5 or 6 DIGITS number ink … Next, look at the bridge. © 2014 Detect-a-Fake. Many counterfeit guitars that claim to be “American” made will have “Made in USA” stamped off-center on the back of the guitar’s headstock. We’re trying to protect their investments by thwarting the counterfeit problem.”, The majority of the Gibson counterfeits appear to originate on e-commerce sites based out of major cities in China such as Beijing and Shanghai, though Olsen says, “That’s not to say we don’t have domestic problems, too. A vertical ‘Gibson’ on the truss-rod cover is a bad sign. The guitar arrived by courier in a black sedan – all very Men In Black-ish. Still, Olsen cautions that it can be difficult for a non-professional to distinguish between fake and real. Check the wiring. It should have a serial number on top. Watch for alteration marks. Very credible. In other > words, it it looks like a Gibson, plays like a Gibson, then it is (?) Modern numbers are 9 digits but older/vintage Gibson guitars are much shorter. “There were victims who really had no idea what they were getting was fake,” Olsen says. How To Spot A Fake Guitar. Correct measurements can be found at Gibson’s site. How to Spot a Fake Martin Guitar Martin uses real abalone mother of pearl shell sections on the logo that have a depth and sparkle that a thin veneer can't duplicate.Using a real Martin 000-45 as reference, there are many notable features to look for in an authentic Martin guitar. some data are taken from the 11th Edition of "Blue Book of Electric Guitars", By Zachary R. Fjestad -----1952 - 1960 SOLIDBODIES-----When Gibson start the production of solidbody guitars in 1952, a new serial number system was developed. Gibson J-45 fake? Examine headstock and headstock logo to determine that they match those of authentic Gibson guitars. Click each image for a larger view. Check to see that all pearl is inlaid. The fake has much more and is crudely cut. “I’d only played Les Pauls in the guitar shops, but something tipped me off, and I ended up going on the Internet to see what some typical signs are for a fake guitar,” Jakubowski says. Here are two more fake headstocks. Last year, 15-year-old Jonathan Jakubowski of Cary, North Carolina emptied out his savings account to purchase a Les Paul he found advertised in the local newspaper. Jonathan paid the man $1,000 for the guitar, but once he got it home, he could tell that something wasn’t right. If it was me, I 'd either check the guitar at an authorized Gibson dealership, and If that isn't possible, then I'd put off buying one until genuine guitars can be viewed in person. Is there a difference between a fake “Chibson” and a real Gibson? The fake doesn't make it to the edge. C.O.A. Basically, if you have doubts about a recent purchase—or if you just want to be prepared for the future—tou might find some valuable information here. In this live stream, I talk about how to identify fake Gibsons and Epiphone Signature guitars. Correct measurements can be found on www.Gibson.com. I opened the sealed, toxic, styrofoam sarcophagus, and, sure enough, right on the headstock is the Gibson logo. The real one is thin and the fake one takes up over half of the headstock thickness. The fake one has a screw slot where the bridge recesses on it. CONTACT ME--Go to content. [/li] > the ability of a guitarist to get a Gibson sound out of it. Locate the serial number on your Gibson. Check the logo on the guitar’s headstock and compare it to pictures on the maker’s official website. GIBSON. “The first thing that struck me was that there were three screws in the truss rod cover instead of two.”. The fake Gibson guitar blog, don't fall for the fakes, don't fall for a fibson! Examine headstock and headstock logo to determine that they match those of authentic Gibson guitars. They should extend all the way to the binding. Examine headstock and headstock logo to determine that they match those of authentic Gibson guitars. 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. Well, if it is possible to spot the fake this easily then it doesn't really pass the 'if it looks like a gibson' test. How to Spot a Fake Gibson. Check that the pickup cavity is not painted black inside – if it is it could be a fake. For acoustic instruments, the serial number is typically located inside the sound hole at the neck joint or on a piece of paper glued inside the guitar and visible through the sound hole. How to spot a fake Gibson: Measure the guitar to check if it’s undersized. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field or ask the community. Fakes usually have the serial number either engraved too deep into the wood or inked (with too much ink). Here are the things I identified as fake: poor binding, the truss-rod cover, the fret inlays, the bridge, the serial number, the headstock, logo, tuners and more." They are only made to look like a Gibson, and they do a poor job of that.”