91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import"

moonchild · 09-27-2007, 06:45 AM

Hi guys,

need your help on this one:

1991 Gibson Les Paul Standard Wine Red + orig. Case - eBay E-Gitarren, Gitarren, Musikinstrumente (end time 28-Sep-07 17:13:25 BST)

The auction is in German, but the guitar's owner replied to my email saying it's a original 91 Les Paul Standard. The reason for the metal serial number is because the Les is a "Grey Import"

Shouldn't the guitar leave the factory in any case with the serial number?

What do you think?

LoKi · 09-27-2007, 10:34 AM

email Gibson right away, with the picture of the serial number, and the back storey. They'll get back to you in either today or tomorrow.

I'm curious. Maybe guitars get restamped once they get to Germany... or used too.. I dunno. Grey Import apparently means that the item was brought into the country legally, but without the knowledge of the manufacturer...

3Steps · 09-27-2007, 10:38 AM

I've never know Gibson to use a serial number plate like that one. Otherwise the guitar appears ok.

LoKi · 09-27-2007, 10:40 AM

It is a nice looking Les Paul though, and everything looks correct. Even the Wine Red and the brown/pink case are the same as my Wine Red Studio from 92.

How much is he asking for it?

moonchild · 09-27-2007, 06:01 PM

Based on some google translations of German guitar forums I've found that some dealers erased the original serial numbers of imported guitars and covered that region with a metal plate.

The goal was to not be traced by Gibson, breaking the normal selling chain and avoiding sanctions. Probably this Les is an original one.

It seems that this happened in the beginning of the 90s not only with guitars but also with some other products that could be bought cheaply abroad.

Inside Guy · 09-27-2007, 09:11 PM

It could be stolen property therefore the defaced serial number.

GuitarGal · 09-28-2007, 12:37 AM

Just want to say...

moonchild~

Welcome here~

LoKi · 09-28-2007, 09:49 AM

There are actually tons of American guitars throughout Europe and Asia that are 'Grey Imports'.

I've seen tons of them on Ebay, Fenders, Washburn, Gibson ect.

They would have removed the original serial number *or covered it* so it could be re-sold in a store without paying anything to Gibson.

It looks legit to me, and if the price is right, could be a beauty of a Les Paul.

coldsteal2 · 09-28-2007, 04:23 PM

I looked close at the back of the head where the number should be, it is perfectly smooth
excpet for the plate so i dont think the number had been
taken off, but it does have the USA stamp.
That is a new one on me though.

Iceman0124 · 09-29-2007, 04:42 AM

I'm curious as to whats under the plate.

09-27-2007, 06:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
moonchild Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" Hi guys, need your help on this one: 1991 Gibson Les Paul Standard Wine Red + orig. Case - eBay E-Gitarren, Gitarren, Musikinstrumente (end time 28-Sep-07 17:13:25 BST) The auction is in German, but the guitar's owner replied to my email saying it's a original 91 Les Paul Standard. The reason for the metal serial number is because the Les is a "Grey Import" Shouldn't the guitar leave the factory in any case with the serial number? What do you think?

09-27-2007, 10:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
LoKi V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 6,119 Thanks: 132 Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" email Gibson right away, with the picture of the serial number, and the back storey. They'll get back to you in either today or tomorrow. I'm curious. Maybe guitars get restamped once they get to Germany... or used too.. I dunno. Grey Import apparently means that the item was brought into the country legally, but without the knowledge of the manufacturer...

09-27-2007, 10:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
3Steps Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 152 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" I've never know Gibson to use a serial number plate like that one. Otherwise the guitar appears ok.

09-27-2007, 10:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
LoKi V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 6,119 Thanks: 132 Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" It is a nice looking Les Paul though, and everything looks correct. Even the Wine Red and the brown/pink case are the same as my Wine Red Studio from 92. How much is he asking for it?

09-27-2007, 06:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
moonchild Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" Based on some google translations of German guitar forums I've found that some dealers erased the original serial numbers of imported guitars and covered that region with a metal plate. The goal was to not be traced by Gibson, breaking the normal selling chain and avoiding sanctions. Probably this Les is an original one. It seems that this happened in the beginning of the 90s not only with guitars but also with some other products that could be bought cheaply abroad.

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09-27-2007, 09:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Inside Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 304 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: 91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" It could be stolen property therefore the defaced serial number.

09-28-2007, 12:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
GuitarGal Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New York Posts: 1,419 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" Just want to say... moonchild~ Welcome here~

09-28-2007, 09:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
LoKi V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 6,119 Thanks: 132 Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" There are actually tons of American guitars throughout Europe and Asia that are 'Grey Imports'. I've seen tons of them on Ebay, Fenders, Washburn, Gibson ect. They would have removed the original serial number or covered it so it could be re-sold in a store without paying anything to Gibson. It looks legit to me, and if the price is right, could be a beauty of a Les Paul.

09-28-2007, 04:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
coldsteal2 Rock Star Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 19,269 Thanks: 250 Thanked 59 Times in 16 Posts	Re: 91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" I looked close at the back of the head where the number should be, it is perfectly smooth excpet for the plate so i dont think the number had been taken off, but it does have the USA stamp. That is a new one on me though. __________________ ...Cold Steal II Soundclick Songs .... MusicMight Secret Service... songs from the past.......Cold Steal YouTubage . Still Rockin' at 56

09-29-2007, 04:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
Iceman0124 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 39 Thanked 12 Times in 4 Posts	Re: 91 Les Paul Standard "Grey Import" I'm curious as to whats under the plate.

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