T Tops

[marantz1300]

I want to change the pickups in my Deluxe.The Tar- Backs in my SG sound great.Which BKPs will get me closest to 70s T Tops ?

[gwEm]

riff raffs...

but tim will wind you exact t-top spec pickups if you ask

[Fourth Feline]

Sorry to interupt rather randomly, but that S.G. looks incredibly like the (1976) one I sold through a Leeds dealer last year, and I wondered if that was her ?  

[marantz1300]

I got in London on Monday.It dose look the same.Dose the case have a broken latch?

[Fourth Feline]

Hiya ,  :)

The case didn't have a broken latch last year, but the upper horn ( when viewed from the headstock ) had a strap holder / screw hole filled and stained. The case felt insert had that slight damage to the top right where the 'g' string tuning peg went, the ( recessed brass ) bridge adjustment screws were notably worn - and although it had the original 'Schaller' bridge assembly, I had put a spare Japanese made one in the case at the time. I also put the Gibbo 300k pots in the case, but left the CTS 500k pots and orange drop caps in the guitar. If I remember rightly the black ring round the pickup selecter switch had got scratched in a circular pattern on one side by my long nose pliers slipping a touch, when tightening the ring.  I had also fitted a new brass truss rod adjuster nut, so that would look to have little or no wear for a '76 model.

It was your comment about the tar backs too, they read relatively low DC resistance ( lower than my Stormy Mondays ) - and so had a firm yet very 'open' sound for stock pickups.  The serial number ( disguised for mutual security ) ended in 636 and the guitar was ( I'm told ) sold to an Asian guy in London.  I appreciate that many of these were made, but there is something about the tarnished (original ) Grover tuners, and the tiny details of subtle wear that just look like the one I used to have for 20 + years.

It's just nice to find out where 'past treasures' have found a home.  :)

[ericsabbath]

the t-tops are 7.5k and have polysol coated wire
riff raff is 8.2k and plain enamel, more like an overwound 50's PAF with more top end bite, so they are different
the T-Top is a bit thinner and harsher
but Tim also winds a T-Top clone
I'd still go with the Riff Raff, though

I have a 81 les paul case exactly like yours
broken upper latch, but still usable

[marantz1300]

The Asian lad is called MO,hes a nice bloke.I also got the Deluxe from him in a earlier deal.I'll check the other details later when I'm home.

[marantz1300]

I just checked.It IS your old SG.Great guitar,you really looked after it.Why did you sell/trade it ?

[Fourth Feline]

Hiya !

Thanks for that most gratifying confirmation !  :D

I'm genuinely happy she found a good home, through 'good blokes'.  I only sold that - and a host of stuff from the previous 30 years of 'Rock adoration' - as a few short years ago , I had to retire from work (and large swathes of life ) due to a mental health problem. Subsequently feeling I needed a new start in both my music and sporting hobbies,  I decided to try stuff I'd always admired in others, but hitherto felt beyond me . I was in esscence , clearing out the past - and as my musical future was going to be a brave 'stab' at solo guitar / chord melody Jazz ;  the old priorities would now have to pay for the new - now I was 'unwaged'.  My current 'wife' being the archtop in my avatar.

I had bought the S.G ( my first 'real' guitar ) back in 1978-79 ;  and although I never gigged it ( as the soul / covers band I was in required a Strat  ) - it remained for over 30 years as the 'trophy beneath the bed'.  Like a first girlfriend, it had symbolic meaning - but was just not getting used.  An eccentricity of mine, is the firm belief that life is too short to hoard ; and if someone could appreciate the S.G for the same reasons I also leapt on it in my halcyon days - then more the good.

 I had bought it second hand from a ( now long defunct ) shop called Alpha music on the outskirts of Leeds, and it's previous owner was more a 'G.A.S.' victim than player, so it was mint when I bought it. Ironically it was ( by sheer turn of fate ) the then music shop owner ( now re-deployed ) who was now offering to sell stuff on comission basis - when Mo contacted him .

As you noted, I kept it fret dressed , well  maintained and set up to a 'Gnat's knacker' throughout  - as with all my gear .  As an aside, to both prove it's provenance ( and give the regulars on here a good laugh ) here it is,  back in about 1981 - 82 (ish) when I was just a young chap myself :



May it long constitute a slice of your own fun and personal history - as it had mine.

Cheers ! ( And my kind regards to 'Mo'  )  :)

[marantz1300]

Thanks,its the first time I've known a guitars history.My wife loves it,she says it matches the furniture.Your new "wife" looks great too.You really do look after your gear.I'm playing it at the moment.Thanks again.

[WezV]

how nice!

[xSweep]

That's the coolest story I've heard in a long time.

[AndyR]

Guys, that's a really good story - big smile on my face :D

On the original question I agree with gwem - Riff Raffs, but Tim at BKP does a "T-Top"... I believe gwem has some. I think I'd personally go Riff Raff in an SG though, all other things equal. But if you're really after 70's T-top, it sounds like you ought to ask BKP to see what they think :)

On the SG, which looks really cute, I notice that the neck pickup is in the "Les Paul" position - close up under the neck. Not seen (or noticed) one like that before. All the SGs I've owned or played (a massive total of 3 or so! :lol:) have the neck pickup a centimetre or so nearer the bridge. I've always attributed the fact that I generally prefer the SG neck tone over the Les Paul neck tone down to this neck pickup position... interesting to see that they made SGs in this configuration.

[marantz1300]

I like the pickups in the SG .Its the Deluxe I want to change pups in.Its a 71,so maybe I should look for genuine T Tops. I had Zebra VH11's in it ,but sold them in a different Les Paul.

[Philly Q]

As an aside, to both prove it's provenance ( and give the regulars on here a good laugh ) here it is,  back in about 1981 - 82 (ish) when I was just a young chap myself :

That's a great picture, Derek!  Although it looks like maybe no-one had told you it wasn't the '70s anymore....  :lol:

(...and nothing wrong with that - I wish it still was the '70s!)