Do I have a regular LPC or a custom shop one?

[Seamus McFlanery]

So this morning I was going through my guitar collection seeing which of my guitars need winter maintenance or even just a little tlc. This was the first time I was able to put my three les paul customs together and under a microscope. Now I have an 86 Black LPC with chrome hardware, a 93 White LPC and a Black 98 LPC (this is the guitar I am asking about).

They are all second hand guitars so I only know what I was told from the previous owners. When I had all three guitars lined up next to each other I noticed the 98 black LPC was slightly different looking in terms of aesthetics. Where the other two guitars have what look like pearl inlays and Gibson logos on the headstocks, the 98 looks like it has abalone inlays and logo. At first I assumed this was just a stylistic change that Gibson did since it is the newest of my three LPCs, so I went and checked out the pictures of a 2014 LPC I have been looking at and it seems to have inlays and a logo that is inline with the other two (pearl).

So does this mean I have a limited run guitar or maybe even some kind of black beauty from the custom shop? Also I should mention the neck on it is a bit thicker than on the other two guitars. I'll try and post pictures later.

 

[Tim Plains]

All Customs became Custom Shop guitars in 2003, maybe 2004. I think any Custom Shop editions before that would have a sticker at the base of the headstock.

 

[Lucidsounds]

Does the serial number not tell you? I thought custom shop instruments had a serial that began CS xxxxx whereas the regular factory models (except the early Classics) have the long factory stamp on the back of the headstock.

 

[Seamus McFlanery]

The serial number is semi illegible. It starts with a 9 though and I can't see a CS on it but it could have had it and had been rubbed off. It's just so weird that it has abalone instead of MoP like all the other LPCs I've seen so far.

 

[filtersweep]

All Customs became Custom Shop guitars in 2003, maybe 2004. I think any Custom Shop editions before that would have a sticker at the base of the headstock.

All?? I have a Custom Lite- highly doubtful it is a custom shop.

 

[Mr. Satchmo]

Pictures please

 

[Seamus McFlanery]

I tired but my cell phone camera sucks so none of them were coming out well. But upon looking at the inlays closer I can see that they are similar. Can MoP have a greenish tint to it, as to look similar to abalone?

 

[Meepers]

I have a 2003 custom and the serial follows the regular Gibson pattern. There is no CS at the beginning of the number.

 

[Tim Plains]

All?? I have a Custom Lite- highly doubtful it is a custom shop.

Those are USA models.

 

[JM2112]

All?? I have a Custom Lite- highly doubtful it is a custom shop.

There are some Customs from the USA line like the Custom Lite and Classic Custom.

 

[scottpic]

What can you make out from the serial number?
How many digits?
Borrow a friends smart phone for a moment to get some pictures for us to look at.
MoP can have green in it, but is less common.

 

[Veeing Fly]

Clearly a fake, then. I'll give you...$50.

 

[yamariv]

Pics or it didn't happen!!

 

[Bobby Mahogany]