I'd have to disagree with some who have said you can't shred on this guitar. I have 5 electric guitars including an American Strat, and an ESP EX-351, and this one has the fastest neck. Frank Zappa played an SG throughout his entire career, and he certainly could shred ('Fifty-Fifty' off 'Over-Night Sensation' comes to mind). Gibson makes an exceptional guitar, and this one is right in line with that. The SG was actually the new Les Paul back in the 60s when the world was into everything new and modern, and traditional designs weren't doing well, and the Stratocaster was new and modern looking for that time. It got it's name SG, when Les Pauls made a resurgence in popularity, and they had 2 popular guitars, they had to make a distinction, so SG (Solid Guitar) was born. If it could replace the Les Paul, you know it has to be great. A lot of people who want a Les Paul but can't quite afford one will get the Studio. I don't get that. I would get an SG before I would do that, though I'm sure the Studio is a fine guitar.

The finish is not the same as the faded series, this does not feel like a cheap guitar at all. Its got a very solid feeling, a guitar you dont have to worry about it. I've noticed the pickups are very twangy on some amps. I play it through a custom head, made from a 60s design, through a mesa 2x12, and its the best sounding setup ive ever had. And ive owned orange rockerverbs, mesas, marshall, fender, vht etc. Only thing I say is make sure you play it before you buy it, the neck is different, and I like a smooth unrefined feeling almost baseball bat of a neck, its a bit wide, and thats what I like. Heavy music also works wonders with this guitar, but its a one extreme to the other, I like the dirty folk sound, or the heavy sound, anything else I'd say buy a telecaster, and if you like shred metal this isn't your guitar.

I bought the SG Special Faded six months ago and thought that was about the ugliest guitar I ever seen because of the unfinished look to it, but this guitar has got that beat(ha! ha!). I figured I can't go wrong. Well I was right. This guitar sounds every bit as good if not better with the 490's on it. Anyway I got used to the color of my Faded SG and absolutely love it. This SG is definitely the ugliest guitar I've ever seen. I don't like the color at all myself but that is just my taste so don't let that turn you off from a great sounding guitar. I love the feel of the neck it plays so easily. I don't quite understand everyone rating this guitar as low as they have as it really is a great guitar with great feel and sound. Besides with the drop in price you really can't go wrong. Take some advice from a person who has played for 35 years. Buy this guitar. I think you will be well pleased with it if you give it a chance.

I love the Gibson SG Faded Specials. They have warmth and a lot of vibe to their tone. Plus they have a nice tactile feel to them that makes you want to paw them. Great for classic rock tones, for classic rock crunch or sweet cleans.

But I was disappointed to discover that this SG Special Faded Yellow, was the same as the SG Faded Specials and not similar to the SG Special Series. Rough open grain finishes and it's more yellow than the web shots. This guitar should be called the SG Faded Special Worn Yellow. Other than the upgraded gigbag, and reflector knobs, it's the same thing in a limited color. Not worth the extra $534 MSRP just for the color and bag upgrade.

As the title says, the quality control let some things slide, that shouldn't have. Maybe I'm just discerning, but for a Genuine Gibson, although in the lower price range, the setup from the factory was horrible, and there were some lines of brown paint, which appear to have been from the worn brown model sg. I'm more of a Kramer player, so I'm used to Fat, Thin, Unfinished necks. The necks finish is weird, and its overall just kind of funky. Don't take this as your decision though, as this is my taste. I bought this for a band that I'm doing on the beach that'll play stuff like the eagles, jimmy buffett, the who, and bad company, like a bunch of beach mood songs, so if I can get it set up nicely without being nuzzy or too high and grippy, it'll be good, othersiwe it's going back.