How to spot fake Gibson Les Pauls
08 October, 2008
Gibson guitars are synonymous with quality, beauty and are desired by collectors and musicians the world over. The Les Paul, in particular, has aided in the creation of the modern music scene that we know today. However, this makes them expensive in their own right. They are constructed with the finest tone woods and are still very much hand crafted.Spotting FakesAs the Gibson Les Paul is a highly valued guitar, many people will try to make fakes that will sell for far more than they are worth. Here are a few ways to help see these fakes. These knockoffs will not get past the experienced players, but they will be able to trap those who are not familiar with guitars. These instruments normally cost from two thousand to three thousand. So if they are offered for a few hundred then they are likely to be fakes. If any seller is based out of China or another Asian country, then be careful. None of Gibson’s instruments are made in these places. All Gibson guitars are made in the United States of America. In general, be wary of second-hand online marketplaces like eBay where pirated goods could circulate. If you wish to purchase a Gibson Les Paul online, buy it from a respectable store such as Zzsounds. Be aware of the common body shapes used by Gibson, and check those that you are looking to buy. Most of the fakes have a Gibson logo that is of a thicker font than the real Gibson logo and is aligned almost horizontally at the top of the headstock. The real Gibson logo is a thinner font and is angled with the G started near the post of the D string tuner. The real key is to look at the truss rod cover. Real Gibsons have a bell shaped truss rod cover with TWO screws, whereask fakes typically have THREE screws. Also, the copies of Les Paul Standards often say "Gibson" right on the truss rod cover, NO Les Pauls say Gibson on the truss rod cover, some Epiphone Les Pauls do but those aren't made in the USA and say Epiphone at the top of the headstock not Gibson.The fakes will normally be imprinted with genuine appearing serial numbers. However, they will normally not line up with the production years of the real Gibson guitars. On the custom shop Historic and VOS Les Paul guitars, the logo is silk-screened where the fakes use decals.All well made real Les Paul guitars will come with original Gibson cases. These cases are as well made as the guitar itself many times. If there is not a case included in the sale, or if the seller offers to use a case other than the original Gibson case, then that could be a warning sign.Maybe the easiest way to check is to ask the seller. Many will tell you that they are made in China. As stated already, not a single Gibson is made in China. All those that claim to be from there are fakes. A Gibson Les Paul is an expensive buy and as such should be treated carefully. As it is a large investment to get such a fine instrument, be sure to go to a seller with a good reputation, preferably an online retailer with a solid history of selling real Gibson guitars.
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Labels: Gibson, Gibson Review, Guitar Review
posted by admin @ 16:03,
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Gibson Les Paul buyers guide
23 September, 2008
Whether you're a beginner learning to strum, or a professional looking to better his tone, choosing a Les Paul can be a challenge. There are close to 127 models that have been released under the Les Paul name since 1952. To make your decision easier it helps to remember that they are all derived from 3 basic models. There are currently about 13 or so variations on the basic Les Paul design around today. All models feature a 'Tune-o-matic' bridge and a stop bar tailpiece, and can be with or without a scratch guard. Apart from reissues, all Les Pauls now feature humbuckers. They are mostly mahogany, but there is now a series called 'SmartWood Exotics' which feature a number of exotic woods. There are a number of variations and reisues based on the above but slightly different, and they all feature Les Paul's signature on the headpiece.
If you're thinking of purchasing a Gibson Les Paul, you may consider getting one online. Buying a Les Paul online will save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. However, we strongly recommend that you pick an online retailer with an established reputation and credibility such as Musiciansfriend.com.
List Price: $3,018 - $3,320
Online Price: $1,999 - $2,199
This is the contemporary version of the model that was introduced in '58-'59. It was reintroduced in 1976. This model has a smaller peg head, green push keys, and in bushing. The body and neck are solid mahogany while the fret board is made of maple and rosewood. All hardware is nickel. Thanks to the Burst bucker Pro pickups, the tone is tight and balanced with increased midrange. Up until 1957 they featured single coil soap bar pickups, after which they switched to Humbuckers. The hardware is chrome. In the 1960s Gibson introduced the 'slim-taper' neck, which changes in thickness only about a tenth of an inch from the first fret to the twelfth and maintains a precisely controlled width to thickness ratio, designed to promote speed while reducing player fatigue. The Standard is now available with or without the slim-taper neck.
List Price: $1,649 - $2,018
Online Price: $1,199
Introduced in 1983. A more refined version of the guitar, with a thinner body and more advanced electronics designed by Les Paul himself. Low impedance electronics were used for an improved signal to noise ratio and a very clean tone. The thinner body changed the tonal qualities of the instrument somewhat, but the improved electrics allowed higher quality in recording situations. The same woods are used but there is no binding. This model is a watered down version of the Standard. It comes in a wide choice of finishes and has a sleek minimal look and features an optional plus top. The Les Paul Studio is intended to be played in a recording studio and is the favorite of guitarists who want a guitar that combines the Les Paul's classic performance with a modern edge.
List Price: $5,245
This is something of a piece de resistance in the Les Paul stable, and is the most expensive model. Introduced in 1954, the Custom is perhaps the most beautiful Les Paul with its elegant colourings and gold hardware. It features multi-ply binding on a maple neck and mahogany back and top. Essentially it is the same as a Standard, but with slicker aesthetics. It's designed with a single piece mahogany neck and a carved maple top. Aesthetics include a warm mahogany finish and gold hardware. The 2 hum buckers ensure a warm quality to the tone, making this the perfect lead guitar. Other features include a tune-o-matic bridge and a stop bar tail piece.
Click here to buy the Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric guitar
Epiphone Les Paul GuitarsList Price: $1,035
Online Price: $429 - 449
Epiphone got its name from its founder, Epaminodas Stathopoulo, known as "Epi." and was one of Gibson closest competitors back in the archtop guitar market during the 40s and 50s. Gibson acquired Epiphone in 1957 and today Epiphone is a subsidary of Gibson, producing licensed "economy" versions of, among other models, the Les Paul. Click here to buy Epiphone Les Paul Guitars
Epiphone Les Pauls are competitively priced and offer extremely good value for a reasonably high quality guitar. However, here a few things to note while buying an Epiphone Gibson:- Gibsons are made in the US while Epiphones are made outside the country (usually Korea and China).- Gibson guitars come with an ultra light thin nitra cellulose coating that takes weeks to perfect. Epiphones comes with a less labor intensive polyurethane finish which doesn't take long to apply and is also more durable.- Gibson uses high quality woods like South American mahogany in its designs. Epiphone guitars use less expensive materials like a combination of alder and mahogany, making them more affordable than the upscale Gibson models.- Gibsons have a lighter tone overall in contrast to the Epiphones' darker tones.- The Pickups, electronics and internal wiring of Gibson Les Pauls is of substantially higher quality than their Epiphone counterparts.
Pricing
If you're watching your wallet, the Epiphone Les Paul Junior or LP Special might be a safe bet. A little more expensive are the Epiphone Les Paul Custom and the Les Paul Classic. If you're in the mood to splurge then you can't go wrong with a Gibson les Paul Standard or Gibson Les Paul Custom.
For more Gibson Guitars please visit Gibson Online Store
Source: The Gibson Les Paul (http://www.lespaulguide.com/les-paul-buyers-guide.php)
Labels: Gibson, Guitar Review, LesPaul
posted by admin @ 21:50,
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