FAKE 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitars and the factory ledgers. A Wall Street Journal story 7-10-2020

[King Minimoose]

Joe B has said that he's not going to keep all his gear forever. He's just taking care of it and sharing it with people until the next owner. It's one of the things I enjoy about him and Charlie Daughtry, they share with others.

 

[eric ernest]

Eric, if it's only half that you see are fake, you are a long way up the food chain! Relatively convincing fakes must outnumber the originals by a long way. I can still remember when it was reworked Tokais in a pre-internet era.

To put it more accurately: Half of the ones I'm PAID to look at are fake. They've usually been partially vetted when I get involved.

The ones I am merely ASKED to look at (non-paid) are overwhelmingly fake!

There are a few details in the article that need further explanation or miss the accuracy mark....bur considering the author wasn't a "guitar guy," he did better than some guitar magazines I've read!!!!

 

[CB91710]

how many of the damn things do you need,man.

All of them

 

[CB91710]

Joe B has said that he's not going to keep all his gear forever. He's just taking care of it and sharing it with people until the next owner. It's one of the things I enjoy about him and Charlie Daughtry, they share with others.

Like one of Joe's t-shirts says...

"Buy, Sell, Trade... Mostly buy"

Joe's Guitars Pocket T-Shirt (Men) - Grey

Size (Inches) S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL Chest 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 Body Length 28.5 29.5 30.5 31.5 32.5 33.5 34.5 35.5 Features: 6 ounce, 100% ring spun cotton Classic fit PreShrunk Tapered neck and shoulder Seamless...

shop.jbonamassa.com

 

[Ph03n1x]

I've always thought that copies of the 50s guitars must be pretty good by now. It is the one thing that has made me hesitant to buy an expensive vintage guitar (I mean besides also not having a suitcase of cash lying around). The LP plans have been available for ages. There are specialty shops replicating old nitrocellulose paint recipes. There is an entire industry of people doing "relic" finishes. I've read that even the blacklighting method can be tricked. Sure, there might not be that much old growth mahogany available, but how would you know the difference?

 

[eric ernest]

There are specialty shops replicating old nitrocellulose paint recipes. There is an entire industry of people doing "relic" finishes. I've read that even the blacklighting method can be tricked.

I have yet to see any that are extremely accurate....for a variety of reasons.

 

[CB91710]

I have yet to see any that are extremely accurate....for a variety of reasons.

It's a matter of human beings being unable to create something that is truly random, while nature excels in it.
Conversely, human being are very adept at recognizing patterns and irregularities.

Even when duplicating actual natural wear patterns, there are still signs of repetitive procedures.

 

[eric ernest]

It's a matter of human beings being unable to create something that is truly random, while nature excels in it.
Conversely, human being are very adept at recognizing patterns and irregularities.

Even when duplicating actual natural wear patterns, there are still signs of repetitive procedures.

The "fake aging" is one thing....the paint formula (what I was referring to) is something totally different.

But yes, good points.

 

[Duane_the_tub]

Has anyone else heard the rumor that one of the "originals" off which Gibson created a CC is actually a fake? That and "which guitars in BOTB aren't real" are two questions that have always intrigued me.

 

[pmonk]

I wonder how many fake 59's actually sounded and played better than a real 59?

 

[masterglazier]

What I really meant to say was, So how many are accounted for , and how many are real?

 

[masterglazier]

That came out a different way than I intended so I edited it out.

 

[eric ernest]

I was told back in the 90's that the Dallas guitar show had over a thousand " 59's" on display 1 year.

Did you know the word gullible is not in the dictionary? Serious. Go look it up....

 

[masterglazier]

Did you know the word gullible is not in the dictionary? Serious. Go look it up....

 

[Mini Forklift Ⓥ]

Whoa, says that Joe B now owns eighteen '59's? Last time I was reading about his collection he said he had four !!

 

[eric ernest]

Lol, Yea except the funny part is it was true, ha ha look it up.....

Why would I "look it up" when I was probably there....

 

[masterglazier]

Why would I "look it up" when I was probably there....

Oh my bad, I had no idea you were at the show, in that case, can you please elaborate as to what you witnessed?

 

[eric ernest]

Oh my bad, I had no idea you were at the show, in that case, can you please elaborate as to what you witnessed?

The most I have ever seen in 33 years of doing guitar shows is maybe 2 dozen at any given show....and that was decades ago...

 

[masterglazier]

I am surprised that someone would come to a guitar show and try and pass a fake right in front of known collectors, and dealers. What is the reaction when they are found out? I mean, you have people that know everything to look for beaming in on the example!

 

[delawaregold]

You mean like a big split down the center seam?...I wouldn't know!