Strange SG Identification

[Cbrandy72]

I had this SG many years ago and was told it was a prototype never went into production. It was pretty inexpensive so I took the plunge. I recall there was no serial number. So that red flag had me thinking it could be some kind of fake… but not so sure. All these years later, I wanted to find out if it really was trash or if there was something to it. Has anyone ever seen and sg like this before? I’ve never seen one with. Cutout for the selector switch in the pickguard.

 

[Cbrandy72]

I’ve just found a bunch more clues I forgot about. There’s a description under the pickguard. The cameras I was using in 2001 were pretty bad but it appears to be customized for a K. Hopkins and is #1 of 7. Here’s some more pics.

 

[papagayo]

This is not a Gibson IMHO.

 

[Decadent Dan]

That output jack is located where some 80’s had the selector switch. However those had their output jack on the side. They also had a smaller control cavity that wouldn’t accommodate the switch location on yours. Any more pics?

 

[Go Nigel Go]

I can't imagine somebody making a "fake" like this, so I am taking it at face value. It appears to be heavily modified whatever it started out as. The lack of bevels in the horns screams early 70's Norlin era to me, and the single shallow bevel in the lower horn could have been added later. The lack of a "volute" on the back of the headstock tells against this, but if it was a Gibson originally the headstock shape was certainly changed, and the volute may have been shaved off at that time. Serial numbers often get lost or obscured during significant modding and refinishing, which is what I suspect happened here. For what it is worth, the mods look old to me and may have been made early in the instrument's life. The bridge pickup looks like it was swapped out which was not unusual, but the neck pickup could still be an original early 70's T Top. So many questions... I would love to see it in the flesh.

A quick google search didn't bring up anything that looked like a promising lead for a guitarist named K. Hopkins, which only means they weren't super famous. It would be very interesting to know this guitars life story, but I suspect a lot of the provenance is going to be pretty obscured by time.

My main question would be "How does it play?" If this thing was modified for someone who was a serious player, even if they never made it to the big time the instrument could be a great player.

Modified instruments don't bring a lot of money as a general rule on the open market, but they are unique and can offer a real bargain to the player if they are well done.

 

[Cbrandy72]

Excellent information! Thanks for your replies. As I said, I haven’t owned this SG since 2001. I eventually sold it to buy a newer one. But I always wondered about the origins of it! Thanks

 

[Col Mustard]

I agree with Nigel, it began as a mid '70s model.
I don't think anyone would make a fake one of those.
You can tell by looking at the lack of bevels in the cutaways.
Gibson craftsmen were ordered to make guitars that way by
their new Norlin bosses. The bean counters were the only ones
who ever thought that was cool.

The original serial number might have been a decal. Gibson did that
for a time, specifically 1975, 76 and 77. So it's likely one of those years.
The lack of serial number means it's likely to have been stolen,
but probably many years ago. I don't think anyone removes a
serial number except the owner of a stolen guitar.
But maybe it was an amateur refinishing project.

For me the weirdest looking thing is the bridge, which is not a Gibson bridge. The second weirdest looking thing is the mis-shaped cutaway on
the lower bout. That made me think it was not a Gibson. *shrugs

The guitar was radically modified. Many of its distinguishing characteristics have been removed. So you're much better off with
a newer instrument IMHO.

 

[papagayo]

Norlin SGs made from 1969 to 1981 have a volute, I don' t see the volute on your guitar.
I think it' s a guitar made by a luthier.

 

[PermissionToLand]

This most likely started out as a 1980s Special. Thus the lack of volute and narrow headstock. Bevels were still very shallow at the time and that explains the knob layout and lack of holes for a stopbar tailpiece.

A '70s pickguard was added and an extra hole to make it 4 knobs after re-arranging. The headstock overlay was added with MOP inlays as well.