Gibson SG Special, walnut finish, made in USA 1999. This is just so cool, it has a certain swagger about it. The Special is the aesthetically trimmed down take on the SG, so it's got dot inlays, the gold screened logo and the cool mid-60s batwing guard. This one is dressed in walnut, which is a classy halfway between the more common cherry and ebony finishes. There's a bunch of play wear and checking on the finish, which certainly adds a streetsmart appeal to the look. At 3.2kg this is a light example, but it doesn't suffer from neck dive and sits comfortably in the hands both sitting or standing. The neck is a slim 60s style shape, which suits me fine and makes for easy movement up and down the streaky rosewood board. Tone-wise, this is dark and mysterious. The neck pickup is gooey and thick, perfect for doomy riffs and even convincing for jazz tones. The bridge pickup is grindy and creamy with a heap of punch and attack, perfect for expansive rhythm parts and stanky solos. This is a partystarter of a guitar, so don't keep it stashed under the bed, okay?

Model: Gibson SG Special
Made: 1999, USA (serial 90749447)
Finish: walnut, gloss nitro, 4-ply black guard
Body: mahogany
Neck: mahogany, rosewood board, 12" radius, 24.75", slim 60s profile
Weight: 3.200kg
Mods: one tuners replaced, two knobs replaced
Pickup: 498T/R humbucker x2
Case: Gibson padded gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some scuffs on the end, front and back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has widespread dimples, scuffs and checking lines, most notably in the elbow area and around the cavity cover. The sides have scuffs and dimples around the whole body as well as some small dents on the top horn and in the waist area on the bottom side. The front has widespread light scuffs, checking lines and dimples, a minor dent behind the tailpiece and play wear on the guard and horns. Some knob-caps are missing. Overall: very good condition (8/10).

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good. The frets have minor wear only, 7/10 for fret life left. All electronics tested and working properly. No headstock breaks. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.