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One of these days... maybe we’ll talk about FACTORY BLACK 67-71 SG Standards?

AlienVintage

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Sep 10, 2015
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334
I’ve tried to “tee up” this topic a couple of times, in the past, but it has only been met with cricket chirps.

I wanted to check see if anyone can add any knowledge about the subject of FACTORY BLACK (and ONLY factory black) SG Standards during the “batwing” era (1967 though first part of 1971).

Any experience, knowledge, thoughts on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a link to the most recent example I have seen. I have no doubt that the linked guitar is 100% legit. I have seen a handful by now, over the years:

https://reverb.com/item/37179294-vintage-1970-gibson-sg-factory-black-rare-100-original
 

AlienVintage

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Sep 10, 2015
Messages
334
I’ll add this story, in the hopes that someone out there might have something additional to add. Or even to disagree with this - truly, I’d welcome those comments as well!

MANY years ago, a guitar expert friend of mine (unfortunately passed away years ago now) told me to seek out and try to buy ANY circa 1969-71 factory black SG Standards I could locate.

This person was mostly considered to be a pickup expert, but also, he had been a personal exporter of many rare guitars to Japan, in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Anyway, according to him, around the end of the “batwing” SG era (maybe *very* early ‘70s), Gibson corporate finally “gave in” to pressure and agreed to do a batch of factory black SG Standards.

This was due to the asking of several high profile players at the time, including Robby Krieger.
 

AlienVintage

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Sep 10, 2015
Messages
334
By the way - I did NOT buy this guitar. It was already gone by the time I was able to ask any meaningful questions about it’s history etc. I don’t even know the seller.
 

AlienVintage

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Joined
Sep 10, 2015
Messages
334
Full disclosure: I do own *one* single 1971 factory black SG Standard.

But it’s the only one I’ve ever owned and held in my hands.

So... trust me, I am hardly cornering the market. I couldn’t (financially) do that, even if I wanted to!

This person I am talking about, he built two guitars for me. Foolishly, I later sold them, years later. But this one ‘71 factory black SG popped up, years later, a while ago, and I jumped on it, remembering what he had told me about them.

Again, I’m hoping to see if anyone has any details to add. It’s been one of the most obscure guitar subjects that I’ve ever tried to research. Thanks!
 
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