thanks for your thoughts, everyone! a few updates...
it isn't used. it is new & would come with a gibson warranty (are there any issues with warranties for guitars purchased overseas?).
thanks for the heads up on the differences between the j45 & the keb mo 3.0. i was able to play a keb mo 3.0 back in Dec and really liked it.
attached is the close-up of the sticker.
when i search the serial number here, it says it's a custom shop from 2022...but the warranty cert says it was inspected in november of 23. is that weird?
for folks who know more than me, does anything look off on the sticker or the cert? again, the store that is actually selling the guitar is legit & i see no reason to be concerned about a counterfeit, but just doing my due diligence.
i get the 'purchasing from somewhere like sweetwater' is less risky, but this is already just over my max budget. no chance i can afford any new or used keb mo 3.0 i've seen anywhere else.
Thanks for all your help!