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Maybe to you, but not to others. You think they make them for no reason? One reason is evidence that it is not fake. But more importantly it can be very important for verification of a model. If you are trying to sell a reissue, you would understand the importance of that.

Yes, all Memphis guitars came with COAs going back at least as far 2013, and I think even farther. In my COA case, all they had to do was replace mine. Take back the wrong one and give me a correct one. No extra ones out there in that case. They wouldn't do that. They must think it is better to have what can be proven to be an incorrect one out there. No making sense out of that.

Not just the back but the contrasting sides too! I have a 2016 ES335 Premiere Figured Light Burst.

I wanted to address this separately. I think the upper end EPI vs Gibson USA may also play a hand in potential Gibson USA production. I hope it is not Gibson's plan to eventually further blur the lines between Gibson and EPI and have EPI make basic models of less popular models and only Custom Shop lines of those models. I expect Gibson to concentrate on higher priced gear. EPI continues to offer upper end models that easily rival the Gibson USA product. And here is a FB example of that, the Slash Firebird. There is a Gibson and an EPI version. Never mind that they are truly Limited Edition, never mind that they are not really FBs. What is most interesting is that both versions are almost identical. The fret boards are pau ferro vs rosewood and the Gibson has a flame cap vs flame veneer topped cap. The rest is virtually identical. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, one was $7000 and other was $900. FWIW, I bought the EPI version new on a whim when it was a MF SDOD for $599. Found out true to its specs, it is definitely not a FB. But it is a really great guitar. Fit, finish, and quality is excellent. Easily Gibson USA level. Sounds great, plays great. It is a real hybrid, though. Can't say it is like any other model or brand even. Like it has no identity. But in a good way.

I understand what you are saying and also read what Matt had to say about it. I'm not at all saying that they are available at this time. Not being available at this time does not equate to "no longer available" or "discontinued" which, at least to me, mean basically never again. So maybe we are splitting hairs on wording definitions. I see this as a matter of "when", not "if". This is nothing new. There have been gaps in the production of FBs, Vs, and Explorers over the years due to relatively low demand. Also keep in mind that even though some disappear over the years, guitars are not exactly consumables. I know we'd like to think that Gibson would simply make them based purely on demand. But we know that Gibson is going to make what (they think) will be profitable despite demand. I totally agree that the "PIA to produce" factor must also keep production at bay. PIA meaning more that just expense. If it were just expense, they would simply charge more. It appears to me that Gibson is sending a clear enough message: "If you really want something bad enough, we'll make it for you". But getting it can likely mean Custom Shop. Custom Shop seems to keep evolving into just another production line for Gibson to be able to charge even more for Gibson guitars. That tell me what their answer is to competition. They are going profitability by not trying to compete as much on the USA level and selling more at more expensive levels. And as long as people want to buy beat up guitars, they will continue to make them. They are doing their best to make those appear to be an art form. But I just see that they are naked. Anyway, I really hope this trend does not put basic versions of all classic models out of reach for most. Also, just for the record, has Gibson made any USA FBs as shown on the Gibson site in 2021-2022?

You won't get any help from Gibson there. I hope you emailed Gibson, because if they verified your guitar via email, you can print out that email and that will essentially be a COA. I had a 2015 that Gibson misidentified the model on the COA. After send multiple emails and pics, they admitted it was misidentified and verified the correct model number. But they refused to send me a corrected COA saying it was due to it not being under warranty for me. Those 2016 light bursts are gorgeous.

I consider Gibson listing a current USA Firebird model on their website to be sufficient evidence that they have not been discontinued.

You're kidding, right?

That's what I would expect.

I bought my 2015 SG Special in one of the blowout sales. It is excellent, with all the upgrades they came with, especially for a Special. I got the Firemist which is really nice, but would rather got a Translucent Ebony. Great finish!

2016 Traditional Ts are spec'd for traditional weight relief, which is what you see.

EPIs are made in the Epiphone Qingdao Factory in China.

The original MHS pups are considered to be a bit darker, but more historically accurate. So I would expect '57 Classics to be brighter. Yes, it should be Ricklite. Here is the link to Gibson specs on it. Gibson ES 355

Looks like Gibson was going for a brighter output. About your pups they say " Matched bobbin windings for classic humbucker tone with enhanced highs. Wax potted to suppress feedback. Matched bobbin windings for classic humbucker tone with enhanced highs. Wax potted to suppress feedback. The Bigsby will a small amount of brightness vs stand bridges.

Just a note here. Gibson is quite tight lipped about production numbers. Who knows why, but the fact is they are. But sometimes the production numbers are made known when they are new and (truly) limited production. And they are advertised that way by dealers, with the info coming from Gibson. Usually worded "only xx produced for world wide distribution". Yet if you later contact Gibson even giving them the number to verify, they will either ignore the question or say they can't verify or confirm the production numbers. I have gone though this a number of times with Gibson.

Did you ever call Gibson? Calling still works best even now.

Nice. Really nice. Not what I was expecting from a Junior, for sure. But it shows how versatile it can be. I have a 2015 junior and love it! What do you think of it?

Hey, I'm just quoting Gibson!

CH is not for Chrome Hardware. C is for Chrome hardware. H is for stop bar tailpiece (Hard tail) 1 is made for domestic market. FU would be the finish.

Furthermore, "Appalling" , "Horror", "shocking"? And no pics? Really? Can't take that seriously.

Simple. Contact Gibson, they will tell you.

The answer depends on the year and model of each of the 3, not the finish. You won't get an accurate definitive without that information.

Yes, basically correct. "Business as usual" for Memphis. Correct on the Firebird. No "regular production" for Explorers and Vs, but as I posted earlier, there were at least Vs made for the Japanese market sans any of those USA special features. And there were also a number of USA big dealer models that did not have those features too. Like my 2015 LP Trad Pro 3T (GC/MF) Furthermore, there were also some upgrades "thrown in" on certain models. Like gloss finish on the 2015 SG Special (normally faded/satin finish) and '61 Ziebra pups. $530 from Sam Ash again including hard case. To all the whiners about the 2015 models, I say "Thank you very much!"

Nice! Lost in the petty complaints about Les Pauls signature were significant upgrades to the 2015s like real MOP inlays, thicker fingerboards, titanium saddle and hard cases for all, including the lesser models that didn't usually get hard cases.

Yes, the forum fueled hysteria over the 2015s gave us the opportunity to buy some really great new Gibsons at insanely cheap prices. Like my LP Junior for $480 (with hard case).