FGN SG Copies

20 fgn custom sg — 2020 Custom Shop build w/ Rosewood body

FGN is the brand name for guitars produced by Japanese manufacturer Fujigen. Fujigen was a contract builder for several famous brands for decades (most notably Ibanez and Greco). They started selling guitars under their own name in the 1990s, before re-branding as FGN in 2009. Their production of SG copies has been sporadic, almost never appearing on their official website or catalogs.

A unique selling point of FGN guitars is their "Circle Fretting System". This involves giving each fret (and the nut) an almost imperceptible radius to compensate for variation in scale length and improve intonation.

Fujigen also produces guitars for retailer Shimamura under the "History" and "Cool Z" brands which are similar to their FGN models.

NCSG-10R[]

2010-2013
2010: 110,250 Yen MSRP

Body:

Beveled African Mahogany body
Angled heel
Polyester finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn African Mahogany
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
Generic headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl FGN logo
- "Neo Classic" silkscreen
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
1 ¹¹/₁₆" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two Fujigen humbuckers
- AlNiCo 8 magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
- Coil tap capability
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Nickel hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Angel Wing" or "Batwing" pickguard
FGN style truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-104B bridge
Gotoh GE-101A Aluminum tailpiece

Finishes:

Cherry
Black w/ Batwing (2010 limited run, 24 units)^[1]
Candy Apple Red w/ Batwing (2010 limited run, 12 units)
Walnut w/ Batwing (2010 limited run, 12 units)
Canary Yellow w/ Batwing (2010 limited run, 12 units)
Ice Blue Metallic w/ Angel Wing (2011-2013 limited run)
Candy Apple Red w/ Angel Wing (2012 limited run)^[2]
Walnut w/ Angel Wing (2012 limited run)
Lake Placid Blue w/ Angel Wing (2012 limited run)

NCSG-KT-LIMITED[]

Signature model for artist Kato Taro. Production limited to 18 units; 12 Black and 6 Vintage White.

2010
126,000 Yen MSRP

Body:

Beveled African Mahogany body w/ Maple cap
Angled heel
Polyester finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn African Mahogany
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
Generic headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl FGN logo
- "Neo Classic" silkscreen
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
1 ¹¹/₁₆" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two Fujigen humbuckers
- AlNiCo 8 magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
- Coil tap capability
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Nickel hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
FGN style truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-103B bridge
Through-body string anchors

Finishes:

Black
Vintage White

NSG-100[]

2016 Limited Run
123,000 Yen MSRP

Body:

Beveled African Mahogany body
Angled heel
Polyester finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn African Mahogany
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Kalimantan Ebony fretboard
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
Generic headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl FGN logo
- "Neo Classic" silkscreen
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
1 ¹¹/₁₆" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two Fujigen humbuckers
- AlNiCo 8 magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
- Coil tap capability
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Nickel hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Angel Wing" or "Batwing" pickguard
FGN style truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
  
  Walnut
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-104B bridge
Gotoh GE-101A Aluminum tailpiece

Finishes:

Cherry
Walnut
Snow White

JSG-5R[]

2011-2012

Body:

Beveled Basswood body
Angled heel
Polyester finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn African Mahogany
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
Generic headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl FGN logo
- "J-Standard" silkscreen
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
1 ¹¹/₁₆" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two Fujigen humbuckers
- AlNiCo 8 magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
- Coil tap capability
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Nickel hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Angel Wing" or "Batwing" pickguard
FGN style truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
- "Circle Fretting System" hot stamp
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-104B bridge
Gotoh GE-101A Aluminum tailpiece

Finishes:

Cherry
Black

NCDC-10R[]

This model was designed for export with an altered body shape, it was not sold on the Japanese market.

