@inkay6152 The strings were less than 24 hours old when I shot this video, so yeah, they're gonna go out of tune with the way I play. Check out my other vid using this axe to play over GibsonSulli's backing track and see if that one goes out of tune. And yeah, that's a total p.o.s.! HA! Listen to that shit! LOL!!
I have one of these - bought it for £200 at a car boot sale - was so excited - my first Gibson! Funny thing is I played it as my primary for a couple of years - it stayed in tune and sounded great. I really connected with the instrument - it was so responsive. I suppose the clue was some popped frets but I got those fixed and had no more issues with it after that. Anyway - today I stuck the serial number in google and it turns out that that a lot of people have a Gibson with serial number 02005557 - which led me here. Now as I look at that one-time object of desire, I see the lie revealed. I guess the difference is (as you can hear in the video) it still sounds great (tone, sustain, volume etc) but now I know I don't have an instrument with a £2.5K trade in value. I wonder if, when the mood strikes me and I give it a proper 2 a.m. neo soul / funk workout, whether it will sound the same or whether it will now sound like a knock-off. But I think it will sound the same. It's a guitar that's lied to me about so many things - but it lied with such a sweet sweet voice..
I have to say that the shape of the body looks odd. I dunno if it's from the binding. The upper bout looks square-ish, instead of round. Anyone else see that?
Agreed. From what I can tell, it's a 1mm veneer. It is "solid wood," just a very thin slab. But they bookmatch and offset, which are nice little details for such an inexpensive guitar.
that's the first thing I noticed. I saw one of these at a pawn shop in town and you could not make make out the handwritten "Supreme" in the logo. They wanted $1400 and it clearly had a CNC serial that when googled, showed up on other fake Gibsons online. I am sure they sound fine but for a Pawn shop to try to sell a fake at real used prices is pathetic.
If you have to spell out to people how to spot a Fake LP then it may well be fair to say, go find a fake LP, make sure your paying a very very good price and you will be happy that there is enough money left over to buy more gear. And for those looking to avoid Chinese LP this video of course is very good, thanks.
@rollsroycess The amp is Guitar Rig 4 (computer software) with a Distortion box set to barely on into a Dual Rectifier in "Vintage" mode, Gain and Vol at .75/100. Also reverb and delay. Everything is from Guitar Rig, no other effects.
@CFloBucket The amp is Guitar Rig 4 with a Boss-style Distortion set to barely on into a Dual Rectifier in "Vintage" mode, Gain and Vol at 40%. Some delay and reverb added at the end of the chain. It's all Guitar Rig, no other effects.
I wouldn't be so praiseworthy of a guitar from a company that obviously engages in intellectual property theft. Further, even though you are able to tell the difference between a Chinese and US-made Gibson, many others can't and surely the fakes are being misrepresented and sold somewhere out there as legitimate US-made guitars. Besides, the body shape is off - the horn looks *really* wrong.
mikey71 you grossly overestimate the value of your opinion. Many people can't afford the overinflated prices of Gibson instruments many which are of poor quality nowadays. Value for money is key here sonny, a fool and his money are easily parted. A few hundred versus a few thousand = No brainer!
Yeah, someone in the market to buy a Gibson will have the knowledge they need to make a purchase. If they’re stupid enough to pay 2-3k for a 400$ knock off, then they’re probably to stupid to actual own a Gibson.
@aronchas Ebony fretboards are black, rosewood is brown. Ebony has a very tight woodgrain, and it's a little shiny. Rosewood has a more open woodgrain and it's usually not shiny. Ebony is naturally a little oily, rosewood is a dryer wood. Ebony is harder than rosewood.
@FeebleSatan $600 sounds high to me. These here are usually around $325, including delivery. For $325 or thereabout, definitely worth it. For $600, it doesn't sound worth it unless a lot of the hardware was changed including the pickups. Plug it into a loud amp with lots of distortion and see if it squeals at moderate volumes, then you'll know of the pickups were changed.
@wehurtthosewelove No, the jack is a standard 1/4", but the plate (and hole behind the plate) are like on a Les Paul Standard (square jack plate). The real Supreme uses a large cavity to allow access to the pots and it's covered in a rectangular plate that runs along the bottom for about 3".
@mingoos4294 It's what the Chinese factory put in the guitar. They are marked "Epiphone" on the bottom, but they are not real Epiphone pickups (which ARE potted and don't squeal). Those are the cheap Chinese-made pickups that come stock with the fake. They're un-potted and bright, but still usable so long as it's not loud (or they get potted first).
@ZOMB13 Just the Supreme models. The real Supremes have no back cavities, either, though the real ones have a larger input jack cavity to make access a little easier (the fakes don't have the large jack cavity, hence the small jackplate). All of the Customs and Standards have back cavities like the real ones, one for the pots/jack and one for the switch.
@guitarfreakstyle2 True and true. Though the latter can be replaced with accurate hardware, the former is far more difficult to reproduce or replace with after-market. Chinese "gold" wears off very easily, so even if they did use "gold" frets, the color would wear to silver almost immediately.
@djalsurdi67 I haven't had any issues with the frets to report. I accidentally whacked one of my other guitars on a piece of sharp metal that required the first few frets to be replaced. There is no visible or tonal difference between the three replacement frets and the original frets. However, the real Supremes have gold frets and I've never seen gold frets on a fake. That's a good indicator of whether it's real or fake.
@themeanbloke It depends on the price. For $2,800, it would matter quite a bit. For $280, not so much. Actually, many people buy guitars without playing them first, just ask Musician's Friend, Sweetwater, Sam Ash, American Musical Supply, etc. If you got the skills to set it up, there's nothing that can't be adjusted to suit preference.
