How To Tell A Chibson From a Real Gibson

[@2hi2dye]

Another tell tale sign to spot a Chibson from an authentic Gibson is the finish will be almost flawless...

[@whyis45stillalive]

Mine sure is. Even the seven-layer binding is perfect. Front and back.

[@MesaGuitarGuy]

I bought a Chibson on purpose. I didn't want to bring my real LP 3-pickup custom out to gigs, so I bought a $300 version from China. Added a new bridge pup, the TP-6 fine tuning tail piece, and locking tuners. btw, the Trump piece at the end had me rolling :) thanks for the videos Dane

[@davidisenberg125]

same reason i got the PRS SE..... set up right with a decent amp and it works fine.....and the great dane gave me a good deal

[@Craig52-zq1bt]

BINGO!!!! I did the same thing. Got a really nice Chibson for some of these places we were playing. You would get bitched at if you did not have a LP. So, Chibson to the rescue. SCREW GIBSON! Old design, clumsey controls and too heavy. By the way...the binding nibs cover the unfinished fret ends. It's called crappy work covered by plastic.

[@joshua7680]

I have a early 80's LP i inherited from my dad, great guitar but.... I got a chibson to play gigs with in 2022 and threw duncans and a premium pot set in it.... after taking the time for proper setup changing the nut and checking intonation I have found that I move around stage more freely and have more fun with it because im not worried about breaking the headstock of a $4k guitar. Get a gibson collect it and hand it down.... mod a chibson and bang that around instead of the real deal... no shame in it regardless of what the brand nazis say.

[@jazzbox1]

The Gibsons have a thumbwheel but also the later models also have a hex socket in the thumbwheel post for adjustment

[@squirrel-1969]

The wiring and time sized potentiometers are a dead giveaway, the silkscreen logo and the break angle of the headstock as well.

[@Stringsmith]

A headstock does not have a "break angle", it's just an angle.

[@whyis45stillalive]

My Chibson had full-sized pots. They were crap, but they were full-sized.

[@chucklesm2391]

I bought a ES345 copy with a bigsby on eBay for $300. (I really just wanted the bigsby). There was a sticker on the headstock and under it was a gibson inlay and a serial number on the back. Fantastic guitar, i replaced the varitone and pots, kept the pickups. Also upgraded to a nylon ABR-1. Compared to my real 335, there is little to no difference in the construction and quality.

[@markcheetah4960]

I've got a Chibson SG with a Bigsby (which is the reason I bought mine too). It looks awesome but doesn't stay in tune real well. I mostly use it in the studio for guitar solos.

[@strummercash5601]

Thank you! I liked, subbed, appeasing the lords of the algorithms with a comment. Own only one Gibson, the Les Paul I bought at GC the day after my late-mother died in July, 2020. I needed something that-like her-was pretty on the outside, but had a power and was feisty within, an instrument that felt heavy around the neck, solid in hand, capable of churning out grieving and howling tones. Honeyburst Classic was the best one there for me (I’d hoped they had a Cherry Burst Standard) and I was determined to leave with an LP, regardless. Too broke at the moment to be at risk of unwittingly buying a Chibson, or anything-haha-however, I do appreciate the knowledge-the world of knockoffs and frauds, in general, I find fascinating. Circa 2010, when I was very novice in eBay, social media, etc. I bought a 2 unit Shure Beta-58 package on eBay. A day later, got an email from Australia. No one I knew: “Good day, Mate! Odd to get word from a stranger, but I see you bought the same mics. Mine were fake, here’s what to look for when yours arrive…” Great guy! Mine were frauds, as well, and we both got refunds. It was a serious wake up call. Especially with electronics, if the product looks correct in packaging and casing, I really don’t know enough to look inside and know if I’ve been duped. 🙏🏽✌🏽💙 from Minnesota It’s pretty flawless.

[@OddTimeMan]

The import style bridge with the large posts is an improvement. The smaller Allen-head truss rod is also an improvement. Gibson headstocks are notorious for breaking because that large trussrod cavity leaves very little wood behind. The less-severe headstock angle is also an improvement. The scarf-joint in the neck is also an improvement. There's a reason why no one else makes guitars the way Gibson does. Gibson just ignores all of their design flaws. Well actually, Gibson addressed some of those flaws back during the Norlin years with a multi-piece maple neck, less severe headstock angle, and volute, but all the traditional Gibson purists complained, and sales dropped...so Gibson eventually switched back.

