Mo Says...

A gloriously battle-scarred early ’80s SG with bags of character. Black, lean and unmistakably Gibson, this old rogue wears its history proudly and looks thoroughly ready for another few decades of riffs.

Notable Particulars

• Genuine 1983 Gibson SG Special, with serial number 81573536 visible on the rear of the headstock
• Fitted with a period-correct high-output Schaller lead pickup in the bridge position
• Classic lightweight double-cutaway SG design with black finish and rosewood fingerboard
• Two humbucking pickups with three-way selector, individual volume controls and master tone control
• Gibson Deluxe tuners and vibrato-style bridge/tailpiece hardware

Condition Notes

-Period-correct high-output Schaller lead pickup added

-Spotting on fingerboard

-Various minor dings

The Details

This 1983 Gibson SG Special is a wonderfully characterful example from Gibson’s early ’80s period, finished in black and carrying the unmistakable slim, double-horned SG silhouette.Of particular note is the period-correct high-output Schaller lead pickup fitted in the bridge position. It is a wonderfully appropriate modification for an SG of this era, adding extra muscle and bite where it counts while retaining a suitably period flavour. The neck position retains its covered humbucker.The guitar has clearly lived a proper musical life. The black finish displays extensive checking, scratches, small chips and edge wear throughout, with particularly visible wear around the body edges and rear. The headstock and hardware also show age-related marks and patina. Rather than disguising its years, it wears them rather magnificently.The specification includes an ebony fingerboard with dot position markers, Gibson Deluxe machine heads, two humbucking pickups, three-way selector switch, three control knobs and vibrato-style bridge/tailpiece hardware.Serial number 81573536 is stamped into the rear of the headstock.A splendid proposition for the player who prefers a vintage Gibson with genuine history rather than something preserved beneath glass. Please study the photographs carefully for the cosmetic condition, wear, hardware and specification, as these form an important part of the description.