@kramerfrank5150 That is how Gibson makes them, too. The bodies are extra hollowed-out inside to allow for the parts to come out through the pickup cavities. Tying string to the hardware seems to be the standard method, then using the string to pull the hardware back into place.
@stronans4life The one in the background was $295. Once you change the strings to D'Addario or Ernie Balls, they stay in tune just fine. I don't know which bolts you are referring to...the neck is set in, not bolt on. If you mean the truss cover, there are only two screws, one at the top and one at the bottom, both in the center. The strings are far above them and they never get caught in the screws. Hope that helps!
@nacho5611 that's not me, but boy can this guy play guitar, not only that he's pretty good at helping you understand what to look out for when buying guitars possibly one of the most under rated channels on the tube
@richass100 The amp is Guitar Rig 4 with a Boss-style Distortion set to barely on into a Dual Rectifier in "Vintage" mode, Gain and Vol at 40%. Some delay and reverb added at the end of the chain. It's all Guitar Rig, no other effects.
@twinsmm1 It's more like an ES-335 - completely hollow inside except for a center block to support the tailpiece and bridge. The common technique is to tie string to the hardware and then dismount and pull it out through the pickup cavities. Do the work outside the body and then pull all the hardware back using the string. It's a pain in the ass, but not impossible.
@UnderDeceptionMetal They both feel as good as any decent guitar. The Supreme's neck is a little slimmer than the Custom, but not by much. The weight is pretty good on the Custom because of the mahogany body. The Supreme is a little lighter because it's hollow, not chambered like the real Supreme.
@whapaso The problem with your argument is that it is not illegal to own a counterfeit guitar in the US. It is illegal to sell one, which is why the market here will never be established. But owning one is perfectly legal. That renders your other comment a moot point because you compare something that is illegal to possess, crack, to something that isn't, counterfeit products. To sum up: selling = illegal owning/buying = not illegal.
I want to tell you something sir! You are one of the very few guitarist that is worth watching on this miracle of endless reels of some interesting things to watch but mostly wasted time! I have learned more things that I can actually USE in my guitar playing from watching you! Rock On!
@Svet69 If you want to be sure you're getting mahogany, get one that shows the wood, like a Standard. All of the Les Paul Standards have clear finishes on the back so the mahogany comes through. Be warned, though, the core mahogany is very blemished (but real mahogany, none the less), and usually two pieces. The back is covered in a paper-thin veneer of really nice mahogany to cover the blemishes. The tops are the same. A half-centimeter maple cap is covered in a paper-thin figured maple.
@shipleyshipster They are more akin to movie props. They have a certain look, but that's where the similarities end. That said, these are not toys; they are real instruments made with tone woods and they can play quite nicely after a bit of setup. The real sacrifice is in resell, which is non-existent. One has to ready to hang it on the wall as 3D art, or remove the emblem before reselling. Selling one "as is" always brings the risk of trafficking, so best to avoid that unpleasantness.
@WildWillys Who's encouraging anything?!? I'm pointing out the things that make up a fake Supreme so people *don't* get ripped off. That was the whole purpose of this video, in case you missed it.
Man I really like your vid clips. I got a Slash A. F. D. and a Supreme just like yours and I am happy as a pig in a mud puddle and did not have to go into large debt to buy them. Yeah they are not the real McCoy but I am the only one that needs to be impressed and I am with the 2 I got so far. I WILL buy more!! Keep on jammin dude!!!!
@Mrgodcow I can offer a few answers. 1. These fakes are fairly well-made for the most part. Yes, they can use a few upgrades & a little work, but the woods, construction & finishes are usually pretty good. 2. They make good project guitars. 3. A genuine Gibson Les Paul costs THOUSANDS more. 4. Some people gig with their fake and save their delicate expensive Gibson for the recording studio & photo shoots. 5. The fakes offer color choices & options that Gibson doesn't.
@Gunsnrosestreflip It's like working on an ES-335 (or any f-hole guitar without openings in the back). First you tie string to the other hardware and then pull everything out through the pickup holes. Then do the work and then pull all the hardware back through using the string you tied in the first step.
@scottfree6 It's not all basswood. It's appears to be pancake slabs of basswood and Asian mahogany. We had to open another compartment to get a better view of the wood. When I made this video I had only looked at the inside for a few minutes when changing the strings. Since then I've looked more closely and I'm of the opinion that it's a mix of basswood (or maple...there's some disagreement among friends) and Asian mahogany. Unfortunately, if anything is consistent it's the inconsistencies.
@houleyman There's a Gibson-China? I thought all Gibsons came from the US and only the Epiphone brand is Chinese/Korean made. Anyway, these guitars are not made by Gibson (or Epiphone), but I'm hesitant to call them counterfeit. Counterfeit implies that they are attempted to be passed as the real thing (like a counterfeit dollar), but these aren't (not by my dealer, anyway). He's right up front that they are not made by Gibson, but instead by a Chinese factory.
@stratplayinguy The inside is hollow, like an ES-335. There's a block at the bridge and tailpiece for support, but it's mostly hollow. The pickups need to be potted, at the very least, but changing them is probably a good idea, too. The pots probably should be changed as well. They are slow-turning and ramp up quickly. Not a very good taper to them. The nut on mine is fine, though it is plastic. The bridge and tailpiece seem ok. The tuners stay in tune, but their ratio is low.
