Gibson SG Standard

GIBSON SG STANDARD ELECTRIC GUITAR FOR SALE – Vintage circa 1972/73 - £2,500 o.n.o.

PLEASE CONTACT IN THE FIRST INSTANCE BY EMAIL barry.grisley@homecall.co.uk.  I can supply further images if required.

I bought this SG in 1973 and it was 6 months old when I bought it from its first owner (a rich boy who couldn’t play a single chord but had rich parents!), so it could be a 1972 model.

Serial number stamped on the back of the head is 188282 and underneath the number it is stamped with the words MADE IN USA. (stamp doesn’t show on photo)

The machine heads are also genuine Gibson machine heads and are stamped with the word Gibson on the back of each one.

I have owned this guitar since 1973 and have gigged with it over the years in numerous semi-professional bands.  Consequently it is not in mint condition although its playability and unique sound has not changed in all those years.  I guess that is why it is still such a popular guitar to play.

I had it re-fretted about 10 years ago by a professional guitar engineer.  Apart from the re-fret, it is as I bought it back in 73 except of course it was Cherry Red when new and has aged to a lovely vintage tan colour (note that the original cherry colour can be seen when the bridge is removed).

Please see photos and please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions

I have estimated an asking price based on the information below, as well as speaking to a few music shops in my area.  Using the figures quoted at the end of this advert, based on estimates in 2009 I think it should be valued as follows.

In 2009 say estimated at circa $3,000 then adding 11% each year (for 3 years) as suggested below brings it to circa $4,000, which equals circa £2,500.

Note as at today exchange rate is 1 US dollar = 0.6239 British pounds sterling

It comes with a well worn hard case, as shown in the photos, which I bought new back in 1973.

I did some re-search to try to establish what price I could ask for my SG and found these articles on the Internet and copied them below (as at 11/9/12)

SG Les Paul Standard & SG Standard
Available: late 1960 to present.
Collectibility Rating: late 1960-1961: D+, 1962-1964: C, 1965-1971: D-.

1961 SG Les Paul Std introduction specs:

From 1961 to 1963, this model takes over the "Les Paul" name as the single cutaway version is replaced by this model. Double pointed cutaways, scaloped mahogany body, 2 humbucking P.A.F. pickups, 3 layer black bevelled small pickguard, pearloid trapezoid fingerboard inlays, crown peghead inlay, "Les Paul" on truss rod cover, "sideways" vibrato (yuck!), nickel plated parts, cherry red finish. Incredibly thin neck back shape. Model produced starting in very late 1960.

1962 SG Les Paul Std specs:

Some models with pearl inlaid ebony vibrato tailpiece. Sideways vibrato still seen on some SG Standard models.

1963 SG Std specs:

"Patent Number" humbucking pickups, Maestro vibrato with lyre and logo on coverplate (but occasionally the sideways vibrato is still seen on a few 1963 Gibson SG Standard models). "Les Paul" is now removed from the truss rod cover and model officially known as the "SG Standard", neck shape get slightly larger. Neck tenon size is increased, so the necks on 1963 and later SGs are more stable. 1963 to 1964 SG Standards (without the sideways vibrato, and slightly larger, more stable necks) are the best of the SG Standards.

1965 SG Std specs:

Chrome parts instead of nickel, pickguard now surrounds the pickups thus eliminating the need for separate pickup surrounds. Peghead angle changes from 17 degrees to 14 degrees, nut width narrows from 1 11/16" to 1 9/16" or 1 5/8". 1965 models can have any one or all of those changes (they didn't happen all at once during 1965).

1966 SG Std specs:

Indian rosewood fingerboard replaces Brazilian rosewood.

Discontinued in 1971 and replace by the SG Deluxe.

1972 re-introduced, and still available today in several forms.

Contact the Vintage Guitar Info Guy
Back to the Gibson General Info
Back to the Table of Contents

·  1947-early 1955: "A" series serial numbers on a white label, on many models.

·  early 1955-1961: "A" series serial numbers on a orange label, on many models.

·  1953-1961: Unique solidbody electric guitar "inked" serial numbers.

·  1961-1969: 4,5 or 6 digit peghead stamped serial number for all models, no MADE IN USA stamped below.

·  1969-1975: 6 digit peghead stamped serial number, MADE IN USA stamped below.

·  1975-1977: tagged (decal) serial number, MADE IN USA below.

·  1977-present: 8 digit stamped serial number, MADE IN USA stamped below.

Article posted on Internet in 2009

Gibson SG Standard ( 1963-present )

Basically the Gibson SG standard guitars stayed the same except for some minor feature changes. In 1966 Gibson started manufacturing the SG standard with larger pickguards surrounding the pickups.

In 1973 they had black plastic covers covering the humbucking pickups, in 1975 Gibson added a tunomatic bridge, during the late 70s bigsby vibratos and stop tailpieces along with more color variations were added such as walnut, tobacco and white.

During the eighties metal covered humbuckers were installed and they went from small pickguards to large to small again in the early 90s , more colours were added and basically until today the bulk of the guitar stayed the same .

The Gibson SG was fairly popular but really hit it mainstream when rockstars and guitar players such as George Harrison from the Beatles ,and Eric Clapton from cream started exploring its capabilities .

Angus Young from ac/dc took the SG standard to a new level when he plugged this guitar in his old marshall amp and created one of the most influential guitar sound in the rock n roll and hard rock business , the sound was simple ,BIG , bluesy , Phat , raw and powerful .

In 1986 Gibson also made an SG reissue model , these Gibson guitars had 60s style pickguards (small), trapezoid inlays , crown pegheads , cherry finishes , nickel plated hardware , and plastic tuner buttons , they were renamed SG '62 reissue in 1988 , discontinued in 1991 and were reintroduced as the Gibson SG '61 Reissue in 1993 to present.

In 1988 they also introduced the Gibson SG '62 reissue showcase edition with emg pickups . ( only 200 were made )

Vintage Price Value For 2009 :
1961 - 1963 > $19 000 to $25 000 ( SG les Paul standard )
1963 - 1965 > $18 000 to $25 000 ( SG Standard )
1966 - 1967 > $7 000 to $8 000
1968 - 1969 > $6 500 to $8 000
1970 - 1975 > $2 500 to $4 000
1976 - 2000> $1 200 to $1 600

1986 - 1991 > $9 00 to $1 300 ( SG reissue /'62 SG reissue )
1988 - 1989 > $1 200 to $1 500 ( SG '62 reissue edition /200 made )
1993 - 2000> $9 00 to $1 500 ( SG '61 Reissue )

1961-1963 > Avg Upward Trend of 36% a year since 2000
1963-1965> 33% 1966-1967> 22% 1968-1970>16% 1971-1975>11%