❌SOLD❌ Gibson SG Special P90 Cherry, 1966

The Gibson SG Special first appeared with the new Les Paul body shape in 1961, and renamed to SG as the endorsement contract lapsed. It was built until 1978 as a lower cost SG model.

Featuring the same mahogany slab body and mahogany neck as other SG models, the Gibson SG Special first used a pair of P-90 pickups and an intonated, combination stop-bridge tailpiece. Some versions, such as this one, also carried a short-format Maestro Vibrola tailpiece. The neck used a bound rosewood fingerboard with Mother of Pearl dot position markers. Tuning machines were by Kluson, double line in this case, with oval creme plastic buttons. Early models used a short pickguard, distinct from the larger ‘Batwing’ pickguard used on later production.  Eventually, the P-90 pickups were replaced with mini-humbuckers, which when mounted in trim rings happened to fit exactly into the P-90 body cavities.

This example dates to 1966 and is in largely original condition, with no physical damage or breakage. The pots date to 1965, and so we are dating it to 1966; the serial numbering is a bit vague for this era, and could indicate a span of several years starting with 1966. The original cherry finish is intact, with expected checking and minor dings and marks. The frets are original with moderate to heavy wear, particularly in the lower positions.

This guitar plays well with a standard setup. The fingerboard at the nut end is relatively narrow, characteristic of the period. A couple of days ago, a competent blues/rock player was in the shop and plugged this guitar into a Vox AC30. It sounds fantastic, rich and full with plenty of character.  

A period fibre (cardboard) case is included, with one broken hinge. This could be the original case but there’s no way to be sure of that.