2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

[Deathviper1777]

Good day players,

I bought a new Gibson SG Standard a few weeks ago with the complete understanding that I was going to hot rod this thing. Upon arrival there were some issues, tuners were all loose bridge pup was jacked up and a few other things, no biggie. So I commenced to stripping it down. When I got the pups out I noticed Gibson could have done a better job at routing, pulled the tenon cover and Wow, not pretty, pulled the truss rod cover, again, not pretty. Grounded all to hell truss rod but (replaced) so all my stuff I ordered came in and I went to work. I ordered the Mojotone solderless SG kit, it has all the quality stuff you would want and it fit like a glove! Even though I can solder like a pro I opted for this. I was going to use the Black Winter (Thanks Aceman) set but went for the sh1 and sh5. Fast forward to stringing it, Pup height, adjust the bridge to my specs, adjusting, truss rod adjustments this guitar is a Fire breathing Dragon! When the guitar came in I never even plugged it in. I’m sure I’m leaving some stuff out but I’ll remember along the way, I’m old lol
I’m trying to upload pics, standby please

I had intended to use Sprague Orange drop caps like ive used on other guitars but thought i would give these PIO Mojo tone caps a whirl and they sound great so ill leave them.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

Clips!!!!!

 

[Deathviper1777]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

Clips!!!!!

ill have to figure out how to do that,but ill sure try. It sounds amazing!

 

[Aceman]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

Custom is never a bad choice...If it isn't aggressive enough, well, there is always BW or Distortion....

Could you describe the original issue with tuners and Bridge pickup etc in a little more detail? Just interested because you could probably buy 100 ESP/LTD Vipers and never have any of those issues at half the price. Even though you got a good deal - no excuse!

 

[Deathviper1777]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

Custom is never a bad choice...If it isn't aggressive enough, well, there is always BW or Distortion....

Could you describe the original issue with tuners and Bridge pickup etc in a little more detail? Just interested because you could probably buy 100 ESP/LTD Vipers and never have any of those issues at half the price. Even though you got a good deal - no excuse!

I agree with the Viper statement! less than half the price.
the tuner nuts were loose as hell and the one back screw that keeps the Grovers from turning they were all loose as well. The bridge pickup was hanging becuase the adjustment screw had either screwd itself out or was never installed properly.
Ill be honest i have bought guitars for a fraction of the price that had all the routings were clean and deburred,everything lined up etc. the last Ibanez i bought was an RG Prestige 655 that was absolutely perfect in every way. Why these Gibson are so high ill never know,its amazing actually. When i bought this i had no idea about the PC board stuff, even though i had plans on hot rodding it .

 

[Deathviper1777]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

also, on the SG the pup rings were all scratched up,the truss rod cavity was full of some kind of crap and the nut was ground all to hell,i replaced the nut. not sure why it was ground up,some say its to fit the truss rod cover flat. the nut new nut i installed fit perfectly.

there are a few good points on the SG, the neck is very nice,i like my necks almost flat with a hint of front bow to keep from buzzing too much and the body was nice although as mentioned the routing is not pretty. running the pup wires was fun with all the splintered and non deburred holes.

 

[AlexR]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

Sounds like that SG had been back and forth to various people before you got it......the one that kept being returned and sold on again.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

the tuner nuts were loose as hell and the one back screw that keeps the Grovers from turning they were all loose as well.

This seems to be quite common on new or old guitars that cross my bench. Apparently, tuning machines seldom stay tight on guitars that are played a lot. It's just part of my routine to tighten up the tuners, the strap buttons, and so on when inspecting and working on guitars.

 

[Deathviper1777]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

Sounds like that SG had been back and forth to various people before you got it......the one that kept being returned and sold on again.

it was sealed in the Gibson box and the body and all the wood was perfect no dents/dings or scratches. im pretty sure im the first owner.

 

[Deathviper1777]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

This seems to be quite common on new or old guitars that cross my bench. Apparently, tuning machines seldom stay tight on guitars that are played a lot. It's just part of my routine to tighten up the tuners, the strap buttons, and so on when inspecting and working on guitars.

i usually do the same, part of the deal when working on guitars but these were really loose.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

I'm as big a fan of Gibson guitars as there is, but a brand new guitar shouldn't have those issues. I know they're relatively minor and easily sorted out by more experienced players, but it just disappoints me. I've owned a half dozen or so Les Paul's over the years, and I guess I've been lucky because none of my guitars has had issues like this. Really happy you got things sorted out and it's a great looking SG.

An SG is on the short list of guitars I still want to own. My current favorite guitar is my Pelham Blue 57' RI.

 

[Deathviper1777]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

I'm as big a fan of Gibson guitars as there is, but a brand new guitar shouldn't have those issues. I know they're relatively minor and easily sorted out by more experienced players, but it just disappoints me. I've owned a half dozen or so Les Paul's over the years, and I guess I've been lucky because none of my guitars has had issues like this. Really happy you got things sorted out and it's a great looking SG.

An SG is on the short list of guitars I still want to own. My current favorite guitar is my Pelham Blue 57' RI.

Thank you Jeff, the issues ive mentioned,i agree they shouldnt have that many. That said, my two LPs were perfect. i did sort everything out and have it set up perfectly to my liking. I was getting a little nervous about if i could get the action as low as i wanted, had the neck set exactly as i like but the bridge/tailpiece is like a lowered 67 Impala,lol
this thing has a great resonance and after i got the Duncans pickup height set perfectly and everything else its for sure a top 3 of my fave guitars. even if ones opinion is skewed at first its best to give it a shot. I used my Soldano hot rod with a few effects to try it out when it was all done and it plays like a dream, sounds amazing and with the good PIO caps,CTS 500k pots,Switchcraft jacks and of course the sh5 and sh1 its a Killer for real.

The Pelham Blue is a very pretty color!

 

[Deathviper1777]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

anyone notice the Tenon cover? beats the plain 1/2 ply cover that came with it.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

I noticed the truss rod nut cover, and I like it a lot!

I agree with you that the issues you ran into should not deter others from buying an SG or an LP. Like you, none of my LP's had these type of issues. I'm always willing to do a little work to make a guitar exactly what I want it to be. In fact, I look forward to doing work to get them up to my standards. To me, it's part of buying a guitar, regardless of brand. There is always something I need or want to do to a new guitar.

Congrats again on a great looking SG.

 

[Deathviper1777]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

I noticed the truss rod nut cover, and I like it a lot!

I agree with you that the issues you ran into should not deter others from buying an SG or an LP. Like you, none of my LP's had these type of issues. I'm always willing to do a little work to make a guitar exactly what I want it to be. In fact, I look forward to doing work to get them up to my standards. To me, it's part of buying a guitar, regardless of brand. There is always something I need or want to do to a new guitar.

Congrats again on a great looking SG.

working on them is relaxing,
Thank you.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

I’m glad you got the guitar set up and playing correctly.
I have 3 LP and I guess I’ve been lucky. I haven’t had any real issues with them. But like the rest of us here, I do like to tweak stuff!!

 

[Deathviper1777]

Re: 2018 Gibson SG makeover. Pics....

I’m glad you got the guitar set up and playing correctly.
I have 3 LP and I guess I’ve been lucky. I haven’t had any real issues with them. But like the rest of us here, I do like to tweak stuff!!

Thanks.
when i got my first Strat in about 79 the tweaking started then. i dont think no one can set up a guitar exactly the way the player likes it, unless your the player.