History ZSG-CFS German Black 2001
History ZSG-CFS, German black, made in Japan 2001. I love this, it's so cool. History is the house brand for major Japan music retailers Shimamura Gakki, who team up with the well renowned local Fujigen Gakki factory to offer a line of excellent guitars available only through their stores. This one dates to 2001, early in the history of History, and was a short lived model and they're tricky to find. It's got an SG-style body, but a little thicker, which means it balances beautifully. That's paired with a bolt-on Strat-ish neck, with an angled join for easy access, a swish two-point tremolo bridge and two rails-style pickups smooshed together into one giant hum-hum-bucker-bucker, because of course. The finish is called German black, which is like regular black, but more sparkly and slightly green with age... such a Kreuzberg vibe. If you've got this far, chances are you agree with me: the thing looks severely awesome. Being a Fujigen-made guitar, the same hands behind the best of Fender Japan and Ibanez, it's very well executed and plays brilliantly. It's balanced, responsive and holds tune, which is more than can be said for many SG style models. The neck is super comfy too, it's a slim C style shape and will feel familiar to many Fender fans. The mini toggle switch gives you either a single rails pickup, which is snarly and sizzling with heaps of attack and clarity, akin to an Esquire, or both pickups, which is fatter and rounder with a bit more weight through the low end and midrange. Either option sounds terrific, it's very fun indeed with a dirty amp. Certainly weird, also wunderbar.
Model: History ZSG-CFS
Made: Japan, 2001, Fujigen Gakki factory
Serial: K010314
Finish: German Black, gloss poly
Body: mahogany
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 632mm scale, 12" radius, slim C 'smooth grip' shape
Weight: 3.040kg
Mods: none
Pickups: History SB-2 rails style humbucker x2
Accessories: basic bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has scuffs on the end and bottom edge, dimples on the edge and some scuffs on the front around the posts. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear on the back only. The back has minor scuffs around the whole body, as well as surface scratches on the elbow area and belly carve and some dents around the control cavity. The sides have minor cracks in the finish around the heel, minor dimples on the top horn and elbow area and some minor chips and scuffs near the jack. The front has dimples around the knobs, jack, back edge and elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns. There's a sticker fade mark on the guard.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 7/10, minor wear only