1970 Gibson SG Standard

09 Aug 1970 Gibson SG Standard

This one is a long time friend. It was the second vintage SG – at the time of its purchase – I had ever owned. The first one being a 1971 I had donated to a German friend several years before.

This is a brown (walnut) SG made in late 1969/early 1970.

I have shot many of my early videos with this one. The funny thing was that at the time I thought – I had been told so – that this one was a 1968 SG standard (seller told me).
For – I think – at least a few years I thought this one a 1968. I was positive about it: in fact, in some of the early videos I shot, I even titled “…with a 1968 SG Standard…”.

I so much had wanted a 1968, because some sources were stating (among them, Gibson itself) [they were all wrong: please read here ] – that Angus’ first SG was a 1968.

Instead, It had been stated clearly by Angus himself for years that his first SG wasn’t at all a 1968. It was a 1970 or 1971. Possibly, even a late 1971. But I didn’t know this at the time.

When I found out this one was NOT a 1968, it was because some differences between this one and a newly acquired – at the time – 1967 Gibson SG Standard (see it here) were really striking me. So I thought, how can these two be SO different with just one year of difference in production? I almost had a heart attack.

(that is why I started digging even more into SGs and their history. I am especially interested in the years from 1961 to 1971. Then my interest dies 😛 )

I – basically – wanted a guitar – and an SG at that – that was the exact same year as Angus or at least, had the exact same features.

(two close ups of this 1970 Gibson SG)

The hilarious thing was – poor/lucky me – that when I found out this one was not a 1968, I was desperate. At first. I remember it was summer time. I started looking for information everywhere, hectically. I downloaded hundreds of pictures of Angus Young, trying to grasp any detail off of his guitars as closely as I could. Then, some strange, unexpected evidence hit me: his first and most beloved SG was not at all a 1968. I had learned that 1968 SGs look identical to my 1967 SG, and instead, 1970/1971 SGs have their own characteristics.

Beginning with the color: in 1970, walnut became standard as a finish color for SG standards. Up to 1969 instead, Cherry Red (a dark cherry red if you ask me, I’d say wine red) had been the standard color and walnut was in fact rare.

I noticed that all Angus Young’s pictures of the early days (even super early videos!) – when it was known he only had one guitar, that had to be his first one – the guitar itself was undoubtedly of a walnut color. Not a cherry color for sure, not even under heavy show lights.

So, an incredible suspect started building up in my mind: the guitar I had always wanted so much, was already in my hands. The disappointment for it not being a 1968 Standard was… a bubble.

In short, these (following pictures below) were the images that I shot that very day when the first fears of it not being a ’68 ran me over (I shot these pictures in fact to show them in forums where more knowledgeable than me at the time could help me find out):

Headstock: tuners were non original here (I had changed them). Now she’s got the original tuners (double ring, Kluson) back on.

A detail of the “horns”

Note the very shallow carvings of both cutaways and compare them with the much deeper carvings of early ’60s models. This has turned into a good way for me to spot the general era of an SG.

An early “volute”. Just slightly visible. I realized there was a volute there after one year I had the guitar.. Probably due to the fact that the guitar is an early 1970.

Detail of the control cavity.

Note of the author for the more ‘particular’ reader: these articles on  SoloDallas’ gear are not intended to be egotistical, neither am I intending to show off. They are for passion, documentation/information and sharing pleasure with those who have a similar interest.  Thanks for your trust and understanding, SD