So, I picked up a '96 SG really cheap...

[AprioriMark]

It needs some work, but nothing awful. It needs a tuner replaced, and I happen to have a couple left from a '95 SG that I'd replaced the tuners with Sperzels for a guy a while back. I've been using the others as replacements, and just so happen to have one that matches perfectly. Aside from that, the guitar is scuffed up, some chips (nothing denting the wood), but the headstock, neck and horns are perfect. It's also had a Roland whatevertheheck attached to it at some point, so there are 2 screw holes.

Everything else is stock: the wiring, hardware, pickups (490r and 498t i believe).

Anyway, I'm just curious what some of you would do with it. I have a '61 reissue already, and the neck on this is a little beefier; thicker than a '60s profile on a LP. Obviously, it's a cheaper model (dot markers, no crown headstock inlay, uncovered pickups). Should I replace the tuner, clean it up and sell it? What would you ask for it (no case)?  I'm tempted to keep it because I sorta tend to collect cool guitars, but I'm not sure this qualifies.

Looking for advice! No holds barred; nothing will offend me.

-Mark

 

[Kostas]

It's a Gibson SG Special. Mine is a '92 model and it has an ebony fretboard which I prefer colorwise in an all black guitar.
I keep mine because it was my first electric and I like how it sounds although I prefer all my Warmoths. I love the neck pickup. It's super faaat and muddy especially when I lower the tone control (probably 300k pots). I have other guitars now so I can afford having a muddy sound, it's my 70's rock sound... This pickup stays like it is. I changed the stock pots and pickup in the bridge position, parallel and out of phase gave me more options when I had no other guitars.

The Klusons are not acceptable in a guitar of this price. I have replaced two and glued another all these years I have the SG. I can't believe Gibson is still using these keys. In the future it will have SS big frets & binding to make the guitar more to my taste.

I'd keep it and make it different from the '61RI. You can put actives and thick strings to make it your metal guitar or put pickups like the Fralin Twangmasters or GFS Surf 90 or TV Jones. Anything different than a PAF type pickup to have an alternative to the classic Gibson sound.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I'd throw a set of Ken's Roadhouse PDX90's in there and have a grand old time.  I would also try out the making the neck have a satin finish.  If it is already scuffed up, no loss there.  Nice pickup there.
Patrick

 

[Cagey]

It's a pretty low-end Gibson, so I don't know what you could get for it and it's not a collectible. They're only $700 or so new and that includes a case. So, used without a case? Maybe $300? I don't know. People have been known to pay some silly prices for name brands. Patrick may have the right idea - fix the tuner, put some decent pickups in it, and have a blast. Maybe set it up for some alternate tuning, or slide.

 

[AprioriMark]

I did a little research.  They're a grand new from the major sites with a gigbag.  http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-GIB-SGSP-LIST  They seem to be selling used for 550-800 on ebay.  It is a low end Gibson, for sure, but when I'm done with it, it will play like butter.  It sounds surprisingly good.  I like these pickups in the SG much more than in LPs.

-Mark

 

[Jumble Jumble]

My default recommendation for a beat-up Gibson is to put some P-Rails in it.

 

[m4rk0]

put in a pearloid pg with 2 bright red p90s. replace the knobs by bright green ones.

 

[KaiserSoze]

If it sets up and plays great then who cares what the value is.  One of the best guitars I ever had was a cheap strat copy that happened to have a great neck.  I replaced electronics and hardware and it was great.  Those are the ones to experiment with and have fun making changes.  Beat the crap out of it and slap a Black Flag sticker on it if you feel like it.   
As far as recommendations go, if it were mine I'd try replacing the electronics with an RS Guitarworks setup and get a set of Ken's Roadhouse pickups.  I just got a neck humbucker from him and am having a great time with it.  Very good pickup for reasonable cost.  Just sayin'   

 

[erogenousjones17]

The Black Flag sticker is the best suggestion yet. A Bad Religion crossbuster works too.  :icon_biggrin:

 

[anorakDan]

I would keep it, but I have a soft spot for SGs. I subscribe to the philosophy that one can never have too many electric guitars. Ask Reverend Gibbons if you don't believe me. Face it, these suckers are easily stolen. It happened to my band White Harlem years ago. We finished our set, the bass player and I packed up our gear and headed home. The drummer and lead guitarist decided to hang around and party. They got their equipment stolen. If you have backup guitars, you have backups!

Unless you need the money, of course. For more guitars!