LeftyBassist.com

https://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i ... GH18L-LIST

Looks great! The product description did say it was the choice of skilled bassists though, so I’m out...

Ha ha.

Couldn't figure out where it was made after 5-min or so of searching. I guess it's a big secret.

Baked maple fingerboard? That's something new for Gibson.

They've been using it for a couple of years now, ever since a lot of their wood stock was seized by the FBI.

i just ordered this SG Standard in lefty walnut from Sam Ash. They're in stock.

http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric ... SGH18WNCH1

http://images.gibson.com.s3.amazonaws.c ... -Sheet.pdf

Not that pricey for Gibson, right? The past couple of years they've been releasing these slightly altered Les Pauls (new colors, some new gadget) for around $4-5000 MSRP. Ridiculous!

Weren't these well under $1000 a couple of years ago? Or at least the faded model?

I bought my satin finish one for something like $650 in 2012. Included HSC.

Yup the faded model was well under a grand. This model has a nitro gloss finish, the Babicz full contact bridge and block inlays. The pickups ,according to Gibson are now "SG" pickups vs. the T-Bird pickups on the older models. Mahagony body and neck with rosewood fingerboard (not roasted maple as on some other models)

I don't know if this justifies the price or not,time will tell. I do know I missed the boat on the reissues a couple years back and wanted to jump on this one. They're very hard to find lefty in the used market , and those that have them seem to be holding on to them.

I've owned a bunch of Gibson basses over the years (an original 78 RD Artist, a 1970 EB-1 and a couple of 60's EBO's) but they were all flipped righties. It'll be nice to have a true lefty Gibson in the arsenal.

Those sound like nice little upgraded features, so congrats. I agree, the window of opportunity to get lefty Gibson basses is usually very small, so best jump on it when you can, 'cause Gibson's only gonna jack up the prices further (if they even bother making these again in the future).

Are these made in the USA?

pete

Yes.

Somewhat OT, but I've noticed that short scale basses have really come back into style in the past few years. I would never have predicted that.

Has anybody taken delivery of an SG?

pete

I got mine in walnut finish from Sam Ash a few weeks ago. I play P basses on 95% of my gigs ,so a short scale is a bit of a change for me. That said, the SG is a very well crafted bass and a pleasure to play. Build quality is flawless and the ceramic humbuckers have a smooth,deep tone.

I've owned a couple "high end" short scales including a Birdsong and a Landing and IMO the Gibson is a far better playing and sounding bass. The Babicz bridge really works well on this bass and adds to the overall balance. No neck dive whatsoever.

The nitro finish is perfect as is the fretwork . Those who are a little put off by the $1429. price tag should compare that to the Landings,Birdsongs and Serek short scales that are more in the 2k range. Considering the scarcity of lefty Gibsons and the build quality I consider the price pretty reasonable. It includes a quality hardcase as well. Heck ,Fender Am Pro's are now $1499. so Gibson pricing seems to be in the ballpark for a USA made bass.

All in all I'm very satisfied with the SG, and while it's not going to be my main bass, it will get a lot of gig time. It's pretty light, just under 8 lbs.

Thanks for the thorough info! I appreciate it.

pete

Still using rosewood. Don't try to fly with one.