@dasfarfignewton It's more like an ES-335 - completely hollow inside except for a center block to support the tailpiece and bridge. The common technique is to tie string to the hardware and then dismount and pull it out through the pickup cavities. Do the work outside the body and then pull all the hardware back using the string. It's a pain in the ass, but not impossible.
@goredeathrot Hey, I took a closer look at the binding and they actually are separate solid laminates. I chose a small place at the bottom to scrape with an Xacto knife and the black didn't scrape off. So I dug a tiny hole using the point and the black is definitely solid, not painted. Also, the front is 7-ply, the back and headstock are 5-ply; no 3-ply anywhere that I can see.
Great video... made me smile from the get go and I gotta say I have bought 14 guitars from China now, majority Gibsonesq and a couple of Fender types. I bought the first with the intention of replacing the switchgear and pickups but when I stripped that baby down I discovered good quality Korean parts and Epiphone pickups. I have a great relationship with a couple over there that export French Horns into Europe with a side line selling guitars through a couple of stores. They are so beautiful.
@VUZOOKA I think so, but I've never changed anything other than the fingerboard from rosewood to ebony, so I can't say for sure. When it's custom-ordered, though, it takes like 3-4 weeks to get. If it's in stock (comes with ebony without custom order), then it can take less than a week.
@GuitaristfromHell100 Yeah, the shape is definitely off on the fake Supremes and Customs. The Standards are closer. Take a look at the Standard video I have as a response to this one and you'll see what I mean. The upper bout is cut much closer to that of the real ones.
@SHRUDE So a veneer is not a slab of wood, albeit a thin one? Then what is it? I'm saying it's real wood and not a photo finish and I think you are agreeing (unless you think a veneer is not real wood). My abolone is real, and has little cracks and scratches at the edge, so wrong on that one, dude. The inlays are plastic, but they look nice and are inlayed very tightly, a great job if you ask me. The pup mounting screws are a non-issue, those can be changed at any time.
@soares1971 The neck is fairly thin. Not chunky at all. I like it a lot. Very easy to play. The custom is a little thicker. The bodies on these are mostly hollow, like an ES-335, with a block in the middle for the neck, bridge and tailpiece.
I was just checking your video on fake les pauls I traded an amp for one and I changed the pickups and pots and it plays like butter and sounds GREAT.The thing I was wanting to ask you is who do you buy your les pauls from I've heard different stories about you have to watch who you buy from some are better than other sellers.I would like to get another one thanks keep rocking.
@OddTimeMan I misunderstood your initial response. I thought you were saying that Squier and such were subcontracted companies. I always thought the overseas factories were owned by Fender, Gibson and others. I didn't know they were subcontracted.
What ive learned from these videos is that for the price you pay, looks like a sweet deal to me, I just ordered a EDS-1275 Replica and I payed 350 for it, can't wait for it to get here
@DominicMcMulkin That IS interesting! Did you get the one with the maple back and sides? I agree, those guitars look amazing. Definitely give an update after it arrives.
@PixxyLixxx My friend has 2 fake LP Customs and we believe they are maple. Basswood is pretty light but his fakes are 10 lbs. each. Basswood is soft and dents easily, but when we took out the pickups and pressed into the wood with a screwdriver, it did not dent. The necks are definitely maple and the bodies are 3 pieces. They were probably all cut from the same maple lumber. The bodies also have a maple veneers on the top & back.
@rainy78 Thanks! The pickups are stock and sound ok enough, but live they are useless until wax potted. They squeal like banshees with anything over low volume. The inlays are most likely plastic, but they still look pretty good. The inlay work was surprisingly clean. Special changes should be made with the seller in advance and, if possible, a special listing created that references the custom work. Also, ordering a stock item and making mention of it in the order also works.
@pickmaster Yeah, they're not too easy to work with. Basically, you have to tie string or fishing line to the hardware and then pull it out through the pickup cavities. Do your work, and then pull them back through using the line. It's not impossible, but it's a bit of a pain, to say the least.
@RichardGuitarTV Access is through the extra large Jack Plate on Supremes. The 3way and pick ups have extra long wires and can be assembled outside the guitar.
@alpilon23 I think so, but not everyone is in agreement. It really depends on whether you like to tinker with instruments, because they usually need some setup and adjustment right away. They are not perfect, but for the money, they are great. Also, stick with a simple design (like a Les Paul). Their more complex parts (like a locking tremolo) are difficult to make with both precision and low cost......and cost always wins.
@ZenDriveSeven There are no backplates, just like a genuine Gibson Les Paul Supreme. You access the electronics through the jackplate and pickup cavities.
@stratplayinguy Don't pay him extra. I have doubts as to whether he could actually fulfill that promise and he'll just take your money. The far better strategy is to get it and then get the custom work locally, from a place you can trust. The best pickups he sells in terms of noise and sound are the EMG clones. They are pretty decent, actually.
@Guy9998 Well I'm not sure what you're saying. Squier & Epiphone isn't licensed by the Chinese, they are owned & operated by Fender & Gibson. They have their guitars built in China by Chinese workers in Chinese factories because the labor is cheap.
@AlienWorkshopSk8tr Actually, that's not true. The counterfeiting laws specifically apply to the seller, not the buyer. There is no criminal penalty for buying, but selling one can land you in serious trouble. See USC Title 18, Ch. 113, Section 2320(e)(2)
Funny thing, in 1968, Gibson started to make the logo with no dot on the i and an open o which looks like gibsun. When I bought my 1969 SG back in 1984 I didn't notice that until after I purchased the guitar. First I thought I was ripped off but A.R Duchossoir's book on guitar identification set me straight.
