Gibson not authenticating on the phone anymore.

[Nirvana33]

I have been buying and selling Gibsons for a long time now. I have always called Gibson customer service with the serial number before a new purchase to verify the color, year, and full description. This has saved me from a few purchases that were fakes or had work done I didn't know about.
I called today to verify 1 and heard their new automated response to customer service. They want you now to email or mail photos in and they will respond back. They will not take calls anymore. I always thought this was an important service provided by Gibson to. Bad business move to end call support.

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

I just talked to them yesterday asking about my incoming 08 Trad.

Just call and ask anyway?

[Nirvana33]

Guy, try calling now and listen to the new message. I was able to pull a verification yesterday as well. Today it all changed.

[Tim Plains]

Originally Posted by Nirvana33

They want you now to email or mail photos in and they will respond back. They will not take calls anymore.

Obviously, because they want to see the guitar before telling you it's real. Anyone can take the serial number from a real Heritage Cherry LP slap it on a fake HC. Good decision by Gibson if you ask me.

[Ansen]

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Thank you for your interest in Gibson.

The serial number would normally refer to a guitar from 19xx, made on day xx of that year, so the xxst of January, stamped as the xxth instrument that day at the factory.

However, if you would like to know how the serial number is registered here, please send me the following pictures:

* Photos of the instrument in JPG format as an attachment (please limit to 2MB total size for all pictures together, as a bigger total size will not reach us) - full front, full back, as well as close ups of the front and back of the headstock, with the serial number clearly visible. Also of any inside labels that the instrument may have.

We can only give you information on how the serial number is registered here together with pictures of the guitar, for security reasons

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Gibson answer to a query of mine from january..

I send them the requested photos and got back all the infos, i was able to find out myself for this guitar, nothing more in deep, like i hope..

[Nirvana33]

No more phone support from Gibson. Call now and see for yourselves.

[tazzboy]

Gibson Electric Guitar and Basses. Guitar Tech Support, Gibson Serial Numbers, Guitar Repair and How to Buy a Guitar

You can also post on their forum as well if you are register member their.

Gibson Guitar Board

All you need to do is take good pictures front to back and post a serial # or email Gibson and they will get back to soon on it.

[jonas335]

I Emailed them last week with a question about my R8s finish. Sent the Email about 10pm Pacific Time and received a reply within a couple of hours...

[stratoblaster]

Funny, I emailed them a few weeks ago to find out the neck profile on my Standard Faded. ( I thought it was 60's until I saw another at a shop that was 50's ). I waited at least a week. I got no reply, ever. I called them and got the answer in minutes. I hope their email response improves. FWIW, my neck turned out to be 50's and I was kind of happy?

[LedZeppelin]

Originally Posted by Nirvana33

No more phone support from Gibson. Call now and see for yourselves.

Ok fine, maybe the phone support changed.
I'm still happy with the decision of emailing them the pictures and such. It provides a better answer.

[jonas335]

I was surprised when I got an answer so fast - I was really not expecting good service...

[Dino Velvet]

Yes, Bob said they were getting 100's of calls from assholes on assorted forums about craigslist guitars. .
I'm sure you can still email them.