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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Gibson Les Paul

Posted by: Rated Htr Dec 10 2009, 02:41 AM

This might be a stupid question but how do know when it's a real Gibson Les Paul and when it's one of those starter pack Gibson Les Pauls?

Posted by: Crazy_Diamond Dec 10 2009, 03:44 AM

Usually starter pack or Epiphone... Never seen a Gibson in a starter pack

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Dec 10 2009, 03:49 AM

and that's right!

Posted by: Rated Htr Dec 10 2009, 04:48 AM

Yeah but, what I mean is...what if you saw the guitar, without the box and all that, how would you know if it's the real thing?

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Dec 10 2009, 05:00 AM

maybe if i see it close, the epiphones looks cheap, the plastic edges are not perfect, the wood seems "plastic" a little, if you can touch it, it will lighter, the frets will have sharp edges a lot of times, if you can play it, it wont sound as loud as a real LP, the neck would be unconformable, maybe some lack of sustain, bad intonation.. etc..

(i really hate cheap epiphones, sorry if this turn you down , but it's the truth)

BUT always you can find between 1000's of guitars of the same model a good one, but it's very difficult too...

May i ask why are you asking ?

Posted by: Santiago Diaz Garces Dec 10 2009, 06:22 AM

Series Number is the clue

Posted by: mhskeide Dec 10 2009, 08:50 AM

QUOTE (Adrian Figallo @ Dec 10 2009, 05:00 AM)

, but it's the truth)

BUT always you can find between 1000's of guitars of the same model a good one, but it's very difficult too...

May i ask why are you asking

Epiphones are far away from the Gibsons, still I think you exhaggerated a bit about the weak sides

My friend had a Epi. LP (before buying a high-end Duesenberg that is), and the sustain truly amazed me. Nech wasn`t the best, but uncomfortable for some I believe and comfortable for some.

Posted by: MickeM Dec 10 2009, 10:20 AM

QUOTE (Rated Htr @ Dec 10 2009, 04:48 AM)

Yeah but, what I mean is...what if you saw the guitar, without the box and all that, how would you know if it's the real thing?

Headstocks have different shapes

Posted by: Sensible Jones Dec 10 2009, 01:48 PM

Check the Serial Number.

Posted by: ZakkWylde Dec 10 2009, 02:06 PM

Get a load of pictures and compare to a real Les Paul. Or post them and we will figure it out together!

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Dec 10 2009, 04:01 PM

QUOTE (mhskeide @ Dec 10 2009, 02:50 AM)

Epiphones are far away from the Gibsons, still I think you exhaggerated a bit about the weak sides

My friend had a Epi. LP (before buying a high-end Duesenberg that is), and the sustain truly amazed me. Nech wasn`t the best, but uncomfortable for some I believe and comfortable for some.

Maybe i did

, but i'm not talking about all epis, i'm talking about the starter pack ones

Posted by: Fran Dec 10 2009, 04:02 PM

QUOTE (Rated Htr @ Dec 10 2009, 04:48 AM)

Yeah but, what I mean is...what if you saw the guitar, without the box and all that, how would you know if it's the real thing?

Most obvious one, good ones say Gibson on the headstock

If it's a fake Gibson then it can be harder to tell if you haven't spent some time with the real thing first. Tone, wood quality, weight, hardware, nut, fretboard... and serial numbers.

If your doubt wether to determine if it's a gibson or an epi, that's easy to spot.

Posted by: Rated Htr Dec 10 2009, 07:44 PM

This one has a serial number and gibson les paul on the head, but how to make sure it's real, just by having one it means it's real?

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 10 2009, 07:49 PM

Epiphones are not Gibsons at all...check the http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/SerialNumberSearch/

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 10 2009, 08:15 PM

Gibson Les Paul doesn't come in starter pack. You may recognize Les Pauls because they sit on top of the shelf, hard to reach, while starter guitars are usually on stands close to customers

Posted by: Rated Htr Dec 10 2009, 08:44 PM

SERIAL NUMBER: 008260402

this is the serial number

Posted by: Fran Dec 10 2009, 09:35 PM

QUOTE (Rated Htr @ Dec 10 2009, 08:44 PM)

SERIAL NUMBER: 008260402

this is the serial number

Seems like a 2006 serial number

First five numbers determine year, taking the first and 5th number, that would be 06, so 2006, as long as it has been produced after 1977.

Having Gibson on the headstock and that serial it should be a legit LP.

I guess there are fake ones out there though, if you have never seen a real one I suggest you take a trip to some reputable local shop and check them: their weight, finish, tone, nut, etc.

Posted by: sted Dec 10 2009, 10:15 PM

Depends what LP it is mate, standard will have a "standard" truss rod cover, binding etc. Custom will have headstock binding as well, a studio wont have any binding on the body or headstock, cant remeber about the neck.
Weight and feel is another key, the real ones are very heavy, also check the hardware is correct for the guitar.

This is a great resource mate:http://www.lespaulforum.com/finalframes/frameset.htm

Posted by: Crazy_Diamond Dec 10 2009, 11:25 PM

If there is no pic of the headstock ... then it is not a real Gibson. Usually Gibson owner are not scared of showing the headstock.