@OddTimeMan Well, I don't agree at all. I'm a guitar seller, and figured out several times that even guitars from the same series (let's say two Gibson Les Paul Standard Traditionnal, same color, same everything, twin guitars) are sounding slightly differently... It's not just about woods with pickups. The way woods are cut, set together, the piece of woods used... There is too many random factors to think it's that simple. But if you prefer another guitar it's fine ;)
@disturbtheworlds Not that I expect you to read all the comments, but yeah, this has been discussed ad nauseam, starting about 900 comments ago. I should probably make an annotation to the video because it comes back up every few weeks.
Hi there, great video, you got some chops. Could you possibly tell me from which supplier/website blah you got the Les Paul? Much appreciated man. All the best
@stratplayinguy I think you might be right. I'm not positive, but it would appear to be maple. I think that I went with basswood because I didn't think maple was plausible, but now I'm not so sure. At the very least it appears to be maple with perhaps a maple veneer over the top, but that would seem like too much work for the money.
Actually, Gibson stamps the serial number in black and then clears over it. The fakes route out the paint and etch the serial number. That's a big clue right there. They occasional will paint over the etching, making the number a little soft, but almost every one I've seen is straight-up etched. The fakes NEVER stamp the serial number. And I've seen numbers from 2003, 2005 and 2006, but there doesn't seem to be much variation from those years.
@ButtsexV2 Actually, no, nothing CBS here. The rosewood fingerboard one is a used Squier I picked up at Daddy's for $90 and the maple fingerboard one is my '89 reissue of the "50s" Strat made in Japan. The last CBS Strat I owned was a 1981 "The Strat" that I bought new in the Fall of that year. I traded it in for a Kramer Pacer Imperial with Floyd Rose trem (cutting edge technology at the time) three years later.
@OddTimeMan The unplugged sound has everything to do with the plugged-in sound. The electronics only amplify and create harmonic overtones from the unplugged sound.
So I decided after much debate I would buy a Chinese Gibson. I bought the exact one in this video from the exact same guy. I received it yesterday. My dad, who owns two gibsons (real ones), and has been playing for 37 years, picked it up. He claims he can't tell a very distinct difference, and the differences he could tell, were not a 1900 dollar or more difference, i am greatly happy with the guitar.
@OddTimeMan I stand corrected it is BASSWOOD i was referring to. In the last year or so the quality has improved a lot. I've probably seen 6/ 7 of these Chibsons over 4 years. More people are opting for them these days. I understand other guitars have veneer but they aren't labelled "Gibson'. :) The inlays we see here look pretty bad down near the 18th. I've seen some really bad inlays where they need to be VERY precise. Dont matter. Its not the wood or the maker, but the hardware & the player
A follow up- Gibson LP VOS-Counterfiet. After another $150.,($430.00 total cost with case) to my guitar tech for fret leveling, filing the bridge to remedy its sharpness, a set up, new strings, this plays pretty damn good. I feel better about it when I'm not comparing it to a Legit. Gibson. It is what it is. I like the sustain I'm getting compared to my Tele's. It's pretty good looking too.BTW your video is great, and obviously you've practiced many years. Thanks for sharing!
I've seen, examined, & played several fakes that were basically Epiphones with Gibson style headstocks. They were Epi quality, and they came loaded with Epi parts & features. They looked, felt, played, & sounded just like Epi's, minus the Quality Control (they needed fret-dress, set-ups, & maybe a few upgraded parts). They're most likely made in the Epi factories in China. When Gibson moved Epi production there in 2002, that's when we saw an explosion of these fakes.
@FatGuyWithAKatana I think the paint job exaggerates it, but yeah, the body shape has been discussed at length here. There is a chance you could get a lemon, but so far I've been fairly lucky, with only minor adjustments needed. Most people who play them in person are blown away by the quality for the money. The fake guys seem to do better with the LP Standard and Custom bodies, which are closer to the real ones. They aren't perfect, but a flame-top Std is like $290, delivered. Not bad...
And they have Res Paul written on them
not funny
that right there is funny
Willy Funry....
Do you seriously think this is funny? Because I sure do
Still funny @@jamesb.9472
@inkay6152 The strings were less than 24 hours old when I shot this video, so yeah, they're gonna go out of tune with the way I play. Check out my other vid using this axe to play over GibsonSulli's backing track and see if that one goes out of tune.
And yeah, that's a total p.o.s.! HA! Listen to that shit! LOL!!
I have one of these - bought it for £200 at a car boot sale - was so excited - my first Gibson! Funny thing is I played it as my primary for a couple of years - it stayed in tune and sounded great. I really connected with the instrument - it was so responsive. I suppose the clue was some popped frets but I got those fixed and had no more issues with it after that. Anyway - today I stuck the serial number in google and it turns out that that a lot of people have a Gibson with serial number 02005557 - which led me here. Now as I look at that one-time object of desire, I see the lie revealed. I guess the difference is (as you can hear in the video) it still sounds great (tone, sustain, volume etc) but now I know I don't have an instrument with a £2.5K trade in value. I wonder if, when the mood strikes me and I give it a proper 2 a.m. neo soul / funk workout, whether it will sound the same or whether it will now sound like a knock-off. But I think it will sound the same. It's a guitar that's lied to me about so many things - but it lied with such a sweet sweet voice..
@dustiniscool2 Yes, stock everything. I shot the video the day after I got the guitar.
I have to say that the shape of the body looks odd. I dunno if it's from the binding. The upper bout looks square-ish, instead of round. Anyone else see that?