2016-2022
2022:
- £949 Street (UK)
- $1,299 Street (Singapore)
- €1,368 Street (Germany)

Body:

Beveled 2-pc African Mahogany body
Angled heel
Polyester finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn African Mahogany
C profile
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
Generic headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl FGN logo
- "Neo Classic" silkscreen
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
1 ¹¹/₁₆" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two Fujigen DRY-VW4 humbuckers
- AlNiCo 8 magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
- Coil tap capability
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Nickel hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
FGN style truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-104B bridge
Gotoh GE-101A Aluminum tailpiece

Finishes:

Wine Red
Black
Antique White

History ZSG[]

This guitar was part of the Cool Z series, which later became its own brand.

2001-2005
66,000 Yen MSRP

Body:

Beveled Mahogany body
Polyurethane finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn Maple
Bolt-on construction
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic dot inlays
- ??? radius
6-Inline headstock
- Silk-screened History logo
- Body color matched
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale?
1 ²¹/₃₂" nut width?

Electronics:

Two SB-2 dual-rail style humbuckers
- ??? magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
Mini-switch
1 Vol, 1 Tone

Hardware:

Chrome hardware
Gotoh SG-38 Magnum Locking tuning machines
- 1:16 ratio
- Metal Schaller-style buttons
3-ply white pearloid pickguard
Black Speed knobs
Tremolo

Finishes:

German Black

Cool Z ZSG-1[]

2007-2015^[3]
2009-2013:
- 78,000 Yen MSRP (tax included)
2014-2015:
- 74,300 Yen MSRP
- 80,244 Yen MSRP (tax included) ^[4]

Body:

Beveled African Mahogany body
Angled heel
Polyurethane finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn African Mahogany
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic split trapezoid inlays (2007-2009)
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
History/Cool Z headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl Cool Z logo
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
Cow Bone nut
1 ²¹/₃₂" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

09 coolz zsg1 — 2009 model with split inlays

Electronics:

Two Louis BH-1 humbuckers
- Ferrite ceramic magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Chrome hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Batwing" pickguard
- Wide bevel
Bell-shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
- "Circle Fretting System" hot stamp
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-104B bridge
Gotoh GE-101Z Zinc tailpiece

Finishes:

Cherry
Black
White

Cool Z ZSG-2/M[]

Limited run for winter 2012. "M" stands for "Modern".^[5]

2012
98,500 Yen MSRP (tax included)

Body:

Beveled African Mahogany body
Angled heel
Polyurethane finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn African Mahogany
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Palisander fretboard
- Acrylic block inlays
- 12" radius
History/Cool Z headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl Cool Z logo
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
Cow Bone nut
1 ²¹/₃₂" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two Louis FH-1M/2M humbuckers
- AlNiCo V magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Gold hardware
Gotoh SG-301 tuning machines
- 1:18 ratio
- Metal Keystone buttons
4-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
- Wide bevel
Bell-shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
- "Circle Fretting System" hot stamp
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-103BT bridge
Gotoh GE-101Z Zinc tailpiece

Finishes:

Snow White

Cool Z ZSG-10[]

2015-2018
90,000 Yen MSRP
97,200 Yen MSRP (tax included)

Body:

Beveled African Mahogany body
Angled heel
Polyurethane finish

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn African Mahogany
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
History/Cool Z headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl Cool Z logo
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
Cow Bone nut
1 ¹¹/₁₆" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two History FH-6D humbuckers
- AlNiCo 8 magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone

Hardware:

Chrome hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
- Wide bevel
Bell-shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-104B bridge
Gotoh GE-101Z Zinc tailpiece

Finishes:

Heritage Cherry

History SH-SG[]

2010-2015^[6]
2010-2013:
- 168,000 Yen MSRP (with tax)
2014-2015:
- 160,000 Yen MSRP
- 172,800 Yen MSRP (with tax)
2016 Clearance Sale:
- 148,000 Yen MSRP
- 159,840 Yen MSRP (with tax)
2017 Clearance Sale:
- 119,000 Yen MSRP

Body:

Beveled 2-pc African Mahogany body
Angled heel
Polyurethane finish

Neck:

3-pc laminated "Heritage Wood" Hard Maple
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
History/Cool Z headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl History logo
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
Cow Bone nut
1 ¹¹/₁₆" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two History FH-7D humbuckers
- Ferrite ceramic magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
Switchcraft 3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone
- CTS pots
Switchcraft output jack

