Gibson SG Junior Solid Body Electric Guitar (1969)
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Item # 11271
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Gibson SG Junior Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1969), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 849768, cherry lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, molded plastic hard shell case.
The SG Junior has always remained a very popular guitar, and with good reason. This super light and handy instrument distills the essence of Gibson's 1960's sculpted solidbody aesthetic down to the minimum, with a single P-90 pickup and endless neck to play on. While designed as a student instrument, SG Juniors have been the choice of many professional players for decades, especially in the hard rock zone. This is a typical late'60s model; in 1966 all SG's were modified with a large center body rout covered by an expanded pickguard allowing bodies in stock to be assembled into any SG or Melody Maker model. The cherry finish is darker than earlier examples, with a more burgundy hue.
The guitar's P-90 pickup is hung beneath the pickguard instead of mounted to the body as earlier examples. Besides the large pickguard it also has the streamlined and much more solid neck joint adopted at the same time, which finally cured the heel issues that plagued earlier SG's. The Junior of this period mounts the solid stud bridge with a Gibson Vibrola, de rigeur in the mid-60s but falling out of favor in the "heavy' later years of the decade. The neck angle is one of the best we have seen on a period SG, with tons of break off the Vibrola so it actually works well. The dot inlaid neck is very slim at the nut as is typical of the later '60's, but gets surprisingly chunky and deep as it moves up towards the body.
The guitar carries all chrome hardware, including the Japanese strip tuners Gibson used mostly around 1967, the result of industry-wide shortages or company penny-pinching, or both! The plastic knobs are the late '60s "witch hat' style.
The pots dates are soldered over, the serial number is in the "840xxx" series Gibson used in both 1967 and 69. Based on most features we'd say this is a 1969 instrument. Whatever its exact birthdate this is one little screamer of a guitar, and more versatile in operation than many think (Ask Chris Spedding!)
Overall length is 39 3/8 in. (100 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This is a nicely original guitar showing some general wear but no serious damage or repair. The very deep cherry finish has hardly any fade and retains a deep strong color. There are small dings, scratches and dents overall, and some very minor curly-cord marks on the back where a vinyl cable must have been left laying under it in the case. All hardware is original including the oft-missing trem arm and screw.
Two corners of the pickguard have popped-off tips from plastic shrinkage, which is pretty typical on these. The original frets look recently crowned with no subsequent wear. This guitar plays great with a bright ringing sound even unplugged; when paired with a lively amp it really comes to life. The case included is a later Gibson molded plastic HSC that protects the guitar very well. Excellent - Condition.
The SG Junior has always remained a very popular guitar, and with good reason. This super light and handy instrument distills the essence of Gibson's 1960's sculpted solidbody aesthetic down to the minimum, with a single P-90 pickup and endless neck to play on. While designed as a student instrument, SG Juniors have been the choice of many professional players for decades, especially in the hard rock zone. This is a typical late'60s model; in 1966 all SG's were modified with a large center body rout covered by an expanded pickguard allowing bodies in stock to be assembled into any SG or Melody Maker model. The cherry finish is darker than earlier examples, with a more burgundy hue.
The guitar's P-90 pickup is hung beneath the pickguard instead of mounted to the body as earlier examples. Besides the large pickguard it also has the streamlined and much more solid neck joint adopted at the same time, which finally cured the heel issues that plagued earlier SG's. The Junior of this period mounts the solid stud bridge with a Gibson Vibrola, de rigeur in the mid-60s but falling out of favor in the "heavy' later years of the decade. The neck angle is one of the best we have seen on a period SG, with tons of break off the Vibrola so it actually works well. The dot inlaid neck is very slim at the nut as is typical of the later '60's, but gets surprisingly chunky and deep as it moves up towards the body.
The guitar carries all chrome hardware, including the Japanese strip tuners Gibson used mostly around 1967, the result of industry-wide shortages or company penny-pinching, or both! The plastic knobs are the late '60s "witch hat' style.
The pots dates are soldered over, the serial number is in the "840xxx" series Gibson used in both 1967 and 69. Based on most features we'd say this is a 1969 instrument. Whatever its exact birthdate this is one little screamer of a guitar, and more versatile in operation than many think (Ask Chris Spedding!)
Overall length is 39 3/8 in. (100 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This is a nicely original guitar showing some general wear but no serious damage or repair. The very deep cherry finish has hardly any fade and retains a deep strong color. There are small dings, scratches and dents overall, and some very minor curly-cord marks on the back where a vinyl cable must have been left laying under it in the case. All hardware is original including the oft-missing trem arm and screw.
Two corners of the pickguard have popped-off tips from plastic shrinkage, which is pretty typical on these. The original frets look recently crowned with no subsequent wear. This guitar plays great with a bright ringing sound even unplugged; when paired with a lively amp it really comes to life. The case included is a later Gibson molded plastic HSC that protects the guitar very well. Excellent - Condition.