Is This Really a 1961 Gibson Les Paul?

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A viewer of the show contacted me about an old guitar he got in the 80s that he wanted to sell. It was in pretty bad condition and had been repaired at least once with a few replaced parts. He thought it was a 1961 Gibson Les Paul / SG. I decided to take a gamble to find out for sure!
Is This Really a 1961 Gibson Les Paul?
🐕 Episode Guide:
0:00 - Intro - Check Links in the Description
0:11 - Unboxing / Backstory
0:51 - So, What Is This?
1:00 - The Guitar's Condition
2:11 - Inside Look / Specs
19:58 - Dirty Tones
24:43 - Clean Tones
24:57 - Final Thoughts
26:51 - What to Watch Next!
🎞️ Videos Mentioned:
4:48 1962 Gibson SG Standard Ebony Block
• Buying a 1962 Gibson L...
4:52 1962 Gibson SG Standard Ebony Block, Part 2
• The Fate of My 1962 Gi...
8:07 2021 Gibson 60th Anniversary 1961 Les Paul SG Custom
• Gibson (Accidentally) ...
11:57 2021 PRS McCarty 594 Hollowbody II Burst
• The PRS Model Named Af...
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[@Trog]

I hope you enjoyed participating in this "mystery" with me! I was happy with the results even if there were a few bumps along the road 🟢My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com 🔴Reverb: reverb.com/shop/troglys?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly 🐕 Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/

[@Jimbowlcoach]

That guitar is in my top ten for sound! You should keep it for people to play at your museum ❤

[@scottbogfoot]

The only mystery is who the rightful owner is.

[@KatmanJazznBlues]

They need to use this exactly guitar as a template for a "heavily aged" 61 SG relic job.. Leave in the the broken neck work, black paint sanding and all along with scratches and checking plus the yellowed Gibson and laminated black cover slightly peeling on the headstock. Even the extra holes from the replaced trem. I consider the SG you featured in this presentation a thing of rare beauty, like the SG model itself, you accept it, with all of it's flaws, as is. That's why I liked the fact you were careful not to wipe it down too hard. Wish I had the cash, that thing speaks to me.

[@RobYoungband]

would love to buy this guitar if it's available for sale. Thanks!

[@BOUZOUKI_PETE]

whats the price range for it sir?

[@mattw.6726]

Duuuuude....those pickups freaking *SING*! I know inconsistencies mean that not all PAFs are awesome, but those two? My ears are extremely happy right now!

[@version7144]

Your finger nails blacklighted perfectly! I think they are original👍

[@frankwebster9110]

The PAFs sound stunning. Wow

[@sgt.grinch3299]

That guitar deserves to be gigged as often as possible. Fantastic, I love the worn fret board and all the scars.

[@strangeuniverse1199]

Obviously this guitar is worth a gazillion dollars.

[@hippiebiker3399]

The idea of bad karma or mojo is superstition. The only thing bad is the person who stole it and they will have to face God one day, if they haven’t already. Trogly, you took any stigma off of it by offering to give it back to the rightful owner. That is character. A good heart. Something sadly lacking in our society today. In the meantime…. that is seriously the best sounding guitar you’ve ever featured on your channel, in my opinion. Wow!

[@craigusselman546]

An original SG nice I know they were Les Pauls from 1961 to 68 but I just cant call em that SWEET GUITAR.

[@DetVen]

​@hippiebiker3399 Yes, people who steal guitars will face God and I hope God sends then to worse parts of hell.

[@strangeuniverse1199]

The SG was a Les Paul in the 60's? I think Gibson entered the Twilight Zone for awhile there in their branding of the guitar models.@@craigusselman546

[@dumptodreamhome2630]

Pawn Shop: " I'll give ya, like $20 bucks."

[@guitartim2128]

Yeah man exactly . After the pawn shop owner is thru picking it apart,price now...$10🎸😃

[@Mephilis78]

Truth, ngl

[@stevenheath741]

And of course .They are taking all the risk……

[@johnm3152]

$100.00 on loan

[@guitartim2128]

@@johnm3152 LOL🎸😃🎸😃

[@marions.120]

Do it! As soon as you hit the first chord, wow, was the only word from my mouth!

[@h2ophilter]

Thats one of the best sounding guitars Ive heard on this channel. Amazing find!

[@trickedouttech321]

Right! I just commented that, before reading your comment, My comment was one of the best sounding ever on this show. I listen with good headphones but this one sounded great with and without headphones on.

