2002 Gibson SG Faded Crescent Moon - Natural

2002 Gibson SG “Crescent Moon” — Faded Natural

The Altitude Summary

This is a standout piece from Gibson’s 2002 “Faded” SG line, finished in a rare Faded Natural tone and featuring the limited run crescent moon inlays on ebony fretboard. The body and neck are solid mahogany with a set‑neck joint, yielding that classic SG resonance and bite. At 7.2 lbs, it’s nicely weighted for balance, great resonance and sustain without feeling too heavy. The guitar is in excellent condition, with only a couple light surface scratches on the body and on the headstock, and minimal fret wear. It has been modified with a Bigsby official bridge, which enhances its vintage / player appeal. Plays beautifully with great intonation, low fret buzz, and superb responsiveness. Includes Epiphone Hardshell case. 

Story & Rarity

In 2002, Gibson introduced the “Faded” SG line as a more stripped-down, player-focused version of the SG. The very first run included crescent moon inlays on ebony fretboards, a unique visual twist that was dropped in subsequent years in favor of standard dot inlays. Because they were only made in that initial year, the crescent moon SGs are relatively uncommon and sought after by collectors and tone chasers. The Faded model’s appointment list is modest, but the build and play qualities belie the economical positioning.

Tone & Electronics

This SG originally shipped with Gibson’s standard humbucker configuration for the Faded line: 490R neck + 490T bridge, plus dual volume and tone controls. The mahogany body/neck combination gives that warm midrange push and strong sustain typical of SGs, while the lighter finish aids in resonance. The Bigsby-style bridge gives you vibrato options and vintage aesthetics, adding extra character and slight tonal variance in the overtones.

Playability & Ergonomics

The fretboard is ebony, giving a pristine, slick playing surface that responds well to fingers and picks alike. The fretwork is in excellent shape, so there’s no fret wear to worry about. The neck profile on these SG Faded models is quite comfortable and not overly chunky—thin enough for fast runs yet thick enough to give you substance in chords. Low action and solid setup make this one feel effortless.

Collector Appeal & Mod Potential

Because crescent moon inlays were a short-lived experiment, this model occupies a niche among Gibson fans. It balances collector rarity with everyday playability, especially with the tasteful Bigsby upgrade. If someone wanted to restore it to all-original hardware, they could—but as is, it’s a playable gem with visual flair.

Key Features

• Rare crescent moon inlays — one‑year only

• Mahogany body and set mahogany neck

• Ebony fretboard

• Original Gibson 490R & 490T humbuckers

• Dual volume / dual tone controls

• Bigsby‑style bridge added (tasteful upgrade)

• Excellent frets / very minimal wear

• Great intonation, low action, superb playability

• Balanced 7.2 lb build