1964 SG featured on new Eric Johnson tune

[jb_abides]

EJ on acquisition of said SG:

“I had a couple of really, really old pinstripe Marshall cabinets that I wasn’t using and decided to unload. This guy offered to trade me his SG for them, and until then I really wasn’t that into SGs because every single one I played wouldn’t stay in tune for more than five minutes. But this guitar stays in tune, and it sounds great. You plug it in and it’s instant Wheels of Fire.”

 

[Origins]

I never understood how people can't get them to stay in tune. A quick set up and mine stays in tune all night and I'm certainly not a luthier. This guy doesn't know anyone in Texas that can set up an SG?

 

[bursty]

That '64 SG looks like a fantastic example and in the hands of EJ I know it can make some serious music.

Eric used to have another SG but this particular one looked almost brown; not sure if it was a super faded cherry color or what but it sounded incredible.
I was very fortunate to have seen and heard Eric play this particular 'brown' SG on several occasions and this particular SG does have a magical sound.
Just a few days after 911 I went to an Alien Love Child show at the Caravan of Dreams in downtown Ft Worth.
Because of the recent Earth shattering events it seemed a bit surreal going to see 'live' music and you could pickup on that vibe in the crowd.
I recall one song in particular in which Eric played this particular 'brown' looking SG and he played solo; no Bill (RIP) on drums and no Chris on bass.
The piece consisted basically of chords, no leads line, no vocals, and it was the most mesmerizing and magical piece I have ever heard Eric play; ever.
I still remember listening to the music, how I was so moved, and how beautiful it sounded; it was actually an emotional experience.
Weird thing is that magical piece of music that Eric played on that old looking brown SG wasn't even on the set list.
Eric, Bill, and Chris did play Move on Over; Eric played that on on his cherry red 335.
That was one Hell of a show; one for the ages, no doubt.

 

[jb_abides]

Over the years, I've been mesmerized a time or two by EJ as well.

Very recent pic.

 

[Guitar Whiskey]

I never understood how people can't get them to stay in tune. A quick set up and mine stays in tune all night and I'm certainly not a luthier. This guy doesn't know anyone in Texas that can set up an SG?

The thing that goes on with some SG's is the necks can be unstable. It's partly a function of geometry; the extreme neck length, the narrow heel thickness, and the narrow tenon thickness. Also, the good ones as Eric describes have wood that is probably more rigid and less susceptible to bending and temperature variation due to the amount of exposed neck length. The SG neck is just a different animal and more delicate than a LP. I'm sure Eric knows great setup people.

 

[Origins]

The thing that goes on with some SG's is the necks can be unstable. It's partly a function of geometry; the extreme neck length, the narrow heel thickness, and the narrow tenon thickness. Also, the good ones as Eric describes have wood that is probably more rigid and less susceptible to bending and temperature variation due to the amount of exposed neck length. The SG neck is just a different animal and more delicate than a LP. I'm sure Eric knows great setup people.

I've played some ungodly small skinny fast SG necks and have yet to encounter tuning issues. Tuning issues are usually nut related for me.

 

[rockabilly69]

I haven't been a Eric Johnson fan since his first few records but that song sounded great

 

[Vics53]

The thing that goes on with some SG's is the necks can be unstable. It's partly a function of geometry; the extreme neck length, the narrow heel thickness, and the narrow tenon thickness. Also, the good ones as Eric describes have wood that is probably more rigid and less susceptible to bending and temperature variation due to the amount of exposed neck length. The SG neck is just a different animal and more delicate than a LP. I'm sure Eric knows great setup people.

I still toy with the idea of getting an SG. Been looking at the '61 Standard Reissues. (There's just something about them).
Pardon my ignorance on the topic, but when trying SG's how do you know if you're playing one where the neck is stable?

 

[Guitar Whiskey]

I still toy with the idea of getting an SG. Been looking at the '61 Standard Reissues. (There's just something about them).
Pardon my ignorance on the topic, but when trying SG's how do you know if you're playing one where the neck is stable?

Play it for a period of time to see how it measures up to your expectations before buying it. Or if you purchase understand the period you can use without jeopardizing returning it.

 

[Vics53]

Play it for a period of time to see how it measures up to your expectations before buying it. Or if you purchase understand the period you can use without jeopardizing returning it.

Thanks for the advice. Last fall I did play one at my local music store, but I only had time to spend 5 minutes with it. Didn't plug it in, just wanted to see how it felt and it felt very solid. I mean, I didn't trying moving the neck back and forth but the neck had a very "definitive" feel to it. Played great with a very "pro" feel about it.

 

[renderit]

Played many for years.

No problemo.

They hold a tune just fine and are plenty stable.

There is a lot more holding that neck than any Fender.

Ain't had a problem with them either.

 

[garywright]

deleted ..taint worth it

 

[canpri]

The thing that goes on with some SG's is the necks can be unstable. It's partly a function of geometry; the extreme neck length, the narrow heel thickness, and the narrow tenon thickness. Also, the good ones as Eric describes have wood that is probably more rigid and less susceptible to bending and temperature variation due to the amount of exposed neck length. The SG neck is just a different animal and more delicate than a LP. I'm sure Eric knows great setup people.

Tuning issues are usually nut related for me