Tips for Spotting a Fake Gibson

[Anderton]

The following information is from Gibson guitars, but many of the tips apply to other guitars as well.

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 http://ww.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.

[dionysusolympus]

sweet idea. and thanks for the info.

[Anderton]

You're very welcome. Hopefully we can help prevent people from getting scammed.

[MoT-2]

Useful link with pics on counterfeit Gibsons

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

ALso on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/v/kvKo9Y52CEU&hl=en&fs=1

[Anderton]

Good link. I found this quote encouraging:

"The staff at a local guitar shop confirmed Jakubowski’s suspicions—the guitar was a counterfeit. The high school sophomore alerted police, and following an investigation, the North Carolina man who’d acquired the guitar from a Chinese website and resold it to Jakubowski was arrested on two felony counts of criminal use of a counterfeit trademark."

Hopefully the kid got his money back, but if not, at least he got some satisfaction :)

[larryguitar]

Craig,

Great idea for a forum.

One thing I'll add is that the truss rod on most counterfeits is inserted into a routed channel, which exits beneath the nut. Actual Gibsons have the rod inserted into a hole drilled, at an angle, from the headstock to the neck. This means that there is a small 'bridge' of wood between the top of the nut and the beginning of the truss rod access hole.

Early counterfeiters simply used three hole truss rods, like an Epiphone would use, but this became a sort of 'dead giveaway' for many buyers. Now they commonly modify a two hole Gibson truss rod cover by shortening the bottom and gluing the head of a screw into the bottom hole. This appears to be a correct TRC, until you closely examine the cover's placement-it has to rest directly on top of the nut to cover the end of the slot.

Because the truss rod construction is a pretty fundamental part of the building process, they seem to have difficulty fixing this one, so the placement of the TRC (or better yet, the TR access itself) is fairly reliable.

HTH

[Alex_SF]

* Examine headstock and headstock logo to determine that they match those of authentic Gibson guitars.

* Check the control and pickup cavities for sloppy routing or wiring.


On these two points:

Headstock shape seems to be tough for the counterfeiters to get right. Especially look closely at the proportions -- the length of the headstock, the curvature of the sides and top, and the shape of the top. of the headstock, and compare with photos of known genuine Gibsons.

The Gibson logo on the headstock should slant up when looking at the headstock straight on, but the vertical lines in it (in the "G," "b," and "n") should be straight up and down. Many of the fakes have the Gibson logo somewhat flatter across the headstock, with the vertical lines consequently at an angle.

The control cavities should have a shielding plate between the pots and the bottom of the cavity. Pots should be full sized and branded "Gibson."

Remember: that any of these factors are correct doesn't necessarily mean the guitar is legit. The fakers are getting better and better all the time.

[ashasha]

Just a few that I THINK maybe accurate.

I would be surprised if they weren't using scarf neck joints for the headstock. Takes a lot of material to make that out of one piece of wood; should be a dead giveaway. (Its also the reason why they break so easily because of grain runout.)

Another is (if I am not mistaken) the fretboard binding. I don't think that they are doing the binding that has the nibs that meet the fret ends are they? A lot of extra work and cost here too.

If I am wrong just let me know and I'll edit the post so that there isn't any misinformation on here.

[Screaming Stone]

Binding on the neck with Gibsons is applied after the frets - many fakes will put binding on first and then the the frets so the frets actually sit on top of the binding.

[sgt mukuzi]

these fakes and others have been around for a long time, a headstock overlay on a tokai was a popular method in the 80`s

[Anderton]

Wow, these are some great posts. Thanks all...keep 'em coming.

[ashasha]

Are you referring to a scarf joint, like on an Ibanez? Most neck dovetails are on acoustics?Yep, that would in fact be exactly what I intended. You are quite correct, I'll fix the original post so that this one makes no sense. :lol:

[sgt mukuzi]

..

[larryguitar]

Yep, that would in fact be exactly what I intended. You are quite correct, I'll fix the original post so that this one makes no sense. :lol:

What post?

:D :D :D

[MV4824]

Useful link with pics on counterfeit Gibsons

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

ALso on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/v/kvKo9Y52CEU&hl=en&fs=1

http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages/Lifestyle/Features/story_counterfeit05.jpg

Geez, people would actually fall for a head stock labeled like this?

G
I
B
S
O
N

:eek:

Gibson would never do such a putrid thing!

