1970 Gibson SG Special, Cherry
Super cool 69/70 Gibson SG Special that’s been modded for humbuckers and a tune-o-matic/stop tail. A killer vintage players Kalamazoo Gibson with no repairs to the usual headstock or heel areas. Strong Cherry red with the iconic late 60’s batwing pickguard.
Featuring a lightweight double cut Honduras Mahogany body with a three piece Mahogany neck. A bound Rosewood fingerboard with pearl dots and a Pearl inlayed Headstock logo complete the traditional Gibson Special appointments. The serial number range is for 1970-1972 but the lack of Volute and Made in USA stamp to the rear of the headstock indicate a very late ’69/early 70 production date. SG’s from this period features the revised heel joint, five-ply ‘Batwing’ pickguard and Witch hat knobs that define the SG though the second half of the sixties and into the early seventies. This guitar has had some changes along the way and as well as the stop tail conversion the tuners were at some point changed but it is now sporting correct period replacements with drew holes plugged. It currently has a reproduction Tailpiece and short Vibrola fitted now it has reverted back to its original spec with the bonus that the new bridge-tailpiece is intoned for a plain G string. The most recognisable chance comes in the form of a pair of period Gibson Humbuckers fitted. Thanks to the production of the SG model during this period there was no need to route the body underneath the pickguard. The pickups themselves are a Gibsons Patent Sticker Humbuckers dating from the late sixties/ early seventies.The chrome covers have been replaced with Nickel ones but there is no reason to believe the pickups have been re-wound. Inside the control cavity noting looks to have been disturbed with the exception of the pickup wires. The CTS pots have their date codes obscured but the visible part code is correct for the SG Special from this period.
The guitars finish still has a nice strong cherry hue, there are areas of wear and the odd knock and bump, all consistent with a guitar that has been used regularly. The headstock, heel and input are all free of cracks and repairs and the guitar has a consistent UV signature under blacklight although there looks to have been some localised lacquer work to the top where the forearm rests and the pickguard has additional holes and a brushed finish.
The neck has a typical late sixties chunky C profile with a nut width of 40.08mm. Depth at the first fret is a slim 20.65mm tapering out to a fatter 24.65mm at the 12th fret.
The guitar weighs in at a featherweight 6.35bs and comes with a modern ABS Case.