Used 2008 Gibson SG Robot Special Version 1 in Gloss Metallic Purple Nitro Finish - All Original with Original Hardshell Case, Case Candy, and Robot Charger

• Serial Number: 008580560 (March 26th 2008)
• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: 1 piece mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Fretboard Radius: About 12"
• Fret Edge Binding: Yes
• Inlays: Acrylic pearloid trapezoid inlays
• Frets: 22 x Medium Jumbo (1.4mm tall x 2.5mm wide)
• Nut Width: 43.3mm
• Width at 1st Fret: 44.7mm
• Width at 12th Fret: 53.8mm
• Thickness at 1st Fret: 21.6mm
• Thickness at 12th Fret: 25.0mm
• Nut: Corian
• Tuners: Original Gibson Tronical Powerhead locking automatic Robot tuners
• Bridge & Tailpiece: Original chrome plated "Tune Control" bridge and Data Transmitting tailpiece (broken ribbon cable connector)
• Pickups: Original chrome covered Gibson 490R and 498T humbuckers
• Pots: Original Gibson pots + Multi-Control Knob MCK on Bridge tone
• Strings: Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 2221 10-46 - E Standard tuning
• Weight: 8.26bs
• Non Original Parts: None
• Case: Original Gibson hard-shell case with case candy (Japanese) and robot charger
• Truss Rod: Works as expected with room in both directions

This is a 2008 Gibson Robot SG Special Version 1 - the first version of the Robot SG - in super cool gloss Metallic Purple finish. This finish is one of the coolest finishes I have seen on an SG - it's a very dark purple, but in the right light, it shines & sparkles bright, yet you can still see the wood grain through it at times. It's really nice.

These were "state of the art" in 2008, but still offer a cool set of features not found on any other SG model including an ebony fretboard, bound headstock, and Neutrik side jack, along with the unique finishes offered in the Robot line.

This one is all original, with the original protective film still on the carbon fiber pattern pickguard, and comes with the original Gibson hard case, case candy, truss rod wrench, MCK hex wrench, bridge hex wrench, and robot charger and connector - I have also included a new high quality boss patch cord for charging. This one came from Japan, so it has some manuals in Japanese, but the original English manual is included (and can also be found online in pdf form).

The good news that this guitar is in great shape, and has barely been played. The 22 medium jumbo frets have virtually no play wear. This guitar looks like it has spent most of its life in the case, with only minor play wear on the body and neck, and the chrome hardware is all in great shape. The robot tuning system battery charges as expected.

The not so good news is that the robot tuning function on this one is not working - the tailpiece ribbon cable connector is broken, so the ribbon cable does not properly connect to the tailpiece - it is intermittent at best. When I first received it, it was working, and I could see it turning the tuners, but once cable was jiggled, it stopped working. There is a piece of the ribbon cable connector (the white piece) that has broken. It is taped down in place right now (shown in the photos). Further, when the tuners were working, the automatic tuning function did slip at times - which is a known issue with these tuners.

However, the tuners do still work manually - you must pull them outwards, away from the headstock, to disengage them from the automatic tuning system, and then they tune fine. They are locking tuners which is nice.

Because of this, I have this one listed as Good condition - but in reality, the guitar itself (besides the Robot tuning system) is in Very Good or Excellent condition.

This one would be a great candidate for someone to either restore to original factory condition by installing a new Tronical tailpiece (which are still sold online) or to "de-robot" this one by replacing the tuners with tuners of your choice (it's a 10mm mounting hole) and replace the bridge with a standard Gibson Nashville bridge and Gibson tailpiece, and change the bridge tone pot to a Gibson tone pot and some wiring.

The neck on this one is a thick C, what Gibson considers their '50's Rounded profile, starting out at 21.6mm at the 1st fret, and making its way up to 25.0mm by the 12th fret. It's also a wide neck - so if you like your SG to feel like a Les Paul, this is pretty close.

The 22 medium jumbo frets that have barely been played, and there is almost no fret wear across the board, and this guitar plays excellent up and down the entire neck.

The original chrome covered Gibson 490R and 498T pickups have lots of power on tap. To my ears, these are a lot different than Gibson '57 Classic pickups - there's more power on tap, a more modern feel and sound, but still sound like Gibson humbuckers - warm with present mids and a rounded top end, a quite a bit of low end.

All the guitars I sell, I test, thoroughly clean, and setup completely before I list them. Anything that is missing, damaged, or non original is mentioned in the listing.

I setup all my Gibson style guitars to Gibson factory specs - including neck relief, action, pickup height, intonation, and tailpiece height. So this guitar will be ready to play out of the box (after you tune it up - I ship my guitars with the strings loosened).

Comes with the original Gibson USA hardshell case with white plus interior. The case is in good shape, with only some minor and typical brown staining inside on some areas of the white interior. All of the latches and hinges are in tact and function properly.

Overall, this is a rarely seen, incredible looking, playing and sounding SG.

If you're a fan of SG's or a Gibson Collector, you'll want this SG in your collection today.

CONDITION ------------

Overall it's in good player grade shape.

I've tried to capture all of the flaws in the photos and in the description.

The automatic Robot tuning function does not work properly. The tailpiece ribbon cable connector is broken. The tuners themselves slip at times when the automatic tuning function does work.

Over the entire body of the guitar, top, back, sides, neck and headstock, there are very few minor dings, dents, and fine scratches.

There is some minor checking in the nitro finish in areas.

There is a blemish on the lower bass side edge of the body, and another on the treble side edge of the body.

There are some minor finish cracks where the binding meets the neck on both sides of the neck, as well as the top of the headstock.

The binding has yellowed in areas, mainly in the middle of the neck.

There's some minor buckle rash and/or worming on the back of the body.

The chrome hardware, bridge, tailpiece, tuners, and screws are all in great shape, with virtually no signs of corrosion, pitting, scratches, and/or rust. Everything works as expected, and there is lots of shine left on this hardware.

The carbon fiber pickguard still has the protective film on it, but there are multiple cracks along the corners at the screw holes - like the pickguard screws had been overtightened. The pickguard works as expected with no issues.

All of the original Gibson Tronical Robot tuners work properly in manual mode - when they are pulled out.

Around the strap buttons there's some minor strap marks/swirling.

The 22 medium jumbo frets have barely been played, and the frets have nearly the full life left in them.

The truss rod works as expected with room in both directions.

There no signs of a headstock, heel or any other repairs.

SHIPPING ------------  

Every shipment is expertly packed with great care and includes tracking, signature required on delivery, and full insurance coverage for both the purchase price and shipping.

Every guitar is fully wrapped in bubble wrap, in a cardboard box meant for guitars, with proper support inside. To reduce environmental impact, the packing material (paper, newsprint, gift wrap, bubble wrap, air packets, foam, carboard boxes and/or tube supports, etc...) used may be recycled.

Package dimensions are 118cm x 47cm x 17cm

Note: if you want an exact shipping quote, just send me a note with your postal/zip code, and I'll get a proper quote for your address. 

Note: If you're buying from outside of Canada, you as the Buyer may be required to pay import duties, tariffs, taxes and/or VAT upon delivery, depending on your location and the purchase price.

QUESTIONS ------------

Any questions? Want more photos or detailed shots? Measurements? Shoot me a message, and I'll be happy to answer them, or send more pics, or take any measurements you want/need.

Thanks for looking!