[WRGKMC]

Besides some of the things mentioned here there are plenty more depending on the model. Some I know of are all screws are Inch vs Metric. Also I believe all their finishes are Laquer instead of uerothane. There are many more like strap buttons and hardware, but those can be bought aftermarket including inch type screws, gibson wiring, pots and switches. This is why they're harder to spot. There are some other things like neck curvature, body contour etc that can be dead giveaways and an experienced Gibson player can spot, but a beginner may want to get expert advice. Also very few Gibsons had bolt on necks like the S1 which I had years back. No Pauls, SGs or semi hollow bodies had them. You should research the model from the Gibson site to be sure.

[kojdogg]

a guy I know got a Chinese fake Les Paul Supreme (he knew what he was getting up front) and I took a look. Many of the fretboard inlays are crooked and the it says "Les Paul Suprome" on the headstock.

[D Carroll]

My old spanish teacher had a "gibson" lp melody maker when he was younger, and he said it played beautifully, but better things came along, so he went to sell it, and they told him it was fake, so he kept it, removed the gibson logo, and wrote "GILLY" on it in gibson font.

[edrock]

Yah, I just picked up a "Suprome" for $300 off Craigslist, and I kid you not, this thing plays and sounds as good or better than my '97 Classic plus, which has been described as 'a special guitar' by a pro tech who did a fret dress for me. Its definitely got some iffy details, but for the money I'm pleased with the purchase. Nice figured top & back, and it's a blast watching players ooh and ahhh and then wake up to it on closer exam! ;)

a guy I know got a Chinese fake Les Paul Supreme (he knew what he was getting up front) and I took a look. Many of the fretboard inlays are crooked and the it says "Les Paul Suprome" on the headstock.

[denracho]

buy it in a legit guitar store.. closed thread:) jk...

[bigdawg]

a lot of the chinese fakes have no thumbwheels on the bridge for some reason - very easy to spot and very easily overlooked.

[saktr-iyko]

a fake object? :confused:

[notrfk]

a lot of the chinese fakes have no thumbwheels on the bridge for some reason - very easy to spot and very easily overlooked.

Ah you beat me to it.

Geez, people would actually fall for a head stock labeled like this?

Yes, of course. People who want a Gibson but don't think about the possibility of a counterfeit. Kids who see a "great deal" on a "Gibson" and think they have won the lottery. Many more -- I've seen it happen.

[kingsransom]

Some of the more recent ones are very well put together.

The easiest giveaway for me is the serial numbers on the back of the headstocks. They will ink them or ink and impress. The numbering scheme is not Gibson-style either.

[bfglp]

these fakes and others have been around for a long time, a headstock overlay on a tokai was a popular method in the 80`s

like this one on ebay for over $1600


http://cgi.ebay.com/1981-Tokai-Love-Rock-All-Gold-56-Reissue-P-90-Rare-MIJ_W0QQitemZ110329834066QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar ?hash=item110329834066&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[Yogi_Sizzle]

Technically thats not a fake. Its a copy.A Tokai is a Tokai. The Fakes are guitars not made by Gibson but came from a factory with Gibson Logos on it, attempting to pass as a Gibson

[separanets]

I screened my SG with graphite spray including the pickup niches, so they are painted black inside; and I also put a Dimarzio with four plastic wires in the bridge. And I finally wrapped up the neck pickup's wires with an isolating tape in order for them not to touch the screen, so they are kinda sloppy routed. I made a fake of my Gibson! :(

[bfglp]

Technically thats not a fake. Its a copy.A Tokai is a Tokai. The Fakes are guitars not made by Gibson but came from a factory with Gibson Logos on it, attempting to pass as a Gibson

who called the Tokia a fake?

[GibsonVMan]

http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages/Lifestyle/Features/story_counterfeit05.jpg

Geez, people would actually fall for a head stock labeled like this?

G
I
B
S
O
N

:eek:

Gibson would never do such a putrid thing!



The spacing on the split diamond headstock face is a dead giveaway :cop:

[Flight959]

On these two points:

Headstock shape seems to be tough for the counterfeiters to get right. Especially look closely at the proportions -- the length of the headstock, the curvature of the sides and top, and the shape of the top. of the headstock, and compare with photos of known genuine Gibsons.

The Gibson logo on the headstock should slant up when looking at the headstock straight on, but the vertical lines in it (in the "G," "b," and "n") should be straight up and down. Many of the fakes have the Gibson logo somewhat flatter across the headstock, with the vertical lines consequently at an angle.

The control cavities should have a shielding plate between the pots and the bottom of the cavity. Pots should be full sized and branded "Gibson."

Remember: that any of these factors are correct doesn't necessarily mean the guitar is legit. The fakers are getting better and better all the time.

Headstock shape is no longer a problem for the fakers. There are plenty of other issues with the headstock which they still have not got correct..
Not all Gibsons have a screening plate (shielding plate). If you check most Gibson vintage and reissues the pots screw directly into the body.

