How To Spot A Fake

Like a lot of high end products, buyers of Gibson Les Paul guitars can fall prey to criminals looking to profit off of fake or counterfeited reproductions.  The counterfeit guitars, while they may look similar to real Les Paul guitars do not play nearly as well and are poorly put together.  So what can you do if your looking to purchase a Gibson Les Paul guitar from a private seller or non Gibson authorized dealer to ensure that you don't fall prey to the growing number of fake Gibson's that are flooding the market?

Some other things to look for is, the craftsmanship of the guitar, are all the lettering and parts crisp and well put together. On the truss rod cover are there two screws or three? If there are three screws on the truss guard than its most definitely fake.  Also check the lettering, is it crisp and is the Gibson logo in cursive? Next what about playability, does it feel and have the correct weight.  Most of the time you can tell just by plugging it in and playing the guitar, cheap knockoffs will not sound as bold and resilient as a Genuine Les Paul 

Finally, if you have any doubts or cannot find a local dealer to look at the guitar. You can call Gibson and email them photos of the guitar and they have experts that can tell you if its genuine. They will know if the serial numbers line up with the correct model year or if the knobs are correct.  With more and more of these cheap knockoffs being created in China and imported, its vital to make sure your buying a genuine Gibson Guitar.