NGD: 1974 Gibson SG - and a heart-warming story for a cold day

usedtobe

Do as little as you can get away with, imho. Cool guitar, and a cool story!

grungebob

Yeah do everything you need to to make it playable but don’t do anything more. It’s a cool story guitar so why rewrite history?

scalino65

That's a great story. Very nice guy to give it to you. Actually, really nice guy to understand how much it would mean to you.
Have fun!

imalrightjack

Got the harmonica bridge and new pins.  The bushings were fine.  Popped the bridge on - and think it's right to have the pins screwed pretty much completely in.  Stuck a set of 9s on to start with.  Sadly, none of the strings are truly ringing out, so I'm guessing the truss requires some adjustment.  Problem is, I'm not sure what tool to use.  @ICBM ?

WezV

you need a gibson truss rod wrench unless you have a slim socket set it the right size.

it might not be as simple as just adjusting the truss rod.  Given it’s life so far I would plan for a fretdress and full setup as a mimimum

imalrightjack

@WezV , yeah, absolutely does need all that. I just hoped to get it in a halfway playable state myself. Now to find the right luthier...

Bridgehouse

imalrightjack said:

@WezV , yeah, absolutely does need all that. I just hoped to get it in a halfway playable state myself. Now to find the right luthier...

I would recommend sending it to @SteveRobinson (Manchester Guitar Tech) down in Manchester.. he will sort it out perfectly 

imalrightjack

@Bridgehouse thanks. If @SteveRobinson can drop me a quote or idea of price that would be great. 

BenSirAmos

Let it settle, just for a while. If it hasn't had tension on the neck for quite a while, it might need some time for the strings to pull the relief. Why would it need adjusting now? It was probably set to the right relief when the strings and bridge came off. Slowly, slowly. 

imalrightjack

Good call, @BenSirAmos I don't always do patience well! Required here. 

BenSirAmos

And I use a 5/16 socket on an extension on the very rare occasions I adjust my truss rod. Mine is a 1992 Standard LP so I don't know if it will be the same as a 1974

bodhi

5/16 or 8mm truss rod wrench, if you're comfortable with checking neck relief and adjusting the truss rod.

Given the repair, I'd personally get a pro to have a good look at it before having a go myself.

WezV

BenSirAmos said:

Let it settle, just for a while. If it hasn't had tension on the neck for quite a while, it might need some time for the strings to pull the relief. Why would it need adjusting now? It was probably set to the right relief when the strings and bridge came off. Slowly, slowly. 

Even if it was the right relief before, you seem to assume it was playing well before the last time strings were removed, and it’s been stored in a relatively stable environment.

 I don’t think either are likely to be true here .  

Although I totally agree with taking it slow, but it will benefit from a good going over at some point soon.

ICBM

imalrightjack said:

Sadly, none of the strings are truly ringing out, so I'm guessing the truss requires some adjustment.  Problem is, I'm not sure what tool to use.  @ICBM ?

That's exactly what I meant about it needing a fret dress and re-crown because it's been done badly with the frets left flat on top.

imalrightjack

@icbm - off to a tech it goes! Thanks

clarkefan

If those pickups are actually Dimarzio Super Distortions and you were ever planning on changing them I'd be interested in talking to you about buying one

imalrightjack

@clarkefan No plans at the moment - I'll just get the bugger playing to start!

clarkefan

No worries No rush or anything, PM me if there are any developments

impmann

9s?

Floppy!!!

Glad to see it being resurrected.

imalrightjack

@impmann I never use 9s but thought it better to waste the set I had!