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Is it me?

frazettafan

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Oct 28, 2006
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4,072
In my experience, the necks were generally thinner (as in wide but thinner in depth) in '61 & '62 and chunkier in '63 & '64. IMHO, the slant vs. lightning bar tailpiece is a non issue as it doesn't seem have any noticeable effect on tone. I will concede that I like the look of the slant better, but own a '63 because it has a great neck.

Word. That's exactly the same for me too, but I have two '64's fitted with Pigtails. I had a great '61, now owned by a mate of mine and although a wonderful guitar it has the flatter neck profile. I like the look of the slant also, but prefer the later neck shape.
 

sharky

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Jan 25, 2012
Messages
1,267
Anyone have advice on the Vibrola? If you don't use it too much is it a problem?

Thanks
SBS

yes! You have to remove it asap and send it to me, I'll buy the stamps.

No, sorry, I don't know, but I need one for my parts drawer and waiting for an ebony block
 

Kris Ford

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Jan 6, 2007
Messages
4,003
I gave in and scored this 1964 SG JR... Comes later this week. It is in excellent condition...

1.jpg


Anyone have advice on the Vibrola? If you don't use it too much is it a problem?

Thanks
SBS

Nice! Must br a very late '64 to have chrome hardware..I'm actually trying to pinpoint exactly when chrome came in..most sources say '65..but I have seen '64s with chrome, and '65s (with SN#s before and after mine..-274xxx) with nickel, that are supposedly all original..I know nickel was used until existing stock was exhausted, and a mix of both can be found on the same guitar..I'm not 100% certain that chrome was stock on mine..it had a chrome vibrola spring plate, (missing complete assembly) and chrome studs, but a Leo Quan Badass..so can't say for sure..but the 3 screws holding the vibrola are nickel plated..yours appear to be chrome...I do realize parts are easily swapped or replaced..and it was easier and cheaper for me to source chrome parts LOL..
Speaking of vibrolas, I don't use mine, but love the zippiness from the Maestro, so I put the handle to the back, and it kinda locks it in place with the handle resting against the body..which has to have an effect on tone, as it doesn't sound as good to me with the handle in playing position..no worse tuning issues noted either
 

frazettafan

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Oct 28, 2006
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4,072
It's about time these were more appreciated. I think they started off a lot of budding musicians - I know quite a few longtime players that began with these and wished they still had them now. Not bad for a guitar once described by a certain buffoon who should know better as 'an insignificant model'.
 
Last edited:

SimonBarSinister

Active member
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Aug 24, 2003
Messages
1,874
Got the guitar...Fat ass neck plays great super aggressive pickup....

I need to do 2 things:

1) take it to Petillo Guitars to have the frets leveled...

2) Get rid of the Vibrola... It is in the way and I want to just use a direct wrap around on a Lightning Bolt Bridge... I ordered one from MojaAxe..

Actually there is a 3rd thing...GET RID OF THE DISGUSTING CIGARETTE SMELL ON THE GUITAR....

I had a question...

If I wanted to remove the Vibrola and remove its plate can I just put the 3 screws back in to preserve its originality?

Is there a ground wire or anything running to the vibrola's base plate?

Thanks
 

SimonBarSinister

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Aug 24, 2003
Messages
1,874
Nice! Must br a very late '64 to have chrome hardware..I'm actually trying to pinpoint exactly when chrome came in..most sources say '65..but I have seen '64s with chrome, and '65s (with SN#s before and after mine..-274xxx) with nickel, that are supposedly all original..I know nickel was used until existing stock was exhausted, and a mix of both can be found on the same guitar..I'm not 100% certain that chrome was stock on mine..it had a chrome vibrola spring plate, (missing complete assembly) and chrome studs, but a Leo Quan Badass..so can't say for sure..but the 3 screws holding the vibrola are nickel plated..yours appear to be chrome...I do realize parts are easily swapped or replaced..and it was easier and cheaper for me to source chrome parts LOL..
Speaking of vibrolas, I don't use mine, but love the zippiness from the Maestro, so I put the handle to the back, and it kinda locks it in place with the handle resting against the body..which has to have an effect on tone, as it doesn't sound as good to me with the handle in playing position..no worse tuning issues noted either


