1964 SG Junior

[corpse]

Well Mrs Corpse became put off by the big $$$ involved (for us) on a LS Custom.
I still had Vintage GAS however.
So a very nice 64 SG Jr with no mods and a stop TP came up CL.
There’s a YT vid of Phil X playing one and he sold me. He really needs to work on his technique some. It was evident he loved playing the thing. That sold me.
And randomly Big Al- before this came up at all-says this era Jr (like Melody Makers) are real gems. The ratio of neck to everything else is a huge part of the magic. So it is like kizmit (this is kizmit- vs say karma- right?).
5.5 lbs- the owner says it’s like picking up a canoe paddle.
No pics- getting it tomorrow.

 

[corpse]

Here are a couple pics. Weighs nothing- it is shocking to pick up actually. Resonant as heck. It was used at the famous Apache studio in Boston- not gingerly from the appearance. it was in a rack with multiple guitars, and there is UV discoloration along the upper bout, and indents at the cowboy chords. There is thru- the finish wear on the outside edge of the body and at the very tip of the horns on the outer side- but not much on the headstock moustache (whish I find odd).
The neck/body join is perfect- although on the sides there is signs of shrinkage (about 1mm); the back join is completely intact and original. Neck profile is small vintage- reminds me of the LP Kim owned at HM- but a bit smaller. Not the flat early SG neck- but a round C with a taper that goes up after the first three frets.
It needs a DEEP cleaning- I wonder how much that will improve the appearance?
Tone report to follow.
To me it is a bit like handling an infant- it is solid but is so lightweight- it is really off-putting. I need to get used to it.

 

[jb_abides]

Congrats!

I have a 65 with the same neck.

Have a look at the tenon, mine has zero 'room for daylight'.

 

[corpse]

The pick guard is immaculate- I am afraid to touch it.

 

[corpse]

Gr

 

[jb_abides]

I am a bit weird.

I meticulously 'clean' my vintage guitars upon receipt, to inspect every element and familiarize myself with it. I don't try to shine them up, just 'de-gunk' them. Just as I do on my VOS.

Yeah... I blow air, wipe down with naphtha, clean and protect the finish without polishing it. And even use toothpicks to dislodge any excess greening hiding in nooks and crannies. And that was a real chore on my Grestch Country Gentleman!

So I took my guard off and got the accumulated filth under the guard to start anew, and inspected the tenon, too.

Then, I start anew, with my DNA.

 

[ourmaninthenorth]

That birth year beauty is in far better shape than you or I Mate.

Bloody gorgeous thing.

My very first guitar was a Japanese copy SG, it weighed as much as a Rhinoceros, my neck has only just come right.

Play the paint of the bugger in the finest of health Pal.

 

[Bruce R]

Gorgeous grain. Beautiful

 

[corpse]

The delicacy of the carve is real workmanship. I played it at household volume today and it has a great voice.
A couple of the tuners are a bit stiff and Dan Erlwines book has no suggestions.

 

[garywright]

Nice ! ( w/non original bridge )

 

[corpse]

Original would have been a lightening bolt right?
I am not going to argue with this thing. It is spot on.
The neck is straight and the intonation is spot on. Dead nuts.
Amazing with that TP.

 

[Bruce R]

A modern lightning bolt bridge (MojoAxe, etc) would work perfectly. Stunning guitar!

 

[corpse]

I had it at practice yesterday. I have felt a little odd around it. It is the oldest guitar I have owned- and as I said it felt a bit fragile.
Well that is over- everything from Aretha to Rival Sons killed. Rarely have the volume knob past nine which speaks to the nature of the pickup. In hindsight I didn’t mess with the tone knob at all- sort of set it at six or so and forgot about it.
I use a bunch of pedals and the trem on the ‘60 pro. I have three different OD’s (well one is more of a fuzz)- everyone in the band commented. It really ticked all the boxes.
And now it is my guitar.
It has really scratched the itch I had for a custom. And now I am kinda jonesing for the black 58 SWS is talking about.

 

[renderit]

The ?62? I have is like that.
The best pickup of ANY I have ever played.
My pickguard is intact and not cracked but is warped pretty bad.

 

[corpse]

Mine is warped too. Agree. Yours makes mine look heavy.

 

[Vics53]

What it is (cosmetically) that's so appealing about a single pickup guitar? Just something about it.

Streamlined? To the point? Less is more? Like a woman who's so beautiful that she doesn't need makeup?

Single pickup SG's and Firebirds. Something about them is just so..........sexy. That's what how I describe them.

 

[latestarter]

Well done - I have a 64 Jr also and it is an excellent guitar. In my top 3 for sure. The neck shape is perfect imo.