[@voiceofexperience]

Sounds amazing!

[@vadenk4433]

Those pickups sound glorious. It doesn’t make sense why PAF’s are so hard to replicate but you can hear the vintage ones when compared to the best replicas. That guitar definitely has that vintage tone people are obsessed with. It’s a shame it was stolen from its rightful owner. I have a stolen guitar floating around somewhere so I know the pain. If anyone ever sees a 1973 Strat in Dapne blue/ maple neck it’s probably mine. As mine was refinished and since fender didn’t use Daphne blue during the 70’s my 73 is probably 1 of very few ever refinished in that particular color. Also it’s was sprayed over factory black, which you can see in multiple places. And I do have pictures to prove I owned it if anyone can find it.

[@rollingslothmachine3431]

While I agree these PAFs sound great, it's nothing I didn't hear from other good pickups before, even affordable ones. It's much more about the player, amp and cab then the pickups. The story of this guitar probably makes you feel like these PAFs sound better, like with most vintage guitars. The history just gives off a vibe that you won't really get with newer guitars. Sorry to hear about your stolen guitar. I hope you will be reunited with it some day!

[@TheNewRevolution]

I also have had the terrible experience of having my vintage guitar stolen. Mine was a 79 Gibson Explorer. I bought it for $500 in the early 90s. It was stolen from me in 2004 in Lexington, Kentucky. It has all gold hardware and was in pretty good shape. It's been gone for 20 years now. I know I'll never get it back at this point. A blue Jackson with a Floyd Rose and a Marshall amp was also stolen from me at the same time. If anyone ever came forward, I would let them keep the Jackson and the Marshall just to get the Explorer back. It breaks my heart to know I'll never get that guitar back.

[@onefastmini]

I also had a guitar stolen from me in 1992. A 1986 Japanese Fender Performer in 3 tone sunburst, purchased new at 13 years old with money I earned myself. They are quite rare now and selling for way more than I could ever afford to replace it.

[@jamesetheridge3487]

Had my strat plus deluxe 91 nicked 5 years ago. Even went to America to buy it. These people don't understand what they take.

[@faustthehammer8706]

I had a young neighbor years ago when I bought my house he was around 18 I plugged my sg into my fender priceton reverb and played it rather loud he came over and asked me what I was playing I was like a gibson sg. He had this story where a family member left a 1964 sg in a Case in a barn and I was like what 10 minutes later pops out a real cherry red sg with the floating bridge like new he never had it plugged in

[@Keziapurrs]

My dad still has his 58 Les Paul double cut from his teenage years. All stock and stored in its case throughout its life. I told him that I would kick his ass if he ever sold it. He also has his 1960ish Gibson acoustic parlor guitar. Excellent condition too except for finish checking. Which actually adds to its beauty.

[@martin-1965]

Yup, one of the most fascinating Trogly guitar vidz in a while. What an interesting guitar with a mysterious backstory. Sounds amazing and looks great as well. Pity someone had it stolen in the past but unless by some miracle the original owner can still be found - a one in a million shot - then I think it might as well carry on being played and enjoyed by whoever owns it in the future. Definitely would rock that SG 😎

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Fun episode and super cool vintage guitar! This Les Paul SG looks like it's been played extensively throughout it's time but unfortunately didn't always get proper TLC throughout it's life. Still sounds good though and if it could talk I bet it has a few interesting stories! Loved all the detective work you did Trogly and cool that it still has its original pickups 👍

[@JeremyToy]

it sounds incredible!!! i haven’t heard one of your demos sound THIS good.

[@robertbogdan7058]

I think the switch tip has been replaced. I've only seen cream ones from that era. My 61 has a cream switch tip. Of course...

[@gregoryhunt9494]

Love the Sound on that Relic. Nice job thanks for sharing another great part of guitar History.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Very cool find, the 'Stolen '61 SG'! Too bad about the missing SN but the battle scars and parts give this an amazing provenance. And it sounds awesome too!

[@eddiejr540]

That was fun…no wonder it was worn out, it sounded fantastic 👍

[@joelmahan]

one of the best sounding guitars I've heard on this channel😎

[@doublebass1985]

My brother has my dad's 1964 ES 335 sunbirst finish with an original Gibson yellow interior guitar case. His parents (my grandparents) bought it for him in 1964. One of the richest sounding guitars and I'm a drummer not a guitarist.

