1997 Orville by Gibson SG-65 Alpine White, MADE IN JAPAN - Original Pickups

Epic Axes is a musician-driven showroom in Los Angeles. Each guitar is personally selected, inspected, and tested to ensure top performance - only instruments we would play ourselves become part of our collection.

Orville SG-65, Made in Japan 1997 (Serial: 711682) - Alpine White

A killer Orville SG-65 in classic Alpine White - one of those Japanese-made SGs that really nailed the feel and tone of a proper vintage-style instrument. Built in Japan during the later Orville period (serial 711682 points to around 1997), this is a solid, no-nonsense SG with great bones and tons of character.

The Alpine White finish has aged beautifully over time, developing natural wear, light discoloration, and that broken-in look you just can’t fake. There are visible signs of use throughout - scratches, small dings, finish marks and some cosmetic spots, all consistent with honest playwear and age. Nothing structural, just a well-loved instrument that now has a proper vintage vibe.

Spec-wise, this is a classic SG setup - mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, and a pair of original Orville humbuckers. The pickups and electronics are all original and deliver that warm, punchy SG tone with a nice midrange bite and smooth top end. It’s got that raw, immediate response SGs are known for.

The hardware shows noticeable cosmetic aging and patina throughout, including oxidation and rusting on parts of the bridge and metal hardware, adding to the overall vintage aesthetic. Despite the cosmetic wear, everything functions excellently and works exactly as it should.

The nut has a chip, however it still holds the strings properly and does not affect tuning stability or playability.

Frets are in good condition with even wear for their age, no deep grooves or dead spots, and plenty of life left. The guitar plays comfortably up and down the neck with no buzzing and a solid, broken-in feel.

Overall, this is a really cool Japanese SG that hits all the right notes - great tone, great feel, and a look that only comes with time. If you’re into MIJ Gibsons or looking for a vintage-style SG with real character without breaking into Gibson USA pricing, this is a strong option.

The following work has been done: full fretboard conditioning with lemon oil, fret polish, pickup height adjustment for balance and clarity, and a fresh set of D’Addario 10-46s installed. String height at the 12th fret on the low E is right at 2.2 mm - set for comfortable playability. 

Body

• Construction: Solid body, set-neck
• Wood: Mahogany
• Finish: Alpine White (aged), gloss polyurethane
• Pickguard: Small SG-style black pickguard
• Weight: approx. 6.6–7.5 lbs
• Contours: Classic SG double-cut body with deep bevels

Neck

• Material: Mahogany
• Joint: Set-neck
• Profile: Slim ’60s style C
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Radius: 12"
• Frets: 22 medium frets
• Scale Length: 24.75" (628 mm)
• Nut: Synthetic bone
• Nut Width: 43 mm / 1.69"
• Neck Finish: Gloss polyurethane

Hardware

• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic style
• Tailpiece: Stopbar
• Tuners: Vintage-style tuners (Kluson-type)
• Knobs: Black
• Strap Buttons: Standard Gibson-style
• Hardware Finish: Nickel (patina)

Electronics

• Pickups: Original Orville humbuckers
• Controls:
  • Volume (neck)
  • Volume (bridge)
  • Tone (neck)
  • Tone (bridge)
• Switching: 3-way toggle switch
• Output Jack: 1/4" mono
• Configuration: HH

Other

• Model: SG-65
• Year: approx. 1997
• Made in: Japan
• Origin: Orville (Gibson Japan line)
• Serial: 711682
• Condition: Very good condition with visible natural wear and patina
• Case: Non-original hard case included
• Extras: Fully set up and ready to play