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I got the SG Special in Chocolate after buying a vintage SG-style and loving everything about the short scale Gibson. This new one is a pleasure to hold and play everytime I take it out of its case. It was beautifully made, with no glitches in the woodwork, finish or hardware. The stained Chocolate nitro finish is just what I expected it to be: very earthy and almost raw feeling, with a fast neck and a great resonant tone played acoustically. Factory setup and fretwork are first rate, with no dead frets or buzzing anywhere. These pickups are quite versatile -- surprisingly so if you have one of the old ones like I do. Tuning stability is quite good as well. Overall I would highly recommend this bass. For the money especially it can't be beat. If you've never played a short scale SG bass, you are in for a real treat.

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I've had my SG for a year now. I sold all my other bases because this is the only one I play. It just fits me perfect. The sound is amazing, especially when paired with my ampeg amps. I prefer this finish over the more expensive versions of this bass as I stick to shiny surfaces when I get sweaty.The shorter scale is much easier to play and to get around the neck.It is much better balanced than any other Gibson basses I've tried. Feeling no neck dive.Set up was good from the factory. Only a few tweaks to get the strings to the action i prefer. ConsThe pick up buzzed a lot when i first got it. Took the covers off and found that the covers held the pick ups loosely in place. Stuck some felt to the back of the covers. Solved the problem. The hardware is lower end. But i can upgrade the tunning machines and pickups later. One last con is that short scale strings are hard to find. Many stores don't carry them and if they do the selection is small.

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I'll be honest up front. All of my other bass guitars (Gibson Les Paul bass, Gibson ES-335 bass, Fender fretless Jazz bass, Rick 4003, and Gretsch G5440LS Electromatic bass) are all long scale. The SG is the first short scale bass I've ever owned. I'll try not to be biased and to avoid comparisons between the others. The SG is a beautiful bass guitar. I bought the Fireburst, mostly because all I ever see is the Cherry SG basses. It was a good decision. The guitar looks phenomenal. I always get positive comments from folks who have seen it. The build is good, no flaws or nicks. Fit and finish are high quality. I tried playing with the strings it came with. I couldn't stand them. I may be spoiled. All my other basses are strung with Thomastik-Infield flat wounds. It sounds much better now that it's been restrung. Tone is good. Sustain is good. And yes, I can get up and down the neck a little faster. The pick ups sound good. It's loud enough that it won't get buried in the mix unless you want it to. Oh, the big difference between the Special and the Standard is the paint job. I'll let someone smarter than I am to decide if the difference in the finish is worth $700. And besides, they don't have Fireburst in the Standard model. Overall, it's a well put together bass that plays very nicely. It sounds as good or better than the other short scale basses I've heard/tried. If all I played was short scale basses, it would probably be the one I spent the most time with - after swapping the strings, of course! It should have some collector value with the anniversary badge if you need a justification for the significant other (why do you need ANOTHER guitar?!). Still, if I were making the choice for an everyday player and had an extra $200 laying around, I'd go with the Gretsch (trying to stay in a price range). I think a hollow body or semi-hollow sounds sooo much better and they have both short and long scale.

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Wow, it arrived faster than expected, and looks and plays perfect. Gibson even puts longlife cleartone stings on these. The tone is great, with a nice humbucker growl. The controls and neck feel like butter, and the setup was spot on for my style of playing, more aggressive slappers will want to raise things up a bit. It is a little headstock heavy, but managable with a wide nonslip strap. I haven't even touched my other basses since I got this, it literally feels like it was made to fit me.

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This is a very nice bass. Plays very very well, sounds rich and full, the tuners tune this instrument so smooth, it's like a dream. It's sharp looking, and solid. The case is also very amazing. 70's reissue (tan) Gibson USA case. Love it and recommend it to anyone. Thanks zZounds.com!

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I play up tempo rock, pop, and punk - so naturally I enjoy P basses mostly. However, when I sing lead I would lose my bearings as to hand placement. I checked out this bass because of the shorter neck scale. The build, finish, and pickups are exceptional!! And it's USA built - all for under a grand!? I love it

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I actually love this Gibson Bass on a Budget. Made in USA nice growl and it came set up ready to go. I oiled the neck to make it faster but otherwise great. No problem with neck dive with a good strap.

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Just purchased two, one with blemish for me and the second with non blemished for my son.My son love's his... I can't get used to the short scale neck: This SG Gibson bass is a satin finish, leaving the wood feel and look like firewood to me! I had a local Luthier add two coat's of his wood oil to help deepen the Heritage Cherry look; also helping the bass from feeling like a dried toothpick! My son however is just happy at the age of 14 to have one! ***zZounds are the BEST in customer service!*** They even had my sons bass delivered on a Saturday via Fed EX the day after they had received their shipment from Gibson ***I have had two great experiences with zZounds in a row ***KUDOS to their sales and customer service team at their NJ store/distribution source! *** I don't say that about anyone these day's... However, these guy's have it all together!***

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great bass

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plays just like the 1970 ebo i once had but at a great price

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Great deal SG's normally run $1500(never pay that). Fireburst is an excellent color in person and much better than chocolate or the same old red .Zzzzzzzz. Boomer, focused lows, punchy mids with the bridge pickup. Very light, Fast neck, short scale. Great to sub for a boat anchor, back warping Precision for Rock or Blues. Neck dive yes but a kid could have no problem holding it balanced. Maybe not for heavy stoners or drunks. It's an Nashville Gibson so it is cool whether you are or not....Love it!

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