[@cataclysmicconverter]

That is an absolute treasure of guitar. My favorite era for the 335's. Never let it out of the family!

[@bendazkt]

I have a 1961 Gibson Les Paul/SG. It has had a Maestro Tremelo added to it. The sound is unbelievable.

[@deanallen927]

Keep it as intact as you can. Callaham hardware, new frets, minor dowelling on the front. Glue and clamp that holly veneer. And yes, reflector knobs are so easy to find. The ones it came with look like Japanese '70s, Hondo I think. Killer player's vintage guitar. Great video.

[@ukutiki]

I have a 61 SG inbound via Fed Ex to arrive Monday and now inspired by what you've presented here. With all the scars and unknowns, this guitar needs to be played and often!

[@Justin-hb6cg]

I would love to hear Matthew Scott play that guitar through one of his amps.

[@bluekoi455]

Matt would kill with this axe!

[@Justin-hb6cg]

@@bluekoi455 Yes indeed. I think he would set it up better also. Sorry Trogly, no offence intended.

[@Masterfighterx]

Thing about see through finishes and other visible wood (fretboard) is that it's as unique as the S/N, so if you log both the S/N and some pictures of the guitar showing key woodgrain, it will still be highly identifiable if the S/N is removed.

[@heavybrett-al4082]

That SG definitely has character, be a great one to get set up to be a player/work horse.... depending on how much work it'll take to become a reliable player.

[@swankmotee]

With a little TLC like a neck reset, bridge studs adjusted and proper ABR-1 bridge, stop tailpiece install, and repro Les Paul neck pup ring and matching end name plate, that plank would be a fine players grade instrument!🤘

[@vegashdrider]

Bridge pickup sounds phenomenal

[@rindred]

I'd love to see what Tim Woodford could do to re-repair that. It deserves to play as good as it looks and sounds.

[@denverrandy7143]

Lol that funny I was thinking the same

[@johngerson7335]

Ted Woodford...

[@rindred]

@@johngerson7335 Dangit, I knew that didn't sound right when I typed it.

[@johngerson7335]

@@rindred No worries, you were still referring to _exactly_ the right guy for the job!

[@cataclysmicconverter]

I would definitely have it properly repaired with minimal finish touch up just to cover and blend the bare wood areas of the process. No matter what, it'd still be better than the black paint while maintaining all the mojo and better structural integrity.

[@billpholde4816]

Great video, as usual. What glue did you use to attach the lid ribbon? I have a lid ribbon on an ES335 case that has become un-attached in the same manner.

[@waynebake1123]

That guitar sounds incredible!

[@TheJeffcurran]

The pickups are outstanding.

[@markcampbell7554]

This was worth seeing. Despite all of the damage, it's a cool part of history. The '62 you bought last year is still my favorite. It is in beautiful condition.

[@sonidonomade3988]

This has got to be one of the best sounding and coolest looking guitars you've reviewed to date! Great acquisition!! Thanks for sharing all that good info.

[@elamon51]

Man oh boy what an absolute killer players grade vintage sg ....wowsers.

[@davehopping7212]

Don't have an SG right now, but this vid makes me want one!

[@wano9847]

Those pickups sound really good. Your playing is improving too. I enjoy watching your show. Keep up the good work! 😆

[@stevemora7845]

It's not in bad shape for being so old! It's definitely a tone machine! 🔥❤

[@ckelly5141]

New AC/DC tune: Spray your Back in Black. 🎸🤘

[@jowyong6769]

"Shook Me All Night Long" part gave me goosebumps!! That thing is an incredible tone monster...

[@storytimewithunclekumaran5004]

The intonation is impeccable... Awesome sounding pickups too..

[@leechild4655]

pickup cover(s): I saw a with and without video and was surprised there is a significant tone difference. I opted for the sound of the with cover on. of course, your milage may vary.

[@Steve.Cutler]

Those pick ups sound great!

[@elephantfootrisers]

That guitar sounds great. My first real guitar was a '72 SG Standard. I left it on top of a Kustom amp one night and ended up with stripes on the back where the nitro finish bubbled. Who knew? I was 15 years old and there was no Internet in those days. Got a '61 Les Paul Jr w a single P90 left to me from a friend. It's a gem.

[@wayneburke4381]

maybe one of your best sounding guitars ever

[@PavenMetal]

What song at 23:45...I know it, beautiful, but not sure, many thanks in advance 🙂👍 I was humming and singing for while, then! There it was! Kansas - Dust in the Wind ❤❤❤

[@gregmackey7517]

Those pickups sound amazing!

