Gibson SG Custom Antique Ivory 1988
Gibson SG Custom, antique ivory, made in USA 1988. Wowee, this sure is one good looking guitar! The SG Custom launched in 1961 and was originally the updated version of the Les Paul Custom, featuring a lightweight body with the slimline shape, in an attempt to take some business away from Fender's ergonomically pleasing Stratocaster. The model was shortly renamed the Solid Guitar, or SG, and would go on to become a legend in it's own right. This example dates to 1988, and like others made between '86-91, it got the big headstock, small guard and slightly shorter bottom horn. The finish was originally a creamy white, but with several decades of play on the clock, it's yellowed to a vibrant lemon curd hue, complete with a whole bunch of gorgeous checking lines and nitro hazing all over the body. Despite the natural finish wear, it's all original under the hood, and in excellent playing order. The neck is a moderate shape, not as slim as a 70s example but not the baseball bat common on '61 reissue models; it sits beautifully in the hand and is blessed with a gorgeous midnight black ebony fretboard. The original frets are in good order, with nibs intact and plenty of height still there. The body and neck are both made from classy Honduras mahogany: true central American big leaf stuff, which is evident in the natural resonance and abundant unplugged volume on tap. The pickups are original, and very era specific: they're Bill Lawrence designed 'The Original' humbuckers, with the circuit board baseplates. The idea was to combine the clarity and articulation of a Classic '57 with the low end oomph and higher output of Lawrence's other models, and heck: they deliver. This is hot, fat and tight, but with a top end sweetness that chirps, whistles and sings with a gorgeous chiming clarity. The bridge and middle position is the sound I never knew I needed: so fat and thick, but so airy and clear too; just superb. Needless to say, these pop up in this part of the world extremely seldom, so nab yourself an absolute winner and future family heirloom while it's looking for love. Now, why am I craving custard?
Model: Gibson SG Custom
Made: USA, Nashville 1988
Serial: 82368622
Finish: antique ivory, gloss nitro
Body: Honduran mahogany
Neck: quartersawn Honduran mahogany, ebony fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, slim mid 60s style taper
Weight: 3.470
Mods: none
Pickups: all original Bill Lawrence "The Original" humbucker x3
Accessories: original case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has scuffs on the end and edges, discolouration on the back and some clouding and scuffs on the front. The join for the facade of the headstock is visible near the nut on the treble side. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, rub wear and light scuffs on the back and some dimples and checking up towards the body end. The back has light scuffs on the horns, dimples along the back edge, elbow area and around the cavity, as well as widespread checking around the whole body. The sides have checking around the whole body, dimples on the top horn, some scratches and dimples in the elbow area, some stand burn and scuffs on the back edge and some scuffs near the jack. The front has scuffs around the knobs and along the back edge, dimples in the elbow area, some running in the finish near the tail piece, play wear on the guard and horns and widespread checking all over the body/
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only