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I was able to get the guitar with a 15% discount obtained by an offer from a competitor, so that was a great start. But when I received the guitar, it had cracks in the binding, and a small ridge where the binding meets the neck for about the length of six frets on the bass side and three frets on the treble, and the coarse sanding looked like it was done so severely that they couldn't fix it in finish-sanding, so they stained it and it set the marks permanently in. So I wasn't a very happy camper at that point. The binding would cost about $100 if I were to have it fixed, and the ridge was caused by a really poor job of finishng the side of the neck. I asked zZounds if this was a "second" or "b" line guitar and after calling Gibson I learned they no longer sell any of those. This was just apparently done by a less-skilled group of people at the factory. But on the plus side, the guitar is light and sounds better than any of the dozens of SG's I've previously owned that happened to be much better finished-quality than this one.....so a dilemma. Do I keep the guitar, flaws and all because it sounds good, but I'll have to pay to fix it, or send it back for a prettier but not necessarily as good a sounding replacement? zZounds came back with an offer I couldn't refuse. A total of 28% off the original price of the guitar or send it back for a different one. I decided that although it is the worst example of good quality I've seen in a new guitar, it was also the best sounding SG I've had so hell with it. I kept it. It isn't pretty, but it sounds amazing, and zZounds gave me options and were willing to stand behind their product by replacing it. After all, isn't that what you want when you buy online? You want to know that the company that is selling the product will give you options if you are unhappy or there is a problem. This is the 4th guitar I've purchased from zZounds, Fender Deluxe Player Strat, Bonamassa Epi Les Paul, Fender Select Strat HSS and now this SG, along with a Fender Super Sonic 22 amp, and I will definitely buy from them again. Forgot to mention that as a guy who plays slide guitar in several open tunings as well as standard tuning, I like the new G-Force tuning system, and the coil-splitting pots.

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All hand wired controls in this axe.. Tone is Stellar. Neck is fast and easy to play on. Gforce- still not to sure about it, seems to drop out of tune faster than normal.. I will probably replace it in due time...

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I grabbed this guitar as a "blemished" for $1399 (current regular price was $1879), and couldn't be happier. I wasn't sure what to expect, as the person on the phone at zzounds had no idea what the deal was with this guitar, only that it was "probably a customer return". I took the chance anyway, as I could always return it if it was a disaster, right? Well, i'm glad I did, as it showed up at my door (the next day, even with having used the free shipping option) in mint condition. There are like 4 tiny, barely noticeable scratches on the pick guard. The rest of the guitar is in complete mint condition. Not a mark on it, and I couldn't be happier with the grain/coloration/finish either, which was another concern of mine....that I might receive one that was in my opinion "ugly". That definitely did not happen. So while I gave it a 4 for value, that is considering the 1879 list price, which I believe is a bit high. At the price I paid, i could not be happier with my decision. If a few tiny scratches on the pick guard are with a $480 discount, sign me up any day. If i had to do it again, i would wait for another blemish model at $1399, or at least wait till I could get it on sale for at least 20% off the $1879. I would NOT pay the full $1879 for any reason, so while I feel I got a good price on a great guitar, that brings down my rating. As far as features, the wider neck is just awesome for soloing on the high frets. It's almost impossible to bend a note off the fret board, at least for me, which did sometimes happen on my strats (i've always been primarily a strat player), yet it doesn't seem to change the playability or slow the neck down as compared to what i'm used to, so for me, an excellent thing. Also, this guitar sustains FOREVER. And I mean, FOREVER. At least twice as long as any other guitar I own, which includes 3 Strats, an LP Studio, an 80's Kramer, etc. I also love the sound of the 57 classic pickups, which sound more "rock n roll" better than the 490R/498T combo in my LP, which sound more "metal", but I suppose that's just personal preference. I also don't get all the complaining about the G force tuning system. Yes, i can tune a guitar manually, as i've been playing for over 25 years, but, why bother when this thing does it for you in a matter of seconds? But even more so, for me, with playing in at least 5 different tunings, and not even counting ones like Drop D where you only change one string, it goes between them in a breeze...eliminating the need to change guitars constantly, and the accompanying amp adjustments to compensate for a different guitar. The bottom line, it's a big time saver, and for the most part eliminates the need to drag 5 different guitars to a gig, practice, or jam session, although the threat of a broken string still forces me to bring at least one back up guitar, as changing strings when i'm supposed to be playing isn't for me. The G force unit is not even noticeable from the front of the guitar, and the strings can still be tuned manually if desired. I ultimately chose the 2015 model having not played it, over the 2014 model which I had previously played and loved, because of these features i've chosen to highlight, and getting them at near the same price as the 2014. I am completely satisfied with my choice, as none of the upgrades for this model year turned out to disappoint me. If i'd have to include something negative, it would be the "Les Paul 100" on the headstock. Like some of the other reviews i've read, I'm not a fan of it either, but I chose to live with it, as it's really the only negative I can come up with about this guitar.

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I love this guitar. This is one of my dreams guitars. The finish is beautiful, the sound is amazing. No problems at all. Loved that it came with a pic of it on the final inspection bench at gibson. This is the most ive payed for a guitar and i have no regrets.

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I did not need this guitar but I have wanted Gibson SG Standard since I was 16 years old. I have been happily playing my pawn shop Stratocaster for several years. I finally reached the point where I felt comfortable spending the money. I followed the major online stores for a "return" or "blemish" sale. I trusted reviews on zZounds and made the jump when I found one marked down $500. I missed a couple of previous chances as they go fast. I received delivery at my front door faster than promised. The SG was everything I had hoped for. I could not find the "blemish". Though it did have some scratches on the pick guard. I was was going to put them there anyway. I have seen a few negative blogs about the G-Force tuning system. I like it but I also understand the purists reluctance to embrace it. It is not like it is 1961 model that has been altered. I love the feel, the balance and the sustain is incredible. I smile every time I pick it up and play.

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This guitar is awesome. I haven't had to change anything with the setup, the finish is flawless, and the electronics work perfectly. Some learning to do with the tuners, but worth it.

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