[@Lil_Whitey_72]

Don't over tighten . Always loosen to tighten back . Its the same as tuners always loosen to tune up . .. then nothing breaks. Learn

[@OddTimeMan]

@@Lil_Whitey_72 Don't over tighten what? What are you talking about?

[@Lil_Whitey_72]

@@OddTimeMan truss

[@2good2betrue3]

Thanks a lot, mate, for your comment. I was about to change my Chibson bridge to ABR when the import style bridge with the large posts than can only be adjusted with a screwdriver is actually an improvement. It actually was an upgrade to the design flaws. Really appreciate it. Cheers!🙏

[@barcham]

Epiphones, owned by Gibson, address every one of the 'problems' you mention. And they are not copies, they are official Les Pauls.

[@2good2betrue3]

You will know it's a Chibson if the G-String stays in tune, No headstock breaking, the paint is Polyurethane so it's perfect and doesn't age, and most of all it's reasonably priced. At $300 you should be able to enjoy playing a "Gibson Les Paul" without getting scammed by buying an overpriced CNC'd piece of wood for $5,000 to $12,000.🤭 Chibson is actually the equalizer. Chibson FTW!🤘

[@whyis45stillalive]

My Chibson is nitro, and flawless.

[@2good2betrue3]

@@whyis45stillalive Wow!, congrats mate.😀 I have not seen a seller who is selling a Nitro, but it's okay, Poly is my preference because of the smooth gloss and it's scratch and dings resistant. I'm not a fan or "relic" or beat up looking guitars. I want the always brand new look. 👌 Cheers!

[@whyis45stillalive]

@@2good2betrue3 Thanks. I was really surprised too. Just as surprised when I saw; the full-sized pots, and AlNiCo 5 magnets. As for a relic guitar finish; I find it beyond comprehension, why anyone would want that. I can understand, maybe a bit of aging... Maybe. But to hack at, and beat up a new instrument, is just loony.

[@2good2betrue3]

@@whyis45stillalive Great!, what an amazing Chibson that is.😀 "full sized-pots" and "Alnico 5" magnets included?? wow - those are few of my upgrades I invested in, and you received them for free with the Chibson.😯, that's awesome dude!..... And yeah, I'm okay with a bit of aging but not the loony beat up new instrument. haha.😅 Anyway I just purchased another amazing Chib just a week ago. The phased out Chibson Buckethead signature which cost $12,000 on Reverb and only 1 left. I'm really shocked at the beauty when it arrived. It's almost identical with that super expensive Gibson: 24 frets, Gloss alpine White mahogany, dark Ebony fretboard, Grover tuners and Super high output stock pickups all for $320 including a few upgrades like pots. That's how awesome "Chibson" guitars are nowadays, the value for the money is insanely good. 👌But I digress, just sharing.😁Cheers!

[@whyis45stillalive]

@2good2betrue3 Share away! Nice upgrades! That's the baritone model right? That means it's pretty much all custom. I'll have to admit. My Chibson was the first thing I've ever ordered on-line. I didn't realize I could contact the seller for customization, until after I got it. 🤣 It was listed as, "unbranded", but it has the Gibson logo inlaid, in the headstock. I'd have returned it, but the wait probably would have been months. I'll just refinish it, and replace it with my own logo inlay.

[@TheSolidSnakeOil]

Another way you can tell is, if it's reasonably priced, it's probably not a real Gibson.

[@ST-xg3gy]

Thank you! Very good information. Did you happen to catch the bust they made in LA of 3000 fakes Gibsons? Wow!😮

[@srh361]

If I'm not mistaken there was a Gibson that used an Allen key truss rod. Edit: The GT, I looked it up not to mention someone else commented that.

[@mrmr314]

Not all Gibson Les Pauls have the binding coming right up to the top of the fret ends.

[@ericbitzer5247]

The Les Paul tribute has no binding at all. A friend has one and it plays awesome. The only other reason I can think of is when frets get replaced. Mine is a heavily played 1986 Gibson Les Paul custom SG, and I never had to get fret work done.

[@whyis45stillalive]

Especially if they've been refretted.

[@RockinSG]

I have a Grass Roots Les Paul copy. Great guitar. It's been heavily upgraded.

[@ericbitzer5247]

@@RockinSG Never heard of Grass Roots. I'll have to look it up.

[@whyis45stillalive]

@@ericbitzer5247 They're the entry level from ESP. Korean made. Sold exclusively in Japan. For the cost, their quality is pretty good. On par with, or slightly better even, than a Chinese Epi. A few eBay sellers distribute them, outside Japan. Better than almost any Chibson.

