Gibson R9 Authentication

[S. Weiger]

Yep. Asked the seller for my cash back. I want a REAL R9. I might still see if Gibson can tell me if they made a mistake. Could be an interesting story, however I doubt it.

Good. I hope you get a full refund.

 

[60thR0]

Yet another thing that’s wrong if it was supposed to be a newer historic is the orientation of the 3 toggle switch cover screws. My 2001 is the same as this, but at some point Gibson settled on the current orientation which is rotated anti clockwise about 30 degrees or so. I read an interview or comment from one of the Gibson folk, not sure if it was Edwin or Mat in which he said the originals were all over the place but Gibson “recently” decided to standardise on the current version. Not sure the year but I expect is was around or pre-TH as not much has changed since then.

Edited for completeness: of course they had to standardise because of the medallions, which someone else pointed out is yet another problem since that’s missing.

 

[Tone Ranger Audio]

The serial number I believe is on there is:

922342

MADE IN USA

So, real Gibson wood regardless. Either they completely screwed up, or somebody was able to get it refinished and aged, very very well. How did they get the serial number correct? What about all of the parts that are correct? Pickup are good, plastics are good, switch tip, etc.

Only thing off is tuners, but those aren’t aged, so maybe replacements.

What a headache. If it’s a dud from the factory, could be worth keeping? It plays and sounds like a dream, so regardless it’s a usable instrument.

 

[bluesky636]

Custom Shop doesn't "pick" a guitar to build up as an R9 or any other. They are built from raw wood from beginning to end in the Custom Shop.

FAKE R9.

End of story.

 

[Tone Ranger Audio]

FAKE R9.

End of story.

Chill. We know lol

 

[bluesky636]

Chill. We know lol

Took you long enough.

Good luck getting your money back as you will never be able to sell it as anything. Now you know why it was only $3k.

 

[60thR0]

How did they get the serial number correct?

Stamp it?

What about all of the parts that are correct? Pickup are good,

Are they? Hasn’t been detailed this thread but anyway that’s a quick buy and replace item.

plastics are good,

No, as I said pickguard at least is wrong, the color should mismatch the rings as per the originals, and it doesn’t. Anyway it’s a $50 item to get a proper one.

switch tip, etc.

Dude really?

Stab in the dark but my guess is this was a fake made in the early 2000s when those tuners were still current on historics, originally it was claimed to be a 96 R9 TM aged (note no COA back then either) and every 10 years the serial number matches the latest and greatest so the claim moves on along… problem is the specs move on too.

 

[bluesky636]

If Gibson is identifying guitars based only on a serial number and without detailed photo documentation, than you can't trust anything they say.

 

[Tone Ranger Audio]

Stamp it?



Are they? Hasn’t been detailed this thread but anyway that’s a quick buy and replace item.



No, as I said pickguard at least is wrong, the color should mismatch the rings as per the originals, and it doesn’t. Anyway it’s a $50 item to get a proper one.



Dude really?

Stab in the dark but my guess is this was a fake made in the early 2000s when those tuners were still current on historics, originally it was claimed to be a 96 R9 TM aged (note no COA back then either) and every 10 years the serial number matches the latest and greatest so the claim moves on along… problem is the specs move on too.

Pickguard is a different color in person. Pickup rings are darker. Doesn’t change anything, but the photos don’t capture that well

 

[Tone Ranger Audio]

If Gibson is identifying guitars based only on a serial number and without detailed photo documentation, than you can't trust anything they say.

I sent the custom shop tons of pictures over email. They confirmed with photos.

 

[bluesky636]

I sent the custom shop tons of pictures over email. They confirmed with photos.

Obviously they weren't detailed enough or the person reviewing them didn't know what he was looking at. That is even more worrisome.

 

[60thR0]

Obviously they weren't detailed enough or the person reviewing them didn't know what he was looking at. That is even more worrisome.

