1969 SG?

[Sweet William]

My old band buddy says he bought a 1969 SG in late 1970. He wants to sell it and would like this forum to confirm it is a 1969 (the pots indicate it is) and what he should sell it for.

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y Sweet William posted Jan 9, 2021 at 3:06 PM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 3641]B795958D-177C-410E-98FE-ADD7750523B2 by Sweet William posted Jan 9, 2021 at 3:06 PM[/GALLERY][GALLERY=media, 3641]B795958D-177C-410E-98FE-ADD7750523B2 by Sweet William posted Jan 9, 2021 at 3:06 PM[/GALLERY]

 

[PermissionToLand]

Can we see the heel? Pots could be older than the guitar, but it does look like a '69. The logo is still the '60s font.

 

[cerebral gasket]

Missing dot over the “i” was a feature of 1969.

My first SG was a 1969 SG Special.

 

[Sweet William]

Can we see the heel? Pots could be older than the guitar, but it does look like a '69. The logo is still the '60s font.

PTL I'll get some more pics

 

[Sweet William]

Thanks PTL and CG
I'm requesting additional pictures

 

[Sweet William]

 

[Sweet William]

Can we see the heel? Pots could be older than the guitar, but it does look like a '69. The logo is still the '60s font.

PTL heel pics posted.
Any concern with the turners being chrome?
Also there is not "MADE IN USA" below the serial number
And what do you think it's worth?
He's been offered $900
Ebay has one listed for $3800, but that's eBay

 

[cerebral gasket]

MADE IN USA stamp and volute did not happen until later in 1970.

I bought mine in 1986 for $400.
It's ridiculous what they are selling for now.
Reverb has them estimated at $1540 - $2470.

I've seen some with chrome buttons and others with white buttons.
Mine already had Schallers installed when I got it.

 

[Sweet William]

MADE IN USA stamp and volute did not happen until later in 1970.

I bought mine in 1986 for $400.
It's ridiculous what they are selling for now.
Reverb has them estimated at $1540 - $2470.

I've seen some with chrome buttons and others with white buttons.
Mine already had Schallers installed when I got it.

Thanks CG

 

[PermissionToLand]

PTL heel pics posted.
Any concern with the turners being chrome?
Also there is not "MADE IN USA" below the serial number
And what do you think it's worth?
He's been offered $900
Ebay has one listed for $3800, but that's eBay

Yep, 1969 for sure. Earlier in the year, as well, because it's a smooth joint.

Open gear 3-on-a-plate tuners were standard issue for Specials, and would come with either Chrome or White plastic buttons, seemingly at random.

Anybody offering him $900 would be either clueless or trying to rip him off. As CG says, Reverb's estimates are a realistic range.

 

[Sweet William]

Yep, 1969 for sure. Earlier in the year, as well, because it's a smooth joint.

Open gear 3-on-a-plate tuners were standard issue for Specials, and would come with either Chrome or White plastic buttons, seemingly at random.

Anybody offering him $900 would be either clueless or trying to rip him off. As CG says, Reverb's estimates are a realistic range.

Thanks

 

[Sweet William]

PTL

Many thanks for all the information
You are a wealth of information

Sweet William

 

[Bob L]

I see the bridge was made for a wound G. When did Gibson change the bridge for an unwound G?

 

[Chuteboxehero]

That's pretty clean. Really nice guitar. I'd bet that if he listed it around the 2k mark it would sell within a day or two. Based on what is available currently and the ridiculous asking prices for some that are in far worse shape.

Edited to add...
After taking another look at sold prices on Reverb, I could see this selling for as high as $2500. Granted they lump all '66 to '71 large guard Specials together, sold prices this last year range from $1600 to almost $3500. Specs didn't change much during that time but people do tend to prefer the body carve of the earlier specials vs the shallow horn carve around '69 to '71. This being in pretty nice shape and assuming the vibrola arm is still with the guitar somewhere, I think 2k to 2.5 would be a pretty quick sale.

 

[PermissionToLand]

I see the bridge was made for a wound G. When did Gibson change the bridge for an unwound G?

The last SG to even use a wraparound bridge was the '72-78 SG I/II/III models which were still compensated for a wound G. It wasn't until 2000 that they used one again for the reintroduced SG Junior, which was made for an unwound G. You'd probably have to look into Les Pauls and other models made between those years to find out when they actually changed the design.

 

[Norton]

Reverb is kinda your best real world price barometer.

 

[dasherf17]

PTL heel pics posted.
Any concern with the turners being chrome?
Also there is not "MADE IN USA" below the serial number
And what do you think it's worth?
He's been offered $900
Ebay has one listed for $3800, but that's eBay

Have him ask $1500-$2000 and go from there...use eBay as reference...("hey, eBay's got one for"...even Reverb has one for $2800+...)

 

[Southpa]

From the 2021 Vintage Guitar Price Guide. 1968 - 1969 Gibson SG Special, cherry, large pickguard, P90's $2750 - $3650 in US dollars. The price range is low-high excellent condition, this includes original case and case candy. If cherry finish is faded to brown then knock off 20%-30%.

 

[Pronto]

The specials have 3 on a plate tuners, but specials were closed back tuners while the SGl and SGll were open at the back so it would be interesting to see under the cover as well. Might help to see whether it was a special or a SGl or ll. Age wise it certainly could be a 69 as the 70 logo has the dot on the i. The 70 heel is flat with a slight dip where it meets the body. It does not fit flush like this one so also tends to say it could be a 69. The wiring is correct for a 69 or 70 as well. The pots can tell you roughly as well using the date codes. they could be the same year or possibly the year before, but obviously not a later date to be original. Just my 2cents.

 

[SG John]

Definitely a '69 with three piece neck, no dot on the "i", and the heel. It looks just like my '69 Standard. I'm tempted to jump on it if he's only going to ask $1500.