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Vintage threads from the first ten years

'74 Gibson SG

:

8/25/1999 12:40 PM
Fj	'74 Gibson SG What pick-ups did Gibson use in SG's (circa-70-74)?...also...I'm not to sure what MODEL I have...its walnut, mother-of-pearl neck inlays (small-rectangular) NO neck-binding, small pick-guard...3-piece mohagony neck, 1-piece mohagony body...feedback appreciated, Frank.

8/26/1999 2:47 PM

If the pickup switches are two slide switches

one for each PU you probable have a Pro. If

the pickup covers are black and small, they

are mini-humbuckers. The sound is somewhere

between a fender single coil and a PAF. Gibson

cut some corners in those years. One of the things

they did makes it very difficult to get good

action on the guitar, the lowest the bridge

will go is not low at all. It can be fixed.

I went to a machine shop and had the first few

threads of the thingy which accepts the stud

holding the bridge removed. This allows the

studs to go as far as possible into the

guitar. ( I can't recall what the part is.

If someone does recall, please advise.)

Not a bad guitar once fixed as above.

I was very impressed with these PU's on a

Jonnie Smith I played once.

8/26/1999 7:52 PM

Can you describe the existing pickups and controls? That'll help place the model and year. Also include the serial number that's stamped on the back of the head stock (or should be). Describe the pickguard - solid or laminated and if laminated, how many layers? How do the strings attach to the body - at the bridge or through-the-body like a Tele? What type of knobs are used on the volume and tone controls?

Questions, questions, questions. You might guess I like SG's!

Later,

Dave James

8/29/1999 4:57 PM
Fj	pick-ups = chrome PAF style HB's...Les-Paul type 3-way toggle-switch...pick-guard ('61 small one) 5 layers (laminated)...strings thru-bridge (stop-bar tail-piece like a "paul")... knobs = 4 speed-knobs (like-"paul")...serial # = 188848...killer SOUND thru my 1959 w / ts-808!!!...Frank.

8/29/1999 5:06 PM
Fj	file:///C\|/my sg.jpg...here's a picture of my sg...Frank...

8/29/1999 5:14 PM
Fj	sorry, can't figure out how to send picture!...a thousand apologies!...Frank.

8/31/1999 3:56 PM

No prob...I've received your direct email and will be digging through my reference books.

First take is that you have a "Standard" of the era used by the likes of Terry Kath of Chicago and Frank Zappa. While Kath's was the regular "cherry" finish, Zappa had a "brown" version (if you have Zappa's LP(CD) with "Yellow Snow", you'll find a picture on the cover).

As an owner of an SG, you'll find that these are one of the most under-documented guitars of Gibson's line. Seems like any other Gibson guitar receives more attention than the SG.

Oh yeah, I have a 1972-1973 SG "special"; P90's, witch hat knobs, REAL funky vibrato, large laminated pick guard, volutte on the neck, exceedingly low frets, small head stock.

Later,

DJ

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