+Kenny Van Wailin kinda
Well hey thats worth an extra 2000 dollars
Agreed. From what I can tell, it's a 1mm veneer. It is "solid wood," just a very thin slab. But they bookmatch and offset, which are nice little details for such an inexpensive guitar.
kinda creepy "lil flame maple back for ya" great vids!
@OutsideThe9ine Yes, everything stock. I shot the video a day after receiving it.
The shape is so off it's painful to look at
The Complete Tank yup
i thought it was a dean leslie west.
I was thinking the same thing
I could live with that ,but putting Gibson on any of these is unforgivable. Just like when people "upgrade" a Squier with a Fender decal. Just no.
that's the first thing I noticed. I saw one of these at a pawn shop in town and you could not make make out the handwritten "Supreme" in the logo. They wanted $1400 and it clearly had a CNC serial that when googled, showed up on other fake Gibsons online. I am sure they sound fine but for a Pawn shop to try to sell a fake at real used prices is pathetic.
If you have to spell out to people how to spot a Fake LP then it may well be fair to say, go find a fake LP, make sure your paying a very very good price and you will be happy that there is enough money left over to buy more gear.
And for those looking to avoid Chinese LP this video of course is very good, thanks.
your skill is insane
@rollsroycess The amp is Guitar Rig 4 (computer software) with a Distortion box set to barely on into a Dual Rectifier in "Vintage" mode, Gain and Vol at .75/100. Also reverb and delay. Everything is from Guitar Rig, no other effects.
This guitar looks very weird, it doesn't have the les paul shape it's a bit off.
Yeah, it looks weird. not quite like a Les Paul, the horn is too sharp and the cut on the top is too small also
@CFloBucket The amp is Guitar Rig 4 with a Boss-style Distortion set to barely on into a Dual Rectifier in "Vintage" mode, Gain and Vol at 40%. Some delay and reverb added at the end of the chain. It's all Guitar Rig, no other effects.
I wouldn't be so praiseworthy of a guitar from a company that obviously engages in intellectual property theft. Further, even though you are able to tell the difference between a Chinese and US-made Gibson, many others can't and surely the fakes are being misrepresented and sold somewhere out there as legitimate US-made guitars.
Besides, the body shape is off - the horn looks *really* wrong.
mikey71 you grossly overestimate the value of your opinion. Many people can't afford the overinflated prices of Gibson instruments many which are of poor quality nowadays. Value for money is key here sonny, a fool and his money are easily parted. A few hundred versus a few thousand = No brainer!
Yeah, someone in the market to buy a Gibson will have the knowledge they need to make a purchase. If they’re stupid enough to pay 2-3k for a 400$ knock off, then they’re probably to stupid to actual own a Gibson.
@aronchas Ebony fretboards are black, rosewood is brown. Ebony has a very tight woodgrain, and it's a little shiny. Rosewood has a more open woodgrain and it's usually not shiny. Ebony is naturally a little oily, rosewood is a dryer wood. Ebony is harder than rosewood.
I don't see how people can be so okay with have a fake guitar lol, I know I'd be pissed.
great question.
Lol for 200$ I'd be just fine...
@danthegrimman Actually, that's a little poster insert I got somewhere. There's a Def Leppard one around somewhere, too.
@FeebleSatan $600 sounds high to me. These here are usually around $325, including delivery. For $325 or thereabout, definitely worth it. For $600, it doesn't sound worth it unless a lot of the hardware was changed including the pickups. Plug it into a loud amp with lots of distortion and see if it squeals at moderate volumes, then you'll know of the pickups were changed.
@wehurtthosewelove No, the jack is a standard 1/4", but the plate (and hole behind the plate) are like on a Les Paul Standard (square jack plate). The real Supreme uses a large cavity to allow access to the pots and it's covered in a rectangular plate that runs along the bottom for about 3".
@mingoos4294 It's what the Chinese factory put in the guitar. They are marked "Epiphone" on the bottom, but they are not real Epiphone pickups (which ARE potted and don't squeal). Those are the cheap Chinese-made pickups that come stock with the fake. They're un-potted and bright, but still usable so long as it's not loud (or they get potted first).
@ZOMB13 Just the Supreme models. The real Supremes have no back cavities, either, though the real ones have a larger input jack cavity to make access a little easier (the fakes don't have the large jack cavity, hence the small jackplate). All of the Customs and Standards have back cavities like the real ones, one for the pots/jack and one for the switch.
where do you get your chibsons??
@guitarfreakstyle2 True and true. Though the latter can be replaced with accurate hardware, the former is far more difficult to reproduce or replace with after-market. Chinese "gold" wears off very easily, so even if they did use "gold" frets, the color would wear to silver almost immediately.
@djalsurdi67 I haven't had any issues with the frets to report. I accidentally whacked one of my other guitars on a piece of sharp metal that required the first few frets to be replaced. There is no visible or tonal difference between the three replacement frets and the original frets. However, the real Supremes have gold frets and I've never seen gold frets on a fake. That's a good indicator of whether it's real or fake.
@themeanbloke It depends on the price. For $2,800, it would matter quite a bit. For $280, not so much. Actually, many people buy guitars without playing them first, just ask Musician's Friend, Sweetwater, Sam Ash, American Musical Supply, etc. If you got the skills to set it up, there's nothing that can't be adjusted to suit preference.
@kramerfrank5150 That is how Gibson makes them, too. The bodies are extra hollowed-out inside to allow for the parts to come out through the pickup cavities. Tying string to the hardware seems to be the standard method, then using the string to pull the hardware back into place.
@stronans4life The one in the background was $295. Once you change the strings to D'Addario or Ernie Balls, they stay in tune just fine. I don't know which bolts you are referring to...the neck is set in, not bolt on. If you mean the truss cover, there are only two screws, one at the top and one at the bottom, both in the center. The strings are far above them and they never get caught in the screws. Hope that helps!
