Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

[DesertRose]

Hi all

I would like afew suggestions and comments to this.
I just purchased a Gibson 1958 custom shop LP, used from someone.

The serial number is consistant with its year, make and model according to Gibson, whom I emailed before I purchase. So I believe its genuine.
However he(the owner) told me that he doesn't include the COA because he lost it some years ago.. duh.

Is there a way to identify its authenticity besides the serial number?

Here is a few pics of the guitar.

thanks guys

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Send an e-mail to Gibson with the serial number and ask if you can have a copy of the COA for a fee.

HTH,

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

^^ ya that would be the best thing to do

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

+1.

Man, that's a nice acquisition. How does it play and sound? (the most important aspect of any guitar unless you're just collecting, of course)

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Send an e-mail to Gibson with the serial number and ask if you can have a copy of the COA for a fee.

HTH,

I had put up a request to Gibson.
They said that to send another COA, they had to physical authenticate the guitar. I'm no where near Gibson and the only thing to do is to ship it which cost a bomb.

I had another reply that if I'm not the original owner, there is no way I could get another COA unless it is a very special request or situation.

+1.

Man, that's a nice acquisition. How does it play and sound? (the most important aspect of any guitar unless you're just collecting, of course)

Currently I'm not bothered much about the COA, I just want to ensure that the guitar is genuine. That's all, it comes with the OHSC.
The feel is good, I like Gibson guitars.

Any other comments? Is there a code in the cavity or something like that to further check its authenticity?

 

[John_L]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Did the original owner buy the guitar in Singapore?
If so it shouldn't be that hard to trace which dealer sold it and their records should e enough to put your mind at rest. If he imported it himself it might be harder.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Did the original owner buy the guitar in Singapore?
If so it shouldn't be that hard to trace which dealer sold it and their records should e enough to put your mind at rest. If he imported it himself it might be harder.

Sad to say, Yes. It wasn't purchased from Singapore.
It was acquired in New Jersey.
I don't know if its a cooked up story, but he seems kindda nice.
Maybe that's because I'm buying the guitar from him.

Anyway, I believe he is telling the truth because he patiently waited almost 2 weeks for my payment without having the guitar posted on the ads for sale again.
Its almost MINT and I gotten it at a good price.

As of now, what is bothering me is the authenticity because I took it for granted that it came with it.

 

[John_L]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Sad to say, Yes. It wasn't purchased from Singapore.
It was acquired in New Jersey.
I don't know if its a cooked up story, but he seems kindda nice.
Maybe that's because I'm buying the guitar from him.

Anyway, I believe he is telling the truth because he patiently waited almost 2 weeks for my payment without having the guitar posted on the ads for sale again.
Its almost MINT and I gotten it at a good price.

As of now, what is bothering me is the authenticity because I took it for granted that it came with it.

Well there can't be that many CS dealers in NJ, perhaps a NJ based forum brother can help with some suggestions and you can e-mail those stores.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Well there can't be that many CS dealers in NJ, perhaps a NJ based forum brother can help with some suggestions and you can e-mail those stores.

I would appreciate that bro.
I hate to sound so negative, but I doubt much can be done.

 

[cakire82]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Here are some useful tips from Gibson

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/CounterfeitGibsons/

also more about their serial numbers are here

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ProductSpotlight/GearAndInstruments/Gibson Serial Numbers/

 

[el_jalepeno]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

I ended up inadvertantly buying a fake Epi a while back. I sent some close up pics of the guitar to Gibson, and they confirmed it was fake. If you are really that concerned about it, call them up and send some close ups. It took about a day for them to get back to me.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

I've only encountered one fake gibson, and it was pretty bad. the logo wasn't even in the same font.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Check the pots and make sure they are CTS brand pots (also check the pot dates) and make sure it has bumblebee repro caps.

Also, check the control cavity, in the maple top stamped in black into the wood shoudl be an "R8".

Make sure it has a light weight tailpiece, fakes often use zink stop bars...

Check the neck tennon, fakes often have a short tennon.

Check for the maple top peaking out from behind the binding in the cutaway, fakes often miss that...

It should have a set of Gibson Burst Bucker pickups, a 1 and a 2 and there should be white stiockers on the back with the winders first initial and last name.

Of cource all these might change depending on the age (what year is it BTW...).

If you need more help feel free to drop me a PM, I'll help any way I can.

Best of luck!

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

I ended up inadvertantly buying a fake Epi a while back. I sent some close up pics of the guitar to Gibson, and they confirmed it was fake. If you are really that concerned about it, call them up and send some close ups. It took about a day for them to get back to me.

Why in God's name would someone build a fake Epiphone?!?

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Why in God's name would someone build a fake Epiphone?!?

You just read my mind.

 

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Research as much as possible, and maybe one day you can get to the Gibson Factory to have them check it out. Or ship it to them

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Check the pots and make sure they are CTS brand pots (also check the pot dates) and make sure it has bumblebee repro caps.

Also, check the control cavity, in the maple top stamped in black into the wood shoudl be an "R8".

Make sure it has a light weight tailpiece, fakes often use zink stop bars...

Check the neck tennon, fakes often have a short tennon.

Check for the maple top peaking out from behind the binding in the cutaway, fakes often miss that...

It should have a set of Gibson Burst Bucker pickups, a 1 and a 2 and there should be white stiockers on the back with the winders first initial and last name.

Of cource all these might change depending on the age (what year is it BTW...).

If you need more help feel free to drop me a PM, I'll help any way I can.

Best of luck!

Awesome - this post needs to be vaulted.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Why in God's name would someone build a fake Epiphone?!?

You just read my mind.

Once upon a time, before the acquisition, the name Epiphone meant something other than Gibson's budget line. For example, Les Paul's infamous "Log" guitar is, technically, an Epiphone.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Sometimes you can tell by the smell. Most of the USA-made guitars have a fresh woody smell. Sniff the sound-hole of a Martin or Taylor and compare that aroma to a Ibanez acoustic and you'll understand. Your '58 should smell of wood and lacquer; but if it smells acrid and "fishy", it's probably a fake.

Bill

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Gibson authenticity check besides serial number

Why in God's name would someone build a fake Epiphone?!?

epiphones are still relatively expensive in some parts of the world.