[@vladimirpoutine7522]

I really dig that fretboard color!

[@buddylobos5277]

My '59 Special had 3 clearly visible breaks. 2 by the neck joint and one bad one at the headstock. But you know the neck was great. The PU's incredible but the neck was sinking into the body. What a sound & feel. Incredible. But I couldn't repair it so I sold it to new Luthier as a project. He took courses on guitar repair at the local Tech Inst. But... Never heard from again.

[@isuckatguitar6252]

I love the neck on that guitar! Looks like a giraffe! Stunning, I def love the character & sound it's giving off! 🙌

[@danstringer7610]

I’m glad I listened to the end…this sounds awesome!

[@Canyonfuey]

I really like how those inlays have changed color. Very cool

[@keiranbradley3238]

I'm generally not a big fan of the figured finger boards, preferring the unfigured jet black Brazilian as found in the best old examples but this board is really nice looking, I bet it plays great.

[@danpeabody5687]

That is a real nice sound. What is your signal chain? Amp,effects ect

[@TS-nb9ko]

Dam trogly you are a fun guy to watch.your knowledge of these old guitars truly is cool.thanks for sharing

[@Jazzmaster-pb2yt]

Stunning guitar. Love it ❤❤❤. I love SG's

[@316diag]

my '73 has the same case in approximately the same condition, but with the Gibson logo.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

Even with the janky bridge/break angle and neck situation, that guitar sounds AWESOME!!

[@nerfnerfification]

Loved it - one thing I do recall from the late 60's is everyone replaced the original tuners with Grovers like those as they were thought to be so much smoother and reliable. By 74 the SG's had Grovers as stock - I have an SG Custom I bought new back then and it has those Grovers.

[@Arlenenewman2123]

What effects pedal are you playing thru ?////

[@alanstrickland1539]

Absolutely beautiful the sound is great

[@zaccarter3801]

Can’t believe how good those pickups sound holy lord!

[@user-gn3dh4pv1z]

What a beautiful sounding guitar.

[@AndyA1234]

Sounds very Angus Young. Great clarity on the dirty sound, it's not just a mush (sorry for the technical term).

[@johnmacdonald3319]

Stunning tone. Love it.

[@ytxrsalt3683]

please never get rid of the merch plug, its something i look forward to every video.

[@acdclexu6296]

hey Trogly by these sg the eds stopbar is really because the better break angle to the bridge. maybe they work on the maestro holes

[@JamesHartnell]

Lovely, not only sounds great but has a musicality to it that is so hard to find.

[@robertlindgren8132]

I have an original early seventies Les Paul Deluxe with the cherry sunburst.

[@diwellb]

The early '61s had a smooth transition from the body to the neck but were prone to cracking. The step was later introduced to minimise this cracking. There is reference to this in a number of publications. Oddly though, I have a '63 with the smooth transition - I don't know how that would happen but I have the original receipt where the guitar was purchased in NYC.

[@markmarr6620]

Up until June 63$$$$$ then the step

[@conflagratus]

@@markmarr6620 Thanks! I always wondered why I can't find another like the '61 I bought for $300. back in '83 that was owned by Tower of Power's bassist. Truly a "fretless wonder" lightning fast and smooth all the way to the PAF! The neck on this one was so thin, there is no way the smooth heel would break; and fit my small hands perfectly. The Sunset Guitar Center gave me $3,800. for it and the case, so I could travel with my family to see my oldest daughter on Christmas. Sacrifice? I'll always remember both. Whomever got it will most likely have it for life, because they had enough money to take it for whatever the shop marked it up to. Needless to say...it was gone two weeks later when I went to try to buy it back. It was fun to watch the techs frantically clear the repair area of all the lesser instruments, while they dissected it to determine its authenticity. I've never heard a fatter natural tone, before or since, on any recording or performance ever from those PAF's in that mahogany body. There was no distortion either, like the one featured here, unless the amp or effects did it. If I didn't want fat, the only way out was a different axe. Most of the time I enjoyed fat!

[@mjeh1]

Sounds better than any new guitar. Something about those old pafs.

[@faustthehammer8706]

Alot of that the pafs had little to no wax potting and they are very "hot".

[@RokDAWG1]

Is it a placebo effect that I love the sound of this?! 🤘🤘

[@frankwebster9110]

No. It sounds that good!

