Is this a fake?

[Choumpi]

Hi,

 

Found an ad on the Internet about a 2005 Lespaul Custom for sale for an interesting price. My son want's it. But while reading, seems to be a lot of fake and I am not sure to be too good to spot them. I have doubts since the price is interesting and I can't find this particular inlay anywhere on the Gibson site. Is it possible to tell if this is a fake with this only picture we have? Don't want my son to be fooled and to buy a chinese guitar for more than it is worth.

 

Thanks!

[BobB]

This instrument is not a real Gibson. Just another illegal counterfeit from Asia. In our constant effort to stand by our consumers, protect them, and bring them the finest products in the world, Gibson Guitar takes a firm and aggressive stance against all makers of counterfeit guitars and their distribution channels. These low-budget, inferior guitars are pale imitations of the quality, performance, and craftsmanship of real Gibsons. We continue to hear complaints from consumers and fans who have purchased one of these guitars from websites and auction sites thinking they were getting a real Gibson. The makers and sellers of counterfeits are scamming our global family of musicians and Gibson does not take it lightly. We would like to urge all our consumers not to be taken in by the works of dishonest sellers.

 

If you suspect a guitar advertised on a non-Gibson website to be counterfeit you can use our online Counterfeit Urls form to submit the site along with any comments for review.

 

If a guitar is being sold for a fraction of what it would typically sell for, it is likely not a real Gibson guitar. The best way for consumers to protect themselves against fraud is to purchase your Gibson guitar from an authorized dealer, or consult one in advance. You can also call Gibson Guitar Customer Service at 1-800-444-2766—24 hours a day, seven days a week—for any inquiries or advice. We strongly urge all consumers to be careful and aware of this worldwide problem. At Gibson, we care about our consumers, our legacy, and our name. Remember, only a real Gibson is good enough.

[Choumpi]

Thank you for your answer.

 

I was hesitating between a stolen guitar which I do not want to buy, and a fake, which I don't want to buy either! With this picture, how can I tell it is fake? We will look for used guitars, as my son dreams of having a Gibson, but I want him to be happy for a long time.... and not loose all his money on a poor instrument that is worth nothing.

[BobB]

The posts the bridge sit on have a slot for a small screwdriver. The binding does not have the nibs that come up to cover the ends of the frets.

[psyco_logic]

A fake, yet some of the most interesting quilted birds-eye maple I've seen in some time.

[comcf]

Sent a message to Bob re: my "new" CS83442. Hope to get some info.

[Australian Sun]

G'day!

There's nothing wrong with the Epiphone range of Les Pauls if you're budgeting on your son's new (second hand) guitar. My advise would be to show him some pictures of gold tops, sunburst and other types of finish and see which one he lights up to. It's amazing how influential the finish on a guitar can be for a young guitarist! If buying second hand please check the neck for twisting or a bow which can reduce playability. Also what brand of amp you choose will be very influential on his sound. Who does he listen to and what gear do they have? Best of luck!

[www.worldsguitar.com]

Here is a lens about how to spot a fake Gibson guitar:

http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-spot-a-fake-counterfeit-gibson

[Blueblooded]

I've seen craigslist ads of people selling and disclosing that they were selling a counterfeit Gibson, but didn't know how common they were. After seeing a few reports on here I checked out some reviews on youtube and it appears there are a ton of them out there. Good info to know and share.