Hmm, not sure if they're genuine.
All I can say is that I have 3 SD pickups (a set of '59s and an Alnico II Pro neck pickup) and their baseplates have the logo engraved, like this.
I don't know if they always have done that, though.
No, that fret leveling kit won't fix your problem unless it's in the hands of a guy who knows how to use it.
Yes, Les Pauls are heavy but I've never experienced one that was neck heavy.
Now, if we were talking about SGs...those are rather light guitars, but neck heavy as fook. :laugh2:
As far as I know, only the K serial Orvilles had serial number stickers.
And yes, the Elites/Elitists were made at the same plants as the Orvilles, just about 14 years after the Orville production started and about 4 years after the Orville production stopped.
You don't need a close-up look to make out the Elitist logo on the back of the headstock.
To make out the stamped serial number on a white guitar, however, you sometimes have to get very close.