• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD - 2014 Gibson SG Special

S

swamp2

Feb 27, 2008
374
225
#1
Well, I tried to resist, but this "new" 2014 Cherry SG Special had been out on our local CL for a few weeks, and when the price dropped to $450, I couldn't hold off anymore. Purchased brand new in Nov. 2014, the guy couldn't bond with the short scale thing and just wanted to move it on. Played on 1 gig, all original case, paperwork, etc - perfect condition. I already had the 2007 SG Supreme which is a delightful instrument so it was a little tough to justify, but still...

Spend about an hour setting it up, adjusting truss rod, action, cleaned up fret ends a bit - but after that, wow. These had to be the bargain of the decade, I can see why Gibson discontinued at that price. Obviously was cannibalizing the SG Standards and higher priced Gibsons. I know these aren't everyone's cuppa, but if you like short scales, these are REALLY nice... Yeah the finish is a bit utilitarian, but I kinda like it. One interesting thing, the truss rod cover is inscribed "SGJ" which is a name they applied to the equivalent finished SG guitars (probably another outstanding value) but never to the basses, as far as I can tell...

I put flats on all my basses - think I'll leave the rounds on this for the variety...
20150425_171901_resized.jpg
20150425_172003_resized.jpg
20150425_172003_resized.jpg
20150425_172016_resized.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doctor Hugocat, hopsbb, Immigrant and 4 others
#4
Nice. Nearly identical pick up for me a couple of weeks ago. Bass and case looked brand new. Interestingly, mine does not have the J after the SG on the truss rod cover. I'll agree, incredible bass for not many bucks.
 
Last edited:
#6
I've never played one of these. I've only had two short-scale basses in my life, and never really cared for the feel of them. But I've heard clips of these, and they do sound great!

I hadn't owned a Gibson bass since the early '90s (a Les Paul bass). I'm more of a passive bass guy, so I didn't keep the LP more than a year, if that. But recently I snagged a 2013 Gibson EB. It's a 34" scale with dual HB's that can be pulled up into single coils. I'm really liking it so far. VERY punchy. Enjoy your SG's!
IMG_1276_zpsbarpt02g.jpg
 
#9
Does the satin finish 2014 sound different than your supreme? I had a 2014 special that I sold a while back. I picked up a 2012 standard since. It has a little brighter sound. Honestly, I think the special sounded better. I should have kept the special.
 
#10
I haven't really spent much time A/B'ing the 2 basses yet. With that said, the supreme is also a satin finish, albeit one with more care taken in the prep (e.g. wood filler) - has much less "texture" to it than the special. Also my Supreme is strung with flats, and the construction is different - maple cap on mahogany body vs solid mahogany. I know they don't sound like dramatically different instruments - certainly not enough of a difference to justify the purchase - but I just couldn't resist the deal.

At the moment, I think I like the special a little better, but that's probably just the newness/novelty factor.

Jeff K - I'm happy to report I have a 2013 EB as well - in the natural finish. Wonderful bass, I just prefer short scales for a variety of reasons -not the least of which is I always play sitting in a space constrained environment and it's more comfortable...
 
#12
Nice score! I recently added another SG Special as well.I already had a Chocolate Satin and found a Fireburst on EBay for around the same price as what you paid.The Chocolate is strung with Nylon tapes and the Fireburst just got a set of LaBella's.If I could hunt down a Cherry I'd own it too if the price was right,lol.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back