[@johngerson7335]

No, it's the real PAF's and the vintage pots/wiring. It really sounds that good.

[@RokDAWG1]

@johngerson7335 Yeah it has a much sweeter tone to my ear than most pickups I hear these days.

[@bottomkitchen250]

What a beautiful rosewood fretboard

[@FrantikJ1]

That bridge pickup has some nice bite to it!!! 🤘🤘🤘Also, nice riffing by Trogly!

[@richardbrucemusic]

The repair and lack of a SN really reduce the value of this vintage SG-style LP. But those PAF pups sound SO good - and that Brazilian rosewood fretboard is to die for! Hope you enjoy it.

[@TommySG1]

Great episode man, very cool stuff here 🤙

[@johnm3152]

Good one - very nice SG p/u detective work - Staying for the playin' recently

[@michaelwillinger]

That bridge pickup rocks!!

[@hector_nimrod]

Id put that Neck Pickup cover, put the original vibrola, maybe without the arm, and put some witch hat vintage knobs on her and call It the Day.

[@slingman1981]

Wow, that sounded great!

[@evrgreen_69]

If that guitar could talk you can bet it would tell some interesting stories..Keeper 💯

[@JamesandJacob007]

I love the AC/DC References, especially the “Painted the Back In Black”

[@rodbelding9523]

The first chord you struck with it, my god. That is like exactly what a guitar should sound like in my opinion.

[@davidgamboa918]

Yep, I was sold after 5 seconds too ! Raunchy and sweet at the same time

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Robbie Townshend!

[@paulsadoff3661]

Looks like when the neck was glued back on they got the angle wrong....

[@donhopf]

That is a ridiculously good sounding guitar!

[@goss1961]

That hole for grounding the original vibrato down by the strap button...where does it go to, and how was it drilled? I can't picture a tool/process to do it.

[@leftyjaysmith]

I tend to think your LP SG can be anywhere from 61-63 because of mine having PAFs as well as dated pots from 61. I have an early 63 Les Paul Custom (Olympic White). But all the pots are dated 1961 and have the 3 PAF pickups. They basically used whatever parts they grabbed in the bins. Mine still looks great. Gold is all in tact. Hasn't been played since the mid 80s. Hardly any checking and no repairs. I am a lefty and never played my LPC after I bought it because I didn't want to change anything or mod it. I have plenty of lefty guitars. Gruhn told me I have the cleanest on he ever seen.

[@pixelpop9365]

That tone is GLORIOUS!! I love my early PAFs

[@GeoffEspeland]

What kind of bridge is on that guitar? Is it a Gibson bridge. I bought a 1983 Studio in New Orleans in 1983 from Foster's Custom Finishes and it came with a bridge very similar to that one. I'm curious to know if they swapped it out or is it stock? Thanks

[@laynelucia5111]

Sounds great!!

[@BloodPlusPwn]

I love seeing perfect, cherry stuff but these fellas that have lived a lifetime of stories to tell, and you can really tell once it starts singing. This is a uniquely beautiful piece of equipment for sure.

[@spoobus]

Sounds fantastic!

[@musicauthority674]

I knew almost instantly when you played the AC/DC. and then the Kansas, that it was right. just how an SG/Les Paul should be. it sounds AWESOME!!!!!!!

[@R3TR0R4V3]

I don't know why on earth you'd buy this thing, but sell that stunningly perfect '62 you had last year. Hope you got a stellar deal on it at least!

[@ChrisOBrienMusic]

This is my dream guitar. Damn. Amazing find!!

[@THESESSIONROOM]

Sounds flipping incredible!!😮❤😊

[@colinpadley8938]

Loved the clean tones the best, they surprised me.

[@radfury23g32]

Anyone know why the springs and tape around the pickups would glow under black light??

[@bobhun7585]

In 1969 I was gigging with a 63 sg with no trem. Lots of checking already. It had the PAF covers too, very nice. My complaint about the guitar was the neck always needed finger ease. I ended selling it to a guy who was going to Julliard. So it got a good home.

[@mikekopmanis2099]

Sounds amazing!

[@the_nondrive_side]

24-5/8" quite a few of the acoustics i've found randomly 25" or just under anywhere between 24-5/8 and like 24.9" exactly like a yamaha or epiphone. yeah lots of epiphone are 25" pop that neck off and get it spliced in right. leave it visible and oiled. somebody gotta have a truoil method or something. it likely needs the scale length adjusted at the neck.