Looks legit from what I can tell from the photos. Stamping on back of headstock is correct format and font. All other features in photos look fine. Has the correct size and shape control cavity for that year. I’ve had several of these from 2003-2016 in the past and very familiar with them. Still have a 2004 that I had refinished to gloss.
I had a 2016 with a PCB. If not mistaken, they first appeared in 2008. What year is your Classic? Those are my favorite. I have a 2004 and 2006. Neither has a PCB.
Thanks, I thought maybe some Faded's had em. I asked in case the OP didn't know. Also, If I am not mistaken, some Faded's has MOON inlays and Ebony FB's
Yes. 2002-2003 moons and ebony board. Sometime in 2003 they switched to dots. Sometime in 2004 they switched from ebony to rosewood. 2003 - ebony board with moons 2003 - ebony board with dots 2004 - ebony board with dots 2004 - same as above refinished
CG, I always get my SG faded and MY SG Classic years mixed up. The Faded is a '05 and the Classic '08. I just took pics of the headstock backs. The Faded even says Made in USA 2008 5th digit is an 8, and a 5 on the Faded.
Here is one for you, My friend Don has a Cherry Faded SG and Cherry Faded V. Pretty sure his V has Moons too
Yes. Those 2002-2003 Flying V Faded also had ebony boards with moons. I've only had the gloss versions of Flying V in the past. 1981, 1990, 1991, 2001. Recent model Gibsons will have "MODEL" and the four digit year stamped below the "Made in USA" stamp on back of headstock. If not mistaken, they started doing that in 2008, same year as the PCB implementation.
Gotcha, and I always love those Korina V's followed by White, then all other colors. YET I still have never had one. Almost got an Epi Korina but passed on it back around 2012.
A 1975-1979 white Flying V like the one Michael Schenker used to play would be my favorite one to have.
To the OP, That definitely looks like the real deal, but man the previous owner was not good about keeping it clean. I would chew him down big time on that grounds.
CG, I always liked them and Top Petty's V as well. Mike McCready and KK Downing's V's are also very nice. Albert King's as well.
Plenty of footage of Downing playing his Medallion at the US Festival '83. I've seen footage of Schenker's Medallion before it got refinished the MSG color scheme. He also had the 1979 Flying V with block inlays that was refinished to the MSG color scheme as well. Edwards makes the closest copy to that 1979 block inlay Flying V that I have ever seen at a reasonable price.
CG, back in the early 2000's I saw what was claimed to be Schenker's Black and White V for sale on ebay for like $26000+. It sure looked rough shape, and rumor had it, MS would sell some of his stuff as he struggled with stuff.
I saw an interview where he showed the back of the headstock on one of them was repaired using drumsticks. He always bends the neck by flexing the headstock.
CG I used to flex my EPI LP neck using my stomach. I am a slightly powerful guy and if I were to rest my right forearm on the body to strum, and then play the neck up by Frets 1-7 and I just take a deep breath, the neck will flex. I sometimes have to watch myself to not do this accidentally.
to answer the OP's question: FIRST let's say, WELCOME TO ETSG, MITCHELL! That looks like a real SG faded special from so long ago. I can say this because I also own one. I bought mine in 2008, but mine was made in the same year yours was. I'll tell you that my '07 SG faded special is the best guitar of any kind that I have ever played. I thought so the first day I played it, and bonded with it in a doggone Guitar Center way back then. Of course not everyone gets so excited about a new Gibson guitar day, but for me, that was a life changing experience. May you have this joy. If you are considering buying an '07 SG special, I'll tell you that I paid about $600 for mine, brand new. Now days, they are going for about $450 to $500 on the internet, so they keep their value pretty well. The 490R and 490T pickups are all you need for lots of different kinds of music. Many of us have replaced our 490s with other more specialialized or more elegant kinds of p'ups, but the 490s get the job done as issued. Use them with gusto, and replace them if you can afford it, or if you need some other tone. In my case, I felt that the 490s were fine, but I had fallen so arse over teakettle for this instrument, I had to mod her with all the best of everything I could buy or make. She responded by giving me the best tone and feel of any instrument ever. I'm older that dirt now, and have played a whole career with excellent instruments... acoustic guitars, electric bass, and now electric guitars. But every time I set my '07 SG faded special back on her stand after working out with her, it's with the spoken or unspoken comment: "WHAT A GREAT GUITAR..." There you have it... a testimonial from one who owns what you describe. WELCOME TO ETSG... Get that baby professionally set up... it makes a HUGE difference.
