In 1961, Gibson revamped the design of the Les Paul model. In 1960, Les Paul sales lagged behind numbers for 1959, so to attract more sales, Gibson cooked up a creative new shape that lended easier access into the upper register. The flattop, double-cutaway solid Mahogany body they introduced was very different from the earlier Les Paul design. Its contours and sharp points were unlike anything made before, and its slender neck profile and access all the way up to the 22nd fret was advertised as the "fastest neck in the world." This body shape was so radically different from the Les Paul that it needed its own name. Since then, the SG (for "Solid Guitar") has been a staple of the Gibson line, capturing the attention of guitarists far and wide.
The SG Special Faded was a popular model in the early-2000s. It's a low-cost, but still USA-made model that features a faded satin finish. Relative to the lower-priced models that came later (with baked maple fingerboards and inferior pickups), the SG Special Faded is set up right—genuine hardwood fingerboards and the same Gibson USA electronics you find in higher-end models. The satin finish feel great, too, and it wears and play-in to give each guitar its own unique vibe.
This 2004 Gibson SG Special Faded features a mahogany body finished in Worn Brown. It is played-in and has a ton of character. It's a satin finish, but we call it a "Matt" finish. No, not "matte"—someone etched the name "Matt" into the back of the guitar. If your name is Matt, this guitar literally has your name on it!
This SG Special Faded has a genuine Ebony fingerboard. That's a huge plus for feel, tone, and playability from most lower-end Gibsons you'll find. Plus, this SG Special Faded was made with the proper humbucker routing, as opposed to the wide open "swimming pool" routes that cause the guitar to be poorly balanced. This SG balances nicely on a strap, and it has a full-feeling neck that is fast but doesn't feel chunky.
This 2004 Gibson SG Special Faded has no history of repairs or issues, and it plays great with low action and minimal fret wear. It includes a molded plastic hardshell case.