Play Gibson! Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Hello, everyone! My student asked to help him verify his Gibson Les Paul but I'm Fender guy and just don't know about Gibsons much. In first moment it seems to be just 1977 Gibson Les Paul with changed electronics (and EMGs before it). Even pots dated correct. But serial number is just like impressed by someone's hand not factory. It is even hard to take a photo of it. I've tried to to find any information how could it be and didn't find any guitar with such serial typing. Maybe someone can help me how can I contact Gibson by e-mail to ask them for help? Something like Fender's Consumer relations but for Gibson. :) I've attached some photos. If have any ideas how that fake was made - please, don't hesitate to write it. Maybe someone got some copy like Greco and change decals and placed correct pots? :) But in that case I don't understand where this copy's serial number is... Because there are no defect and repairs anywhere. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Hi and welcome. Absolutely everything looks to be in order for a '77 Les Paul Custom - alterations noted. Customer services will probably reply to you fairly soon but I don't think there's any doubt at all. Nice instrument. P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 In August 1977 Gibson changed from the 8-digit serial number decal with the date code prefix of "06", to the current 8-digit format still in use today impressed into the wood as shown. So, that guitar was made on the 253rd day of 1977, and was the 31st instrument stamped at he Nashville plant that day. I remember when the wine red LP's came out. It was the first new color Gibson had come out with on an LP in years, and even a sunburst guy like me thought they were gorgeous. The female rhythm guitar player in the band I was in at the time bought a Custom similar to the one pictured (although the bass player had to co-sign the loan so she could buy it). And yes, she was a bandmate with benefits.....ah the seventies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Play Gibson! Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 Thanks for answer. But my doubt was not about impressed number itself but about 'the way' it was impressed. I've checked tons of 1977-1978 guitars and everywhere serial number impressed by 'factory'. Digits are similar to each other. For example: And just look at mine photo. Digits are impressed by someone's hand and even placed below (these digits have different pattern). If I could find at least one guitar with such type of number (hand written) I woudn't bother you. :) But I couldn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franzi Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 The serial numbers are traditionally printed into the wood with a hand-operated device at our factory. Somebody pulls a lever to depress the number into the wood. Some wood pieces may be harder than others, and there is a human factor which makes some numbers come out deeper while some are hard to read. This one looks normal to me, and you will see variety in teh depth of the stamp on old and new gutiars alike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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