Gibson Custom has always refused to take ‘baby photos’ so they have no idea what the guitar (authentic) guitar looks like. If they actually are providing an authentication service then presumably they would also be able to reissue a COA- I mean it’s basically the same thing as them authenticating it.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

I wouldn't write the guitar off as being worthless. That guitar has really realistic TM aging. If it plays and sounds good you are not going to find one aged like that for that kind on money. Many custom copy guitars are worth more than Gibson's, as well. I know a couple collectors of TM aged guitars that have guitars going back 25 years. He really did do a good realistic looking aging. The new lacquer formulas and guitars that have been hot/cold treated really worry me. I feel all of them are someday in the future going to have flaking finishes. I have seen Gibson Murphy Lab guitars just from a few years ago with this happening and Fender hot/cold guitars from just several years ago that are already doing this. A Murphy aged Gibson from 1999 looks just the same today and when it was made.

 

[S. Weiger]

I wouldn't write the guitar off as being worthless. That guitar has really realistic TM aging. If it plays and sounds good you are not going to find one aged like that for that kind on money. Many custom copy guitars are worth more than Gibson's, as well. I know a couple collectors of TM aged guitars that have guitars going back 25 years. He really did do a good realistic looking aging. The new lacquer formulas and guitars that have been hot/cold treated really worry me. I feel all of them are someday in the future going to have flaking finishes. I have seen Gibson Murphy Lab guitars just from a few years ago with this happening and Fender hot/cold guitars from just several years ago that are already doing this. A Murphy aged Gibson from 1999 looks just the same today and when it was made.

Sure, it's a nice looker and if it plays / sounds very good too it might be worth holding onto it.

For life.
Or be prepared to take a loss.

If OP ever wants to sell it I think he'll have a hard time getting all his 3K back, as it really is a "3-legged dog" oddball guitar
A reworked LP something --> wannabe R9 TH ... hmm.

Just my 2¢ oc.

 

[garywright]

tons of pictures of the guitar…one of the neck pup cavity …as requested, please shoot another pic that clearly shows the questionable neck tenon

 

[bluesky636]

tons of pictures of the guitar…one of the neck pup cavity …as requested, please shoot another pic that clearly shows the questionable neck tenon

Is that really a "TH" in the neck pocket or a "TA"? "2" = factory second?

A very high resolution photo would be needed. I still see no evidence of a long tenon no matter how many lines you draw on the current photo.

IMG-1340 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-1340 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

If JHS pedals can build and sell a "NOTAKLON", I guess maybe Gibson can build and sell a "NOTAR9" for a few thousand dollars.

 

[Tim Plains]

The new lacquer formulas and guitars that have been hot/cold treated really worry me. I feel all of them are someday in the future going to have flaking finishes.

The first run of Murphy Labs weren't hot/cold treated and had flaking finishes, many forum posts stated it was limited to cherry backs only but I saw a Pelham SG with the same problem, I wouldn't buy one.

 

[Wizard1183]

The serial number I believe is on there is:

922342

MADE IN USA

So, real Gibson wood regardless. Either they completely screwed up, or somebody was able to get it refinished and aged, very very well. How did they get the serial number correct? What about all of the parts that are correct? Pickup are good, plastics are good, switch tip, etc.

Only thing off is tuners, but those aren’t aged, so maybe replacements.

What a headache. If it’s a dud from the factory, could be worth keeping? It plays and sounds like a dream, so regardless it’s a usable instrument.

You got scammed. Fake as fuck

 

[Wizard1183]

Is that really a "TH" in the neck pocket or a "TA"? "2" = factory second?

A very high resolution photo would be needed. I still see no evidence of a long tenon no matter how many lines you draw on the current photo.

IMG-1340 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-1340 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

If JHS pedals can build and sell a "NOTAKLON", I guess maybe Gibson can build and sell a "NOTAR9" for a few thousand dollars.

There’s a 2 on each side and TA in center

 

[garywright]