Is this a Faded?

[Kevdog]

Hi everyone,
New SG owner here and I'm trying to confirm exactly which model my guitar is. Serial number is 00965697 and I *think* its a Faded model but I'm not sure. Came with a Gibson USA hardshell case but not sure if its original. Also, looking at pics online the control knobs look a little different, can these be the stock knobs? Thanks!

 

[61SG]

That's a matte finish with no grain fill. That's what's called a "Faded"

 

[Biddlin]

That's a Faded Special with speed knobs, instead of top hats, a common 'mod' .
per guitar dater:Your guitar was made at the
Nashville Plant, TN, USA
April 6th, 2005
Production Number: 397

 

[theNARDdog9]

That's a Faded Special with speed knobs, instead of top hats, a common 'mod' .
per guitar dater:Your guitar was made at the
Nashville Plant, TN, USA
April 6th, 2005
Production Number: 397

+1 on all of this. OP the gibson hard case is aftermarket, these come with gig bags.

Biddlin, just a heads up don't trust the guitar dater project. In this case it gave you the correct info but it won't always (especially in the case of vintage guitars).

For SN's (1977-2006) use the formula: YDDDYXXX
Y=year i.e. 0DDD5XXX is a guitar made in '05
D=day i.e. Y001YXXX is a guitar made on january first
X= production number; 0-299 is Memphis and 300-999 is Nashville

i.e. 00015306 is the seventh (306-299=7) guitar made january first 2005 in Nashville

For SN's (mid-late 2006 and newer) use: YDDDYBXXX
Follows same rules as above but B is "batch number" (usually 0 or 1)

For SN's pre-1977, don't ask me because it honestly confuses me

 

[Col Mustard]

lots of fans of Gibson's faded specials on these boards, and some who aren't fans but don't talk too loud about that. I'm a fan.
Yours doesn't look like it's been played too much... judging by the back of the neck. Mine's gone all blonde from lots of practicing,
and others on these boards say the same. I've modded my faded special extensively, it's my pride and joy and the Queen of my music room.

So Welcome to ETSG, and congratulations on getting one of the best guitars ever made.
I hope that your SG becomes your favorite guitar, and that ETSG becomes your favorite forum. If you bought this guitar used, my first suggestion is to clean it thoroughly, play it heavily for a couple of weeks or longer, and then take it to get professionally set up.

That will cost you some money, but will enhance your enjoyment of this (or any) guitar so much that it's worth the cost. If you play it a lot for a period of time, you'll get to know its fine points and not so fine points. Then the setup ought to show its value.

good luck. let us know how this guitar feels and sounds, and post more photos if you can. we never seem to get tired of them. Welcome to the monkey house.

 

[BlackSG91]

Nice looking guitar! Congrats on the purchase and enjoy playing your new, special friend. An everlasting, loving relationship will soon develop with your six-string soulmate.

 

[Kevdog]

Thanks everyone! I just cleaned it and put on new strings, I really love it so far!