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Published on 09/04/11 at 08:57The Gibson SG Special Faded Worn Brown is a lower budget version of the famous Gibson SG Standard. It features the same basic core features but in a cheaper package. The construction is all mahogany (body and neck) and it has the typical SG body shape. It has a rosewood fretboard with 22 frets and dot inlays. The tuners are Klusons, and the bridge is the typical tune-o-matic variant paired with the stopbar tailpiece. The stock Gibson humbuckers are the typical 490R and 498T pairing found in many different Gibson guitars. The finish is their very thin "faded" finish that consists of pore filler and a few thin coats of nitro lacqure to seal it. The instrument is built proudly in Gibson's USA factory in Nashville TN.
UTILIZATION
The SG is a fairly ergonomic guitar overall. The weight is definitely on the lighter side and the contoured mahogany body is very comfortably fitting against the body, even for extended periods of time. The overall shape of the guitar is definitely more fit for jumping around and playing live than say, a Les Paul or a Flying V/Explorer. The faded finish does make the guitar feel slicker too. The upper fret access is pretty good on this guitar as well. The neck heel can get in the way sometimes (like many Gibsons) but overall it isn't too bad.
Getting a good sound out of this guitar is pretty simple. The guitar is fairly versatile and works well for everything from jazz to rock. Though the pickups are a bit hotter than '57 Classics or the typical PAF type pickup, they're still pretty versatile and it's easy enough to get a wide range of tones out of this guitar for sure.
SOUNDS
I've tried this guitar with various different amplifiers and can conclude that it's a bit more inclined to do distorted tones because of the slightly hotter pickups and mahogany construction. The pickups have a certain midrange heft to them that works well for cutting through a mix. Clean tones have a wonderful woody and warm quality that works very well for everything from old school jazz, to some funky textures to some more gutsy blues. About the only thing this guitar doesn't really ape is that Fendery tone that would work for country licks, but it can fake it with the right amp tone.
Dirty sounds are great. The guitar has a surprisingly thick tone that works really well for classic/hard rock rhythms, especially in lower tunings. The guitar's mahogany woodiness really comes through with a good vintage voiced high gainer such as a Marshall or Orange. The guitar doesn't quite have the high end character that I would use for more modern lead tones but it has that classic Gibson SG tone, perfect for unleashing some Sabbath or Spirtual Beggars type tones.
OVERALL OPINION
All in all I think the SG Special Faded is a great way to get into owning a Gibson for a reasonable price. They are about $850 new, which is a great deal considering the quality and tones you're getting out of this guitar. The Faded model Gibsons are pretty popular and it's easy to see why... with a unique look, great sounds and excellent playability from the thin feeling finish, the guitar is simply a great rock machine.
UTILIZATION
The SG is a fairly ergonomic guitar overall. The weight is definitely on the lighter side and the contoured mahogany body is very comfortably fitting against the body, even for extended periods of time. The overall shape of the guitar is definitely more fit for jumping around and playing live than say, a Les Paul or a Flying V/Explorer. The faded finish does make the guitar feel slicker too. The upper fret access is pretty good on this guitar as well. The neck heel can get in the way sometimes (like many Gibsons) but overall it isn't too bad.
Getting a good sound out of this guitar is pretty simple. The guitar is fairly versatile and works well for everything from jazz to rock. Though the pickups are a bit hotter than '57 Classics or the typical PAF type pickup, they're still pretty versatile and it's easy enough to get a wide range of tones out of this guitar for sure.
SOUNDS
I've tried this guitar with various different amplifiers and can conclude that it's a bit more inclined to do distorted tones because of the slightly hotter pickups and mahogany construction. The pickups have a certain midrange heft to them that works well for cutting through a mix. Clean tones have a wonderful woody and warm quality that works very well for everything from old school jazz, to some funky textures to some more gutsy blues. About the only thing this guitar doesn't really ape is that Fendery tone that would work for country licks, but it can fake it with the right amp tone.
Dirty sounds are great. The guitar has a surprisingly thick tone that works really well for classic/hard rock rhythms, especially in lower tunings. The guitar's mahogany woodiness really comes through with a good vintage voiced high gainer such as a Marshall or Orange. The guitar doesn't quite have the high end character that I would use for more modern lead tones but it has that classic Gibson SG tone, perfect for unleashing some Sabbath or Spirtual Beggars type tones.
OVERALL OPINION
All in all I think the SG Special Faded is a great way to get into owning a Gibson for a reasonable price. They are about $850 new, which is a great deal considering the quality and tones you're getting out of this guitar. The Faded model Gibsons are pretty popular and it's easy to see why... with a unique look, great sounds and excellent playability from the thin feeling finish, the guitar is simply a great rock machine.