Hey Zach,
Many moons ago (1987 or so), I came across this 1961 Gibson SG Special at an antiques shop in San Francisco. The poor thing had a feebly repaired headstock, a poorly set pair of humbuckers, and all paint/stain/finish removed. I paid $335 plus tax and strolled out the door feeling pretty self-satisfied. However, at home I tore it apart and realized its condition was even worse than I’d thought: Some hairball before me had routed the body to fit the HBs using a 3/8" or so drill bit.
I decided I would try to bring it back to as close to stock as I could, given the scarcity of parts at that time. I brought it to the estimable Gary Brawer in San Francisco, and he installed two Seymour Duncan P-90s, but kept the original wiring other than that for the pups. Not too long afterward, my band opened for Robin Trower in S.F. and here’s where the story takes a tragic turn. One of Robin’s roadies knocked my SG off its stand and the headstock shattered … again, and this second break was so bad that it was pretty much irreparable.
I let it sit, as I just couldn’t pony up the bucks at that time. A couple of years later, I met guitar tech Larry Cragg and told him about it. True to his word, Larry fixed it and did an amazing repair job. The only bad thing, and it’s huge to me, is that he replaced the entire headstock with some form of black resin—losing the original five-digit serial number which dated the guitar’s build to mid-March 1961.
I spoke with Gibson and they want over $2,000 to replace the neck, plus an additional $2,000, and the guitar would be brought to as close to factory as they are able to get it. Ouch. In great condition, I’ve seen a couple of these floating for about $5,000 to $11,000. But I’d not want to sell it. So the big question is simple: Is it worth it?
Thanks,
Andrew in Davis, California
Hey Andrew,
Bad news first: I don’t think you’ll be able to recoup your money on this guitar. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go ahead with a full restoration. I will explain, but first let’s talk some quick history.
As the Les Paul model became immediately popular in the early 1950s, Gibson introduced a less-expensive version in 1955 called the Les Paul Special that had a flat top, dot fretboard inlays, and two P-90 pickups. The Special was well received mainly because it cost about half the price of a Standard, but it was also significantly lighter and many players preferred the flattop feel (including Les Paul himself).
Gibson changed the body style of the Special to a rounded double-cutaway design in 1959. Later that year, Gibson changed the name to “SG Special,” and by 1961 all models had an even more modern, sharp double-cutaway design that we all know today as the SG.
Let’s look at the facts: Your guitar’s body, neck, headstock, pickups, knobs, and finish are all not original. That unfortunately doesn’t leave much left that’s from 1961. And the primary influence on what establishes value in vintage guitars is “all-original” condition. A completely refinished/refurbished guitar is worth 50 to 60 percent less than its all-original counterpart, and currently, excellent- to mint-condition 1961 Gibson SG Specials are worth between $5,500 and $6,500. If you were to have Gibson (or any other authorized/reputable repair center) restore the guitar, the most it would be worth today is between $2,200 and $3,250. So if you have over $4,300 invested in the guitar ($2,000 to replace the neck, $2,000 for the restoration, the $335 purchase price, plus the other repairs you’ve already made), you won’t be getting your money out of it anytime soon.
You have to take into consideration what this guitar is worth to you. If any guitar collector had a time machine, my guess is that he or she would likely go back to the ’50s or ’60s, stash a brand-new guitar away, and ensure it wouldn’t meet the same fate as your SG did before you bought it. There’s no going back once it was altered from all-original condition, but it sounds like this guitar means more to you than just dollars and cents. Going well north of $4,000 is a lot of money to spend on a guitar, but today it might not even get you a custom guitar that’s built exactly the way you want.
I would check with a few luthiers to see if they would be able to do the work for less. A second and third opinion is always helpful. You can’t hurt the guitar any more than it already is, so I wouldn’t be afraid to have further work done on it. You just have to figure out if this guitar is worth spending that kind of money. Given that you’ve held onto it for 30 years now, it certainly must be a treasure to you!
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PRS Guitars today released the updated MT 15 and the new Archon Classic amplifiers, along with a larger Archon speaker cabinet. The 15-watt, two-channel Mark Tremonti signature amp MT 15 now features a lead channel overdrive control. An addition to the Archon series, not a replacement, the 50-watt Classic offers a fresh voice by producing retro rock “classic” tones reminiscent of sound permeating the radio four and five decades ago. Now twice the size of the first Archon cabinet, the Archon 4x12 boasts four Celestion V-Type speakers.
