The Gibson Les Paul is one of history’s most iconic instruments. Unsurprisingly, its legendary status has spawned countless imitations and “inspired by” copies of its timeless design. On the more sinister is the counterfeit market that’s emerged in recent years. Despite the significant legal threats of the Gibson Corporation, several well-known websites infamous for peddling these knockoffs have failed to cease-and-desist.
To start, let’s look at some fast facts about fake Gibson Les Pauls:
- The fretboard binding on a genuine Gibson should hide exposed fret ends
- If the price seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is
- If the potentiometers are unbranded, it’s almost certainly fake
- The truss rod cover on a fake will usually have too many screws
In this KillerGuitarRigs Guide, you will learn:
- Who sells fake Gibson Les Pauls?
- What is the harm with fake Gibson Les Pauls?
- What are the signs that suggest a Gibson Les Paul is fake?
Contents
Who Sells Fake Gibson Les Pauls?
This isn’t an attempt to single out any particular nation, however, the vast majority of fake Gibson Les Paul guitars do come out of China. It’s not unheard of for them to appear from other far-eastern countries, but large-scale e-commerce websites hosted in China are rife with knockoff Gibsons. In fact, it’s not just Gibson Les Pauls on sale. Imagine any famous guitar, custom, special-edition, relic’d, and you’ll find it on these websites.
The more you buy, the cheaper they get per unit, which makes them an attractive prospect to those looking to make a quick buck on eBay or Craigslist. But they don’t just sell to wholesalers, they’ll happily sell you just one of their fake Gibson Les Pauls, or “Chibson” Les Pauls, as they’re sometimes known.
What’s the Harm with Fake Gibson Les Pauls?
Some may claim that Gibson’s outlandish pricing structure fueled the rise of the fake Les Paul. After all, all but the most basic models are far out of the reach of the average working musician price-wise. Others say it’s marketing gone wrong. Gibson have fueled the desire to have that open-book headstock on a guitar so much that vanity might drive some players to forego an Epiphone, which is likely vastly superior quality, just to have a guitar that looks a bit like a Gibson (later you will learn why this isn’t always the case).
If someone is happy to look past the questionable labor, the stolen intellectual property, and the potential stigma of being called out on their knockoff, that’s on them. That is a conscious decision, not necessarily a good one, but one made of free will, nonetheless.
The problem arises when someone who isn’t well-versed in how to spot a fake, sees the deal of a lifetime on Craigslist or Marketplace for their dream Gibson Les Paul, only to later discover that it was a fake and that they spent hundreds on a worthless counterfeit. It’s even worse for players who pay fair market value for a Les Paul (potentially thousands of dollars) and it turns out to be fake. These buyers did not purchase these instruments knowing that all they were buying was an open-book headstock and some cheap components. This is the real harm.
When fakes circulate from the hands of the wholesalers and those who knew what they were buying into the hands of the innocent guitar-shopper, that’s where the real problem arises.
What Are the Signs That Suggest a Gibson Les Paul Is Fake?
Fortunately, the desire of the counterfeiters to make quick money outweighs their desire to properly research the instruments they are faking. Many of these fakes suffer from the very same inconsistencies and variations from an Original Gibson Les Paul, and that makes them relatively easy to spot. Please do remember that this guide is aimed at providing hints and tips on spotting fakes. There is no guarantee that a guitar lacking these telltale signs is not a fake. If a deal doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. If a bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Truss Rod Cover
An easy first spot is the truss rod cover. A genuine Gibson Les Paul will only ever have 2 screws in the truss rod cover and they should be vertically aligned, one at the top, one at the bottom. If it has 3 screws, no matter which orientation, it is almost certainly a fake. Gibson has never made a truss rod cover with 3 screws. Again, even if it only has the requisite 2 screws it may still be a counterfeit, you still need to look for the other telltale signs.
Headstock Logo Text
This isn’t always the case, however many fakes will feature bolder, thicker “Gibson” text across the headstock. The font on an original is always crisp and narrow. One other thing to be careful of is cracking of the text on the headstock. This can actually be genuine, because all genuine Gibson guitars are finished in nitrocellulose, which will crack as it ages and may splay out some of the text.
