Up for sale, a 1973 Gibson SG Custom in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Featuring a gloss Walnut nitro lacquer finish and original trio of Tarback humbuckers, this SG boasts solid mahogany body and neck construction. Mahogany offers a rich natural acoustic response with a wooly warmth balanced by the excellent treble articulation of the slab ebony fingerboard.

The guitar is loaded with the original trio of "Tarback" humbuckers which have a different magnet structure and fewer winds than the T Tops produced in the same era. Coupled with the black epoxy that gave these humbuckers their name and ensures great feedback rejection by suppressing microphonics, the Tarbacks are a lively, sparkling pickup design, perfect for pairing with the SG's solid mahogany construction. The three-way pickup selector works as follows: Bridge, Middle + Neck (out of phase), Neck. As such, each position on the switch is extremely distinct. The bridge pickup has plenty of aggressive power and punch, yet with a sweet top end, while the middle position delivers a chime and nasally cut while not being too “pointed," still retaining a bouncy character. The neck pickup rounds things out with plenty of warmth and girthy bass response. This SG is lightweight at 7lbs, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action and accurate intonation.

The three-piece mahogany neck has a slender C-shaped profile carve at the nut, with notable shoulder and heft as you travel up the fretboard, measuring .795" deep at the 1st fret and .975" at the 12th. The ebony fretboard retains the original slender “fretless wonder” fretwire with notably low/flat crowns, showing light wear on the crowns of frets 1-6. The guitar plays cleanly up the 24 3/4" scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1 9/16" in width, and the headstock has all the hallmarks of a Gibson Custom model, with split diamond inlay and multi-ply binding. The original Kluson waffle back gold tuning machines are intact, turn smoothly and hold pitch well.

The electronics function as intended, with untouched solder joints and original CTS pots which date to the 3rd week of '73. All of the original hardware is intact, and there is patina through the gold plating on much of the hardware including the harmonica bridge and stopbar, which has Gibson factory rings around the tailpiece inserts. All of the stock plastic parts are present and in excellent condition including the quartet of witch hat knobs, switch surround, pickup rings and multi-ply pickguard, which shows a bit of requisite pick scuffing.

The Walnut lacquer finish is 100% original with no touchup or overspray, and the guitar (and case) do have a notably smokey smell that dissipates when the guitar has been out of its case for some time. Cosmetic wear includes scattered small dings on the body as a whole, light buckle rash central to the back, and wear through the gloss on the back lower bout body edge. There is also a spot of isolated finish loss on the bass-side lower bout edge where the forearm crosses the top. The smooth nitro gloss is retained on the neck profile, with a couple of isolated spots of palm wear through the gloss in the 1st position, and some small, shallow dings, mostly clustered central to the carve behind frets 7-9.

The original black tolex hardshell case with purple plush interior is included. The case retains its original latches and handle, with some light wear along the lower bout edge. The case is currently being aired out to mitigate its smokiness.

Check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar," and please let us know if we can answer any questions!

Shipping in the continental USA will be $125, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Express. Two-Day and Overnight shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We happily ship WORLDWIDE.

International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.

We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!