View other reviews for this product:
Hatsubai « In between the Standard and Faded »
Published on 05/03/11 at 11:45The Gibson SG Special is a slightly stripped down SG Standard, and its stripped down features is reflected in its price. It features a uniquely shaped mahogany body, mahogany set neck, an unbound rosewood fretboard with 22 frets, dot inlays, hard tail bridge, two uncovered humbuckers, a pickguard, two volume knobs, two tone knobs and a three way switch.
UTILIZATION
While the changes aren't too great from the Standard, Gibson did a pretty decent job at slimming this down cosmetically without actually taking anything away from the guitar. It still features everything you know, love and hate about an SG. The shape of the body is great, the neck feels nice, and the fretboard radius allows for some nice, low action. It also still has the same old neck diving issue that the regular Standard series has.
SOUNDS
SGs sound very punchy, and this is no exception. In fact, it's actually enhanced a bit since the pickups are uncovered. This gives it an even brighter and more aggressive sound than normal. They have the thickness that you'd expect from something like the Explorer, but they also have that aggression and punchy sound that the Flying V delivers. This is mainly due to its smaller, light body. I'm not a huge fan of the stock humbuckers in this, so I tend to replace them with something else. Once replaced, however, this thing totally comes to life, and it's extremely versatile thanks to the control layout.
OVERALL OPINION
The SG Special is a great guitar if you're looking for a slightly cheaper SG Standard. It's really an SG Standard but with a few cosmetic changes. When buying one, be sure to pay particular attention to the fretwork and nut on the guitar as those are the two biggest issues Gibson guitars seem to have.
UTILIZATION
While the changes aren't too great from the Standard, Gibson did a pretty decent job at slimming this down cosmetically without actually taking anything away from the guitar. It still features everything you know, love and hate about an SG. The shape of the body is great, the neck feels nice, and the fretboard radius allows for some nice, low action. It also still has the same old neck diving issue that the regular Standard series has.
SOUNDS
SGs sound very punchy, and this is no exception. In fact, it's actually enhanced a bit since the pickups are uncovered. This gives it an even brighter and more aggressive sound than normal. They have the thickness that you'd expect from something like the Explorer, but they also have that aggression and punchy sound that the Flying V delivers. This is mainly due to its smaller, light body. I'm not a huge fan of the stock humbuckers in this, so I tend to replace them with something else. Once replaced, however, this thing totally comes to life, and it's extremely versatile thanks to the control layout.
OVERALL OPINION
The SG Special is a great guitar if you're looking for a slightly cheaper SG Standard. It's really an SG Standard but with a few cosmetic changes. When buying one, be sure to pay particular attention to the fretwork and nut on the guitar as those are the two biggest issues Gibson guitars seem to have.