Durham, NC, United States
About this listing
1972 GIBSON SG CUSTOM - SERIAL 737597 - WALNUT - GIBSON/BIGSBY VIBRATO - ORIGINAL HARDSHELL CASE"The SG Custom was always Gibson's top-of-the-line SG, and the early-seventies walnut Customs with the Bigsby are the ones collectors look for. This one is extremely clean. The frets have been dressed and the board renewed, so it plays as well as it looks. What you see in the photographs is exactly what you get, wear and all." - Museum founder and curator Rich DavisTHE SG CUSTOMThe SG Custom was the flagship of Gibson's solidbody line. It began in 1961 as the Les Paul Custom in Gibson's new double-cutaway body and took the SG Custom name in 1963. It always shipped in far smaller numbers than the SG Standard and Special, and it carried every premium feature Gibson offered: three humbuckers, a bound ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlays, a bound headstock with the split-diamond inlay, and gold-plated hardware throughout.This is the early-1970s Kalamazoo Custom as collectors know it: walnut finish, the smaller early-'70s pickguard, the Schaller "harmonica" bridge and the Gibson/Bigsby vibrato.SERIAL NUMBER AND DATINGSerial 737597 is impressed on the back of the headstock with the "MADE IN U.S.A." stamp. Gibson serial references assign this range to 1970-1972. A walnut SG Custom with serial 737566, only 31 numbers away, is documented as a 1972 instrument, with pots dated the 30th week of 1972. It has the same configuration as this guitar: three humbuckers, harmonica bridge, Gibson/Bigsby vibrato and Kluson waffle-back tuners. On that evidence, this guitar is presented as c. 1972.SPECIFICATIONS- Maker: Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, Michigan- Model: SG Custom- Year: c. 1972- Serial: 737597- Body: Solid mahogany, double cutaway, beveled edges- Finish: Walnut- Neck: Mahogany, glued in, with headstock volute- Fingerboard: Bound ebony, mother-of-pearl block inlays, 22 frets- Scale: 24-3/4"- Headstock: Bound; pearl Gibson logo; split-diamond inlay; "SG CUSTOM" bell truss-rod cover- Pickups: Three gold-covered humbuckers in black rings, appearing original to the guitar- Controls: Two volume, two tone, three-way Rhythm/Treble switch- Bridge: Gold Schaller "harmonica" bridge- Tailpiece: Gold Gibson/Bigsby vibrato with arm- Tuners: Gold Kluson waffle-back- Pickguard: Black multi-ply, early-1970s style- Hardware: Gold-plated- Case: Original hardshell case (OHSC)CONDITIONThis guitar is extremely clean for an instrument more than fifty years old. The walnut finish keeps a deep gloss on the top, back and neck, and the bindings are intact. There is minor edge wear, with small finish chips along the lower bout edge near the control cavity.- Frets professionally dressed; ebony fingerboard cleaned and renewed- Gold plating worn through in spots, most visibly on the pickup covers and the Bigsby arm- Some screws replaced (a mix of gold Phillips and nickel slotted heads on the pickup rings)- Gold-colored strings installed for cosmetic enhancement only- Comes with its original hardshell casePICKUPS AND ELECTRONICS - PHOTOS PROVIDED FOR YOUR INSPECTIONThe pickups appear original to the guitar. Each sits on braided, shielded lead wire of the kind Gibson used in this period. A photo of a pickup underside is included.The control cavity contains period braided wire and ceramic disc capacitors. It also shows later service work: foil shielding, some newer hookup wire, electrical tape, reflowed solder joints and a later output jack. A photo of the open cavity is included.DISCLOSURES- Some screws are replacements, and the gold plating shows wear as described above.- The control cavity shows the later service work described above.- The gold strings are cosmetic only.Please compare the photos with the standard specifications and let us know of any discrepancy you believe you see. We are happy to answer questions and provide additional photos on request.
Price$5,795
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