Your take on a 1962 SG Special

[GibsonSGgirl]

I have been looking for a vintage SG Special for several years now but until recently all of them were out of my price range.

I did a search on my local craigslist and found a 1962 SG Special for $3,000. It has a wrap-around bridge and no trem bar. I've emailed the seller asking a few questions, but wanted to ask on here too.

When did Gibson start making the SG Specials? I thought it was later in the '60s but I may be mistaken.

Also, what is a decent price to pay for one? I've been hoping to take advantage of the state of the economy and snag a few gems before they all go up in price again!

[DC1]

Good guitars. Lively sound with the P90's.

Only downside is the price and the weak neck joint that likes to let go. The luthiers may have a fix for the neck joint. Sounded much better than the later SG's IMO.

Oh, and the wrap-around bridges do not intonate perfectly if that is an issue to you.


Good luck!


dc

[Shark Diver]

I just saw a '61 (SG) even though at that time it was called a Les Paul still. SWEET!

[Reeltarded]

They aren't going up in price again, only the money will devalue!

I have seen 60 Jrs, but I think not until 61 have I seen a Special. If it's late 62 the shelf is a little different, and they don't get smile cracks in the shoulders of the joint so much.

Cool guitars. Worth what you'll pay.. maybe.. You need to have good pictures, or someone who really knows what they are staring at. Sounds interesting.

[imguitardan]

I say that's a steal (if the neck/headstock haven't been broken).

I've been shopping for an early '60s SG Jr or special for the past several months and the best I've found was a '65 Special for $2,500 (refin by Gibson and with non original but period correct parts). The '62 should be a lot cooler and (if I not mistaken) say Les Paul Special on the headstock. If it's a "Les Paul" SG then it will be worth considerably more and will only appreciate in price.

But I'm no vintage collector/dealer. I just have friends who are and asked their advice about my specific situation. If you don't like the '62, I'll trade you for my '65.

[musicofanatic5]

Yes, a '62 SG Special is "real". Are you a solid body gtr structural expert? If you cannot answer "yes" to this question, bring along someone-who-can to examine this gtr (even if you gotta pay 'em). Broken headstocks and neck joints (cutaway cracks, broken out control rout/jack breaks, etc) can be "okay" on a $3000 '62 SG IF (note the magnitude of the if) they were well repaired. If this gtr has maybe one or two of these issues, that were properly dealt with, that may not be a bad price at which to commence negotiations. The professional evaluation by your highly-qualified expert will provide you with the valid bargaining points (that's where he's worth whatever you hafta pay him!). If this gtr has none of these issues, is one of the few SG Specials that did not get a trem at the factory, is still in possesion of all it's original features, and (especially important) sounds and plays good, give the nice person their damn 3000 bucks. He or she deserves it.

I will trust, since you specifically have targeted the SG Special model, that you are aware of what you're getting into with a wraparound bridge and will not become one of these "intonation obsessor/whiners"!

[Frankee]

Would.

[Mark Robinson]

They are around of course and still a little bit of a market trailer, versus the humbucker equipped SG guitars. I'm not the biggest fan of the SG guitars, but they have a hell of a following these days. I'm continually stunned by the prices. Lots of SG types do have neck joint issues, and thousands have headstock breaks and Gibson to their credit, never charged extra for the neck heavy instruments either. But there are great ones.

If you get tired of looking at someone elses problems in the vintage market, check out a Pete Townshend SG special re-issue or two. They made a bunch, and ended up discounting them as the run came to an end. I have seen and played a few of these and a couple of them were truly outstanding instruments. Pete is also somewhat responsible for vintage SG specials being somewhat "thin on the ground" as he might say.

[EADGBE]

I think $3,000 is too much. Especially since Gibson is reissuing almost everything now for much less. And the new ones will probably intonate better because the necks and fretboards haven't had time to shrink over the years.

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[jcs]

Install a tone pros or pigtail wraparound or even a badass (thats whats on my 65 special).

[GibsonSGgirl]

Well this is what I just heard back from the guy:

yes the guitar is all original, there was a repair done sometime in the past at the neck join..it was done well and professionaly. it presents no problems what so ever w/the playing or tuning of it. the pick-ups are the original ones the finish is good w/some checking and small dings as you would expect from a guitar of this age but not bad and better than about all of them you will find. all the electrics work as they should the jack is fine ect. the tail piece is original, it has NEVER been routed out or molested in any way , the headstock is fine,i think i have the original case somewhere and i have owned it for about 6 or 7 yrs. you should check it out (you should check out any thing you buy) i think you'll find this is as nice of one you will find and especally for the price as they usually go for a good bit more. if this one is not up to your specs i also have a few more vintage gibson guitars that you can see when/if you check out the s.g.

[GibsonSGgirl]

In terms of price, all the vintage SG Specials I've seen both online and at the last few Carolina Guitar shows, have all been $4k and up, which is more than I am willing to pay.

Also, I was told that older is more desirable, so I'm surprised this one is not more.

Lastly, on the SG Classic: I have one, I love it but sadly it's too heavy for me, and if I could find a really light one (~6lbs) in my price range ($650-750) I'd get it.

[ScottB]

I have a '67 SG Special that I got a very good deal on a few years back before things really went nuts.

It is a fantastic piece of wood and resonates better than any other electric I own. The original P90s are great too.

I think $3000 is on the high side for a vintage Special with a repair, especially in this economy, and I would try to talk them down.

But, I do think a good working SG Special is a great way to go for a "vintage player". I've played a few recent SG issues, including custom shop models, and I didn't think they came close. Vintage will hold its value much better compared to a new issue, although a repair less so, obviously.

[Strat]

My wife actually just had Gibson build me one as a replica of my first guitar. Small guard, p-90's, wrap around, tall frets and cherry ( of course) for less than that. Maybe inquire....

[RickC]

Originally Posted by ScottB

II think $3000 is on the high side for a vintage Special with a repair, especially in this economy, and I would try to talk them down.

+1

I'll also say that a good '62 Special, even with some neck joint work, is very worth owning.

/rick