Gibson SG Special, classic white, made in USA 2004. This is a fun one! Back in the mid 00s, Gibson's Japan distributor, Yamano Music, would order limited runs of fun finishes for the local Japan market. This is one of those limited runs, so it's got a cool non-catalog creamy 'Classic White' finish and an ebony board, which is unusual on the model. This is no case queen, so it's got some play wear, fading, yellowing and even some sticker fade marks, but in my books, a white guitar looks all the better with a bit of honest history on show. The ebony board is a lux touch, it feels silky under the fingers and serves to make the finish pop all the more. It's nice and light in the hands but doesn't do the 'neck dive' thing you get on some SGs; it's well balanced and naturally resonant. The tone on offer is certainly in the classic Angus vernacular: punchy, full and immediate with a growling midrange and a nice snappy top end. You can get a fun doomy moan out of the neck pickup, while the bridge offers an assertive articulation that'll keep the party moving. You can't go too wrong here!

Model: Gibson SG Special
Made: 2004, USA (serial 00414358)
Finish: classic white (CW), gloss nitro, 4-ply black guard
Body: mahogany
Neck: mahogany, ebony board, 12" radius, 24.75" scale
Weight: 3.145kg
Mods: none
Pickup: 498T/R humbucker x2
Case: original Gibson gig bag, inc Yamano limited edition basic docs

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a minor chip on the end and a little mark on the top edge near the low E tuner. The neck has some some minor dimples and rub wear but it's clean and smooth in the hands with no major marks. The back has some strap scuff marks around the front strap pin, a sticker fade mark in the middle of the body and widespread light scuffs around the whole body. The sides have some scuffs on the top horn, some dimples in the elbow area and around the rear strap pin and jack and a bit of rub wear on the bottom horn. The front has a sticker fade mark in the elbow area, some dimples on the top horn, around the bridge and near the knobs, as well as the standard play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: good condition (7/10).

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good. The frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. All electronics tested and working properly. No headstock breaks. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.