@nacho5611 that's not me, but boy can this guy play guitar, not only that he's pretty good at helping you understand what to look out for when buying guitars
possibly one of the most under rated channels on the tube
Always love your videos man, keep 'em coming! You freaking rock! I just bought a real Les Paul Supreme ;)
I love your fake Les Paul videos. Good stuff Pixxxy!
@richass100 The amp is Guitar Rig 4 with a Boss-style Distortion set to barely on into a Dual Rectifier in "Vintage" mode, Gain and Vol at 40%. Some delay and reverb added at the end of the chain. It's all Guitar Rig, no other effects.
@twinsmm1 It's more like an ES-335 - completely hollow inside except for a center block to support the tailpiece and bridge. The common technique is to tie string to the hardware and then dismount and pull it out through the pickup cavities. Do the work outside the body and then pull all the hardware back using the string. It's a pain in the ass, but not impossible.
@UnderDeceptionMetal They both feel as good as any decent guitar. The Supreme's neck is a little slimmer than the Custom, but not by much. The weight is pretty good on the Custom because of the mahogany body. The Supreme is a little lighter because it's hollow, not chambered like the real Supreme.
@whapaso The problem with your argument is that it is not illegal to own a counterfeit guitar in the US. It is illegal to sell one, which is why the market here will never be established. But owning one is perfectly legal. That renders your other comment a moot point because you compare something that is illegal to possess, crack, to something that isn't, counterfeit products. To sum up: selling = illegal owning/buying = not illegal.
I want to tell you something sir! You are one of the very few guitarist that is worth watching on this miracle of endless reels of some interesting things to watch but mostly wasted time! I have learned more things that I can actually USE in my guitar playing from watching you! Rock On!
Dude the things you say always make me laugh so hard! You're awesome at playing too!
Yet another entertaining vid from Stevieboi lol quite a few moons ago too.
Oh uh I've been watching this channel over 4 years 🤔😎🏴✝️🇬🇧👍🙏😇🎸🎶🎧🎵🥁🎹
I know you didn't intend this to be an ad/plug for counterfeits, but I'd love to know where to find a copy this nice.
You seem like one of the most laid back guys on the planet! :D You are soo awesome!
@Svet69 If you want to be sure you're getting mahogany, get one that shows the wood, like a Standard. All of the Les Paul Standards have clear finishes on the back so the mahogany comes through. Be warned, though, the core mahogany is very blemished (but real mahogany, none the less), and usually two pieces. The back is covered in a paper-thin veneer of really nice mahogany to cover the blemishes. The tops are the same. A half-centimeter maple cap is covered in a paper-thin figured maple.
@shipleyshipster They are more akin to movie props. They have a certain look, but that's where the similarities end. That said, these are not toys; they are real instruments made with tone woods and they can play quite nicely after a bit of setup. The real sacrifice is in resell, which is non-existent. One has to ready to hang it on the wall as 3D art, or remove the emblem before reselling. Selling one "as is" always brings the risk of trafficking, so best to avoid that unpleasantness.
@WildWillys Who's encouraging anything?!? I'm pointing out the things that make up a fake Supreme so people *don't* get ripped off. That was the whole purpose of this video, in case you missed it.
Great playing! Could you please tell me where you bought it? Who is the seller? I have two replicas, but not with a real flame top.
Man I really like your vid clips. I got a Slash A. F. D. and a Supreme just like yours and I am happy as a pig in a mud puddle and did not have to go into large debt to buy them. Yeah they are not the real McCoy but I am the only one that needs to be impressed and I am with the 2 I got so far. I WILL buy more!! Keep on jammin dude!!!!
@Mrgodcow I can offer a few answers. 1. These fakes are fairly well-made for the most part. Yes, they can use a few upgrades & a little work, but the woods, construction & finishes are usually pretty good. 2. They make good project guitars. 3. A genuine Gibson Les Paul costs THOUSANDS more. 4. Some people gig with their fake and save their delicate expensive Gibson for the recording studio & photo shoots. 5. The fakes offer color choices & options that Gibson doesn't.
@Gunsnrosestreflip It's like working on an ES-335 (or any f-hole guitar without openings in the back). First you tie string to the other hardware and then pull everything out through the pickup holes. Then do the work and then pull all the hardware back through using the string you tied in the first step.
Love the Buckethead two-fingered tapping, nice!!!!
@AHMADF93 No mods. Straight from the (Chinese) factory. It arrived the day before I shot this video.
@scottfree6 It's not all basswood. It's appears to be pancake slabs of basswood and Asian mahogany. We had to open another compartment to get a better view of the wood. When I made this video I had only looked at the inside for a few minutes when changing the strings. Since then I've looked more closely and I'm of the opinion that it's a mix of basswood (or maple...there's some disagreement among friends) and Asian mahogany. Unfortunately, if anything is consistent it's the inconsistencies.
Nice demo, Thanks.
What about potentiometer’s cavity?
There is nothing on the back!
How you can change an electronic parts?
@Jtheman497 Thanks so much! More vids on the way, for sure!
@houleyman There's a Gibson-China? I thought all Gibsons came from the US and only the Epiphone brand is Chinese/Korean made. Anyway, these guitars are not made by Gibson (or Epiphone), but I'm hesitant to call them counterfeit. Counterfeit implies that they are attempted to be passed as the real thing (like a counterfeit dollar), but these aren't (not by my dealer, anyway). He's right up front that they are not made by Gibson, but instead by a Chinese factory.
