In 1972 Gibson produced a series of 'Guitar of the Month' brochures, each dedicated to one of their high end models, the Les Paul Recording guitar, L5-CES, ES-175D, Super 400-CES, ES-355TD-SV and
Byrdland. Each brochure was a single sheet folded into four panels, with details of the instruments themselves, their features, musical purpose, and a little history behind the development of each guitar. Only the Les Paul Recording was a new model; the others were all well established in the Gibson line. Follow the link to see scans and further information on these leaflets and other Gibson guitar catalogues from the CMI and Norlin periods.
Gibson assembled these 30 1/2" scale Kalamazoo KB-1 basses in their electronics plant in Kalamazoo, MI - separate from the main Gibson plant. They used the same components and hardware as on the Gibson EB bass series; but with a pre-painted masonite body and a bolt-on maple neck; a very different construction to Gibson's usual output. Initially the KB bass had a Mustang-shaped body (see the 1966 Kalamazoo KB-1, left), which was soon redesigned with the classic SG shape (see the 1967 Kalamazoo KB-1, right). Have a listen to sound clips of this bass here.
The SG Special is a nice guitar, and this example from 1969, is no exception. The samples recorded below are an attempt to demonstrate the amplifiers and the guitar in a range of settings, from the fat mellow tones of the WEM Clubman to the searing brightness of the Marshall Mercury
WEM amps have a good reputation as recording tools; they can produce a lot of very rich tones, from clean to fuzz, with every level of overdrive in between. This amp is early seventies British rock!
Clean tones
Amp settings: volume 5/10, treble 5/10, bass 5/10
Both pickups, all volume and tones 10/10. Played with a pick.
Neck pickup only, volume and tone 10/10.
Neck pickup only, volume 10/10, tone 0/10.
Bridge pickup only, volume 10/10, tone 10/10.
Bridge pickup only, volume 10/10, tone 0/10.
Crank it up a little
Amp settings: volume 8/10, treble 5/10, bass 5/10. You can get some really creamy fuzz tones with this amp
Both pickups, all volume and tones 10/10. Played with a pick.
Neck pickup, volume 10/10, tone 0/10.
Bridge pickup, volume 10/10, tone 10/10.
The treble rolled down on the amp (amp: volume 8/10, treble 2/10, bass 5/10)
Neck pickup, volume and tone 10/10, bridge pickup, volume 8/10 and tone 3/10, fingerstyle.
Neck pickup only volume and tone 0/10, fingerstyle.
This small Marshall amplifier is remarkably bright. I wouldn't have it as my only amp; it struggles with mellow, but the highs are superb. Piercing solos and chimey chords both sound great on this amp.
Clean sounds
Amp settings: volume 2/10, tone 0/10. This amp only stays clean at really low volumes and/or with the tone rolled down
Both pickups, volume 10/10, tone 5/10, with a pick.
Both pickups, volumes at 10/10, tones 0/10, fingerstyle.
Neck pickup only, volume 10/10, tone 0/10, fingerstyle.
Amp settings: volume 5/10, tone 2/10. Pretty trebley for 2/10!
Both pickups, volumes at 10/10, tones 10/10, fingerstyle.
Both pickups, volumes at 10/10, tones 0/10, fingerstyle.
Amp settings: volume 2/10, tone 5/10. Even at these settings it's already starting to get a little crunchy.
Neck pickup, volume 10/10, tone 5/10, fingerstyle.
Getting dirtier...
Amp settings: volume 5/10, tone 5/10.
Bridge pickup only, volume and tone at 10/10, played with a pick
Amp settings: volume 8/10, tone 2/10
Both pickups, volumes at 10/10, tones 5/10, played with a pick
Cranked
Amp settings: volume 10/10, tone 5/10
Both pickups, volumes and tones all at 10/10
Neck pickup, volume and tone 10/10
Neck pickup, volume 10/10, tone 0/10. Despite the high volume, the rolled down tone tames the amp significantly
