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
- 14o pitch
- Gibson logo decal
- 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
- 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
- Volute (Late 1969-1970)
- Gibson logo decal (1969-1970)
- Classic font style
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl Gibson logo (1970)
- Squared font style
- 14o 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
- 17o 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