SG wraparound conversion

[PonyKiller]

Re: SG wraparound conversion

Because I like Tony Iommi Monkey SG. It's all beat up and effed with. I like that kind of thing. I also like working on my gear. It's my hobby within a hobby.

Hahaha, oh man. Like 7 or 8 years ago I was considering doing the opposite to my '66 SG Special because of that same guitar. Going from the wraparound to an ABR-1/stopbar because thats how Tony had it on the 1970 Paris show (best ever Sabbath concert, my favorite). That and because I hated the fixed intonation bridge, 1 or 2 strings were always off. I think they were made when a wound G was the thing to use.

I don't remember what the hell happened to that guitar but I had to put it away and never did the conversion. Now I'm glad I didn't do it. I have to send that guitar to be restored professionally someday.

 

[SGFanatic]

Re: SG wraparound conversion

Hahaha, oh man. Like 7 or 8 years ago I was considering doing the opposite to my '66 SG Special because of that same guitar. Going from the wraparound to an ABR-1/stopbar because thats how Tony had it on the 1970 Paris show (best ever Sabbath concert, my favorite). That and because I hated the fixed intonation bridge, 1 or 2 strings were always off. I think they were made when a wound G was the thing to use.

I don't remember what the hell happened to that guitar but I had to put it away and never did the conversion. Now I'm glad I didn't do it. I have to send that guitar to be restored professionally someday.

Well you guys are starting to talk me out of it. That's a reason why I posted. I know even if I do this and everything goes perfect, as in I don't render the guitar unplayable, I may never be able to sell it. I might sell it as is and put it toward an SG I like better, like a late 60' early 70's model. I like the harmonica bridges too.

 

[PonyKiller]

Re: SG wraparound conversion

Well you guys are starting to talk me out of it. That's a reason why I posted. I know even if I do this and everything goes perfect, as in I don't render the guitar unplayable, I may never be able to sell it. I might sell it as is and put it toward an SG I like better, like a late 60' early 70's model. I like the harmonica bridges too.

Hahahaha, funny thing you mention that. My SG Standard (late '70s model) is currently unplayable because of the damned Schaller wide-travel AKA Harmonica bridge. I hate that thing with all my being. All the screws are stripped making it impossible to intonate correctly. Only thing that fits in place is a metric nashville TOM but since the inserts are dead on straight the low E string barely intonates with the saddle all the way to the back. The string spread is all wrong and the narrow nut width doesn't help at all. The strings are right on the edge of the fretboard on the higher frets.
I've been saving money to get a major surgery on that guitar. Remove the bridge posts and plug them with wood to properly set an ABR-1 bridge. I'm afraid of how it look at the end. It has the smaller pickguard so there's nothing there to cover the mess. A refinish might be in order too...

Man, I wish I'd have had the money to get a new SG back then. Both SGs I was able to afford had been well played before I got them and didn't last me to long, before having major problems (both need a refret by now). I haven't played them in many years now.

If you're happy with the way you guitar plays and sounds, better consider keeping it instead of selling it and getting an old, troublesome, guitar.

If it wasn't for the sentimental value, I wouldn't hesitate to trade my old SG for a brand new one but I would probably feel really bad for they guy who will get a really crappy guitar haha.

 

[SGFanatic]

Re: SG wraparound conversion

Hahahaha, funny thing you mention that. My SG Standard (late '70s model) is currently unplayable because of the damned Schaller wide-travel AKA Harmonica bridge. I hate that thing with all my being. All the screws are stripped making it impossible to intonate correctly. Only thing that fits in place is a metric nashville TOM but since the inserts are dead on straight the low E string barely intonates with the saddle all the way to the back. The string spread is all wrong and the narrow nut width doesn't help at all. The strings are right on the edge of the fretboard on the higher frets.
I've been saving money to get a major surgery on that guitar. Remove the bridge posts and plug them with wood to properly set an ABR-1 bridge. I'm afraid of how it look at the end. It has the smaller pickguard so there's nothing there to cover the mess. A refinish might be in order too...

Man, I wish I'd have had the money to get a new SG back then. Both SGs I was able to afford had been well played before I got them and didn't last me to long, before having major problems (both need a refret by now). I haven't played them in many years now.

If you're happy with the way you guitar plays and sounds, better consider keeping it instead of selling it and getting an old, troublesome, guitar.

If it wasn't for the sentimental value, I wouldn't hesitate to trade my old SG for a brand new one but I would probably feel really bad for they guy who will get a really crappy guitar haha.

I know, I know. I was thinking about having one built with all the specs I want, or ordering a kit, I'm just afraid of the cost. I suppose, in the long run, it would never be cost effective to mar up the stock SG I have right now as noone would buy it like that.

 

[PonyKiller]

Re: SG wraparound conversion

Well, you got the advantage of having a full pickguard so any work done to retrofit a wraparound or back to the Nashville TOM will be hidden. An aftermarket pickguard can be used for the wraparound to keep the original unmodified.

But yeah, it would cost quite a bit to get it modified and then, if you decide to sell it, to get it back to stock and even then people would be probably put off by that with many unmodified SG Standards floating around at good prices.