[@the_fleeing_dutchman]

Thanks for this, but I had to laugh when you said at the end.. Oh it's got Seymour Duncans in them". If they can fake the Gibson head stock , what are the chances that they fake the PU's? Prety big wouldn't you say?

[@billwatson8616]

Chinese are selling fake Seymour Duncan's on Ebay all the time. Very common thing to see.

[@markcheetah4960]

Yes, and the Grover tuners are fake too.

[@philchapman3435]

thanks for the heads up, good to know.

[@zigzagrz]

There is one exception where Gibson did use a dual action truss rod with a Allen wrench adjustment, but that one is a rare. The les paul GT

[@Livelaughlimpbizkit]

Yeah was about to say this too

[@psycojuggalo1642]

They aren't that rare I bought one for $99 about a year ago from guitar center

[@psycojuggalo1642]

The les paul gt was an epiphone model

[@zigzagrz]

@@psycojuggalo1642 epiphone ALSO had a les paul GT but Gibson did have one. Epiphones i believe had a trem, gibson's does not

[@psycojuggalo1642]

@@zigzagrz I realized that after a quick Google search

[@mraycgz]

You can’t rely on the binding. Plenty of Gibsons have had the binding on the fret ends screwed up during a refret.

[@kjv-public-domain]

This one is brand spanky spank new though.

[@kimseniorb]

usually the body shape is wrong, the headstock shape aswell. its very easy to spot if you’re familiar with how the original looks

[@carlosanvito]

Don't forget the pickup selector switch details - real Gibsons are different from Chibsons.

[@donbabcock6021]

Gibson = $4,000.00 on up Chibson = $279.00 + free shipping. That’s the difference.

[@MorleyRobertson1975]

Look at the fret-ends. Gibson does not overlap the binding. The frets will butt up to the binding and "nubs" are carved in.

[@52waterdog]

As you said " it's probably a great playing guitar', and for the most part they are. I have 4 of them and they are very very good (with a few minor changes). So I will keep my money and play a 'just as good' guitar.

[@jetskirob9779]

Thank you very much a knew they was out there now I know what to look for probably just saved me around £1500 thank you for the video

[@ThunnusAlbacares]

Er my Gibson Les Paul Studio does not have the binding rolling up the frets. But has the brige pins and the truss rod nut. So not sure if your 100% correct about the binding rolling up the sides of the frets.

[@nicolasetcheverry4129]

I second this as mine also has no fret nibs but is authentic 96 model

[@HBSuccess]

Since when do LP Studios have bound necks?

[@HEMI42652]

Rear back plates different. Measures like epiphone typically

[@michaellandreth1392]

Don't the truss rod covers have Standard in a larger font. Not Les Paul Standard on them ?

[@ChockHolocaust]

Baldwin Gibsons have a hex nut truss rod and a bridge with screw adjustment, Gibson Melody Makers don't have binding nibs on the frets.

[@HBSuccess]

Because Melody Makers don’t have bound necks

[@perfectastudio6259]

Another way to spot is the knobs alignment. They have to be in a line parallel to neck

[@jimmybiter2936]

Are the Seymour Duncan pickups fake as well?, I've been seeing fake Seymour Duncan pickups all over eBay

[@leokimvideo]

Gibsons biggest mistake was making the cheap Epiphones to try to compete with the bottom end of the marketplace and clone guitars. All that will do is erode their profits as buyers pivot away from Gibsons. Gets back to that business mantra that it's very difficult to make money from people who can't afford your product.

[@jasonl1942]

Great finish on it

[@EasyThere]

Looks like they put the lacquer on with a hose.

[@sparkyguitar0058]

Another way to tell is tune it and strum it. If it's out of tune chances are it's a Gibson. I took my Gibson L P studio and made it a Chibson by changing many parts. Locking tuners ,new real nut, locking bridge, real pots. You know the little things Gibson don't care about. And I made it really hard to tell. By wearing out certain parts.( Relic) IMOHO

[@KurtS5150]

Love the Trump montage at the end

[@R2R3Lockingnut]

🤣

[@daniellecamp8938]

Wot, No China Joe or the Fake Be I? Considering the video is about fakes we might as well thro the current, RECENTLY PROVEN, fake, China made president in there too.

[@dzl8596]

It comes from CHY-NAH!!

[@davidnika446]

Make Gibson Great Again! I know of a certain orange dude who's selling super duper guitars, and also cartoon NFT's of himself. Oh wait- there he is! Right in your video! Maybe he'll play a few bars for us. A cease and desist will never stop him!

