Vintage Gibson SG Standard – c.1963/64 – Cherry

A very special early-1960s Gibson SG Standard that has been in our family since new.

The guitar was purchased new by my father in the 1960s while he was a member of The College Boys, a Northern Irish showband who performed and toured during the 1960s.

It remained in his ownership and subsequently within our family, so its history is known back to when it was purchased. I have included period photographs of The College Boys with the listing as part of the guitar's provenance.

Dating and originality

The guitar appears to date from approximately late 1963/1964.

One of the CTS potentiometers is clearly stamped 137633X, with the final digit obscured by solder. The code identifies the pot as manufactured by CTS in 1963, apparently during a week in the 30s.

The guitar also retains two vintage Gibson Patent No. humbuckers, and photographs of the undersides of the pickups and the internal electronics are included with the listing.

Features include:

• Cherry-finished mahogany SG body and neck
• Bound rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlays
• Two vintage Gibson Patent No. humbuckers
• Period CTS potentiometers, including visible 137633X 1963 date code
• Period-style braided wiring
• ABR-1-style bridge with nylon saddles
• Gibson Maestro/Lyre Vibrola
• Reflector control knobs
• Kluson-style tuners with aged keystone buttons
• Vintage hard case with distinctive leopard-pattern lining

Serial number

There is no longer a visible serial number on the back of the headstock.

I therefore don't want to make an unsupported claim about an exact production year. Based upon the dated electronics, pickups, construction and other period features, the guitar appears consistent with a late-1963/1964 Gibson SG Standard.

The reason for the missing serial number isn't known. There may have been historic finish work, overspray and/or repair work to the neck/headstock area at some point during the guitar's long life. I have no documentation relating to any such work, so I have photographed these areas carefully rather than making assumptions about them.

Condition

The guitar is now approximately 60 years old and is presented in its genuine, well-used vintage condition.

There are numerous marks, scratches and areas of finish wear consistent with its age and use. The metal hardware shows considerable natural tarnishing, oxidation and plating wear, particularly around the Vibrola and bridge.

The tuner buttons have also aged considerably and at least one is visibly deteriorated/damaged.

I have deliberately not attempted to polish, restore or cosmetically improve the vintage hardware, preferring to leave decisions about conservation or restoration to its next owner.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.

Provenance – The College Boys

What makes this guitar particularly interesting is that its history within our family is known.

My father purchased the Gibson new during the 1960s, when he was playing with The College Boys, a Northern Irish showband who performed and toured during that period.

The period College Boys publicity photographs included in this listing relate to that part of the guitar's history.

The guitar subsequently remained in our family rather than passing through numerous owners or dealers.

Included

The guitar comes with the vintage leopard-lined hard case pictured.

I have extensive detailed photographs of the instrument, including the electronics, pickups, potentiometer markings, hardware, neck, headstock, body and case, and I am happy to provide further photographs to a serious prospective purchaser.

Given the age and nature of the instrument, in-person inspection is very welcome.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire an early-1960s Gibson SG Standard with unusually strong family provenance stretching back to its purchase new during the Northern Irish showband era.

UK shipping: £125 (provisional). Guitar will be professionally packed in a hard case and double boxed. Fully insured shipping will be arranged following sale; any material difference in shipping cost will be agreed with the buyer. Collection/inspection in Northern Ireland is very welcome. Vintage case included with the guitar and will be supplied with the sale.