MT 15 Amplifier Head
Balancing aggression and articulation, this 15-watt amp supplies both heavy rhythms and clear lead tones. The MT 15 revision builds off the design of the MT 100, bringing the voice of the 100’s overdrive channel into its smaller-format sibling. Updating the model, the lead channel also features a push/pull overdrive control that removes two gain stages to produce vintage, crunchier “mid gain” tones. The clean channel still features a push/pull boost control that adds a touch of overdrive crunch. A half-power switch takes the MT to 7 watts.
“Seven years ago, we released my signature MT 15 amplifier, a compact powerhouse that quickly became a go-to for players seeking both pristine cleans and crushing high-gain tones. In 2023, we took things even further with the MT 100, delivering a full-scale amplifier that carried my signature sound to the next level. That inspired us to find a way to fit the 100's third channel into the 15's lunchbox size,” said Mark Tremonti.
“Today, I’m beyond excited to introduce the next evolution of the MT15, now featuring a push/pull overdrive control on the Lead channel and a half-power switch, giving players even more tonal flexibility to shape their sound with a compact amp. Can’t wait for you all to plug in and experience it!”
Archon Classic Amplifier Head
With a refined gain structure from the original Archon, the Archon Classic’s lead channel offers a wider range of tones colored with gain, especially in the midrange. The clean channel goes from pristine all the way to the edge of breakup. This additional Archon version was developed to be a go-to tool for playing classic rock or pushing the envelope into modern territory. The Archon Classic still features the original’s bright switch, presence and depth controls. PRS continues to stock the Archon in retailers worldwide.
“The Archon Classic is not a re-issue of the original Archon, but a newly voiced circuit with the lead channel excelling in '70s and '80s rock tones and a hotter clean channel able to go into breakup. This is the answer for those wanting an Archon with a hotrod vintage lead channel gain structure without changing preamp tube types, and a juiced- up clean channel without having to use a boost pedal, all wrapped up in a retro-inspired cabinet design,” said PRS Amp Designer Doug Sewell.
Archon 4x12 Cabinet
As in the Archon 1x12 and 2x12, the mega-sized PRS Archon 4x12 speaker cabinet features Celestion V-Type speakers and a closed-back design, delivering power, punch, and tight low end. Also like its smaller brethren, the 4x12 is wrapped in durable black vinyl and adorned with a British-style black knitted-weave grill cloth. The Archon 4x12 is only the second four-speaker cabinet in the PRS lineup, next to the HDRX 4x12.
PRS Guitars continues its schedule of launching new products each month in 2025. Stay tuned to see new gear and 40 th Anniversary limited-edition guitars throughout the year. For all of the latest news, click www.prsguitars.com/40 and follow @prsguitars on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Every limited-edition pack also gives players a chance to win a Martin 000-EC 30th Anniversary guitar--a beautifully crafted instrument with a retail value of $4,999, inspired by the Martin guitars Eric played during his legendary MTV Unplugged performance. The guitar will be awarded to one lucky winner who finds a special ticket inside a pack of strings.
Fans can also enter a second-chance giveaway online for more opportunities to win exclusive prizes, including a Martin guitar strap, poster, collectible lanyard with three custom patches, or even a year's supply of strings.This contest is open to U.S. residents only and ends March 31, 2026. No purchase necessary.
Enter now and learn more at martinguitar.com/eric-clapton-giveaway.
The anniversary release also coincides with the upcoming arrival of Unplugged: Enhanced Edition on vinyl and CD, available May 9. The iconic installment of the MTV Unplugged series--and the greatest-selling live album of all time--returns over 30 years later in an all-new extended, remixed, and remastered version. Featuring never-before-heard commentary from Eric recorded just before the original 1992 performance, the release offers fresh insight into the inspiration behind the songs and includes tracks not featured in the original MTV airing.
Crafted from 92/8 phosphor bronze, Clapton’s Choice Signature Strings are known for their warm, rich tone, smooth feel, and long-lasting performance. They're the same strings Eric uses in the studio and on stage--including during his current eight-night residency at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo--and he calls them "the sound that I demand."
Whether you're chasing Eric's iconic tone or simply looking for strings that deliver great sound and playability, now is the perfect time to pick up a pack--available in a music store near you or online at
martinguitar.com--and celebrate two decades of signature sound.
