1996 HISTORIC R8 Serial Number

[5411GEAR]

Hello friends, I am interested in buying a 1996 Lefty Gibson '58 'burst historic reissue custom shop Les Paul Standard with historic reissue case black color. The seller does not have the certificate. Sent me photos and the serial number is 8 6247. Please let me know what the serial number would be a historic 1996 and 2006?

Thanks!

 

[DelawareGold]

It could be either a 1996 or a 2006.
We would need to see the pictures to tell the difference.

 

[5411GEAR]

the pictures...

Shot at 2012-02-12

Shot at 2012-02-12

Shot at 2012-02-12

Shot at 2012-02-12

 

[Mike60]

a no-brainer...2006

 

[Rick W]

What Mike said.......

 

[guitarnut_germany]

the case doesn't look from 2006 though... I though those cases were used only in the 90's (this is not the crushed velvet one)

it doesn't have dual neck support either, had a guitar go broken on me because of this issue...( crappy case IMO)

 

[5411GEAR]

Hi Rick, I'm Marcelo from Argentina. Please let me know what the difference to know if 1996 or 2006

Best!

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

I say 1996, the inlays, ferrules, bridge pickup position, SN font, amber knobs, tuner alignment and other cues, tell me so.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

The case is a 1997-1998.

 

[Rick W]

Hi Marcelo! Great to see you here. How's the Strat doing? I thought this guitar was a 2006 because the 1997 lefty R7 that I used to have had the Custom sticker on the back of the headstock. After seeing Skatterbranes response I'll have to say listen to him. From the posts I've read he knows as much about these guitars as anyone on the forum. I'm mostly a dumb Fender guy....
Rick

 

[gitabou]

I rather think it is a 1996 one. (because of the inlays and the tuners)

there are several characteristics, you can differenciate them.

It would be a 1996 if:
- the Inlays had round edges
- the tuners are not in line (as i think can be seen on the image)
- there is no space between the nut and the trusrod plate

as seen on the pictures of this page: http://www.guitarmaniacs.de/html/misc/gibson-les-paul-reissue.shtml

unfortunately it is difficult to see on the photos.
In my opinion you should look at the inlays (let him send a photo)
If the inlays have round edges, it can't be an 2006 !

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

Hi Marcelo! Great to see you here. How's the Strat doing? I thought this guitar was a 2006 because the 1997 lefty R7 that I used to have had the Custom sticker on the back of the headstock. After seeing Skatterbranes response I'll have to say listen to him. From the posts I've read he knows as much about these guitars as anyone on the forum. I'm mostly a dumb Fender guy....
Rick

That 1997 was probably NOT a Historic Reissue, if it had the Custom sticker (68RI excepted). It was most likely a 1997 Custom Shop Standard, with a larger serial number font. 7 9xxx.

Before 1999, when all Custom Shop guitars that were not reissues had a serial number starting with "CS Yxxx" They started with the year made and then a 9.

Now the 1993 and the very early 1994 reissues had either a "Historic Collection" or a "Custom Shop" decal, but after very early 1994, if your Les Paul has a Custom Shop sticker, it is not a reissue, but a limited run or special order custom shop Les Paul, a Class 5, an Elegant, or a Custom Shop Standard, a Custom Shop Classic or other such creature.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

BTW a 1996 trumps a 2006 in my book!

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

 

[Rick W]

Sorry, my memory is fading as I get senile. I guess I thought mine was a '95. It looked like this:

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

Sorry, my memory is fading as I get senile. I guess I thought mine was a '95. It looked like this:

That is interesting, what model was this Les Paul? Was it a goldtop? The color of the back does not look like the typical dark back.

I seems it might be a 1997 Custom Shop Les Paul, but I would need more pictures.

 

[Rick W]

Here's a picture of it in the case.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

Oh, it is a Custom, should have noticed the larger headstock! I am not as well versed in the Customs. It seems that even the reissues had the Custom Shop decal on and off through the years. But this is the first Reissue Custom I have seen since 1994 with a Custom Shop decal. All the NON Reissue Custom Shop Customs have that decal though. Your case is 1999 or newer.

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

It is interesting, but I think the Lefty Customs from the 50's did not have a lefty TRC.

 

[Frails]

Most definitely a 96'. The TRC is in the same position as my 98' R8. I'm staring at 07' and 08' R9's sitting next to me and the TRC's are much farther from the nuts. The inlays in the pics look rounded to me as well.