Can the Les Paul experts take a look at this? Help?

[big jilm]

Hi, everyone.

I just made a trade for a 2012 Les Paul Custom Classic (Classic Custom?). Baked maple fretboard (which feels nice, by the way!) Nice looking guitar, not too heavy, sounds good, feels good. REALLY low action, small frets.

Well, I get home from picking it up, and I notice there are NO NIBS on the frets. Now I am scared crapless! Like an IDIOT I didn't see that when I tried it out (I was excited, I guess). The pots say gibson, and to me it doesn't look fake, but I am no expert.

So I called Gibson. They checked the serial number, and it checks out as a 2012 Custom Classic in Antique Natural - which is exactly what this guitar is. The guy on the phone told me that he thinks it's a real one, because it matches #'s and nobody is faking baked maple Custom Classics. He thinks it has been refretted.

What do you guys think? Is the Gibson guy right? Just a re-fret? Or did I get suckered? If I did, the guy didn't know about it, I'm pretty sure. It has a real Gibson case, as well - at least to my eye.




Thanks for any help!

 

[Thunder Dump]

Real. Not sure about why it was refretted but it's real so rock out and enjoy.

 

[ddh101]

Very real Gibson. I think all of the bound '12's had nibs so re-fret is likely. From the only pic you've posted of the fretboard, the frets looks good. If you love the guitar I wouldn't let the possibility of a re-fret bother me at all.

 

[elephantrider]

that thing is gorgeous.

 

[Lucidsounds]

Genuine Classic Custom all the way, apart from the frets. Maybe the previous owner didn't care for the originals. Some Gibson frets can be a tad low and wide for some players.

 

[Bigfoot410]

I have one and everything looks just like mine. Looks like just a refret. May not have liked normal frets and wanted bridge girders like those...lol

Long may you enjoy. These are fantastic guitars!

 

[big jilm]

Can you see remnants on the neck binding where the nibs were removed?

I'm not sure from the picture - I'm away from the guitar (at my folks for dinner) can you tell from the photo?

 

[big jilm]

Thanks everyone for the replies!!! You guys really eased my mind. The guitar is really nice - I'm glad to have a Les Paul again - it's been awhile.

The frets that are on there now are low little things - I will see if I like them or not over time. If not, it's a cool guitar to keep, so a refret would be happening. I may like them though - we'll see.

Thanks again, everyone - you made my day!!!

big jilm

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

The nut is cracked or not glued properly so it has to be the real thing!



Nice!

 

[big jilm]

The nut is cracked or not glued properly so it has to be the real thing!



Nice!

lol too true!

 

[rikko]

BARRRRR
BEEEEE
QUE
MAPLE!!!!

And plain top!!!


EEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

(congrats!!!)

 

[Donal]

Genuine and genuinely beautiful

HNGD!

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Sweet find. Crank it up.

 

[JM2112]

Yup, it's certainly real!

Either the previous owner didn't like the factory frets or really played the guitar all day every day that they needed replacing. Either way, new frets are not a problem as long as the job was done right since frets wear and it's something all guitars will need at some point. The truss rod cover was replaced, too, it should be blank.

Classic Customs are awesome guitars! Enjoy it!!!

 

[jc2000]

Beautiful guitar.. you made out.

 

[big jilm]

Yup, it's certainly real!

Either the previous owner didn't like the factory frets or really played the guitar all day every day that they needed replacing. Either way, new frets are not a problem as long as the job was done right since frets wear and it's something all guitars will need at some point. The truss rod cover was replaced, too, it should be blank.

Classic Customs are awesome guitars! Enjoy it!!!

Thanks! Yeah - now that I am sure that it is real, I don't mind that it had a re-fret.
The guy I got it from gave me the blank truss cover, along with all the case candy. I really like the "Les Paul Custom" cover, so I think I'll leave it on there!

 

[big jilm]

Oh - and I was wrong about the weight. It didn't feel too bad at first - then I weighed it. Wish I hadn't!

10lbs 9oz. LOL!

Looking for a giant wide strap now.

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

All in your mind....put it on and rock it.

 

[1allspub]

I'm no expert, but it sure looks legit to me... and looks awesome as well! Congrats and HNGD!!!

I have neck and shoulder issues so I am always on the look out for good wide straps. The best "cheap" one I've found is an LM bass strap (3.5" wide contoured sheepskin pad makes it very, very comfortable). They run about $20 most anyplace. But don't expect them to last forever as they are pretty cheap (but definitely comfortable).

The best "expensive" strap I've found so far is the Gibson Fatboy. It's over $100, but thickly padded with memory foam. It's only real downside (other than cost) is that it is heavy itself (all that leather and foam adds up). But it's so comfortable that it compensates for the weight so I really don't even notice its weight.

That said, I truly prefer the LM strap's design. It's perfect for me... but it's clearly a cheap product (but cheap enough to replace over and over if necessary I guess). Sure wish they made a high quality version... I'd own one in a heartbeat (actually, they do make a better built version, but it has a big bass cleft stitched on the front of it... and that would drive my OCD crazy, ha!).

Anyway, hope this helps.

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

Beautiful guitar, congrats.