Neck construction: With few exceptions, Les Paul necks are one piece with “wings” on each side of the headstock. Also, guitars that have been re-fretted often do not have nibs.ģ. This used to be a dead giveaway, but I have seen fakes now with nibs, so it is no longer a sure sign. The frets do not extend over the binding, rather they are cut off inside the bound portion, and the binding is cut around the ends of the fret. Fret binding nibs: With the exception of 2014, all Gibsons with bound fingerboards have fret nibs. Real Gibson bridges have a very small post, and adjustment is made using only the thumbwheels.Ģ. Most fakes have the imported style bridge, which has a ¼” screw post that can be adjusted using a flat screwdriver. The bridge: This is probably the easiest difference to spot. OK, now let’s get to specific features that differentiate fakes from real.ġ. I’ve seen more fake Les Paul Supremes than the real deal. Counterfeiters seem to favor more obscure models, like signature models, “Custom Shop” models, unusual colors, etc. But if you meet the seller in a parking lot, and he pulls the guitar out of the car without a case, walk away.ģ. That’s not to say that having a Gibson case assures you that it is real. Less expensive models often come with a Gibson-branded gig bag. All higher-end Gibsons come with a Gibson hard case. If it doesn’t come with a Gibson case, beware. If someone is selling a Les Paul Standard or Slash Signature model for $500, beware.Ģ. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Following are some red flags to help you spot a fake.ġ. In the early days of fake Gibsons (often referred to as Chibsons), the tell-tail feature was that the fakes had a three-screw truss-rod cover, and real Gibsons used two-screw, but the counterfeiters caught on to that long ago. Also, Fenders have so many models, trim levels, countries of origin, etc, that it is hard for even an expert to keep up, so for now I’ll focus on Gibsons, in particular, Les Pauls. Fenders are essentially component guitars, and those components can easily be made and assembled. Gibsons aren’t the only guitars being counterfeited, but they are common, and easier to spot than Fenders. Most people who buy from these merchants know what they are getting, and don’t intend to fool anyone by re-selling as the genuine article, but there are those who do, and that is where the buyer needs to be aware. Also, internet merchants make it very easy to obtain counterfeits, and even offer custom builds. Musicians enjoy vintage guitars for a multitude of reasons, from differences in sound to simply having a unique look.Counterfeit guitars from Asia (primarily China) have been around for at least a couple of decades, but today’s offerings are getting harder to spot. Collectors tend to desire electric guitars that are as original as possible, while this may not be as important for a musician who is looking to play the guitar on a more regular basis. If parts have been replaced, is the guitar still vintage?Īn electric guitar that has replaced pickups or a refinished body is still considered vintage. The body of a guitar can also be refinished, meaning that even if a guitar appears to be brand new it may actually be a vintage find. Many guitarists will replace parts of the guitar, such as the pickups, if they become worn out or the guitarist simply has different preferences. However, appearance alone cannot always determine whether or not a guitar is vintage. There are many other companies that have made guitars in the past that may provide a unique find.Įlectric guitar trends and preferred styles have changed over the years, and often vintage guitars are recognizable simply by the way they look. However, vintage guitars are not just limited to these three makers. When people think of guitars, they often think of Gibson, Les Paul, or Fender. These two brands have been around for a very long time, and many vintage finds come from these two companies. Well-known guitar makers include Gibson, Les Paul, who worked closely with Gibson, and Fender. They were later refined in the 1940s by Les Paul, paving the way for the Gibson Les Paul, which has become an iconic guitar that is used by many. Guitars had been in use for much longer than this, but the electric element was added during the 1930s. The electric guitar was invented in 1931. When something is referred to as vintage, the object is recognizable and representative of the era it is from. Generally speaking, electric guitars are considered vintage if they are 30 years old or older. Companies such as Fender and Gibson make guitars and offer a wide selection of vintage guitars as well. Professionals and hobbyists alike utilize electric guitars to create infinite sonic possibilities. Electric guitars have long been considered a staple of certain music genres, and they have become both more accessible and more collectible.
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