Message from Gibson on spotting fakes

[Lurko]

From the Gibson site (http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/CounterfeitGibsons/):

How to Spot a Fake Gibson

To ensure the authenticity of a Gibson, consumers can check any of the references below when examining a guitar:

• Measure the guitar to check that it’s not undersized. Correct measurements can be found on www.Gibson.com.
• Examine headstock and headstock logo to determine that they match those of authentic Gibson guitars.
• Check to see that all pearl is inlaid.
• Check that Les Paul model script is always in cursive.
• Verify that there’s not a three-screw truss rod cover.
• Check the control and pickup cavities for sloppy routing or wiring.
• Make sure the pickup cavity is not painted black inside.
• Always ask for the Gibson Owner’s Manual and Gibson Warranty Inspection card.
• Check the wiring. If it’s plastic it isn’t a true Gibson.
• When all else fails, contact Gibson Customer Service at
  1-800-4GIBSON.

Also, further signs that the guitar is a real Gibson include:

• Overspray on fretboard where it joins the body
• Erratically carved nibs on fret ends
• Orange peel on headstock finish
• Crackly p/u switch
• If the guitar's setup renders it playable, it's probably not authentic

 

[Elias Graves]

"If the guitar's setup renders it playable, it's probably not authentic"



EG

 

[SvdH]

• If the guitar's setup renders it playable, it's probably not authentic

 

[Elias Graves]

I see a trend developing here.

EG

 

[GammyBird]

 

[SvdH]

Now why would that be?

 

[bobarino]

• If the guitar's setup renders it playable, it's probably not authentic

zomg

 

[jomo]

I did actually giggle just a little....

 

[BillB1960]

Oh goody...another Gibson bashing thread...yay!

 

[Lurko]

Oh goody...another Gibson bashing thread...yay!

Lighten up Francis.

 

[BillB1960]

Lighten up Francis.

 

[cooljuk]

• Measure the guitar to check that it’s not undersized. Correct measurements can be found on www.Gibson.com.
• Check the control and pickup cavities for sloppy routing or wiring.
• Check the wiring. If it’s plastic it isn’t a true Gibson.

Also, further signs that the guitar is a real Gibson include:

• Erratically carved nibs on fret ends
• Crackly p/u switch

OMG!! My Trad and my R9 must both be fakes!!

 

[jomo]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrllCZw8jiM]YouTube - Stripes - Don't Call Me Francis[/ame]

 

[Elias Graves]

I used to bash Gibsons every day.

Love, Pete

 

[Dino Velvet]

And item number 3 on the Gibson list:
Make sure you are not an idiot. And lets face it, some of you are.
Why would a stranger want to sell You a $2500 guitar for less than 1/2 that price. Would you buy a $100 bill for 60 dollars from a stranger and expect it to be real ?
Than you probably are an idiot and we can't help you.

 

[JasonR]

And item number 3 on the Gibson list:
Make sure you are not an idiot. And lets face it, some of you are.
Why would a stranger want to sell You a $2500 guitar for less than 1/2 that price. Would you buy a $100 bill for 60 dollars from a stranger and expect it to be real ?
Than you probably are an idiot and we can't help you.

Lol. He has a good point. If it's too good to be true it usually is.

And from what I've seen...none of the Chinese copiers have gotten the correct truss rod for the les pauls. All of the Chinese fakes I've seen have a covered truss rod...(and I'm not talking about the Truss Rod Cover).

 

[Lurko]

And item number 3 on the Gibson list:
Make sure you are not an idiot. And lets face it, some of you are.
Why would a stranger want to sell You a $2500 guitar for less than 1/2 that price. Would you buy a $100 bill for 60 dollars from a stranger and expect it to be real ?
Than you probably are an idiot and we can't help you.

The whole thread was for laughs, man. I bet you guys are as fun as a bag of hammers at parties.

"Well, actually, a Catholic priest, a Mexican, and two sailors from Denmark would probably never enter a bar at the same time, historically speaking...."

 

[snag]

The whole thread was for laughs, man. I bet you guys are as fun as a bag of hammers at parties.

"Well, actually, a Catholic priest, a Mexican, and two sailors from Denmark would probably never enter a bar at the same time, historically speaking...."

Guess you never worked a bar?

 

[Lurko]

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Another clue it's not a real Gibson: it doesn't have built-in effects.

Oh, wait ...