How to Spot a Fake Gibson Les Paul

[Alex]

For anyone who's on the lookout for a good deal on a Gibson Les Paul, this guide will help you identify potential fakes out there. https://www.geartalk.com/how-to-spot-a-fake-gibson-les-paul/

Did anyone here unknowingly purchase a fake Gibby before? Tell us a little about your experience. And for those of you who haven't had to deal with fakes yet, what steps did you take to ensure that the used Gibson Les Paul you bought was the real deal?

 

[rockstar232007]

Been playing Gibsons since I was 5 years old. Could spot a fake, blindfolded, lol.

 

[gball]

Been playing Gibsons since I was 5 years old. Could spot a fake, blindfolded, lol.

I feel about the same, although I was 11 when I got my first one - 45 years ago.
Also, I only buy from very reputable dealers, except for one single time when I bought one from a good friend and knew the provenance.

 

[Leumas]

I tried to buy a wine red custom once.

 

[mrweird]

When it sayz this? (I builded a kit once, decided to put this on the headstock...)

 

[mrblooze]

I'd like to think I'd notice a knock off from the real deal. Bought my '71 custom 46 years ago, and I think I'd see a fake NORLIN, assuming someone tried to run one past me.

But...

A reputable shop once tried to sell me a '63 SG. It was a '74 (chrome vs nickel hardware and the Schaller Harmonica bridge should've been a giveaway...). I bought it anyway because I liked the sound, even thought it has a Gibson smile at the headstock and an ugly, if serviceable repair, in '85.

But would I notice if the pups had been changed, if it was a professional job? I've been in electronics my whole life. I know I could do that kind of solder work. Sure, most scammers aren't going to put the time in it, but I imagine there are some real artists out there... Might be why, though only 1200-1700 bursts were made, it seems that 2500 or so survive to this day...

Most knock offs are obvious, and the adage, "If it looks too good to be true, it probably isn't" will keep us out of trouble.

But I wouldn't trust just my own opinion before shelling out 6 figures for a burst.

Just sayin'.

 

[greens]

I've seen hundreds of fakes. The only thing I've never seen on a fake is headstock wings. That is the easiest tell.

 

[Sct13]

I’m one of those “photos please” …. Kinda guys …. I can be annoying this way… but I haven’t been burned yet. I did see a flat out fake at a guitar show once… the guy got kinda pissed at me….I guess I could have been more subtle….

Finger pointing with a bull horn is bad….

 

[Wise Guy]

When I was a young teen in the late 80's/early 90's, my parents purchased me a Chibson unknowingly. I believe it was possibly a Maestro brand guitar that someone did a great job at installing a Gibson veneer onto the headstock. Either that or it was some unbranded Chinese knock off that someone modified. But the bolt on neck was a dead give away once I learned LP's had set necks.

 

[Deftone]

I've haven't seen one yet that didn't look wrong in some way.

 

[Sct13]

Perfect … as they should be….

 

[AJK1]

For anyone who's on the lookout for a good deal on a Gibson Les Paul, this guide will help you identify potential fakes out there. https://www.geartalk.com/how-to-spot-a-fake-gibson-les-paul/

Did anyone here unknowingly purchase a fake Gibby before? Tell us a little about your experience. And for those of you who haven't had to deal with fakes yet, what steps did you take to ensure that the used Gibson Les Paul you bought was the real deal?

You need to go get a job with Chibsons as you seem obsessed with fakes and copies
You’ll drum up a lot of business for them

 

[mudface]

You need to go get a job with Chibsons as you seem obsessed with fakes and copies
You’ll drum up a lot of business for them

You must be the least observant member on this forum.... there’s gotta be a award for that.

 

[AJK1]

You must be the least observant member on this forum.... there’s gotta be a award for that.

I just observed your spelling mistake…

 

[mudface]

I just observed your spelling mistake…

You wood

 

[01GT Eibach]

The common $300 Chibsons are pretty easy to spot, but I am concerned about better Asian copies that are not so obvious, and the turning of lower-priced USA guitars into CS ones. It wouldn't surprise me if there are users in this forum that have Les Pauls that they are not aware are fakes in some way.

 

[chef]

Great article! This took me a couple of years of lurking around here to pick up most of those from different threads.

Did Alex write this, or was it ChatGPT scrubbing the threads?

 

[chef]

But would I notice if the pups had been changed, if it was a professional job? I've been in electronics my whole life. I know I could do that kind of solder work. Sure, most scammers aren't going to put the time in it, but I imagine there are some real artists out there... Might be why, though only 1200-1700 bursts were made, it seems that 2500 or so survive to this day...

Most knock offs are obvious, and the adage, "If it looks too good to be true, it probably isn't" will keep us out of trouble.

But I wouldn't trust just my own opinion before shelling out 6 figures for a burst.

Just sayin'.

Agree, the vintage stuff has so much profit potential.

That knowledge set and experience to authenticate a vintage instrument is impressive, and well worth hiring. Love reading about it here over the years.

I once herd more 1982 Chateau Petrus wine is consumed in Vegas each year than was made in that year, and while that may be an exaggeration, its probably not far from the truth, counterfeit wine has gone through many auction houses, and hence 2500 survivors.

 

[rogue3]

In 1975, i fell in love with a fake...'cept it didn't say Gibson, it said Northern. A Japanese Les Paul copy. It was drool worthy, even then. And more affordable. Still overpriced, however ( 1/2 cost of a real Gibson). For less (300$, out the door) there was a ...ahem...used , worn to the wood, Butterscotch 50's Tele... or, for the same price as the Northern, a *used* early 70's Burgundy Norlin Les Paul Custom. crazy times back then. The MIJ copy was really nice though. But that was MIJ. quality.

 

[Dino Velvet]

None of the Chibsons would even fool Stevie Wonder once you held it.