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Is it just me , or do the gibson quot;fadedquot; guitars look like a mistake on the paint line that they are selling as quot;vintage lookquot; ?

I was playing an Epiphone SG $500.00 (can) which was an amazing guitar in both look and playability . Then I played a Gibson faded SG $1000.00 (can) and it looked and played like cheap crap.

Any opinions?


Originally Posted by john5959Is it just me , or do the gibson quot;fadedquot; guitars look like a mistake on the paint line that they are selling as quot;vintage lookquot; ?

I was playing an Epiphone SG $500.00 (can) which was an amazing guitar in both look and playability . Then I played a Gibson faded SG $1000.00 (can) and it looked and played like cheap crap.

Any opinions?

I had the exact opposite reaction, bought the Gibson faded SG and have no regrets (I did put a pair of '59s in there).

While I'm no fan of the Faded series, one of the guitar players in my band favors his Faded over his 61RI SG.

All things being equal, I'd take the Faded over the Epi any day of the week.

I've never played an Epi I liked.

I've also never seen an actual old finish that looked anything like Gibson's faded finishes. As gibson seems to claim.

Why? How is Gibson convinced that the faded finish actually in any way resembles a 40 year old guitar? I'm pretty sure there was actually gloss on old guitars, and unless some guitars shed it like a coccoon after a set amount of time I seriously just don't get it. Feels like crap, looks like crap

How much cost do they save by not putting a clear on anyways?

Crappy guitar companies at least put a clearcoat on their guitars.

Faded instruments that I've tried have always seemed mediocre.

Gibsons are also available in too many boring colors. Foamy should donate some paint chips to Gibson and take one for the team. I want a seafoam les paul!

Rant over

slade


Originally Posted by danglybangerI've never played an Epi I liked.

Me either, they all feel quot;plasticquot; and cheap. I never really trust what's under that finish either. If you get a Faded, expect to have a fret job done on it. It should play like butter after a good setup. That being said, I think the faded finished are totally fugly. They could do a flat finish with out all the cheeseball fake wear.

I like mine...tastes great! less filling!

[IMG][/IMG] Dangly...they only have a couple or three coats of Nitro vs. several on the quot;normalquot; guitars...

That said, I believe from messing with them that the SGs, Vs, and DCs prolly have less than the LP Standard fadeds do.

I lucked out..mine looks good (though the color is way too bright for my tastes)..fairly even burst and nice enough grain (better than my McCarty, but not as nice as the CSB Std I sold NAPS)..most fadeds look horrid.


Originally Posted by JeffBI like mine...tastes great! less filling!

[IMG][/IMG] Dangly...they only have a couple or three coats of Nitro vs. several on the quot;normalquot; guitars...

That said, I believe from messing with them that the SGs, Vs, and DCs prolly have less than the LP Standard fadeds do.

I lucked out..mine looks good (though the color is way too bright for my tastes)..fairly even burst and nice enough grain (better than my McCarty, but not as nice as the CSB Std I sold NAPS)..most fadeds look horrid.

I'm talking about the quot;wornquot; Fadeds (cherry SG, etc.)...your looks sweet!


Originally Posted by big_blackI'm talking about the quot;wornquot; Fadeds (cherry SG, etc.)...your looks sweet!

Ahhh...

Yes some of them look pretty bad...and I've seen some decent ones too. The Doublecuts and the V's tend to look best...but I kinda like the beat up look too...if it sounds good..for $600 I guess I could care less as long as it was functional. I played a doublecut that was one of the really beat up ones, but man did it sound GOOD! Sustained like a MOFO.

and thanks for the comp

I honsetly think alot of faded Gibsons are seconds or, they really skimp on doing the entire job right. You know, if its a second for Gibson, it must be bad considering most of their first quality guitars would be seconds for other companys!!!

I have a faded V that needs a re-fret not becasue of fretwear, its becasue the tang's are sticking out of the side of the fretboard.

Also, I will have to re-set the neck becasue there is way too much neck angle in it!


Originally Posted by theodieI honsetly think alot of faded Gibsons are seconds or, they really skimp on doing the entire job right. You know, if its a second for Gibson, it must be bad considering most of their first quality guitars would be seconds for other companys!!!

I have a faded V that needs a re-fret not becasue of fretwear, its becasue the tang's are sticking out of the side of the fretboard.

Also, I will have to re-set the neck becasue there is way too much neck angle in it!

Some of the Faded models have different necks than their Special/Studio or Standard models. I doubt they start out as seconds.

I NEVER did the sloppy seconds thing!

You're missing out dude.


Originally Posted by big_blackSome of the Faded models have different necks than their Special/Studio or Standard models. I doubt they start out as seconds.

LOL!!!!!

You missed the point LOL!!!! Most Gibsons are seconds in my book! I was trying to say the faded series is like buying a 3rd!!!!! ROFL!!!!!!


Originally Posted by danglybangerGibsons are also available in too many boring colors. Foamy should donate some paint chips to Gibson and take one for the team. I want a seafoam les paul!

i actually have a pic of a Gibson les Paul w/ seafoam green paint, AND a maple fretboard. Makes me foamy just thinkin' about it. I'll post it if i can find it.

I kind of like the Faded line especially the doublehum LP Special. I have never had the poor Gibson experiances you guys have had sorry. I admit you have to play a lot of them to find the right one for you but I find that number lower for Gibson than most other companies.

I kind of equate the Faded line to buying jeans that are broken in.

My faded SG plays like a dream... I bought it when the faded's first came out, when they still had they cresent moon inlays... The finish is a wonderful dark brown, very evenly applied (not faded in some spots like others). The neck angle is perfect (exactly the same as my SG standard), fretboard is smooth, with no frets sticking out. Its fat and pretty fast... The body appears to be solid 1 piece. I have looked and looked and cannot find any seams... The finish has held up very well and does not fade or change colors, althought it does seem to dent or scratch easier. The only thing I changed was the 490 pups for some Tony Iommi pups... It plays and sounds great!

I think the quality of the faded series has gone significantly down since this series was first introduced. Is it possible that they start out as great guitars and then slowly but gradually make them worse to save a few bucks?

Thers more to it than just the finish. The Faded LP and SG have no Arch to the tops at all. They are basically cut in the shape of the LP or Sg and then assembled. Its a pretty poor guitar in many respects. I asked My Luthier buddy about one for me...... he advised me to stay away. I am currently saving for a Double cut special with P90's. That will be a Killer Slide guitar

Factory seconds.

Frankly, I never understood the quot;relic'dquot; look. It has NO appeal for me.

Think about it. Would you buy a quot;relic'dquot; car? Or would you prefer quot;restored?quot;

I'll stick to axes that are more aesthetically pleasing, or at least affordable.