fretboard wood on '68 SG? Ebony? Braz rosewood?

[Sir Ricardo]

Greetings all - -

I'm looking at my '68 SG Std. fretboard, and can't figure out what wood it's made of.

Its color is a medium brown. Not really dark, nor really light.

What kind of wood did Gibson use for these?

Ebony? Braz rosewood? Indian rosewood? Or?

(before posting this thread I looked around on the web, seeking an answer....and found out LOTS about '60s SGs.....but not the answer to this question....)

thx

Richard

 

[VonPrikler]

I think your SG has Indian rosewood.

I believe the Brazilian rosewood was phased out about 1966.

 

[Reno_1ted]

I agree, Indian RW.

 

[Progrocker111]

Indian rosewood in 68 and later too.

 

[MIKE20]

Some of the '68's and '69's got Brazilla...

 

[britbender]

Some of the '68's and '69's got Brazilla...

Didn't they stop with Braz. in 65'-66' ?

 

[67SG]

I agree, Indian RW.

Can you look at my neck below. Supposedly a 67 Special. Might sell this spring, so I would hate to say it is Brazilian and it is not.

 

[j45]

I would wager heavily that it is Indian. But I'm one who never saw the big deal to get worked up for about the difference. I don't think advertising either way would affect the value one cent. That's something that somehow either Gibson or some goofy collectors have made up a criteria to pay more for... in recent times only.

 

[MIKE LEAF]

If you are about to advertise, buy, sell or make 'commercial use' of anything with Brazilian Rosewood, be sure to get a CITES certificate first, or you will be violating the law. Specially if the word Brazilian is part of the sales add.

 

[67SG]

If you are about to advertise, buy, sell or make 'commercial use' of anything with Brazilian Rosewood, be sure to get a CITES certificate first, or you will be violating the law. Specially if the word Brazilian is part of the sales add.

Thanks Mike, will do.

 

[67SG]

If you are about to advertise, buy, sell or make 'commercial use' of anything with Brazilian Rosewood, be sure to get a CITES certificate first, or you will be violating the law. Specially if the word Brazilian is part of the sales add.

Hi Mike,

Read over some of the CITIES website. Not sure what to make of my situation. Not like I saw a section on whether I need to take my guitar over to some "expert" to have them qualify it. Would it be easier to say - My lefty mutt 67 SG, trade ya for a Mesa Boogie Mark II C+ Wood wicker combo. LOL:dude:

Can't say I see to many ads with vintage guitars in the US stating they have a CITIES certificate, but then again maybe I don't notice the fine print.

 

[mingus]

I don't think there is an issue with BRW/CITES for sales within the U.S. Once the guitar crosses an international border, it's more complicated.

 

[67SG]

I don't think there is an issue with BRW/CITES for sales within the U.S. Once the guitar crosses an international border, it's more complicated.

Makes sense. I see a 57 Les Paul and a 65 SG here in the members classified section and no mention of CITES.

 

[MIKE LEAF]

I don't think there is an issue with BRW/CITES for sales within the U.S. Once the guitar crosses an international border, it's more complicated.

Read this

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?193136-Brazilian-Rosewood-a-crime-to-advertise

Post 24 says it all, USA also signed the Cites act.

 

[67SG]

Read this

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?193136-Brazilian-Rosewood-a-crime-to-advertise

Post 24 says it all, USA also signed the Cites act.

Thanks Mike. Plenty more to catch up on. I read post 24. Not sure how my guitar would fit in, it was sanded down in a total build over. Moving controls to the lefty side, painting, etc. Serial numbers were sanded down. How do I prove anything regarding year made?

Also, I guess this site is not involved in policing the sale forum. Like I mentioned above, the two vintage guitars listed here do not mention CITES certs. Not that I believe this site be policing the sales, but it seems like many people don't bother yet.

 

[Reno_1ted]

Thanks Mike. Plenty more to catch up on. I read post 24. Not sure how my guitar would fit in, it was sanded down in a total build over. Moving controls to the lefty side, painting, etc. Serial numbers were sanded down. How do I prove anything regarding year made?

Also, I guess this site is not involved in policing the sale forum. Like I mentioned above, the two vintage guitars listed here do not mention CITES certs. Not that I believe this site be policing the sales, but it seems like many people don't bother yet.

I think the key thing to take away is to be aware of it, and that there is a risk. Its probably quite a small risk, especially within a forum setting like this, but still a risk to note nonetheless. I just sold a 65 SG and had it advertised online only, in a few places (including Ebay) where I said "BRW". I wouldnt go further than those 3 letters, but those who know, know. I took my own chances.

With your guitar, it sounds like you will struggle to get any certification, due to proof needed. So again, it comes down to calculated risks.

 

[moonweasel]

But I'm one who never saw the big deal to get worked up for about the difference.

Ditto.

For those with a dog in this hunt, I always thought that all LSLP's, for instance, were Indian only. A knowledgeable user here (Ill leave nameless haha) has told me that he has had a couple that were absolutely BR. It was a production environment, so they probably tried to use everything they had. Maybe a couple blanks were laying around, very reasonable to assume it wasn't a cut and dry changeover (just like late PAFs, or late Pre-T buckers in 69 LSLPC's)

I know it doesn't mean anything, but I have also found some (possibly) 68/69 Gibson hang tag type things (From gibson) for guitars that say "Brazilian rosewood".

 

[MIKE LEAF]

Also, I guess this site is not involved in policing the sale forum. Like I mentioned above, the two vintage guitars listed here do not mention CITES certs. Not that I believe this site be policing the sales, but it seems like many people don't bother yet.

I dont think your guitar has BRW and even so i dont think you would have a problem , didnt want to stir up anything, just a little caution that if you advertise guitars with
BRW be a little discrete as it can be a problem IF someone reports it, like it happened in that other link, that was an acoustic and he is still awaiting info
on what the ruling will be on the guitar, seized for good or returned.

I know that people normally dont care for the Cites cert or even knows its illegal to buy/sell BRW, i am thinking of getting one for my 65 SG Special, havent decided yet.

 

[67SG]

I dont think your guitar has BRW and even so i dont think you would have a problem , didnt want to stir up anything, just a little caution that if you advertise guitars with
BRW be a little discrete as it can be a problem IF someone reports it, like it happened in that other link, that was an acoustic and he is still awaiting info
on what the ruling will be on the guitar, seized for good or returned.

I know that people normally dont care for the Cites cert or even knows its illegal to buy/sell BRW, i am thinking of getting one for my 65 SG Special, havent decided yet.

Thanks. It is not important to me that it is BRW. It rocks and plays like butta. LOL. That said, I would not want to be ignorant and risk fines selling it and this opened up my eyes. I think most vintage guitars here get sold under the radar. I support helping the Amazon or any place that is getting taken advantage of. Can't help but think of the thousands of square mile of forest there that has been clear cut and burned. Probably could have had all the BRW for centuries if they were able to protect and manage it better.