Firey Goodness

[rockerbilly58]

Oh man I can't wait to see one of these in person. Yours looks superb. As for a pick guard I put one on my 2013 model and all you have to do is scrape a bit off the middle section with a sharp blade until it fits. If you do it gradually enough you can do it so it just snaps into place which is perfect if you aren't too keen on drilling screw holes into it.
Now back to those pictures.

 

[Col Mustard]

your photos are great. this SGJ finish looks killer, and your report that
it sounds great just finishes the package. Like others have said, it's a lot
of Gibson for the money.

Guys who must have glossy lacquer and neck binding simply have to pay
more for these cosmetic details. For some it's worth it, and that's fine if
you have the money. Those do look nice. But I like the lower price.

Frets that protrude are not cool, but its an easy fix for a good luthier,
and should be included in a pro setup. The weather's been so brutal this year
in Michigan (and Ohio) that it might not even be Gibson's fault. Or else
they're selling these so fast that they're flipping them through quality control
without looking. But it's a minor problem IMHO, and I hope you can sort
it out and never look back.

I recently made a good SG pickguard out of Ebony Headstock Veneer from
StewMac down in Athens.
STEWMAC.COM : Peghead Overlay Veneer

I'm very happy with the way it looks on my Silverburst, and will probably make a new
thread about it. Like others have said and done on these boards, you can make one
out of a regular plastic piece too, just a little filing will fit it. Some feel that the 'J' needs
a pickguard, and other owners have no problems with the new look.

Your guitar looks so fine, it seems a shame to cover it up, so if you do,
I'd use something elegant like the Ebony.
I didn't stain mine, but left the stripey ebony, having watched Bob Taylor's video about it.
But Minwax makes a lovely ebony stain that will darken up the wood if you like.

If you do this, make sure you get the 4x8 sheet, so you have some
left over to make your switch washer and your TRC. *grins
The smaller sheet is just barely big enough, and I work better with more room
for error, clean up with a file later. This ebony splits easily, so you have to saw it
gently and carefully on a good bench. I used a small sharp handsaw, a dremel tool
and a 6" mill file.

 

[CHall1525]

I really like the pickguard Col. Ive seen your pics of the guitar, but did not realize it was ebony. Very cool!

 

[LeadFinger]

Those latest pics are truly awesome! Why can't Gibson use these instead of the fashion model nonsense? Let the guitar sell itself (it will). This is exactly the kind of detail people want to see.

 

[spn_phoenix_92]

your photos are great. this SGJ finish looks killer, and your report that
it sounds great just finishes the package. Like others have said, it's a lot
of Gibson for the money.

Guys who must have glossy lacquer and neck binding simply have to pay
more for these cosmetic details. For some it's worth it, and that's fine if
you have the money. Those do look nice. But I like the lower price.

Frets that protrude are not cool, but its an easy fix for a good luthier,
and should be included in a pro setup. The weather's been so brutal this year
in Michigan (and Ohio) that it might not even be Gibson's fault. Or else
they're selling these so fast that they're flipping them through quality control
without looking. But it's a minor problem IMHO, and I hope you can sort
it out and never look back.

I recently made a good SG pickguard out of Ebony Headstock Veneer from
StewMac down in Athens.
STEWMAC.COM : Peghead Overlay Veneer

I'm very happy with the way it looks on my Silverburst, and will probably make a new
thread about it. Like others have said and done on these boards, you can make one
out of a regular plastic piece too, just a little filing will fit it. Some feel that the 'J' needs
a pickguard, and other owners have no problems with the new look.

Your guitar looks so fine, it seems a shame to cover it up, so if you do,
I'd use something elegant like the Ebony.
I didn't stain mine, but left the stripey ebony, having watched Bob Taylor's video about it.
But Minwax makes a lovely ebony stain that will darken up the wood if you like.

If you do this, make sure you get the 4x8 sheet, so you have some
left over to make your switch washer and your TRC. *grins
The smaller sheet is just barely big enough, and I work better with more room
for error, clean up with a file later. This ebony splits easily, so you have to saw it
gently and carefully on a good bench. I used a small sharp handsaw, a dremel tool
and a 6" mill file.

I've actually been planning on making an Ebony pickguard, I made a test one out of some scrap wood to get my wood cutting skills some practice. I've got a thread HERE showing some of the customizations I'm planning. I'm gonna be posting a thread here for it too eventually.

 

[spn_phoenix_92]

Those latest pics are truly awesome! Why can't Gibson use these instead of the fashion model nonsense? Let the guitar sell itself (it will). This is exactly the kind of detail people want to see.

Well thanks! I do agree Gibson's photos suck. It's really hard to find a pic of the Fireburst really showing the colors, that's why I was searching like a madman before I got it. I'm so happy it looks the way it does, it has just the right amount of red in the burst.

 

[AC 30]

You put a whole new spin on that SG with those great pics!
Beautiful guitar.

 

[Daveso]

Congrats on the new guitar. I have the exact same one... actually I have a cherry SGJ as well. I to had the frets sticking out... kinda strange too as it's not like that on my cherry SGJ. I was able to file it out nicely and it's the one I always play now. Enjoy it- it's a great guitar. Oh and I gave her a little polishing and it came out even better! Good luck.

Ok, now for the review. Before I got it, I was thinking I would need to instantly upgrade the stock pickups if I wanted to use it for metal, but these are some of the best stocks I've ever used! They handle high gain amazingly, & they have so much bite & grit to them. Of course, they sound best playing some classic rock with some vintage crunch through them, but I was shocked at their metal capabilities. I'm still gonna toss in a SD Custom in the bridge & a '59 in the neck, but they can wait.

Now for the feel, the fretboard plays like butter, the satin neck really lets your hands glide while shredding. My only complaint is that some of the frets stick out a tiny bit, it doesn't effect playability but I'm just picky. I'll have to get a file out one of these day.

The finish is beautiful, pics do not do it justice at all. Indoors the colors aren't that vibrant, but in the sunlight it really brings out it's true finish, & really shows why they named it Fireburst. It's a little too satiny for my liking for that particular finish so I'm gonna do THIS to solve that little issue.

Overall, I'd say it's worth twice the price. $500 for a great quality Gibson is a steal at the least. I sat down & messed around with most of the other 2014 Gibson SG models when I first tried one of these out, & I could barely tell any difference between this & the higher end Standard models, just for the pickups & finish. Well there's the end to my Gibson rant/praise. This is my first Gibson, & I'm sure it won't be my last. I'll soon post a review video when I get the time.

 

[Col Mustard]

Those latest pics are truly awesome! Why can't Gibson use these instead of the fashion model nonsense? Let the guitar sell itself (it will). This is exactly the kind of detail people want to see.

That's right... Firey Goodness pictures are truly stunning, and anyone who saw them would likely want that guitar. Gibson should buy them off you, or
at least make you a prototype (J) pickguard in the custom shop.

And I appreciate reading the review as well. thanks for posting.