@stratplayinguy The inside is hollow, like an ES-335. There's a block at the bridge and tailpiece for support, but it's mostly hollow. The pickups need to be potted, at the very least, but changing them is probably a good idea, too. The pots probably should be changed as well. They are slow-turning and ramp up quickly. Not a very good taper to them. The nut on mine is fine, though it is plastic. The bridge and tailpiece seem ok. The tuners stay in tune, but their ratio is low.
@dasfarfignewton It's more like an ES-335 - completely hollow inside except for a center block to support the tailpiece and bridge. The common technique is to tie string to the hardware and then dismount and pull it out through the pickup cavities. Do the work outside the body and then pull all the hardware back using the string. It's a pain in the ass, but not impossible.
Great to watch a video made by someone who really knows what he is taking about.
@goredeathrot Hey, I took a closer look at the binding and they actually are separate solid laminates. I chose a small place at the bottom to scrape with an Xacto knife and the black didn't scrape off. So I dug a tiny hole using the point and the black is definitely solid, not painted. Also, the front is 7-ply, the back and headstock are 5-ply; no 3-ply anywhere that I can see.
Great video... made me smile from the get go and I gotta say I have bought 14 guitars from China now, majority Gibsonesq and a couple of Fender types. I bought the first with the intention of replacing the switchgear and pickups but when I stripped that baby down I discovered good quality Korean parts and Epiphone pickups.
I have a great relationship with a couple over there that export French Horns into Europe with a side line selling guitars through a couple of stores.
They are so beautiful.
@VUZOOKA I think so, but I've never changed anything other than the fingerboard from rosewood to ebony, so I can't say for sure. When it's custom-ordered, though, it takes like 3-4 weeks to get. If it's in stock (comes with ebony without custom order), then it can take less than a week.
@GuitaristfromHell100 Yeah, the shape is definitely off on the fake Supremes and Customs. The Standards are closer. Take a look at the Standard video I have as a response to this one and you'll see what I mean. The upper bout is cut much closer to that of the real ones.
@SHRUDE So a veneer is not a slab of wood, albeit a thin one? Then what is it? I'm saying it's real wood and not a photo finish and I think you are agreeing (unless you think a veneer is not real wood). My abolone is real, and has little cracks and scratches at the edge, so wrong on that one, dude. The inlays are plastic, but they look nice and are inlayed very tightly, a great job if you ask me. The pup mounting screws are a non-issue, those can be changed at any time.
@soares1971 The neck is fairly thin. Not chunky at all. I like it a lot. Very easy to play. The custom is a little thicker. The bodies on these are mostly hollow, like an ES-335, with a block in the middle for the neck, bridge and tailpiece.
@DaanJM Agreed. The Standards are much closer (though still not exact). Considering it's less than the cost of a Mexi Strat, I can live with it.
I was just checking your video on fake les pauls I traded an amp for one and I changed the pickups and pots and it plays like butter and sounds GREAT.The thing I was wanting to ask you is who do you buy your les pauls from I've heard different stories about you have to watch who you buy from some are better than other sellers.I would like to get another one thanks keep rocking.
i'm impressed, sounds good for a fake, even had great sustain!... where did you get it?
@OddTimeMan I misunderstood your initial response. I thought you were saying that Squier and such were subcontracted companies. I always thought the overseas factories were owned by Fender, Gibson and others. I didn't know they were subcontracted.
Good info. Would it be possible to hear these fakes with a clean tone and tube amp?
Supremes have a larger jack plate which covers a larger cavity. Also, through the pickup cavities.
Some close-ups on the tell-tale signs that it is a fake would have been very helpful.
What ive learned from these videos is that for the price you pay, looks like a sweet deal to me, I just ordered a EDS-1275 Replica and I payed 350 for it, can't wait for it to get here
@DominicMcMulkin That IS interesting! Did you get the one with the maple back and sides? I agree, those guitars look amazing. Definitely give an update after it arrives.
Good stuff man, lots of good info.. but do you have to wear the shorts with what appears to be wool leggings???
@PixxyLixxx My friend has 2 fake LP Customs and we believe they are maple. Basswood is pretty light but his fakes are 10 lbs. each. Basswood is soft and dents easily, but when we took out the pickups and pressed into the wood with a screwdriver, it did not dent. The necks are definitely maple and the bodies are 3 pieces. They were probably all cut from the same maple lumber. The bodies also have a maple veneers on the top & back.
@rainy78 Thanks! The pickups are stock and sound ok enough, but live they are useless until wax potted. They squeal like banshees with anything over low volume. The inlays are most likely plastic, but they still look pretty good. The inlay work was surprisingly clean. Special changes should be made with the seller in advance and, if possible, a special listing created that references the custom work. Also, ordering a stock item and making mention of it in the order also works.
@pickmaster Yeah, they're not too easy to work with. Basically, you have to tie string or fishing line to the hardware and then pull it out through the pickup cavities. Do your work, and then pull them back through using the line. It's not impossible, but it's a bit of a pain, to say the least.
@RichardGuitarTV Access is through the extra large Jack Plate on Supremes. The 3way and pick ups have extra long wires and can be assembled outside the guitar.
@alpilon23 I think so, but not everyone is in agreement. It really depends on whether you like to tinker with instruments, because they usually need some setup and adjustment right away. They are not perfect, but for the money, they are great. Also, stick with a simple design (like a Les Paul). Their more complex parts (like a locking tremolo) are difficult to make with both precision and low cost......and cost always wins.
