1964 Gibson SG Standard and an 'affordable' one at that...

Designed to take on the Fender Stratocaster with a lighter body and a different feeling neck, the modified Les Paul came into being in 1960/61 to be quickly excommunicated by its namesake and received the monicker SG (solid guitar) by 1963. By this period, there had been some design improvements. The neck tenon was improved making the guitar more stable and less prone to breaks and the sideways vibrato was replaced with the ‘Lyre’ version which worked far better. Many consider this to be the best version of the guitar.

Free of any breaks or cracks, the guitar was refinished by John Coleman having had the vibrola changed for a stoptail before the previous owner took possession of the guitar. Evidence of the ground lead can be seen near the strap button. The refinish is a good one and complements the guitar. 

The neck too has been refinished as has the headstock. The fretboard is in great shape as are the frets.

The nickel parts look fantastic with maybe a very little dulling. The plastics are in great shape. The bridge is a later pat number ABR-1 and the tailpiece and tuners are aged repros.

Electronically, the pickups are both early 90’s Seymour Duncan Antiquities hand signed by the man himself. Elsewhere, no other solder joints look to have been touched.

The guitar comes a 70s Gibson hardshell case with red lining.

As soon as you pick this guitar up you realize why 1964 was such a good year for Gibson. The profile of the neck is so instantly comfortable, quite a way from the wide narrow feel of earlier models. Tonally, the Antiquities are a perfect match for the guitar, the smoothness of the neck pickup paired with the bite of the bridge.

This guitar looks the part with a sound to match with a few changes that make it pocket friendly. Grab it before it gets away…