Forestarius Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 So I just bought a J-45. My dream guitar, and an expensive luxury here in Brazil due to the crazy import taxes. I already own a legit gibby(J-35 from 2015) and know what to look for. Everything seems to be in order and I am almost sure the guitar is authentic and neat. But there is one thing that really caught my eye: The serial number and "made in the USA" markings on the back of the headstock are barely legible and nigh invisible. It is as if they were not stamped strongly enough in the wood or as if it was oversprayed/overfinished. Here is a picture that shows it well enough: https://ibb.co/mYx6j6 Is this normal for J45s with b/s and neck with a darker finish? Can this be considered a guitar with a factory finishing flaw? Is this a sign that the headstock was repaired/refinished? Or worst yet, is this a good fake only spotted by this little detail? I mean, most fakes I have seem were easy to spot and this guitar looks, plays and sounds like a gibson(better than my beloved 2015 j35 out of the box actually), but you never know for sure this day and age and this little detail really did seem odd to me. The guitar was bought in Germany through amazon.de(the actual seller was a french store named Scotto). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristopherJ Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I've seen plenty of legit Gibsons just like that. I have a few myself. Never have I seen a copy look like that. Looks legit. The numbers were probably stamped deep enough, it just has a ton of lacquer over the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mafy31 Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I've seen plenty of legit Gibsons just like that. I have a few myself. Never have I seen a copy look like that. Looks legit. The numbers were probably stamped deep enough, it just has a ton of lacquer over the top. I dont see anything suspiscous. The seller himself is a real shop that is found in Marseille, official website here : https://www.scottomusique.com/guitares_25 You find the same adress on Amazon.fr : Informations vendeur détailléesNom commercial:Scotto Musique Type d'activité:SARL Numéro de registre de commerce:314928896 RCS Marseille Capital social:38112,25 Adresse commerciale: 178 rue de rome Marseille 13006 FR You can ask them about it here : +33 (0)4 91 37 58 65 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I had a j29 that had a similar situation Nothing to worry about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mafy31 Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 As for the finish "oversprayed" : same kind of back herebelow, enlarge the pic of the headstock back. 2018 engraving seems same : https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RS4SVSNP8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 My J45 has the exact same faint imprinted stamps on the back of the headstock. I'd rather they not pound too hard back there, if you know what I mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mking Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 I have a custom shop 2015 L-00 and it is the same. Your guitar is one of many Gibson sends out of the factory like that. If the number stamped on the back didn't match the number on the label inside the guitar, I would be concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 I am still trying to figure out what is going on with all posts questioning whether a new Gibson is the real deal or not. It is like people are expecting to get ripped off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvi Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 fears borne of internet od Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcntryblues Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 I am still trying to figure out what is going on with all posts questioning whether a new Gibson is the real deal or not. It is like people are expecting to get ripped off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forestarius Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 Thanks a lot for the clarifications folks. Good to know that is normal out of the box for guitars with dark finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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