Glonkman Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 (edited) I bought a Memphis 2013 ES-335 gold top in mint condition. It had an ink serial number on the headstock (it also states Made In USA and 2013) and the COA and the label inside the body confirm the ink serial number. Here’s the problem: The ink serial number is stamped over a different serial number, made in USA, and 2013 that is stamped into the wood and painted over. It’s as if Gibson took a neck with a serial number, and used it for this ES-335. I plugged the wood-stamp serial number in a decider, and it is from a 2013 Nashville Gibson. There is nothing else that leads me to believe this is not a genuine 2013 ES-335. I called Gibson, and the rep confirmed the ink serial number and date of manufacture. He could not explain the number stamped into the wood. Can anyone out there explain this? Did I buy a fake? Edited November 30, 2021 by Glonkman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 It does seem strange. There seems little point in speculation. Post up some pictures (link from a hosting site such as imgur). There are people here who can ID fakes. Hopefully its all ok. headstock TRC body etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 I think you have guessed it, more or less. Sounds like there was another guitar with that neck which didn't make it to the end of production for some reason but the neck was still useable. ES-335 gold top? Pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparquelito Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 Photos, please. Lots of photos. 🤨 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 I saw them when they first came out, they're really sharp looking guitars. Any finish checking on this one? That's what kept me from getting one, they have a reputation for cracked finishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glonkman Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 Forgive me, but how can I post pics? I have a video, too, showing the ink stamp over the embossed stamp. They exceed the 500kb limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glonkman Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 I figured it out. Here’s the link to pics and a video. Thanks for all advice! https://photos.app.goo.gl/wgTMpEL2y9o2KKR1A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 From the pics (cant view video) it looks genuine enough, though I'm not an expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 The guitar appears genuine from what I can see in the pics. My guess about the serial number is the same as yours. Nice looking guitar, I hope you have many years of enjoyment with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 When you’ve dealt with Gibson long enough you know the old saying is true: The only thing consistent with Gibson is inconsistency. Yep - probably used a neck that was stamped for another guitar. Makes it an interesting example of Gibson cost cutting. 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.