Melody Maker

1967 Gibson SG Melody Maker - Cardinal Red, Part1

The Melody Maker was Gibson's most inexpensive solid body electric model, slotting below the Junior. It was originally introduced in 1959 with a body shape similar to the single-cutaway Les Paul Junior, and a narrower headstock design that makes it cheaper/easier to build by not requiring wings to be glued on like the regular open book headstock. This changed to the double cutaway Les Paul style in mid-1961. It wasn't until late 1966 that it finally adopted the SG bodystyle. A 12-string and three-pickup version were added in 1967. In 1969, the 3/4 size model was discontinued and the headstock was upgraded to full-size.

In 1971, the Melody maker was effectively replaced by the short-lived SG 100/200/250 models.

In 2011, it was reissued with the SG shape and a Maple body.

1966-1968

ca. 1966 Melody Maker D in Fire Engine Red

• 1966:
  • $149.50
  • $149.50 (3/4 size)
  • $179.50 (Two-pickups)
• 1967:
  • $159.50
  • $159.50 (3/4 size)
  • $189.50 (Two-pickups)
  • $189.50 (12-string)
  • $199.50 (Three-pickups)
• 1968:
  • $169.50
  • $169.50 (3/4 size)
  • $199.50 (Two-pickups)
  • $199.50 (12-string)
  • $214.50 (Three-pickups)

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Angled heel
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• Natural finish
• Color-matched (less common)
• Set-in construction
  • Titebond glue
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Melody Maker headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
    • Classic font style
  • 14^o pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁵/₈" scale
• 1 9/16" nut width

ca. 1968 Melody Maker-12 in Sparkling Burgundy

Electronics:

• One single coil pickup
  • AlNiCo (probably V) magnet
  • 6.5 - 7.5k Ohms D.C. resistance
• Two single coil pickups (Melody Maker D & 12)
• Three single coil pickups (Melody Maker III)
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • CTS pots
  • Ceramic capacitor
• 2 Vol, 2 Tone (Melody Maker D, III & 12)
  • On/off slide switch

Hardware:

• Chrome hardware
• Kluson 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
  • 12:1 ratio
  • Chrome or white plastic oval buttons
  • Closed or open gears
• Single-ply white pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
• Black Reflector knobs (late 1966 - mid 1967)
• Black Witch Hat knobs
• Nylon strap buttons
• Compensated bridge
  • Compensated for wound G string
• Short Maestro Vibrola
• Stop tailpiece (12-string)

Finishes:

• Pelham Blue
• Fire Engine Red (1966)
• Sparkling Burgundy (1967-1968)

1969-1970

1969 Melody Maker D in Walnut

Note: the 1970 catalog uses a picture of a 1969 model.

• 1969:
  • $179.50
  • $212.50 (Two-pickups)
  • $210 (12-string)
  • $225.50 (Three-pickups)
• March 1970:
  • $195
  • $225 (Two-pickups)
  • $225 (12-string)
  • $245 (Three-pickups)
• September 1970:
  • $225
  • $250 (Two-pickups)

Body:

• Beveled, solid Honduran Mahogany body
• Angled heel (early 1969)
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Honduran Mahogany
• 3-pc laminated Honduran Mahogany (mid 1969-1971)
• Set-in construction
  • Titebond glue
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Melody Maker headstock (early 1969)
• Open Book headstock
  • Body color matched (1969)
  • Black resin-impregnated fiberboard veneer (1970)
  • Volute (Late 1969-1970)
  • Gibson logo decal (1969-1970)
    • Classic font style
  • Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo (1970)
    • Squared font style
  • 14^o pitch
• 22 frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• 1 9/16" nut width

Electronics:

• One single coil pickup
  • AlNiCo (probably V) magnet
  • 6.5 - 7.5k Ohms D.C. resistance
• Two single coil pickups (Melody Maker D & 12)
• Three single coil pickups (Melody Maker III)
• 1 Vol, 1 Tone
  • CTS pots
  • Ceramic capacitor
• 2 Vol, 2 Tone (Melody Maker D, III & 12)
  • On/off slide switch

Hardware:

• Chrome hardware
• Kluson 3-on-a-plate tuning machines
  • 12:1 ratio
  • White plastic oval buttons
  • Closed gears
• Single-ply white pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover, single-ply
• Black Witch Hat knobs
• Nylon strap buttons
• Compensated bridge
  • Compensated for wound G string
• Short Maestro Vibrola
• Stop tailpiece (12-string)

Finishes:

• Walnut
• Pelham Blue (12-string)
• Sparkling Burgundy (12-string)

2011

• $829 MSRP
• $539 Street
• $449-499 Street (2012 price drop)
• $399 Street (2012 clearance)

Body:

• Beveled, solid Maple body
• Satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish

Neck:

• 1-pc quartersawn Mahogany
• "Melody Maker" profile (.835"/.930")
• Set-in construction
  • Franklin Titebond 50 glue
  • 1.75 degree angle
  • Joins body at 19th fret

• Baked Maple fretboard
  • Acrylic dot inlays
  • 12" radius
• Melody Maker headstock
  • Gibson logo decal
  • "Made in U.S.A." stamp
  • 17^o headstock pitch
• 22 medium frets
• 24 ⁹/₁₆" scale
• Corian nut
  • Cut by Plek machine
• 1 11/16" nut width

  

Electronics:

• One uncovered 491T Humbucker
  • Ceramic magnet
  • 14k Ohms D.C. resistance
• 1 Volume
  • Mounted on pickguard w/ output jack
  • CTS 300k linear

Hardware:

• Chrome hardware
• Grover "Gibson Deluxe" individual tuning machines
  • 14:1 ratio
  • White oval buttons
  • Manufactured by Ping
• Single-ply "Batwing" pickguard
• Bell shaped truss rod cover
  • Single-ply black
• Black Bell knob
• Angled wraparound bridge/tailpiece

Finishes:

• Satin White
• Satin Ebony
• Satin Blue