the neck more like a '63-64. Additionally, the frets were not placed correctly some being very crooked. While it had the original switch and jack, the electronics had been stripped.

Here it is with a mockup with some parts I had laying around.

The weird wedge shim:

After the fretboard was removed:

Fretboard after we removed the frets to see if they had been slotted wrong (they had been).

After the fretboard and the shim removed, the original neck wood was in good shape.

I was able to find a fretboard off another '61 that had the body horribly modified and fitted to this guitar. I was also able to source vintage hardware, matched '61 harness and 2 original 60-61 PAFs. and here it is as it sits now:

 

[The Shifter]

That's a rock guitar right there.:yah

 

[Bob Womack]

Nice rescue!

Bob

 

[Jumping@Shadows]

Great stuff James! That came from Bill as I recall? I have three ‘60-‘62 SG’s here to restore, and after a lifetime of not really ‘getting’ them, I realise why they’re such a staple guitar.

 

[crashbelt]

That's great to see as I'm just about to have a 61 restored. I'm lucky to have the plastic and original PAFs in tact.

Main issue is a thick poly greenburst refin with poly all over the fretboard too - horrific. And the sideways replaced with fine tuning tailpiece. I'm having it refinished in lightly aged Polaris White to cover the holes. And putting on an aged repro tailpiece - not a sideways.

Looking forward to gigging a cool looking 61 with PAFs without worrying about dings as it'll be a refin.

 

[jimmi]

Great stuff James! That came from Bill as I recall? I have three ‘60-‘62 SG’s here to restore, and after a lifetime of not really ‘getting’ them, I realise why they’re such a staple guitar.

Good memory. Yep, i got it from Bill ayear and a half ago or so. Ended up being a great project. Is a great player. Neck feel is different than 50s single cut LPs but i dont mind the thin wide neck. Guitar is light and very lively. Very happy with how it turned out.

 

[jimmi]

That's great to see as I'm just about to have a 61 restored. I'm lucky to have the plastic and original PAFs in tact.

Main issue is a thick poly greenburst refin with poly all over the fretboard too - horrific. And the sideways replaced with fine tuning tailpiece. I'm having it refinished in lightly aged Polaris White to cover the holes. And putting on an aged repro tailpiece - not a sideways.

Looking forward to gigging a cool looking 61 with PAFs without worrying about dings as it'll be a refin.

Lets see it!!!

 

[T.Allen]

Great save James! That should be a great guitar now that you have fixed the issues and put some proper electronics in it.

 

[MapleFlame]

I remember this guitar as well. Great restoration. I don't mind those necks at all. Enjoy

 

[Ken Fortunato]

WOW!!! :bug That turned out GREAT!!! Nice work... :salude :salude :salude

 

[rockabilly69]

I love when somebody brings back a great instrument to rock an roll ready! Congrats!

 

[latestarter]

I remember this! Excellent save.

 

[El Gringo]

I am blown away . Just outstanding work in the restoration of this vintage SG .Bravo

 

[slater529]

Wow... that is just gorgeous! Fine job resurrecting a classic.

 

[Kris Ford]

That's a rock guitar right there.:yah

My thoughts exactly!!

Add Grovers, and it's a 70's spec rock machine!!

 

[geetarpicker]

Great to see this guitar back together, and especially finding all the original period correct parts and pieces! GK

 

[Musicman]

Very cool congrats!:salude

 

[jimmi]

Thanks to all. I should add that Tom at Carters is the one who attatched the fretboard and the repair is virtually invisible. Strong recommendation for him.