Up for sale, a 1965 Gibson SG Standard in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. An example produced in early ‘65, this vintage SG features a full 1 11/16” nut width and a gloss Cherry nitro lacquer finish, loaded with a pair of early Patent Sticker T Top humbuckers.

Lightweight at 7lbs 1oz, tonewoods include a Honduran mahogany body, one-piece Honduran mahogany neck, and a bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with flawless original fretwire. The early T Tops offer a dynamic and detailed sound, balancing round lows, midrange bark, and sweet treble articulation. There’s a smooth growl at the bridge position, with notable bloom when notes ring out, and a bouncy, bell-like sweetness in the neck position, harmonically dense with a subtly spongy quality. This SG Standard benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Honduran mahogany
• Shape: Slender C, measuring .805” 1st fret, .985” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, pearloid flared trapezoid inlays
• Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
• Scale Length: 24 3/4”
• Nut: 1 11/16”
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe double-line, double-ring
• Serialization: Six-digit stamp dates to ‘65

Body Specs:

• Wood: Honduran mahogany
• Pickups: Patent Sticker T Top humbucker x2 (Neck 7.7k ohms, Bridge 7.8k ohms)
• Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, three-way pickup selector
• Harness: CTS pots date to the 21st week of ‘64 (replacement neck Volume pot dates to ‘70)
• Hardware: Maestro Vibrola, ABR-1 bridge (chrome, replaced brass saddles)
• Plastics: Five-ply black pickguard, neck tenon spacer, reflector cap knobs (one replacement), truss rod cover (replacement)

The pickups are a genuine vintage set of early T Top Patent Sticker humbuckers, dating circa 1966-67. Both pickups have untouched solder on the chrome covers and original windings. The original plastics are intact with the exception of one Volume knob and the wide bevel truss rod cover, and hardware is indicative of the transition from nickel to chrome-plated parts in ‘65, with a chrome-plated ABR-1. The long frame Vibrola comprises a vintage arm and lyre coverplate with a modern spring and frame.

The neck heel exhibits a professionally address and very clean/minor separation, following the line of the “stair-stepped” joint, with a small amount of lacquer touchup along the repaired seam.

The gloss Cherry nitro lacquer finish is extremely vibrant and unfaded, exhibiting restrained vertical checking, with cosmetic wear limited to a few chips and dings on the top and lower bout perimeter, and some additional small nicks and finish scratches consistent with very minimal use. The nitro gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean.

The original black large pebble hardshell case is included. The small “Gibson” badge is present on the case exterior, all latches are functional and the original handle is present. There is some tape-related wear on a couple of the case edges.