1964 Gibson SG Standard Guitar

Appraised on: July 30, 2005

Appraised in: Bismarck, North Dakota

Appraised by: Jim Baggett

Category: Musical Instruments

Episode Info: Bismarck, Hour 3 (#1012)

Originally Aired: April 24, 2006

IMAGE: 1 of 1  

Appraisal Video: (2:35)

GUEST: I bought it from a music store that closed up in 1966. It was owned by a friend of mine who had had a band at the time. He traded it in on a different style. And I asked the owner of the guitar shop if he had one for sale, and this is it. I've had it ever since.

APPRAISER: You bought it in '66.

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: It was pretty new when you bought it because the serial numbers tell me that it's a 1964. The model of the guitar is a Gibson SG Standard. The really nice thing about this guitar is the very nice condition. It hasn't been modified in any way. When you're looking at the back of the guitar, the finish is really nice, bright and clean. It's called a cherry red finish that Gibson did. They still do it today. The neck is not all marred up. You see very, very fine weather checking; very few scratches, though. The tuners are nice, original. And then the serial number up here. The serial number tells me that it's a 1964. You can tell from looking at it. Everything you see just says 1960s. Looks like something George Harrison would be playing in the Beatles. Gibson made several SG models. When we turn it back around, I'll point out some of the features that make this a little more unique. The tailpiece on this is a side-pull tremolo. You pull this bar up. The tremolo loosens the strings. It only works in one direction. You pull it towards the bridge and it loosens the strings. This one's a little unique. It says in the book that this should have a lyre on it, with a Gibson logo. It doesn't, but it's obviously all very original and a wonderful piece. Other features about it that show that it's original. These are plastic saddles. That was original in 1964. So many people took those out and put metal saddles in. The Humbucker pickups until 1962 had a patent decal on the back that said "Patent applied for." These have a patent number on the back, which means it's after that. You've kept it in great shape. You haven't modified it. You've done the right thing with it. You said you bought this guitar in 1966. Might I ask what you paid for it?

GUEST: One hundred dollars.

APPRAISER: One hundred dollars. That was a good deal, even in 1966.

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: Has anybody given you an idea on value to the guitar?

GUEST: I've had one fellow tell me it was worth about $8,000.

APPRAISER: I would say this guitar, in retail value today from a guitar dealer or at auction, would bring somewhere between $9,000 and $10,000. You have a wonderful guitar. You're very lucky to have it. You did well.

GUEST: Thank you.