Identify a Real Gibson SG Bass?

[Connormac123456]

I was browsing the local classifieds this morning and saw this Black SG bass for sale. I love "Mudbucker" tone, and I am seriously interested in buying it. Poster is asking for $750 (I'm sure I could haggle them down) which I think is fairly reasonable.
My only problem is I can't see the logo on the headstock in any of the pictures, so I'm not sure if I would be paying $750 for a "real" Gibson SG Bass or an Epiphone. Not that I've got anything against Epiphone, it's just I wouldn't pay $750 for an Epiphone that was advertised as a Gibson (if that makes sense?)
So I was just wondering if anybody on TB could help identify this bass other than by the (nonexistent) name on the headstock?
All input is welcome!

 

[Gorn]

It looks fine to me. It's a little odd how the Gibson logo is so consistently absent from each picture.

However, if it's legit and it's a faded SG in black and it's used, it's overpriced by about $200.



Edit: I see you're canadian. I don't know if you're talking about Canadian dollars but in American dollars, these go for between $500 and $600.

 

[rtslinger]

Yeah I am being put off by no logo or serial number pictures I blew up the photo of the bass in the case some 400% and I did not see a logo on the head stock
so I would ask for those photos before I drop $ on that bass

 

[Gorn]

I think the serial number is etched into the back of the headstock in the middle of the four tuners and in the fourth picture you can see something there.

It's still overpriced.

 

[rtslinger]

With the Headstock pixel count increased I see no logo on the headstock

 

[rtslinger]

Yeah Gorn, I see that and it is in the correct place I would still request closer photos I would want a serial # to justify the cost if I were going to buy it

 

[Gorn]

Yeah Gorn, I see that and it is in the correct place I would still request closer photos I would want a serial # to justify the cost if I were going to buy it

Can you blow up the headstock on this one? It almost looks you like can see the bottoms of the letters.

 

[rtslinger]

Yeah you can see some marking just above the A string

 

[Gorn]

View attachment 723833Yeah you can see some marking just above the A string

That seems about right.

The pictures just seem to be poorly lit. It's probably a legit SG, but for too much money. Great basses though.

 

[Gorn]

I was browsing the local classifieds this morning and saw this Black SG bass for sale. I love "Mudbucker" tone, and I am seriously interested in buying it. .................Not that I've got anything against Epiphone........

The SG sounds great and the bridge pickup adds a lot of versatility, but if you like the mudbucker tone, the cheaper Epiphone might be a good option. They're cheap and they sound pretty great for the money. The only real downside is they have just the mudbucker so they're not as versatile, and they don't come with a case.

 

[Planespotter]

Just be aware that the current SG bass pickup is not a true mudbucker, it's a modified TB pickup under a huge chrome cover. I've owned vintage EB-0s and EB-3s as well an an SG bass from '06ish and they do not sound the same. The reissues get a much more usable sound but don't have the speaker flapping boom of the real deal. As always your results may vary. Good luck!

 

[Johnny Crab]

Having used an EBOL in the early 1970's(real mudbucker), had spare pickups(sold), got early Dimarzio's(sold), etc. and now have a budget faded Gibson SG bass that FEELS great....I'd say get it IF it is legit(in person) and the price is lowered as-mentioned above.

Artec makes what seems to be a better mudbucker(I have 3 here now waiting for me to havc time to put 1 in the SG and 1 in a Rondo SX P-J bass being Sheehan-ized).
artec bass pickup | eBay

 

[mr.mow]

It also looks like he's used white marker pen on the body where the knobs are.. That won't come off that finish.

 

[Marcury]

Suspicious!

 

[hopsbb]

No head stock logo is odd. Also the pic from the back is just low enough to cut off the serial #. I'd have to have the serial # to confirm that its actually what the seller is saying it is. Its about $200 overpriced as well.

 

[1bassplayinfool]

Ask the seller for some headstock pics front and back to be sure. Too many bogus Gibsons out there...

 

[Fondsdale]

Assuming that this is the faded/worn "finish" (I put finish in quotes as it barely qualifies as a finish, you can peel it off with your fingernail ), that maker wont come off without removing or damaging the paint.

 

[awilkie84]

You know how you know this is a Gibson SG and not an Epi?? 1. You can see a bit of the tail of the G on the headstock. 2. Epi's don't have that control layout.

 

[Olde Axeman]

Remember, there are at least FOUR versions of the Gibson SG bass out there on the used market, those being the Faded (or Special), the SG Reissue, the SG Standard, and the SG Supreme.

Assuming it is a true Gibson, that finish is way too shiny to be a Faded/Special model. With the dot inlays that would make it a SG Reissue as opposed to the SG Standard that had trapezoidal inlays. The Reissue and the Standard had the same high gloss finish. Typically the Reissues were made somewhere in the 2006-2010 time frame IIRC.

Last street price (new) I remember seeing on the SG Reissue was $1,300, which was the same price as the Standard model at that time. The word at the time was the dot inlay Reissue version was made to make it more closely resemble a '60's EB3, for the nostalgic buyer. Dunno if that's true or not; just repeating the internet story.

I agree that if it was a faded model it would be overpriced but if it's a SG Reissue model the price with shown HSC is pretty much on the money. I have a 2007 Reissue in Heritage Cherry with the same black reptilian HSC shown in the photos that I paid $700 for used. Gratuitous pics provided.

Assuming this turns out to be a legit SG Reissue and the condition is VG to Exc then $650-$750 is a fair price. Maybe not a steal, but a fair price, IMHO.

I'm hoping HD Racer chimes in...