JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
PAFs look like the picture immediately to the left.
PAFs look like the picture immediately to the left.
'73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
- Thread starter SteveO
- Start date
Ayrton
New member
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
I always thought "tar backs" were just epoxy potted T tops, but nope... Learn something new every day.
I always thought "tar backs" were just epoxy potted T tops, but nope... Learn something new every day.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
Is that a TP-6 bridge?
Is that a TP-6 bridge?
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
on the bridge, you can see where part of the black goo chipped off. I re epoxied the the bracket on the edges and maybe theres where I remember seeing the PAF sticker. I supposed I could pry the neck pup apart to look underneath
on the bridge, you can see where part of the black goo chipped off. I re epoxied the the bracket on the edges and maybe theres where I remember seeing the PAF sticker. I supposed I could pry the neck pup apart to look underneath
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
looking at pix of tar backs, many seem to be dual leads, this is single. there is certainly a back in there. the pix I've seen a LOT more goo in them, like the coil assemblies are basically 100% surrounded in the stuff.
looking at pix of tar backs, many seem to be dual leads, this is single. there is certainly a back in there. the pix I've seen a LOT more goo in them, like the coil assemblies are basically 100% surrounded in the stuff.
Condemnedsoul
Active member
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
The necessary stuff is done like frets, nut, and pots.
You say it plays fine but are undecided about its future.
What do you want out of the guitar? You are not going to get the asking price. So, I would keep the guitar. Now on to the pickups. The statement, 'It was only good for some rock and roll' still leaves a great deal to the imagination. Reflect on the pickups and your amp settings. What did you like and dislike about the sound of the originals?
If I were you, but I'm not, I'd dig into the SD pickups and see which pickups would inspire me to play the silver ghost.
The necessary stuff is done like frets, nut, and pots.
You say it plays fine but are undecided about its future.
What do you want out of the guitar? You are not going to get the asking price. So, I would keep the guitar. Now on to the pickups. The statement, 'It was only good for some rock and roll' still leaves a great deal to the imagination. Reflect on the pickups and your amp settings. What did you like and dislike about the sound of the originals?
If I were you, but I'm not, I'd dig into the SD pickups and see which pickups would inspire me to play the silver ghost.
Dave Locher
New member
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
Do not pry them apart! They are 1970s Tarback humbuckers. They have a low ohm rating and powerful magnets, which gives them a bright but strong sound, and the black goo is the only thing that holds them together. The cover isnt just a cover, it is more like the case for these: the coils and magnets were placed into the chrome covers and then the black stuff was poured in. That is how they are built.
Some guitars had a coil-split option. Those pickups have four wires. But most tarbacks have regular Gibson two-wire (inner wire, outer woven ground) leads.
Taking them apart will just destroy them. They are not PAF pickups from the 1950s, they are tarback pickups from a 1970s SG.
Do not pry them apart! They are 1970s Tarback humbuckers. They have a low ohm rating and powerful magnets, which gives them a bright but strong sound, and the black goo is the only thing that holds them together. The cover isnt just a cover, it is more like the case for these: the coils and magnets were placed into the chrome covers and then the black stuff was poured in. That is how they are built.
Some guitars had a coil-split option. Those pickups have four wires. But most tarbacks have regular Gibson two-wire (inner wire, outer woven ground) leads.
Taking them apart will just destroy them. They are not PAF pickups from the 1950s, they are tarback pickups from a 1970s SG.
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
I don't like the way it sounds. those pups are junk to me. Yes I know there are many who would love its sound, and I'm open to letting some one have it for a reasonable price.
I also find the neck too narrow. Perhaps the biggest experience changer was on the ibanez A75 I just bought and upgraded. the A75 sounds nice now and the wider neck means I can play things ( now that I've gotten used to it ) I couldn't on the SG. I mean the SG neck is so skinny in my hands there is just no way to let some open strings sound open in chords because of the size of my fingers vs how close the strings are.
I had a lot of sentimental value in it, but I'm over that now.
S
I don't like the way it sounds. those pups are junk to me. Yes I know there are many who would love its sound, and I'm open to letting some one have it for a reasonable price.
I also find the neck too narrow. Perhaps the biggest experience changer was on the ibanez A75 I just bought and upgraded. the A75 sounds nice now and the wider neck means I can play things ( now that I've gotten used to it ) I couldn't on the SG. I mean the SG neck is so skinny in my hands there is just no way to let some open strings sound open in chords because of the size of my fingers vs how close the strings are.
I had a lot of sentimental value in it, but I'm over that now.
S
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
If it were me, I'd work out a way to send it to Ayrton for a full vintage restoration. I'd get some mahogany to fill that hole in the back, then sand it flush and fill the edges. After the whole thing was down to bare wood, I'd refinish it in Pelham Blue front and back, so the repair would be invisible. I'd put a solid brass tailpiece from that German manufacturer (whose name I can't recall now) to replace that TP6. The heavy brass will help it get a tone similar to the TP6. Drop in some 59's or a set of custom High Voltage pickups and rock that darn thing, but that's just me.
I think it can be brought back to a good vintage level.
If it were me, I'd work out a way to send it to Ayrton for a full vintage restoration. I'd get some mahogany to fill that hole in the back, then sand it flush and fill the edges. After the whole thing was down to bare wood, I'd refinish it in Pelham Blue front and back, so the repair would be invisible. I'd put a solid brass tailpiece from that German manufacturer (whose name I can't recall now) to replace that TP6. The heavy brass will help it get a tone similar to the TP6. Drop in some 59's or a set of custom High Voltage pickups and rock that darn thing, but that's just me.
I think it can be brought back to a good vintage level.
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
I have some mahogany in my scrap pile about the size of the hole and I still have the paint. hadn't of thought about filling the hole but I guess I could. You can't sand it down. the finish would require chemical strip with either lots of lacquer thinner or regular paint stripper. finish is acrylic lacquer. messy and the risk of dissolving glue joints making for extra fun .
I'd hardly call it a vintage restoration to change the pups though. .. right now with new frets and nut, it plays like new. it sounds better with the microtune tailpiece, fuller. the original tailpiece sounded like crap in comparison and it was a very immediate and noticeable change.
no I just want to let it go. I have it on FB for $999 now.
S
I have some mahogany in my scrap pile about the size of the hole and I still have the paint. hadn't of thought about filling the hole but I guess I could. You can't sand it down. the finish would require chemical strip with either lots of lacquer thinner or regular paint stripper. finish is acrylic lacquer. messy and the risk of dissolving glue joints making for extra fun
.I'd hardly call it a vintage restoration to change the pups though. .. right now with new frets and nut, it plays like new. it sounds better with the microtune tailpiece, fuller. the original tailpiece sounded like crap in comparison and it was a very immediate and noticeable change.
no I just want to let it go. I have it on FB for $999 now.
S
ThisDyingSoul76
New member
Re: '73 SG - sell it ? upgrade it ? see pix first
Assuming the pickups are original, they're likely the Bill Lawrence designed Super Humbuckers (aka: tarbacks). They're identified by removing them from the body. Instead of wax potting, they're potted in black epoxy. I've also seen clear epoxy.
If the date codes on the pots show as '73, it could be a '74 also.
Between the refinish, repaired neck and the route in the back the back there wouldn't be much value to lose by doing some mods of your own but I would leave it be. It looks cool and those pickups are actually better sounding than people used to give credit for.
Assuming the pickups are original, they're likely the Bill Lawrence designed Super Humbuckers (aka: tarbacks). They're identified by removing them from the body. Instead of wax potting, they're potted in black epoxy. I've also seen clear epoxy.
If the date codes on the pots show as '73, it could be a '74 also.
Between the refinish, repaired neck and the route in the back the back there wouldn't be much value to lose by doing some mods of your own but I would leave it be. It looks cool and those pickups are actually better sounding than people used to give credit for.