Regards
Flight959

[sgt mukuzi]

a luther let me in on that secret in the 80`s, look for thick looking headstocks
nothing wrong with a tokai.

[hardlock]

They keep trying harder I see on these newer $160 knockoffs:

http://www.ioffer.com/bi/dreamer888--Brand-new-Gibson-Les-Paul-Custom-guitars--97775961


http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages/Lifestyle/Features/story_counterfeit05.jpg

Geez, people would actually fall for a head stock labeled like this?

G
I
B
S
O
N

:eek:

Gibson would never do such a putrid thing!

[metalScorpion7]

yeah i agree with the last post. buy from a auth dealer also be careful about buying on eBay 80% to 90% of all guitars on there are fake so know your stuff p.s. i can prove it if you don't believe me

[GuitarPlayerFL]

buy it in a legit guitar store.. closed thread:) jk...

The Guitar Center here is selling a fake Les Paul Custom on the sales floor....they just don't have it advertised as a Gibson. (Even though it says "Gibson" on the headstock and other wise could fool the average buyer) They obviously know it's fake.

It also has a rosewood fingerboard. A Custom should have ebony.

[abinaya]

This subject has already been touched on by fellow Ebayers however there seems to be even better fakes coming on than even the obvious China ones. As stated if you are not well versed in what would make quality guitars stand out verses a lesser quality one you may be in trouble, but hopefully you can get some good information from these articles. I was just looking in the Gibson Les Paul section and seen a Black Les Paul Custom with Gold hardware, it caught my attn because the price was only at 595 with not much time left. At the first glance though you could tell by the pickup rings that something was up they did not have the right kind of shine to them and they stuck out like a sore thumb. So I started to Pick it apart, the Gibson logo was too close the the top of the headstock and the binding looked just not quite right, then upon checking the truss rod cover there were two screws and it said les paul custom like it should however the bottom of it was designed incorrectly.
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[mikecheckstudio]

Okay, so I know this is a fake: http://www.ioffer.com/i/Gibson-Custom-Shop-57-Les-Paul-Gold-Top-VOS-guitar--105711297

But are they using pictures of legit Gibson's in their posting? Reason I ask is I'm not that versed in Gibson guitars (always owned Epi's as I couldn't afford a Gibson) and these pics don't have any tell-tale signs of it being a knock-off, to me anyway.

[larryguitar]

Fret nibs, correct TR rout, headstock 'ears'....IMHO, those pix are of a legit Gibson. And it's NOT the one you'll get for $110. :)

[Josh1967]

Thanks again for the great info.

[jimb12345]

this is some great information. i hate a scammer that would sell you crap.

[HTSamurai]

ah great thread, ive seen this crap around here lately
there was one guy on CL admitting he had a copy but that it played like a real one so he was asking $700 --'

[donsimon76]

ah great thread, ive seen this crap around here lately
there was one guy on CL admitting he had a copy but that it played like a real one so he was asking $700 --'

Are you in Jacksonville, FL? Here in Jax, I have been watching from the sidelines over the last two weeks a guy's entertaining ways of justifying selling them. I really liked when he described it as being made at the Epiphone plant "after hours"!

[goosefartfan]

I guess they can say in the 50's they painted the back of the neck too:eek:

P.S. I think they throw in the tire and wheel for free!

[jayguy]

Great info, I got ripped buying a Gibson and only found out 1 year or so after purchasing it. Nightmare.

[artholkane]

The staff at a local guitar shop confirmed Jakubowski’s suspicions—the guitar was a counterfeit. The high school sophomore alerted police, and following an investigation, the North Carolina man who’d acquired the guitar from a Chinese website and resold it to Jakubowski was arrested on two felony counts of criminal use of a counterfeit trademark."

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[cheesy]

Some nice tips there, i wouldn't have realised probably so i'll deffenantly be looking out for fakes from now on. thanks :D

[bass sic]

New here, first post. The kid said his idol was Clapton, who played Gibson's. Am I wrong, or has Clapton always played Strat's?

[tiltsta]

The latest thing popping up on my local craigslist are fake supremes. The most recent ones have a fairly decent looking headstocks, truss rod covers, and logos. The giveaway that they are fake is the lack of an arched, figured back and rosewood fretboards (in place of ebony on the real deal) with cheap plastic inlays.

[ermghoti II]

New here, first post. The kid said his idol was Clapton, who played Gibson's. Am I wrong, or has Clapton always played Strat's?

Clapton played Gibsons throughout his stints in The Yardbirds, The Bluesbreakers, and Cream. Basically, when he was good.