Trapezoid Fret Markers
If the guitar you’re looking at has trapezoid markers on the frets, be sure that all horizontal lines are perfectly straight, and also that they are parallel to the frets. There is no way a real Gibson would ever pass quality control with less than perfect fret markers. If you find that they are crooked, jagged, or just not right in any way, this is not a guitar you should consider purchasing.
Bridge Posts
The Gibson Les Paul Tune-O-Matic bridge posts are another area you will need to inspect closely. A genuine guitar will have slim posts with a smooth, rounded head. If you see a Gibson Les Paul with a wide bridge post and large, flathead-screw tops, there is a strong chance it isn’t genuine. If the guitar is being sold as brand new, it is definitely counterfeit, however on a used guitar, there is always a chance there have been aftermarket additions to a real instrument. So keep an eye out for all the signs.
Pickup Selector Switch
Pay close attention to the toggle switch. First, look at the securing nut. A genuine Gibson Les Paul always leaves the factory with a circular splined nut. Knockoffs are often fitted with large hex nuts. If you see a hex nut, this is a definite warning sign. Counterfeits also often have excessively long toggle switches and oversized poker chips. Again, on used models, there is a chance aftermarket additions have been made, but you should be aware of these red flags.
Fretboard Binding
Fake Gibsons may have fretboard binding, but it is almost unheard of for them to get it right. On a genuine Gibson Les Paul, the fretboard binding should actually cover the edges of the frets. If there is binding and it does not protrude over the frets, you are dealing with a counterfeit.
Open Book Headstock
Believe it or not, the simple “open book” design is actually a lot harder to get right than some would imagine. Fakes often feature asymmetrical headstocks with a noticeable flaw in the center notch. Much like the trapezoid markings, a guitar with this kind of flaw would never leave the Gibson plant and is obviously unoriginal.
Serial Number
Counterfeiters have been able to successfully find real serial numbers to add to their fake instruments, but what they often stumble on is the application of those numbers. Genuine guitars have well-defined, yet shallow numbering and lettering. If you see a guitar with deep, poorly-applied serial numbers and especially with missing paint, you should definitely avoid it, as it’s most likely not genuine.
Body Binding
If you’re looking at a model with body binding, look carefully at the area where the horn meets the neck. The neck binding and the body binding should merge at this point. If there is a pronounced gap, this is another sign that the guitar you’re looking at may well be a counterfeit.
Stoptail Position
Next, look at the position of the stoptail. You need to establish whether the stoptail itself is closer to, or further from, the bridge than the neck volume knob. If you find that the stoptail is further from the bridge than the neck volume knob, you should probably avoid the guitar you’re looking at, as it’s likely a knockoff.
Wiring Harness
In search of maximum profits, the counterfeiters will use the cheapest electronic components they can get their hands on. Fortunately, this also helps to make it easy for the wary buyer to identify a fake. Insist that the seller lets you take a look in the rear cavity. A real Gibson will have nice, tidy wiring, and will have the pots mounted on a plate. If there is no plate and it’s not a vintage model, then you’re dealing with a fake.
Also, look at the branding on the pots. Gibson either uses their own in-house pots or CTS brand. If the pots are plain, and especially if they are dime-sized, this is a dead giveaway that the guitar isn’t genuine.
Final Thoughts on How to Spot a Fake Gibson Les Paul
Unless you’re buying your Gibson Les Paul brand-new from a trusted retailer like Sam Ash, Sweetwater, or Guitar Center, you should always approach with a cautious eye. Even if it’s a friend selling the instrument, unless you know where they got it, they may have unwittingly purchased a counterfeit.
Craiglist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Pawn Shops all over the country are awash with these replicas. Particularly if you see a brand new Gibson Les Paul retailing under MSRP, proceed with extreme caution and avoid unless you’re absolutely certain of the authenticity or you’re OK with the idea of potentially losing your money. Gibson rarely discounts guitars, so extremely low prices should always be a red flag.
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