Help identifying SG

[an83]

Hello,

I am in the process of trying to identify and value some guitars that belonged to my late father. Not being a guitarist myself I’d welcome some help and advice on this SG.

Now the serial number on the headstock is barely visible and sadly I can’t make it out. It does look like it starts with an 8 though.

I’ve had a look at the pots, and the serial numbers on these is 1378748. A bit of research implies these are from 87 If I’m not mistaken.

Can anyone tell me what model of SG this is, and roughly speaking typical value. It does appear to be in good condition, although the case looks very well used.

Anyhow, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Antony

 

[skelt101]

It looks to be an SG Custom. I would guess the pickguard has been replaced and bridge rotated so it’s backwards.

 

[Gibsunnyday]

No screws for the pickup surrounds? What's holding them in place?

 

[an83]

The screws are there, just don’t seem the show that well in the picture

 

[Lynurd Fireburd]

I would guess the pickguard has been replaced...

Why do you believe the PG is replaced?

 

[papagayo]

Nice SG / Les Paul Custom ebony fretboard, and you have the original flight case.
Is there a serial number on the back of the headstock ?

 

[skelt101]

Why do you believe the PG is replaced?

An SG Custom should have a fancy (5-ply…?) pickguard. I’m not seeing that here.

 

[Decadent Dan]

An SG Custom should have a fancy (5-ply…?) pickguard. I’m not seeing that here.

I looked at a few of these on Reverb and they all had that single black line in the white, like the op.

 

[skelt101]

I looked at a few of these on Reverb and they all had that single black line in the white, like the op.

View attachment 49703 View attachment 49704 View attachment 49705

I type corrected! Thanks for the info, Dan!

 

[MR D]

WOW, Super SWEET SG CUSTOM you got there. Your Dad must ROCK ! if you cant get $3 Grand for it, KEEP IT.....its value will only go up from here on !

 

[fernieite]

You're correct about the pot dates: 1987.
137 means they were made by CTS. 87 is the year, and 48 is the week of the year.
If these are the original pots, then the guitar was made in late 1987 or sometime in 1988, at the earliest.

 

[MR D]

I looked at a few of these on Reverb and they all had that single black line in the white, like the op.

View attachment 49703 View attachment 49704 View attachment 49705

The SG w/B5 Bigsby doesn't have the Vibra-Mate ? IDK why players insist on using those Vibra-Mate thangs BUT as far as I know....they aren't necessary......and from my experience the V-M only makes closing the case problematic.

 

[PermissionToLand]

Yup, 1987 SG Custom.

SG Custom

The SG Custom was introduced in 1961, slotting above the SG Standard as the top of the line model. It has been one of the longest-lasting variants of the SG, only shortly being discontinued from 1980-1986. In October 1993, it became a Custom Shop model as part of the Historic Collection, and in...

solidguitar.fandom.com

An SG Custom should have a fancy (5-ply…?) pickguard. I’m not seeing that here.

Actually, Customs have always used a 3-ply pickguard.

Here's an original 1962:

Only custom order finishes that include a black pickguard were 5-ply:

 

[Col Mustard]

That is an SG Custom, a top-of the line model.
It's a beautiful guitar, and you should get it appraised by
someone who knows a lot about 80s Gibsons.

Don't worry about the serial number being hard to read.
Many of the white finished guitars are like this. The layers
of paint necessary to get it white will obscure the serial
number.

That one's worth considerable money, but I don't know
how much.

 

[duane v]

That's an easy $3500... And if the pickups haven't been changed they should have the Tim Shaw pickups with the silver sticker.

Please PM me and we can talk

 

[duane v]

And my condolences to you and your family regarding your dads passing.