Hardware:

Chrome hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
- Wide bevel
Bell-shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
- "Circle Fretting System" hot stamp
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-104B bridge
Gotoh GE-101A Aluminum tailpiece

Finishes:

Heritage Cherry
Black

History RH-SG[]

Limited edition released in 2018 but produced in 2017. "RH" stands for "Rugged History", which denotes the hardware aging treatment.^[7]

2018-2019
2018-2019:
- 147,000 Yen
- 158,760 Yen (tax included)^[8]
2020 Price Drop:
- 127,000 Yen (tax included)
2022 Clearance Sale:
- 115,000 Yen

Body:

Beveled 2-pc African Mahogany body
Angled heel
Polyurethane finish, Nitrocellulose Lacquer top coat
- Fine scratching

Neck:

1-pc quartersawn "Heritage Wood" Hard Maple
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
History/Cool Z headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl History logo
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
Cow Bone nut
1 ¹¹/₁₆" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two History FH-10D humbuckers
- ??? magnets
- ~???k Ohms D.C. resistance
Switchcraft 3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone
- CTS pots
Switchcraft output jack

Hardware:

Nickel hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Aged Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
- Wide bevel
Bell-shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
- "Circle Fretting System" hot stamp
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-104B bridge
Gotoh GE-101A Aluminum tailpiece

Finishes:

Cherry

History TH-SG[]

2015-2017
2015-2017:
- 185,000 Yen MSRP
- 199,800 Yen MSRP (tax included)
2018-2019 Price Drop:
- 164,160 Yen MSRP (tax included)
2020 Clearance Sale:
- 143,000 Yen MSRP (tax included)
2021-2022 Clearance Sale:
- 118,000 Yen MSRP (tax included)

Body:

Beveled 2-pc African Mahogany body
Angled heel
Polyurethane finish, Lacquer top coat

Neck:

3-pc laminated
- African Mahogany / "Heritage Wood" Hard Maple / Mahogany
Medium profile (~.810" / .940")
Set-in construction
- Joins body at 22nd fret
- Stepped hangover
Indian Rosewood fretboard
- Acrylic trapezoid inlays
- 12" radius
History/Cool Z headstock
- Inlaid Mother of Pearl History logo
- Maple veneer
- 18^o pitch
22 frets
- Jescar FW47104-NS
- Circle fretting system
24 ³/₄" scale
Oil-soaked Cow Bone nut
1 ¹¹/₁₆" nut width

Binding:

Neck, single-ply
Frets over binding

Electronics:

Two History FH-1D humbuckers
- AlNiCo III magnets
- ~8k Ohms D.C. resistance
- Braided wire
Switchcraft 3-way switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone
- CTS pots
- Orange Drop caps
Switchcraft output jack

Hardware:

Nickel hardware
Gotoh SD90 tuning machines
- 1:15 ratio
- Yellow Keystone buttons
- Single ring
4-ply "Angel Wing" pickguard
- Wide bevel
Bell-shaped truss rod cover
- 2-ply b/w
- Narrow bevel
Black Reflector knobs w/ pointers
Gotoh GE-104B bridge
Gotoh GE-101A Aluminum tailpiece

Finishes:

Heritage Cherry

References[]

[1] ttps://rittor-music.jp/products/2010/06/2256

[2] ttps://fujigenonline.blog.jp/archives/51984913.html

[3] ttps://web.archive.org/web/20071023235529/http://www.shimamura.co.jp/originalbrand/coolz/lineup.html

[4] ttps://web.archive.org/web/20151212084559/http://www.shimamura.co.jp/originalbrand/list/index.html?ref=olbft#e_guitar

[5] ttps://www.shimamura.co.jp/shop/hiezu/product/20121206/15

[6] ttps://blog.shimamura.co.jp/entry/20100717/1279340238

[7] ttps://www.shimamura.co.jp/press/?p=5238

[8] ttps://blog.history.gt/entry/2018/03/27/120000

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