[@jvanb231]

No nibs on many 2014 Gibsons in case that helps anyone.

[@Mullewarp]

And no nibs when the frets where replaced.

[@beaud4474]

the tuners were not the same nuts on the front . the finish was wavy poorly sanded, headstock had a rounded face as opposed to dead flat

[@donjoseph73]

This guitarist that came in with a Les Paul . I said cool can I see it and I grabbed it and it was soo light. I said man this thing is light!! I had a Hondo Lo style as a kid and it seemed lighter then that!

[@whyis45stillalive]

Mine could double as a boat anchor. 10lb 7oz.

[@frankaq3951]

Great tips! Thanks.

[@ernestochang1744]

This video aged like fine wine

[@Gunbucket1964]

I wish my Les Paul had that stain/flame! The guitar looks nice.

[@lukemiller67]

I love my chibson haha. I find it to be a great convo starter lol. Just wish they did a better fret job on it as they are a little sharp.

[@fansoder905]

Hey great video! Can you help me identify if I got me an epiphony sg? I know Epiphone isn’t usually faked but it’s got some suspicious things going on. I got 45 days left on my gc money back guarantee and I gotta figure this out 😂

[@clintonlujan1452]

The orange Troll baffoon is as fake as his Chibson guitars

[@davidkastin4240]

Thanks Dane. Sometimes the Gibson font isn't correct I've heard. Also this one has no poker chip on the 3 way and the finish looks like something Gibson wouldn't do but I'm no expert.

[@raydowley1038]

thickness of the headstock front facia looks way too thick

[@zummo61]

Chibsons have better fretwork, finish, and quality control. Just replace the the harness.

[@apogeedata]

What are you talking about? When it comes to the truss rod? What are you saying Gibson uses other than an Allen key?

[@mrxmrp8795]

The next ones will address these discrepancies

[@McFlyGuitarsandStuff]

WE NEED A STORE IN BUCKEYE!

[@dwaynenewton1]

Chibson is better quality. Got it!

[@donbabcock2062]

Big difference is the price. Normal people can’t touch a Gibson. Gibson doesn’t want people playing music so they block the tribute guitars. They’re paying homage to them, and helping starving musicians.

[@nicolasetcheverry4129]

I’ve got a 96 studio wine red with no fret nibs not all authentic Gibson have this. If they’ve been re fretted or some models just didn’t have them

[@SHENDOH]

On necks without binding of course there's no nibs but any gibson with a bound neck has nibs

[@subd3]

In addition, you'll probably have microphonic cheap pickups and horrible pots and wiring. Some models use the CNC program direct from the Epiphone plant. You'll get models where the top of the truss rod cover screw is slightly lower, thus the headstock is longer.

[@barcham]

I would also bet the angle of the headstock is wrong.

[@moeedaftab4776]

i think you missed the most obvious giveaway: funny considering that 2 of your 3 giveaways were about the truss rod, you forgot to point out that a real truss rod cover usually doesn't say "les paul", except for maybe on the custom

[@lightningwithin9186]

So it’s an Epiphone?

[@luigizanellato2959]

lol 🤣

[@jman1428]

One thing you can tell about the Imports is it made better and it plays better than a Gibson

[@tridungsydney6618]

Oh man I gonna buy one LP soon.but after I watch this video.i think I put it on hold.and I may pick some others names than Gibson LP or chipson..lolz...thanks mate..

[@jacquelinechellis4036]

Nice lookin Chibson

[@russshaber8071]

My 85 Tokai Love Rock is set up exactly like a Gibson.

[@Rstar63]

Those were well made back in the day. I remember an Ibanez Les Paul and V at my local music store. Wished I would have been able to get one of those, They were the lawsuit era

[@SonamD.Bhutia]

Chibson & Gibson. Our Indian GIVSON GS 1000 is head & tails compared to Gibson. You need'nt worry😂

[@markjacques1161]

No mention of headstock wings? All Gibsons have them. Chibsons don't.

[@dannyturner7967]

Romove truss rod cover....look for brass nut....only other guitar i have seen with a brass nut is Edward's

[@ericbitzer5247]

It's a nice looking guitar. I was lucky and bought my 1986 Gibson Les Paul custom SG in 1989 for $550. Three pickup gold hardware. They're the Tim Shaw's too. Been my main guitar ever since.

[@psycojuggalo1642]

Ok I could be wrong epiphone does make one too

[@davidisenberg125]

leave it to the great dane to school us fools !!!!!!!

