This particular early 1971 model, in all-original and exceptional condition, is a rare and remarkable find. With the same specs as the first SG used by Angus Young, this guitar represents the golden era of rock 'n' roll and Gibson craftsmanship.
 
Dated between late 1970 and early 1971, this SG carries the serial number 956785 and is nearly identical to the one Angus Young purchased from a local music shop in Sydney, Australia. That guitar became his go-to instrument for AC/DC’s early years, shaping the band's unmistakable sound until around 1978.
 
A notable feature of this SG is the absence of a "MADE IN USA" stamp on the headstock. While Gibson began stamping this marking in 1970, it wasn’t applied consistently across all models. Another distinguishing detail is the headstock volute, a reinforcement feature introduced in 1970 to strengthen the neck joint—a common weak spot on earlier SGs.
The CTS potentiometers, dated 1377101, confirm they were manufactured in the first week of 1971, placing this guitar among the last SGs to retain the classic late-'60s design before Gibson made significant changes later that year.
 
This SG remains in outstanding, untouched condition, with all original components intact, making it a dream find for collectors:
 
Patent Number Humbuckers with original, untouched soldering, 
"Witch Hat" control knobs,.
Gibson Deluxe tuners with double-ring buttons, 
Original Vibrola vibrato,.
"Batwing" pickguard, which had been a staple of SGs since 1966.
 
On the back of the original pickguard, there’s an ink stamp reading "INSP 151141", a factory inspection mark that further confirms its authenticity. 
 
Additionally, this SG comes with its original cardboard case with red interior, an increasingly rare feature that adds to its value.
 
This early 1971 Gibson SG represents the final era of the classic SG design before Gibson introduced sweeping changes later that year. Unlike earlier models with a "swimming pool" pickup route, this one features individual pickup cavities, a sign of Gibson’s evolving production methods.
 
Later in 1971, Gibson reworked the SG’s design, introducing a Les Paul-style pickguard, relocating the control cavity to the front, and replacing the Vibrola with a Bigsby vibrato. These changes marked the end of an era, making pre-redesign SGs like this one increasingly desirable.
 
Owned by the same person for the last 20 years, this guitar is a rare survivor in remarkable original condition. For collectors, it represents a unique piece of Gibson history. For players, it’s a pure rock machine, built to deliver the unmistakable tone and feel of a vintage SG.
 
Specs
Serial : 956785
Weight : 3.3kgs
Pickups : original pat number pickups with untouched soldering
Bridge Pickup output : 7.40 KOhms
Neck Pickup output : 7.31 KOhms
Tuners : Gibson Deluxe Kluson tuners
Pots : CTS pots dated first week of 1971 (1377101)
Case : original Gibson cardboard case