1962 Gibson SG — Player-Grade

For your consideration, Garrett Park Guitars presents this player-grade 1962 Gibson SG.

This 1962 example retains many hallmark features of the period, including its lightweight mahogany construction, cherry finish, and a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. The finish appears to be original and remains in remarkably well-preserved condition overall, showing only expected signs of age and use. The guitar is fitted with a Bigsby B5 vibrato and there are two visible screw holes behind the bridge from a previously reversed modification.

Earlier in its life, this instrument received a headstock graft replacement, likely following a fall. The new headstock is joined to the neck via a long triangular splice clearly visible in the photos. While the repair was not executed to professional standards—resulting in an incorrect headstock angle—the guitar remains fully playable. The absence of a serial number on the neck is consistent with this repair history. Despite the missing serial number, we are able to confidently confirm 1962 as the year of manufacture based on the original potentiometers, which carried the code 1346241.

The neck otherwise offers the slim, fast-playing feel associated with early SGs, while the fingerboard retains excellent vintage character and response. The tuners are later double-ring Kluson Deluxe-style machines, likely unbranded replacements rather than genuine Klusons.

Electronically, the guitar has been fully modified and is no longer in original configuration. It is now fitted with a set of Fralin Pure PAF pickups, paired with a Fralin wiring harness, which includes a .05 mfd tone capacitor. This modern, high-quality loadout delivers articulate vintage-inspired tone, excellent clarity, and a responsive dynamic range, while significantly improving overall reliability and consistency. The pickup covers are later replacements.

Overall, this 1962 Gibson SG represents a compelling player-grade vintage instrument with strong early-SG character and excellent tonal appeal. While it features significant non-original work, it remains a highly resonant and inspiring example of Gibson’s early SG design, offering outstanding playability and tonal versatility.