The SG Special evolved out of the Les Paul Special in the early '60s when Gibson introduced the SG as its primary solid body shape. The Special was conceived as a more affordable, parred-down take on SG Standard and this designation still exists today.
The SG Special was available in ebony, natural and white but cherry was the most popular finish. In 1965 vibrato became standard. The Special became an iconic Gibson model to some degree courtesy of Pete Townshend who used to destroy them on stage with great regularity at Who concerts throughout the 60s.
This rock & roll legend was created in the traditional SG shape (nee 1961 Les Paul) with the twin sharp almost symmetrical horns, the standard headstock design with the black overlay and bearing the pearl inlaid Gibson logo in postwar script.
This lovely example from 1967 has seen some work on plenty of stages but is in very good original condition. The dark rosewood fingerboard is in great shape with the cream coloured binding and inlaid with 10 mother of pearl dot markers.
The pickups are classic Gibson P-90s which have a sparkly chime compared to the SG Standard’s humbuckers. They are fatter sounding than a Fender single coil with a rounded midrange girth that adds punch without the mud sometimes associated with humbuckers.
The guitar shows normal signs of wear and use including some nicks dings and dents scratches and crazing but nothing too offensive – just some honest player wear to be expected on a 57-year-old instrument.
And this one has had no breaks, splits, cracks or repairs in its long life to date.
The tuners are replacement Kluson Deluxe with oval metal buttons. It has had a pro refret so, plenty of life left in the frets.
The owner has decommissioned the original vibrola but it is in the case included in the sale and easily slips back into place if required without any screws.
It is currently wearing a high quality compensated string-through wraparound bridge which adds tuning stability and better definition through added string angle
It plays beautifully in all positions with a medium low action. It has been professionally set up is in fine original condition - ready to rock for another fifty years.
Comes in a non-original Epiphone hard case in good condition.
Features:
Action at 1st Fret: 0.75mm
Action at 12th Fret: 2.0mm
Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 21.78mm
Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 25.71mm
Nut Width: 40.28mm
Width at 12th Fret: 50.83mm
Weight: 3.1kg / 6.83lb
Double cutaway mahogany body (same size as SG Standard)
