Gibson 2018 SG Std.'s

[west al]

From what I've seen, the Gibson 2018 SG Std.'s are a bit slow on availability at most Gibson dealers. I just saw them shown on SamAsh.com, priced at $1,429.00. That's $130.00 higher than Sweetwater.com. Sweetwater is selling them for $1,299. A lower price on Sweetwater, and you're able to pic the one you prefer from Sweetwater's Guitar Gallery.

 

[felis]

If I knew then what I do now, I would have picked up one of the last batch when they were being closed out for half that price.

Oh well - there's always used, right?

 

[Plake]

At that price I prefer to buy a vintage EB.

 

[dmt]

Are they keeping the extra thick rosewood fretboard they used on the 2016s (I think it was — anyway, the last year before the recent stop in production)? I tried one and didn’t like it.

I eventually went with a used 2014 with a regular thickness rosewood fretboard instead that I liked much better (had to suck it up a bit and take the resulting unwanted-by-me "120th Anniversary" fretboard inlay, but no biggie).

 

[west al]

The 2018 SG Std. is basically the same as the 2015, minus the Mother of Pearl inlays in the fretboard.

 

[dmt]

The 2018 SG Std. is basically the same as the 2015, minus the Mother of Pearl inlays in the fretboard.

Okay, then I guess it has the thicker fretboard then; good to know

Gibson.com: SG Standard Bass 2015

My personal preference would be for a regular non-thicker fretboard but with the real M.o.P. inlays (nice touch). However, I don’t need a second SG bass, so it’s basically just academic for me/for possible future reference

 

[west al]

Okay, then I guess it has the thicker fretboard then; good to know

Gibson.com: SG Standard Bass 2015

My personal preference would be for a regular non-thicker fretboard but with the real M.o.P. inlays (nice touch). However, I don’t need a second SG bass, so it’s basically just academic for me/for possible future reference

One other slight difference is, the Truss Rod Cover on the 2018 SG Std. is blank. I replaced it with an SG stamped I had from a previous SG. Gibson has discontinued stamped SG Truss Rod Covers.
Acquiring a 2018 is a redemption for selling the 2015 I had. The QC on the 2018 SG is right on. I do like the Walnut SG Std.

 

[dukeorock]

I eventually went with a used 2014 with a regular thickness rosewood fretboard instead that I liked much better (had to suck it up a bit and take the resulting unwanted-by-me "120th Anniversary" fretboard inlay, but no biggie).

My 2014 T Bird also has the (unwanted) 120 anniversary thing in the 12th fret. Wouldn’t have been my preference, but I love the bass and don’t really even notice now

 

[west al]

My 2014 T Bird also has the (unwanted) 120 anniversary thing in the 12th fret. Wouldn’t have been my preference, but I love the bass and don’t really even notice now

I had a Heritage Cherry, and a Faded SG Std. with the 120th Annv. markers on them. I kinda' liked them on there.

 

[dmt]

I do like the Walnut SG Std.

That one you posted certainly is a looker

 

[west al]

That one you posted certainly is a looker

Thanks, they did a great job on it. Everything on it is finished as it should be.

 

[dukeorock]

Thanks, they did a great job on it. Everything on it is finished as it should be.

View attachment 2845945

That’s such a beautiful finish. One of my favorites

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I actually like the anniversary inlay on my fire-burst SG... back in the 1940's Gibson used to have a banner decal on the headstock - this kinda' reminds me of those.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

My 2014 T Bird also has the (unwanted) 120 anniversary thing in the 12th fret. Wouldn’t have been my preference, but I love the bass and don’t really even notice now

I sold a really great Melody Maker Les Paul because it had that ugly thing & I couldn't stand it..

 

[dukeorock]

I sold a really great Melody Maker Les Paul because it had that ugly thing & I couldn't stand it..

I love my T Bird way too much. I’ll live with the inlay

 

[theevilplankton]

I'm over in the UK, and they're still not on sale here yet.

I've got a HC on order.... deposit paid, just waiting for the day. I was originally told 6 weeks.... we're at 4 now, so it can't be too far.

In the meantime, my satin SG is getting all the gig time.... complete with 120th anniversary inlay. Super bass, but I'm just desperate to get my hands on the new one in the colour I originally wanted!

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

I love my T Bird way too much. I’ll live with the inlay

I'm lucky to have a 2004 Gibson Thunderbird without the inlay & with a beautiful ebony fretboard.

 

[west al]

I'm running the SG Std. through the Ampeg V-4B / SVT-212AV. What a sound.

 

[mesaplayer83]

That one you posted certainly is a looker

I agree - very nice...

 

[dmt]

The 120th Anniversary inlay is a weird thing — as can be seen in EdwardofHuncote’s picture above, it’s actually not a bad looking inlay in of of itself. It’s even kind of classy looking almost (the font could be a little thinner, I think, but overall not too bad). And yet, it kind of bothers me when I notice it. Fortunately, I don’t usually notice it or think about it, but when it catches my eye, it’s just like a little momentary “What the ?" is generated for a second before my attention moves on, lol.

Thinking about it, they should have released 120th Anniversary special editions of various models as collectibles, maybe with like Orville’s likeness engraved on the pick guard cover with a quote from him such as, "We will sell no mandolin before its time" or "It comes in any color you want, as long as it’s sunburst" or whatever. But instead, they threw it on every single thing they made that year (maybe not every item, but it was seemingly on everything), right out front there on the 12th fret. It doesn’t enhance the value — nobody is gonna spend extra on it because it’s a "120th Anniv. edition". There was no extra added feature or quality. Gibson threw it on there to celebrate themselves and their history. They did it for them, not for the customer.

In contrast, I actually liked my old Les Paul Deluxe’s 30th Anniversary (anniversary of the LP Deluxe, of which it was in fact a special reissue of what had been an out-of-production model) badging. It was on the back of the headstock, so it was like this little special extra thing about it when you turned it around.

Anyway, no biggie on the 120th inlay; it’s just makes me cock my head a bit when I notice it. But whatever, despite this long post, it’s actually not a big part of my impression of the bass. Just like when I bought it, I gave the inlay a momentary, "huh?" and then moved right on in my inspection and then bought it.

Here’s a picture of the Deluxe’s anniversary thing: