1960 Les Paul SG standard?

[analogmike]

I went to look at a car and asked if he had any guitars and sure enough he had a bunch. This one looks very interesting. I have seen a few 1960 SG‘s that have the “C “serial number which may be a zero that wasn’t stamped well. The pick ups look like PAF but unfortunately they have been modified for split coil which is a shame. Of course the sideways vibrola was removed and a toggle switch was installed which also hurts the value. I can’t see any numbers on the potentiometers.

Can anyone confirm for sure, without guessing please, that these are real PAF’s and it’s a real 1960 guitar?

Thank you for any help.

 

[analogmike]

more pix

 

[garywright]

I was a vintage guitar dealer in the 90s I’ve seen hundreds of vintage guitars so I don’t need any guesses...may have been off putting

 

[analogmike]

I was a vintage guitar dealer in the 90s I’ve seen hundreds of vintage guitars so I don’t need any guesses...may have been off putting

I agree but I posted on Facebook and you wouldn’t believe the replies I got. I thought I would get some intelligent people here lol

 

[garywright]

 

[Bruce R]

I would take it! Looks like Duane's SG, in that the stop tailpiece is also too far from the bridge.

I am also curious as to the meaning of the "C" preceding the s/n.

In the mid 70s I bought a couple of PAFs off a friend's '61 LP SG. He (a dentist, with a degree in electrical engineering) was into wiring mods and was doing it with a couple of Duncans he just acquired. 30 years later he had a tech install a stop tailpiece, and the location was spot-on. Unfortunately, he also had a Nashville bridge installed at the same time to get more play in the saddles. I had a chance to buy it a couple years ago, but couldn't pay what it was worth. Amazing fast, wide neck.

 

[analogmike]

thanks for the info, yes that stop tail piece is really low, maybe it’s to cover up a hole from the original tail piece?

I can’t really find much info on the “C” but I found two similar 1960 standards with the same sort of serial number, and some with a zero that looks similar (stamped a bit higher) so I’m thinking it might be a bad stamp. I attached a picture of another one.

 

[Sheyamax]

Hi,
Forum member blueline has documented the specs found on the late 1960 Les Paul New Style/SG Standard in this thread: https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/those-1960-les-paul-sgs-where-can-they-be.204103/
The one under consideration looks legit to me, because of the inked serial number, the long pickguard, the blank truss rod cover, the shallow dish knobs, the stepped body-neck joint and the wireless abr-1. You should be able to read the codes on the sides of the centralab pots to confirm this (they should be something like 13460xx).
An interesting point is that so far the highest serial number known for a 1960 LPSG is 0 11190. It's been sold by OK guitars last year (https://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-sg-standard-les-paul-1960-red-1). Gruhn has also sold 0 11485 but the neck has been reglued so who knows (https://guitars.com/inventory/ec2181-1960-gibson-les-paul-sg-standard). Please note that 0 11485 has a similar 0/C 'bad stamp' so I think your guess about the serial number is right. Anyways that would make this specific guitar one of the latest 1960 LPSG known so far, which in my opinion is great!
Please keep us posted.

 

[zacknorton]

I like that tailpiece being too far down the line!

 

[S. Weiger]

My educated guess is it's not a "C" but a poorly stamped "0" ...
To me it looks like a real 1960 SG with real PAF's.

 

[analogmike]

Hi,
Forum member blueline has documented the specs found on the late 1960 Les Paul New Style/SG Standard in this thread: https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/those-1960-les-paul-sgs-where-can-they-be.204103/
The one under consideration looks legit to me, because of the inked serial number, the long pickguard, the blank truss rod cover, the shallow dish knobs, the stepped body-neck joint and the wireless abr-1. You should be able to read the codes on the sides of the centralab pots to confirm this (they should be something like 13460xx).
An interesting point is that so far the highest serial number known for a 1960 LPSG is 0 11190. It's been sold by OK guitars last year (https://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-sg-standard-les-paul-1960-red-1). Gruhn has also sold 0 11485 but the neck has been reglued so who knows (https://guitars.com/inventory/ec2181-1960-gibson-les-paul-sg-standard). Please note that 0 11485 has a similar 0/C 'bad stamp' so I think your guess about the serial number is right. Anyways that would make this specific guitar one of the latest 1960 LPSG known so far, which in my opinion is great!
Please keep us posted.

Thank you so much for this info!!

I did not know about the long pickguard or that blueline thread. I will try to purchase it asap and put up some more info, then restore it to stock specs as much as possible and hopefully play it for the rest of my life

 

[Sheyamax]

Thank you so much for this info!!

I did not know about the long pickguard or that blueline thread. I will try to purchase it asap and put up some more info, then restore it to stock specs as much as possible and hopefully play it for the rest of my life

Sounds very good! More info - especially the pots codes - would be really appreciated as I'd like to document these guitars. Codes found on close serial numbers are 1346043.

 

[analogmike]

Sounds very good! More info - especially the pots codes - would be really appreciated as I'd like to document these guitars. Codes found on close serial numbers are 1346043.

yes I think that is the same date code, I checked three of potentiometers and it looks like a 43! I now own the guitar

 

[jb_abides]

Congrats, Mike!

 

[Sheyamax]

yes I think that is the same date code, I checked three of potentiometers and it looks like a 43! I now own the guitar

Congratulations! Well your guitar confirms the rule then. Please enjoy this beauty and let us know how the restoration goes if you have a chance!

 

[fernieite]

Excellent score, Mike!
Please let us know how the restoration goes.
Btw, how much does this one weigh?

 

[SpringySound]

Very cool man!

 

[jimmi]

I have one of these. Also same delete the trem. Install stoptail mod. Great sounding guitar…a little hard to get used to the neck position in relationship to the body if you are used to playing a single cut LP but a very likeable guitar. And light. Mine is around 6.5 lbs.

 

[Sheyamax]

Hi Jimmi, could you please give us more info on your guitar? Serial and picture would be very appreciated!

 

[jimmi]

Hi Jimmi, could you please give us more info on your guitar? Serial and picture would be very appreciated!

Sorry, I was unintentionally misleading, mine is an early ‘61 which is essentially the same spec as this one (which is what I meant by I have one if these). Still happy to post pictures though.