This guitar for sale was made in 1980 (serial number 80210032). This is one of the EXTREMELY RARE Gibson guitars that should end up being enshrined in Gibson Guitar Museum. I am not using that term lightly, and you will see why. This is the limited edition or prototype of a high end Gibson SG model called R-1/Artist that only has 200 copies out there in the world (introduced in ‘80 as R-1 and renamed Artist in ‘81, discontinued in ’82). That is to say, this particular one for sale is different from all the other 200 Artist/R-1 copies you can ever find, for it has a unique original large pickguard that distinguishes it from all the others (a mystery in the history of production of SG R-1/Artist models?). It is already very difficult to find one of 200 artist/R-1 copies nowadays, not to mention getting this limited edition/protoptype of that historic model on today’s market. Don’t miss out this opportunity that will be gone shortly.

For more info, read wikipedia for SG models, especially the part for R-1/Artist SG.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_SG

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guitar-General-649/1980-Gibson-SG-Artist.htm

How is it different from other SGs?

● Rare ebony fretboard with the tightest grain I have ever seen (Gibson stopped using expensive ebony wood on SG long time ago to cut the cost, so you only see ebony on early SGs that are rare).

● Color is all black (super cool!): Black body, neck, headstock, and pickguard.

●    Solid body, strikingly thicker and heavier than all the other standard SGs!

●    Unique large two-piece back plate that covers a large back cavity that you won’t find on any other Gibson models (see picture).

●    4 knobs, 2 numbered. see-through barrel knobs for treble and bass knobs (numbered 0-5-0) that went from zero to plus or minus five, not zero to ten like normal Gibson guitars you find everywhere.

●    3 way toggle switch with an additional on/off switch originally for active Moog electronics (note that the Moog electronics on this guitar has been disconnected; only the additional switch is left there).

●    One pair of “Patent Applied For” Classic ’57 pickups that you only find on high end Gibson guitars. Plus, compared to the current Classic ’57s that I have on my other Gibson guitars made in the 90s and 00s, these vintage pickups sound different and have a lot more edges. Very crunchy!

●    Crown peghead inlay and Schaller bridge made in Western Germany that is still shining perfectly over all the years.

●    Last but not least, the remarkable large pickguard that makes this particular guitar distinctive from ALL the other 200 R-1/Artist SGs that were ever made in the world! This fact is already confirmed by Gibson Customer Service (standard SG R-1/Artist do not have pickguard).

With all this being said above, this is a highly collectible vintage Gibson SG that is truly one of a kind. It is guaranteed that you won't find another one like this on the market.

The guitar plays like a dream, for I have taken great care of it. Fretboard conditioner and lemon oil was applied every time I changed strings. The frets were professionally redressed, so it plays like new now. It was also recently set up with low and comfortable action and arrow straight neck that allows you to do shredding on it smoothly (paid $40 two weeks ago). In addition to its great playability, the tone will send you to heaven—easily cut through heavy mixes with a lot of edges when you play it in a band. This guitar was the primary guitars of and played by professional musicians in Boston over the past 28 years and it does show wear that tells its story. A couple of small dings and scratches here and there on the edge and back, but nothing serious. Some finish cracks on the 3 piece neck (a lot more expensive than one piece neck, if you know them) that are very common to SG of that age (faithfully shown in picture). The active boost has been disconnected and taken off, but the unique extra on/off switch is still there (shown in picture). The deluxe tuners are original; I have tried other tuners on it but only to realize the original tuners do the job the best; that left tiny screw holes there that are almost invisible. Included is a brand new deluxe case with thick plush lining that provides good protection to the guitar.

I have described the current condition of the guitar to the very best of my knowledge from the perspective of both a player and a collector. With all the historical values attached to it, this truly unique SG guitar has very much witnessed the history of Gibson guitars as well as the Gibson Company’s continuous efforts to accommodate the needs of generations of rock & roll guitarists. This guitar well deserves to be preserved in Gibson guitar museum, but before that, I hope I can find it a loving home where its historical and musical values can be appreciated by connoisseurs and players who really know about it. Get her before others!

I don't make a living on ebay but I know my guitars very well and have sold many high end guitars from my personal collection. Check my feedback and bid with confidence. Shipping to continental United States is a flat $40 and shipping to UK, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, France, Australia and Brazil is $100. Buyers from other countries contact me. Serious bidders only please.