Gibson Worn Finish SG Bass Review.
 

I feel in love with this bass in the store. Light, resonant, easy to play. I ripped off tune after tune of my favorite EB artists and this bass really delivers. I really love the worn finish It feels great in your hands and I think the bass is a bit lighter and more resonant for it and as always this bass looks great in the classic Heritage Cherry. The three piece mahogany neck reminds me very much of a early pre '65 EB series bass. beefy and very comfortable though not as hefty. The MOP dot inlay looks so right with the rosewood fingerboard on this bass. I personally found the trapezoid inlays on the more upscale SG bass a little overboard though I do wish this bass had the inlay on the headstock. Fit and finish are very good on this bass I can't really find anything negative to comment on though I am sure the worn finishing process is less critical than a high gloss finish. The body is two piece Mahogany and though the two pieces are a bit mismatched, one being much more figured than the other it gives the bass personality and makes it mine, I'm cool with that. The bass is equipped with a Large humbucker at the neck and a mini humbucker at the bridge. The controls are streamlined v/v/t, I personally like the old layout of v/v/t/t, but I think most players will like the new layout just fine. I was pleasantly surprised by the pick ups. The neck pickup (or neutered mudbucker as I like to call it) Provides a convincing 60's experience with out being unwieldy. I have not put it on a meter but certainly half the output of it's much loved predecessor. With the neck pup on 10 and the bridge pickup dialed all the way down and the tone rolled off this bass can do a pretty good EBO without going through the driver on your practice amp. The pickup placement, short scale and construction of the bass I feel also account for it's vintage tone. My favorite combination of pickups is the neck on 10, bridge dialed back a bit and the tone all the way up. All in all this bass feel like a early 60's EB3 without the price tag and I had no problem of getting Dunnaway's eerie thump of Dead Babies to Frasier's clean burp on All Right Now to Jim Lea's snappy grind on Cum On Feel The Noize. The bass MAPS at 899.00 (it can be had for far less) comes with a beautiful form fitted hardshell case. For those who want a 60's EB3 and find them out of reach or those who want a contemporary take on a classic I can't recommended this bass highly enough. To complete the 60's experience for myself I am going to install a 60's Mudbucker, Not necessary but I do have one on hand. ;)

Beautiful bass. Thanks for the review.

Nice!!

Hey Scott! Nice review and nice bass, you must have have a good boy this year to have picked this up and my old T20 within a couple weeks time!

I am very fond of my SG Supreme as well (purchased new at the HOG a couple years back...). I tend to run the p//u mix about as you describe with the tone about mid. I do have mine strung with flats as is my preference, it's a dream to play... It really isn't all that muddy, compared to my old Guild JS1, it's practically transparent. And I have to profess to being very fond of my trapezoids and the headstock inlay...

Anyway good to hear from you. Happy New Year and congrats on the new score!

Steve

Related, real wear
Craigs-LA
1968 gibson EBO bass.. trade - $900 (los angeles)

Makes me miss mine.

The SG basses are Sooooo pretty ... and good for the Allen Woody tone ...

Hi Steve! Nice to see you here on tb! Yeah I should not have bought it, I'm floggin some basses to pay it off pronto before the missus catches on lol. I took it to rehearsal last night and it performed beautifully big fat ballsy sound just like a good EB should! it's a keeper that's for sure! A Happy New Year to you!

Boy I wouldn't pay $900 for that! Road hard, put up wet and left out! Geeze look at how high that bridge is set.

:cool:

I have a 1960-EBO.
The finish is almost melted into wood.
Old EBO's are amazing sounding little basses.

Don't get me wrong I LOVE EB0s! 900 for that one just seems step to me.

I have an SG with gloss finish. It is my number one bass now. I am not sure why there is a $400 difference between the vintage and gloss finish. Also, I have been told that the newer SG's have ThunderBird PU's disguised with chrome covers on them. Have fun with your new SG.

I am drooling over this. I have considered many times trading in my Stingray for just such a beast. My very first bass was a Gibson Kalamazoo bought with paper-route money in 1965. Playing a nice little Ibanez short scale has reignited my love of shorties in general. May have to make a move of some kind for this.

Gorgeous bass I've always wanted one.