Gibson SG Faded Makeover (polishing a turd...)

[Stramm8]

After picking up my les paul not too long ago, my lowly beater 2008 Faded SG sat quietly on my rack, gutted and sad. After doing a little research I found that some folks have had success with tung oiling these guys to bring out the shine. So with that I spent last weekend applying coat after thin coat on the body until I built up a good base. I also lucked out on Craigslist and found a set of WB VTP PAFs so I slapped them in along with a 50's wiring rig. I think it turned out pretty good. And these low-wind PAFs are where it's at Sounds killer through the EVH. Just bump the gain up a little and back down the presence and there it is: vintage gibby through a warmed up Marshall tone. If you have t tried low output pickups through a 5150 III, I beseach you - Do it!!

The original skanky finish:


And the final result

 

[NoiseUnderTheFloor]

Nice! Really brought that finish to life. Never heard of using the tung oil treatment. Looks great though. I had a Faded series Les Paul studio, same color, that I hand buffed using Virtuoso polish and cleaner, applied with just a microfiber cloth and lots of elbow grease. Gave a nice shine like what you have going there on the SG, but still had a bit of a vintage/aged look as well.

 

[JackBootedThug]

noice.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

I liked the original finish.

 

[Stramm8]

Nice! Really brought that finish to life. Never heard of using the tung oil treatment. Looks great though. I had a Faded series Les Paul studio, same color, that I hand buffed using Virtuoso polish and cleaner, applied with just a microfiber cloth and lots of elbow grease. Gave a nice shine like what you have going there on the SG, but still had a bit of a vintage/aged look as well.

I was going to try that. Couldn't find any Virtuoso locally and had a fresh bottle of tung oil...

 

[NoiseUnderTheFloor]

Nice! Really brought that finish to life. Never heard of using the tung oil treatment. Looks great though. I had a Faded series Les Paul studio, same color, that I hand buffed using Virtuoso polish and cleaner, applied with just a microfiber cloth and lots of elbow grease. Gave a nice shine like what you have going there on the SG, but still had a bit of a vintage/aged look as well.

I was going to try that. Couldn't find any Virtuoso locally and had a fresh bottle of tung oil...

Saved yourself some $ too, and looks pretty much the same. I really like that look, the hand buffed faded finish. I know someone who did it to one of those satin finish ES-335's. Everyone thinks its a vintage 60's model because of the look of the finish with that treatment.

 

[JerEvil]

Looks great!

I did a complete rebuild on a faded V I scored in a CL trade for a POD XT.

 

[Stramm8]

Looks great!

I did a complete rebuild on a faded V I scored in a CL trade for a POD XT.

Yep, these faded series guitars are an excellent value and mod platform. My LP edges the SG out in playability and sustain but not by much...

 

[anomaly]

Looks nice. I love SG's, more so than LP's.

 

[JerEvil]

Looks great!

I did a complete rebuild on a faded V I scored in a CL trade for a POD XT.

Yep, these faded series guitars are an excellent value and mod platform. My LP edges the SG out in playability and sustain but not by much...

Yeah mna, for under $750 total I have a full on "custom" USA gibson. Super unique as well.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Looks great!

I did a complete rebuild on a faded V I scored in a CL trade for a POD XT.

That other guy just traded a Gibson for "magic" beans.
Later on POD!

 

[JerEvil]

Looks great!

I did a complete rebuild on a faded V I scored in a CL trade for a POD XT.

That other guy just traded a Gibson for "magic" beans.
Later on POD!

Right? He seemed like he may have had some stuff "going on". Have you ever seen the guitar?

 

[dexfx69]

Do tell, what exact Tung Oil product did you use, and what kind of buffing cloth and technique?

 

[peterc52]

I liked the original finish.

Me too

 

[sg guy]

Looks nice. I love SG's, more so than LP's.

-obviously a gentleman of superior knowledge!!