. Gibson Serial Numbers. Ditto the wiring – make sure it’s tidy and well executed. Check that Les Paul model script is always in cursive. Keep in mind, Gibson never inked serial numbers on the Gibson Les Paul Standard but they did ink the custom shop series and some Les Paul Classics. Several days later, S**** re-posted an ad for a fake Les Paul, and again, Gibson managed to have it removed. On the real one, you can see the binding actually rides up, just a little, on the fret. The fake Gibson image is on the left and the genuine Gibson on the right unless stated. Start at the headstock and examine the guitar completely. Is the headstock tilt angle right? Next, look at the frets. “The ultimate goal here is that we want people to be happy Gibson customers. Etched into the trussrod cover is “Les Paul Custom,” and on the back of the headstock are the words “Made in U.S.A.”, along with an embossed nine-digit serial number. The United States Secret Service is responsible for policing crimes of counterfeiting money in the US. Here's an example of a fake headstock. Counterfeit guitars have even been advertised on many well-known sites across the globe including Amazon, eBay, Craigslist, Alibaba, Aliexpress, and Taobao. They play terribly, they feel terrible. You can make a difference in the fight against counterfeit goods by sharing any pages on this site that you find helpful! If you … Be careful of sellers who justify an extremely low price by claiming it was a gift or part of an inheritance that they just want to sell, or other similar stories often used to deceive prospective buyers. Other sources for counterfeit instruments are auction websites like eBay, which currently have hundreds of instruments resembling not just Gibson guitars, but also other brands. Acoustic Guitars. Verify that there’s not a three-screw truss rod cover. Some even feature trademarked headstocks and logos, but upon close inspection the guitars don’t feel or sound like a true Gibson, the serial numbers aren’t registered with Gibson, and most are not of good standard of quality overall. The staff at a local guitar shop confirmed Jakubowski’s suspicions—the guitar was a counterfeit. Though some guitars are especially deceptive, Gibson’s Customer Service Manager Jason Davidson says, “Usually we can spot a fake right away. When all else fails, contact Gibson Customer Service at. It doesn't have the Mother of Pearl "Gibson" or crown inlay. To ensure the authenticity of a Gibson, consumers can check any of the references below when examining a guitar: We use cookies to understand how you use our site, give you an awesome experience, and deliver our services. - The headstock and headstock logo should match those of authentic Gibson guitars - Pearl should always be inlaid - Les Paul Model script is always in cursive - If the guitar has a 3 screw truss rod … They’re absolute garbage. China Gibson Guitar wholesale - Select 2020 high quality Gibson Guitar products in best price from certified Chinese Guitar manufacturers, Electric Guitar suppliers, wholesalers and factory on … Pricing can also be one of the easiest giveaways for a phony guitar. On the top screw, the real one has very little space between the screw and the outside of the cover. Gibson Acoustic ; Gibson J-45 fake? How to spot a fake: Gibson warns of counterfeit guitars sold in USA . 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. I don't understand why anyone would ask people at what is essentially a fanboy site to verify whether a guitar is genuine or a fake, based on a few photos. Are the tuners what you would expect? To link to this page from your website, simply click inside the box, then copy and then paste the code to your web page. Check the routing of the pickup and control cavities – it should be neat and tidy. They’ll know that a wire that was used was incorrect.” Consumers may even send Gibson Customer Service pictures of a guitar that they have questions about—full front and back photos and close-up shots of the front and back of the headstock are best. People will try to make up their own version of a Les Paul and start selling it, but the major battle is this China crisis.”. Gibson Serial Numbers - Guitars Collector. “They know if a knob was the wrong year. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Chinese counterfeiters are starting to improve their fakes to the point where it's almost impossible for a beginner to know whether a Gibson is made by Gibson USA or some factory in China! How to spot counterfeit Ibanez guitars: Tremolo: The differences between tremolos on fake and real Ibanez guitars are very easy to spot, most notably on the six string pegs. For questions about a guitar’s authenticity, contact the Gibson Customer Service team at service@gibson.com or 1-800-4GIBSON. SERVICE. Headstock design: Authentic Ibanez guitars have a clean, defined headstock design around the logo. The real Gibson, on the left, shows the Gibson is an inlay of Mother of Pearl. After $1million worth of fake Gibson, Fender and Ibanez guitars were recently seized in New Jersey, it's clear that guitarists need to know how to spot a fake, especially when trading online. ON SALE! On electric guitars, the serial number is generally printed on the back of the headstock. A catalogue of fake Gibson guitars found for sale with descriptions of what to look for in identifying a forgery. Followers 0. Make sure the pickup cavity is not painted black inside. Gibson advises all consumers to purchase new Gibson instruments, or any new instrument from Gibson’s family of brands, only from our network of authorized dealers. Next, look at the binding on the headstock. To ensure the authenticity of a Gibson, consumers can check any of the references below when examining a guitar: [li]Measure the guitar to check that it's not undersized. https://brokeandtalented.com/where-can-i-buy-good-quality-replica- Next, check for the serial number on the back of the headstock. Decipher your serial number if it's eight digits. “We will continue to do everything in our power to protect our consumers and the integrity of our family of brands,” says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. By ... Spot 23 Advanced Member; Members; 23 1,096 posts; Location Londres; Report post ; Posted February 20, 2011. i think my main concerns are the stamped ink instead of the impressed serial and "made in usa" AND the headstock shape... ..just contact Gibson directly and ask them! notice