Gibson SG Special, metallic indigo, made in USA 2006. Back in the mid 00s, Gibson's Japan distributor would order limited runs of cool finishes on standard models for sale on the Japan market from the USA factory, and this is one of those. The original docs are MIA, so pinning down the exact colour is tricky... it's darker than a Pelham, more akin to Fender's Lake Placid Blue in the flesh. It's aged beautifully: heaps of checking, yellowing and rub wear, making for a depth and radiance that shiny new guitars can only dream of. The original neck pickup on arrival had a break in the wire, so our tech installed a replacement 498T in the bridge, but the original busted one is included. The build on this is classy: tidy frets, good finish work, well balanced in the hands, snappy and resonant... it feels great. The tone on offer is fun too: heaps of bark and growl through the midrange, a snarly sweetness on top and a walloping attack on the bottom end. It's perfect for punk and classic rock stuff. We tend to find good SGs don't sit on the wall too long, and when they look as cool as this, well... don't wait I reckon.

Model: Gibson SG Special
Made: USA, 2006 (serial 002660699)
Finish: indigo metallic, gloss nitro, 4-ply black guard
Body: mahogany
Neck: mahogany, rosewood board, 12" radius, 24.75" scale, '61 style taper profile
Weight: 3.295kg
Mods: jack plate added, bridge pickup replaced with 2012 black covered 498T (original broken pickup included)
Pickup: 498T/R humbucker x2
Case: basic padded Gibson gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some bald patches on the end, scuffs around the outside edges and back, checking lines on the back and front and some dimples around the place. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, there's rub wear, checking and dimples on the back and some rub wear on the edges of the board. The back has widespread scuffs, checking and dimples around the whole body, most notably near the neck joint and elbow area, as well as sticker mark on the edge of the cavity. The sides have scuffs and dimples around the whole body, as well as some dents near the knobs and in the elbow area. The front has a chip near the knobs and widespread checking lines, dimples and scuffs around the whole body and some 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 some normal wear, they're pretty even in height with no major buzz issues but here is some pitting, 6/10 for fret life left. All electronics tested and working properly. No headstock breaks. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.