They look chrome in this picture (I notice a lot of vintage guys use UBER contrast in their pictures to make the colors brighter) but they are just extremely well preserved nickel. They match the original bar and tuners as far as look and condition. The bar in the picture is not the original (the butter knife type it came in the case and is in the exact condition as the other metal parts) the guitar is in really super nice condition. It is actually an early 64 serial. Everything checks out pots pickups etc...
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
A lot of guys will just wrap the tailpiece and bypass the use of the trem claw altogether. It will give a distinctly different feel and sustain, from what I would believe is the tension difference across the saddles. I suppose similar in concept to an ES-3X5 with Bigsby or trapeze tailpiece vs. stop TP setup.
 

tooold

Active member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
2,071
I had a question...

If I wanted to remove the Vibrola and remove its plate can I just put the 3 screws back in to preserve its originality?

Is there a ground wire or anything running to the vibrola's base plate?

Thanks

No ground wire. Pull the vibrola, put the three screws in the holes and you're good to go.
 

frazettafan

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Oct 28, 2006
Messages
4,072
…….the guitar is in really super nice condition. It is actually an early 64 serial. Everything checks out pots pickups etc...

Hey Simon - can you share the serial No.?

I made three mother-of-pearl discs to cover the Trem holes on one of mine - I'll try to find a photo. It took ages to do…...
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,583
I gave in and scored this 1964 SG JR... Comes later this week. It is in excellent condition...

1.jpg


Anyone have advice on the Vibrola? If you don't use it too much is it a problem?

Thanks
SBS

Cool guitar Simon ...I'll be the odd man out and say that this is the exact model sg junior that I prefer and with the vibrato attached ...though I never use it ..it seems to add something to the overall tone that I really like ...congrats ..I'd rock it stock :salude
 

SimonBarSinister

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Aug 24, 2003
Messages
1,874
It is 227023 I actually just looked and it appears more from the 2nd half of the year... The pots are earlier...
 

SimonBarSinister

Active member
Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
1,874
Cool guitar Simon ...I'll be the odd man out and say that this is the exact model sg junior that I prefer and with the vibrato attached ...though I never use it ..it seems to add something to the overall tone that I really like ...congrats ..I'd rock it stock :salude

I like the look of it but it is more a feel thing for me. I like resting my hand in a way where it is not optimum with it there. It is kind of in the way
 

frazettafan

New member
Joined
Oct 28, 2006
Messages
4,072
It is 227023 I actually just looked and it appears more from the 2nd half of the year... The pots are earlier...

One of mine's 238581 - fairly close to yours. It's heavier than my early '64 and has a swirly woodgrain to it like a birds wing.
 

Kris Ford

New member
Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
4,003
They look chrome in this picture (I notice a lot of vintage guys use UBER contrast in their pictures to make the colors brighter) but they are just extremely well preserved nickel. They match the original bar and tuners as far as look and condition. The bar in the picture is not the original (the butter knife type it came in the case and is in the exact condition as the other metal parts) the guitar is in really super nice condition. It is actually an early 64 serial. Everything checks out pots pickups etc...
Damn..super clean! That nickel sure looked chrome to me..that is MINT!

Cool guitar Simon ...I'll be the odd man out and say that this is the exact model sg junior that I prefer and with the vibrato attached ...though I never use it ..it seems to add something to the overall tone that I really like ...congrats ..I'd rock it stock :salude
I do too! I never use it, and if you loosen screw, kick the handle back and tighten it..kinda holds handle to body snugly..and sends vibration back into the body as well..
But if you don't wanna use it, you can always do this if the area under the vibrola spring is marred..
 
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