Gibson SG Supreme Lava burst 2002

[Djentlyman]

Ayy I was eyeing this off on FB Marketplace too! Looks beautiful dude. The whole aesthetic is gorgeous, it's great to see SGs in different colors other than Black or Vintage Cherry

 

[jahosy]

Ayy I was eyeing this off on FB Marketplace too! Looks beautiful dude. The whole aesthetic is gorgeous, it's great to see SGs in different colors other than Black or Vintage Cherry

Thanks mate! Was ready to pounce on a 80's LPC alpine white (pickup from Doreen) just days earlier but couldn't move the Jackson quick enough so missed out on that.

Really wanted to scratch that Gibson itch haha remembered seeing the SG at the start of the year so just went for it.

Looking at the top again it has some really nice figuring, just a pity that the current finish didn't do it justice. Might strip everything back and re-finish it ...

 

[jwade]

I played one of these years ago in a Guitar Center and it was cool, but my takeaway was that it was the heaviest SG in the world. As someone who plays SGs for their weight that was a deal breaker.

As I recall the older Supreme didn't have any arch to the top, they were just normal SG shapes but with a maple cap. The later version from around 2016 ish was a Diablo with a maple cap. If in doubt 4 knobs is flat, 2 knobs is Diablo.

I had the Emerald Burst version, and it was a stupidly heavy guitar. Heavier than my baritone LP, heavier than my Stingray 5 string bass, crazy bad neck dive.

 

[ArtDecade]

That is what actual Nitro checking looks like - unlike the relics that they are selling at a premium.

 

[jahosy]

I had the Emerald Burst version, and it was a stupidly heavy guitar. Heavier than my baritone LP, heavier than my Stingray 5 string bass, crazy bad neck dive.

Mine felt like it's more neck heavy, hence the dive. might move the neck pin strap to the back of the upper horn. also thinking about changing the grover tuners as they look massive.

Are these heavier than other SG s?

overall still not as heavy as my archtop Jacksons. can't imagine how an 80's LPC weigh ....

 

[High Plains Drifter]

This is a weird take I suppose but in the first pics I wasn't loving it that much. It was def cool and unique but not really my fave finish for an SG. But then upon seeing the imperfections, checking, etc I really started digging it. That prob sounds strange but I dunno... maybe seeing the anomalies elevates it to a "real player/ more mojo" aesthetic for me? Yeah... very cool, OP... Congrats!

 

[jwade]

It was a genuinely beautiful instrument, wish I’d kept it and just moved the strap pin.

 

[jahosy]

This is a weird take I suppose but in the first pics I wasn't loving it that much. It was def cool and unique but not really my fave finish for an SG. But then upon seeing the imperfections, checking, etc I really started digging it. That prob sounds strange but I dunno... maybe seeing the anomalies elevates it to a "real player/ more mojo" aesthetic for me? Yeah... very cool, OP... Congrats!

thanks mate! yeh I'm still unsure about the current finish, there's quite a lot of flame under the colour, though Gibson advertise these as AA top I reckon this is at least a 3A top.

 

[jahosy]

It was a genuinely beautiful instrument, wish I’d kept it and just moved the strap pin.

there's one for sale at Ishibashi, worth checking it out.

TBH I wasn't sure about this initially due to the bad rep of Gibson's QC and the checking in the finishes did put me off when I saw it in person, but went ahead with the trade since I do love how it sounded. Glad I did, and now I understand why people love em. Sure it's not perfect, but it's a damn fine instrument. Makes me want to pick it up and play it every other hour lol

 

[MaxOfMetal]

thanks mate! yeh I'm still unsure about the current finish, there's quite a lot of flame under the colour, though Gibson advertise these as AA top I reckon this is at least a 3A top.

In true Gibson fashion, some of these looked like they were plain tops and others look damn near jaw-dropping 5A and pretty much everything in between.

You definitely got a good one.

 

[MetalDestroyer]

People pay a lot of money for artificial wear like that "lightly aged" finish you want to sand off

 

[jahosy]

People pay a lot of money for artificial wear like that "lightly aged" finish you want to sand off

Really? Call me weird then

I mean, mine's not exactly a 'vintage' piece or a guitar of significance, so it'll be more of a little project for me to refinish. Hoping to give a more natural feel (tru oil finish maybe?) to it, and restain the top giving it more depth. Well, that's the plan now anyway

 

[jahosy]

Did some mod / refinishing to the SG, went with a 'denim' finish but in hindsight should have sanded the edges abit more for greater contrast.

The tru oil gave it 'greenish' tint when cured. Pretty happy with the 'popping' of the flame.

 

[jahosy]

 

[Jarmake]

In the first finish stripping picture I was like "oh no..." Then I saw the first stain color and was like "OH NO..." but then I was pleasantly surprised by the ending result. Great job!

 

[decoy205]

I love Gibson checking but well done on that!! Looks great!

 

[jahosy]

In the first finish stripping picture I was like "oh no..." Then I saw the first stain color and was like "OH NO..." but then I was pleasantly surprised by the ending result. Great job!

I love Gibson checking but well done on that!! Looks great!

Thanks guys! There's definitely some heart in mouth moments!

 

[AkiraSpectrum]

wow that looks amazing!

 

[Choop]

Wow what a great job on the refinish! I'm surprised how much maple is on that thing -- it's less like a cap and more like a maple...halfie? XD

I've wanted one of those since forever, but just never had a good opportunity to purchase one. I do have an SG standard that I got in a trade and ended up loving.

 

[Accoun]

The refin isn't exactly my thing, but looks done pretty damn well. Congrats on that. The more modern unstained stripe of maple looks interesting on an SG.