@ZenDriveSeven There are no backplates, just like a genuine Gibson Les Paul Supreme. You access the electronics through the jackplate and pickup cavities.
@dannyvawn Through the pickup cavities, like an ES-335. Tie string and then fish through. The interior is not chambered, more like a semi-hollow.
@stratplayinguy Don't pay him extra. I have doubts as to whether he could actually fulfill that promise and he'll just take your money. The far better strategy is to get it and then get the custom work locally, from a place you can trust. The best pickups he sells in terms of noise and sound are the EMG clones. They are pretty decent, actually.
Also check the shape of the truss rod cover and it's distance from the nut, it's usually off.
Where did you get this guitar? Samin?
Wow! you've got some great tone there. Where did you buy this guitar?
@Guy9998 Well I'm not sure what you're saying. Squier & Epiphone isn't licensed by the Chinese, they are owned & operated by Fender & Gibson. They have their guitars built in China by Chinese workers in Chinese factories because the labor is cheap.
I just want to know what effect/plugin he's using. Sounds great :)
@AlienWorkshopSk8tr Actually, that's not true. The counterfeiting laws specifically apply to the seller, not the buyer. There is no criminal penalty for buying, but selling one can land you in serious trouble. See USC Title 18, Ch. 113, Section 2320(e)(2)
Funny thing, in 1968, Gibson started to make the logo with no dot on the i and an open o which looks like gibsun. When I bought my 1969 SG back in 1984 I didn't notice that until after I purchased the guitar. First I thought I was ripped off but A.R Duchossoir's book on guitar identification set me straight.
what setup did u use in that video? loved the sound :)
@OddTimeMan Well, I don't agree at all. I'm a guitar seller, and figured out several times that even guitars from the same series (let's say two Gibson Les Paul Standard Traditionnal, same color, same everything, twin guitars) are sounding slightly differently... It's not just about woods with pickups. The way woods are cut, set together, the piece of woods used... There is too many random factors to think it's that simple. But if you prefer another guitar it's fine ;)
@disturbtheworlds Not that I expect you to read all the comments, but yeah, this has been discussed ad nauseam, starting about 900 comments ago. I should probably make an annotation to the video because it comes back up every few weeks.
Hi there, great video, you got some chops. Could you possibly tell me from which supplier/website blah you got the Les Paul? Much appreciated man. All the best
@stratplayinguy I think you might be right. I'm not positive, but it would appear to be maple. I think that I went with basswood because I didn't think maple was plausible, but now I'm not so sure. At the very least it appears to be maple with perhaps a maple veneer over the top, but that would seem like too much work for the money.
Fake stuff aren't bad, the sounds of that axe is amazing.
Actually, Gibson stamps the serial number in black and then clears over it. The fakes route out the paint and etch the serial number. That's a big clue right there. They occasional will paint over the etching, making the number a little soft, but almost every one I've seen is straight-up etched. The fakes NEVER stamp the serial number. And I've seen numbers from 2003, 2005 and 2006, but there doesn't seem to be much variation from those years.
@ButtsexV2 Actually, no, nothing CBS here. The rosewood fingerboard one is a used Squier I picked up at Daddy's for $90 and the maple fingerboard one is my '89 reissue of the "50s" Strat made in Japan. The last CBS Strat I owned was a 1981 "The Strat" that I bought new in the Fall of that year. I traded it in for a Kramer Pacer Imperial with Floyd Rose trem (cutting edge technology at the time) three years later.
@OddTimeMan The unplugged sound has everything to do with the plugged-in sound. The electronics only amplify and create harmonic overtones from the unplugged sound.
So I decided after much debate I would buy a Chinese Gibson. I bought the exact one in this video from the exact same guy. I received it yesterday. My dad, who owns two gibsons (real ones), and has been playing for 37 years, picked it up. He claims he can't tell a very distinct difference, and the differences he could tell, were not a 1900 dollar or more difference, i am greatly happy with the guitar.
@OddTimeMan
I stand corrected it is BASSWOOD i was referring to.
In the last year or so the quality has improved a lot. I've probably seen 6/ 7 of these Chibsons over 4 years. More people are opting for them these days. I understand other guitars have veneer but they aren't labelled "Gibson'. :)
The inlays we see here look pretty bad down near the 18th. I've seen some really bad inlays where they need to be VERY precise. Dont matter. Its not the wood or the maker, but the hardware & the player
A follow up- Gibson LP VOS-Counterfiet. After another $150.,($430.00 total cost with case) to my guitar tech for fret leveling, filing the bridge to remedy its sharpness, a set up, new strings, this plays pretty damn good. I feel better about it when I'm not comparing it to a Legit. Gibson. It is what it is. I like the sustain I'm getting compared to my Tele's. It's pretty good looking too.BTW your video is great,
and obviously you've practiced many years. Thanks for sharing!
I've seen, examined, & played several fakes that were basically Epiphones with Gibson style headstocks. They were Epi quality, and they came loaded with Epi parts & features. They looked, felt, played, & sounded just like Epi's, minus the Quality Control (they needed fret-dress, set-ups, & maybe a few upgraded parts). They're most likely made in the Epi factories in China. When Gibson moved Epi production there in 2002, that's when we saw an explosion of these fakes.
@FatGuyWithAKatana I think the paint job exaggerates it, but yeah, the body shape has been discussed at length here. There is a chance you could get a lemon, but so far I've been fairly lucky, with only minor adjustments needed. Most people who play them in person are blown away by the quality for the money. The fake guys seem to do better with the LP Standard and Custom bodies, which are closer to the real ones. They aren't perfect, but a flame-top Std is like $290, delivered. Not bad...