[@toothpicvic8695]

It is a counterfeit, but the guitar is capable of being as good as the real deal with a few components. With a small investment in parts you can have the gibson name on a guitar that cost a fraction

[@nizodizo9549]

Still looks like nice guitar.

[@juanvaldez5422]

It’s poo

[@yactabay]

Not poo looks. I love the looks also.

[@lesbois53]

I have several Chibbos. In many cases they are BETTER than my real Gibbos. That is why I like them. Let’s face it, the Chinese have been making guitars and other stuff for much longer than most countries in the world. Consequently, they have gotten GOOD! If it works, what more!?

[@rockdaddy2168]

Funny Bri.🤣👍

[@Stoagman1]

How do these get into the country??? Crazy. But then I guess if Chinese Fentanyl can be found in any of our streets what the hell does a fake guitar matter. Thanks for the video. Good stuff.

[@jeffreymatlak2079]

When gibson left Kalamazoo and Norlin corp took them over ,it alll went to hell. Musicians world wide lost all respect for thier products.

[@pauldamore92]

They are just ridiculously priced if they’re real. Epiphphones are good guitars for any player. Not too many have 3,4,5000 unless your a professional musician

[@bigjohnson9561]

As always look for the obvious.. If you never owned a Gibson LP, go to your guitar shop and try one out. Then when you run across a fake it will be obvious.

[@toothpicvic8695]

Binding over the frets are an excuse to not dress the frets

[@astapovich940]

False on the binding. Not on all of them. Tribute dont even have binding. Standard doesnt have rolled up binding..

[@FKITMANE]

A real standard just says standard on the cover

[@dannym5345]

If it sounds good and plays good and feels good who cares only guitar snobs would cry oooo it's not a real Gibson

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

And no the hardware on that chibson isn't authentic Epiphone hardware...

[@timhallas4275]

If you can't tell by playing it, then you'd be a fool to pay $1500 for a $500 guitar.

[@gianniconti69]

Chibson🇺🇸💪💀

[@colehara]

Now the Chinese watching this know what they need to change.

[@leeder92]

The Chinese watch these videos to check where they are going wrong. Eventually, the guitars will be indistinguishable from the originals.

[@OddTimeMan]

The Chinese have been making fake Gibsons for well over 20 years. Do you really think they don't know how to make an exact copy? They cut corners on purpose...to save time and money.

[@whyis45stillalive]

'Nibs', they're called fret nibs.

[@samkitty5894]

Well, if it says "Chibson" it ends there for me. No need to check anything else... Just like looking ar Rulex watch...

[@PatrickLilly-b1j]

WHEW!!!

[@ed713ca]

Ya just like the Trump guitars 200 dollar Chinese made. What a scam.

[@nasticanasta]

easy to tell, the way Gibson does their frets... and they have fret nibs....I see no nibs, bridge is wrong. The tuner bushings are wrong... wrong TRC wrong nut. But I will say the way Gibson does their frets is cheap, it's a cheap way of doing frets, those nibs break off and then you lose real estate of your board. I'll buy a Japanese Gibson copy before I would buy a Gibson.

[@russshaber8071]

Shout out to Don Trump for selling fake Gibsons for $10k each! Way to grift Donny! Somebody stupid will buy those fakes.

[@Unrealistic-o9c]

No way. Fender all the way.

[@skyemoz6559]

That horrible plastic high nut

[@kareemgalaroza822]

So these chibson actually "good playing guitar"? But do they have the same price as the legit Gibson, because you don't mention the price difference.. why do you care so much about the authenticity of this guitar while the Gibson factory doesn't give a sh!!t about it?

[@user-gs2nq3rs8l]

Other than you overpaying for something. What makes the difference who makes the guitar as long as it plays and sounds good? It's a name I don't care if my guitar says sleepy Joe the guy that all got us killed in a nuclear blast it's just a name

[@rossitherhodie5659]

If it looks good and sounds good and its a 10th of the price, I'd buy it overt an original. Gibeson where there worst own enemy by over producing, Now the Chinese have perfected it.

[@3DLasers]

Oh, they are real Gibson guitars they're just made in China... 🇨🇳 🌎

[@shanewalton8888]

If the headstock breaks when you look at it and it sounds like crap it is definitely a real Gibson.

[@davidisenberg125]

my 76 custom still sounds decent and no neck break knock on wood .... maple necks seem to be stronger

[@troyheffernan1261]

Gibson engraves the serial number in the head stock. They don't press it in.

[@stevepierce2457]

And now Trump is selling Chinese Les Paul copies

[@PatrickLilly-b1j]

The nut is horrid...