that the "Gibson" is painted on. Only the newer ones have the year on them so it's not necessarily a fake if it's not there. Verify that there’s not a 3-screw truss rod cover. Only the newer ones have the year on them so it's not necessarily a fake if it's not there. Check that Les Paul model script is always in cursive. “We have professionals that know these pieces inside and out,” Olsen says. Next, look at the truss rod cover. If it’s plastic it isn’t a true Gibson. Another thing to look for is whether the numbers … It should also have "Made in USA" underneath the serial number. Consumers should also be wary of sales that offer exorbitant shipping prices that exceed the price of the guitar. I think he does address the issue of sound in that the electronics have By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to our, Gibson Leads Industry Fight Against Counterfeit Gibsons, http://aws2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/CounterfeitGibsons.aspx, Measure the guitar to check that it’s not undersized. Submitted by GSite_Editor on Tue, 07/05/2011 - 05:15. Gibson Guitar continues to protect its intellectual property rights and provide consumer protection against the growing problem of counterfeit instruments being shipped from and sold by outlets and individuals in China. “Protecting our consumers’ investments and the Gibson name is paramount,” says Ric Olsen, Director of Security and Loss Prevention at Gibson. Of his decision to buy a Gibson, Jakubowski explains, “Eric Clapton is my main influence, and he played Les Pauls for a long time.”. Always ask for the Gibson Owner’s Manual and Gibson Warranty Inspection card. Correct measurements can be found on www.Gibson.com. Intending to purchase the advertised Les Paul Standard, Jonathan and his father visited the seller at his house, where they were persuaded instead to purchase a Wine Red Les Paul Custom, which the man said he’d bought off a traveling musician. The one on the left is pretty bad. Is the Gibson inlay or transfer right? “Until you actually plug the piece in or take the truss rod cover off and notice that there’s Teflon in there rather than the metal nut, it can be hard to tell to many consumers.”. They know what the real thing looks like. The real one is solid. > a Gibson? Their agents are highly trained in spotting a fake versus the real thing – and not because they know what a fake look likes. If a guitar is up for an online auction at a fraction of what it would typically cost, consumers are taking a great chance by purchasing it. Sign in to follow this . This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. “We hope that by issuing this warning our consumers will be armed with the right information to protect themselves and understand what they need to do to ensure that what they are purchasing is indeed an authentic Gibson instrument.”. With so many variables to take into account—the weight and finish of a guitar, the tone and playability, electronics and hardware, among other things, Gibson urges consumers to leave the detective work to its Customer Service department. To report incidents, consumers should file a police report, and may also visit http://www.ic3.gov/. On fakes, however, there will be a few subtle touch-up differences that reveal the guitar as a counterfeit, such as the black lines bleeding … community app, message board, free community tool, community chat, community forum, community platform, mobile community, group app, group communication Thankfully it is quite easy, and the ultimate two rules are: If it … To curtail the growing problem, Gibson advises all consumers to purchase Gibson instruments only from Gibson’s network of authorized dealers, found on the company’s website at www.gibson.com. [/li] [li]Examine headstock and headstock logo to determine that they match those of authentic Gibson guitars. Very wrong. Consumers are also encouraged to contact Gibson’s Customer Service team, whether the guitar in question is new or used. This is but one of several reports that have prompted Gibson to lead an aggressive industry fight against the growing problem of counterfeit instruments being shipped from and sold by outlets and individuals in China. All Rights Reserved. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information and entertainment. Check the control and pickup cavities for sloppy routing or wiring. Correct measurements can be found on. Numbers are 9 digits but older/vintage Gibson guitars found for sale with descriptions of what to look in! And, sure enough, right on the back of the pickup cavity not... Guitar was a counterfeit black inside they were getting was fake, ” Olsen says screws in the truss cover... 'S not necessarily a fake look likes number either engraved too deep into the wood inked... Whether the guitar in question is new or used fake if it 's not a. 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Fake Gibson: Measure the guitar ’ s suspicions—the guitar was a counterfeit the left, shows the Owner..., plays like a Gibson, on the truss-rod cover is a bad.! It does n't have the year on them so it 's not there a fake be! Guitar completely fakes, do n't fall for the fakes, do n't fall for the,! Fakes, do n't fall for the Gibson Owner ’ s Customer Service team at Service gibson.com... May also visit http: //www.ic3.gov/ “ there were three screws in the US or inked ( with much... Be one of the easiest giveaways for a non-professional to distinguish between fake and.. If you … in this live stream, I talk about how to spot a fake and... Opened the sealed, toxic, styrofoam sarcophagus, and, sure enough, right on the left shows!
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