Guitar Trader Bootleg pre-historic Les Paul - finally authenticated!

[NakeyJay]

Recently found out that my Les Paul which I thought was a Guitar Trader pre-historic is in fact a GT bootleg. Apparently these are extremely rare, only 8 ever made. Just got it authenticated by Timm Kummer, the former owner.

What makes it even cooler are the patent number PAFs and the real 50s wiring harness. Sounds and plays like an absolute dream. Besides being a stunner. I need to take better pictures, this one's a bit washed out. It's got one of the most vibrant, 3D tops I've ever seen on an LP.

Never thought I'd ever be in possession of such an incredibly rare guitar. Not quite sure what to make of it, to be honest

 

[jb_abides]

Nice one! Glad that Timm could provide credible info on this.

 

[NakeyJay]

Yep, took me a while and quite a bit of research before I found out about that gentleman. Glad I know what I have now haha.

 

[mikeslub]

Congrats! Mine is a 1984 Guitar Trader bootleg that Timm also authenticated. When I saw yours, I wasn’t convinced it was a bootleg because the logo looked authentic, and mine clearly looks wrong (not pictured here).

 

[mikeslub]

And here’s my “real deal” Gibson made Guitar Trader:

 

[NakeyJay]

Congrats! Mine is a 1984 Guitar Trader bootleg that Timm also authenticated. When I saw yours, I wasn’t convinced it was a bootleg because the logo looked authentic, and mine clearly looks wrong (not pictured here).

View attachment 26279

Looks gorgeous! I'd be curious to know what hardware yours came with. Mine had a Gotoh bridge with metric posts but the tailpiece studs were in inches. Also, how heavy is yours?

 

[mikeslub]

Looks gorgeous! I'd be curious to know what hardware yours came with. Mine had a Gotoh bridge with metric posts but the tailpiece studs were in inches. Also, how heavy is yours?

I have no idea on either question - will have to check the bridge and weigh them when I get time to do so.

 

[gibson-r8]

Not familiar with the ‘bootleg’ concept. ‘Splain’?

 

[mikeslub]

Not familiar with the ‘bootleg’ concept. ‘Splain’?

"Bootleg", meaning they were commissioned by Guitar Trader with a luthier who infringed on Gibson's copyright by building Les Paul copies and putting the Gibson logo on them.

 

[GlassSnuff]

That is a beautiful piece of wood. Congrats!

 

[gitmohair]

"Bootleg", meaning they were commissioned by Guitar Trader with a luthier who infringed on Gibson's copyright by building Les Paul copies and putting the Gibson logo on them.

So this one's an "authenticated counterfeit" or am I missing something in the backstory with these? Sorry, serious question, I'm a bit confused...

 

[mikeslub]

So this one's an "authenticated counterfeit" or am I missing something in the backstory with these? Sorry, serious question, I'm a bit confused...

Exactly.

 

[GastonG]

There was one that was made with the Guitar Trader logo on the headstock (no Gibson logo).

 

[mikeslub]

Here's some info on Guitar Traders and the bootlegs:

The Gibson Les Paul Guitar Trader