Is My Vintage Les Paul A Chibson?! 

Could It be TRUE?!?!?!?!

Definitely counterfeit. Send it to me immediately for disposal.

Uuuhhmm stays in tune? Obviously a fake, can't sound original lime that 🤔🤔🤔

"KM" obviously stands for Korean Made

Pure legit 70's Les Paul. I own a '79 Goldtop, it shares all the major features - for years I didn't even realise the headstock was oversized! - the roughly cut binding, the volute, the maple neck, the metal pot cover, all of it. Its a heavy beast, it screams through a Marshall stack, and the top isn't showing any sign of greening....yet! Late 70's Les Pauls get a bad rep for no reason. Gibson let turkey's escape every year, but there are always good ones to be found, the 70's are no exception.

Your Les Paul has a nice tone...if you like PERFECTION

Hey Rob, I just got myself a new Jackson SL3 Japan!

I have a 1979 The Paul with T top pickups and just got it refretted for it's 40th birthday. It's awesome!

I've got a 93 Les Paul standard, and it's got a three piece Birdseye top, it's got loads of faults, but I love it, and when I bought it back in 97, my guitar teacher wanted to buy it if me! It's not so much about how much is right, it's living with the faults and ending up loving it for it?

Statement from Gibson: "Yeah...uh, so actually...all 70's Gibsons are now counterfeit. Yep. So, uh, in order to *play authentic*, you need to purchase from our 2019 product line. From Guitar Center."

I have a KM Les Paul and although it's my heaviest guitar it's one of my favourites. Mine has had a new jack and 2 new volume pots plus a refret with stainless steel jumbos and a new bone nut, but it sounds amazing and plays so easily. GREAT GUITARS! Plus I've always loved the volutes on these old Gibbos.

I have a 1983 Gibson Spirit, a rather rare and funky double cut model that's not easy to find, and people always ask me "is it real?" too. I know it is, and let me tell you, these obscure models from the 70's and 80's have something really special. Mine is awesome, super light and resonant, it's my main guitar despite having more "propoer" gibsons (a les paul and a 345)

I have a 77 les paul custom and man it stays in tune amazing!! Has the bigger headstock, volume, less break angle, made in Kalamazoo, and plays and feels amazing!

Who gives a damn if it’s fake? You seem to love it and it has that legendary logo on the headstock seems fine to me 😃🤘🏻

Darn thing sounds incredible. What is your signal chain? U using software or a real amp? Pedals?

Pretty sure it's real, but either way if you decide you don't want it...hit me up! 🤩

I have a '76 Standard, that has all the same "quirks that you mentioned... I agree that the maple neck brightens up the tone a bit!! With mine though, the magic is in neck pickup... Killer "Lady Tone"!!! She's a keeper!!

Your tone/ reverb is pretty sick... what is powering that oL fiddle!!!??? Do share!!

Love your guitar! I have the same exact one, except mine's a bit more beat up on the back. I bought it about 10 years ago. We both turn 40 this year!

I waiting for my LP Tribute to be delivered from Sweetwater. Have a great weekend!!

I’ve wondered why the thick binding up by the neck. But, if you look very closely at a Les Paul with a “correct” thickness binding, it is the exact same wide thickness, but it appears thinner because the thick part is just covered with paint.

The best guitars always has some kind of issue, a resistance you must fight and adapt, and then LOVE!

beautiful, and i like those t tops. I'd like to hear what it (especially the neck pickup) sounds like clean through a nice marshall or fender

I've got a 70's L.P. with the big headstock and the volute, plays and sounds incredible. The fret ends in the neck binding is another give away

Love your KM!. I had heard that Norlin changed the size of the Standard headstock to be the same size as the Custom, so they could use the same blanks on either model. At the time, the Custom was larger, since it is routed for binding. If they routed a Standard headstock, the would be very close to the tuning pegs. I have a '78 LP Pro Deluxe (stock P-90's, ebony fingerboard). Love it, though it ways a ton!

what amp is that through ? it sounds killer

70s Gibson basses are amazing. The SB 450 had a maple neck and an alder body and it sounded amazing

I could tell it was authentic right off the gate man, absolutely beautiful axe brother!!

Did you see RU-vid is making it harder for companies to issue copyright strikes??? Also, they have to timestamp each infraction & you can now edit that part out... Hope all is well take it easy...

One of my former band mates back have one of those huge headstock gibson he got from his oldman.we did thought it was fake as first but of course its real if you look at it closely. And as for the huge headstock design we heard a rumor about that back in the early 80's saying that gibson was rivaling fender's big headstock style.were not sure how true that is, but that is what we've heard.

Love everything about that guitar. It looks beautiful, and sounds amazing. It helps that you're great player!

It's real.... and it sounds pretty amazing. Doesn't hurt that its beautiful either. I have 2 70's era Les Pauls, love the thinner necks on those. Does this one have a smaller neck than what you'd expect from a Paul?? I'm curious

Best Les Paul designs Maple neck The volute The heavier weight The headstock 70’s design Nolin era Great LP for that era

Why doesn't the dark burst "match" or line up properly behind the tailpiece (there's a visible seam)? Almost like its 2 separate guitar halves glued together that don't quite match. It's so obvious to me, yet I haven't seen anyone else mention this. Sounds fantastic, though.

Whatever the brand is, this guitar sounds great. I don't know why people get bothered by aesthetics so much (though I have a bullet strat only), sound is what we hear.

Hey Robert, big fan, I want to pick your brain for a second. I just sold my line6 spider IV and ordered a vox vt20x modeling amp. I was wondering what your thoughts on said amp series. My research shows mostly positive but no idea who the reviewers are( never heard of them, random reviews on store website, etc.) I’d really value your opinion on the subject. Thanks man.

Are they pickups designed by Bill Lawrence? That would explain why they can do the Nuno-thing

Love the color of that top on yours Robert'''' Mine is a 1976'' with Honey Burst top...but get this.. Its a Standard. excpt'' it has a Deluxe Neck.. Was told they did this with some of the Standards because of their inventory stock prepairing for the big move to come... Who knows, But its the same 3''piece Maple big head stock neck, & it has a Honey Burst finish that matches that super heavy pancake body.... Could have bought a new one for what it cost''''but hey....It wouldnt be a real 70,s L.P. now would it... Well used but never abused..gotta love It...Love your stuff Man...stay safe out there.. CHEERS from Mid Mo..

Love that guitar! It definitely has some snap as you said. Those humbuckers almost have single coil tendencies in this one!

Wide binding probably to cover up the maple top edge?

That’s one terrific KM you have there, that compliments your playing. I never thought it a Chibson. It looks a lot like my son’s ‘81 Heritage 80 Elite, except the neck is maple!

The thick binding in the cutaway is to cover the maple cap that would show otherwise. Older gibsons like the 50s I believe left the binding the same thickness in there so you could see the maple cap in the cutaway. Some newer models like my 2015 classic have the thin binding in the cutaway.

I agree it doesnt matter what brand of guitar you have or if its fake as long as it works and you enjoy playing it. Just slowly save up and upgrade in the future. Rock on cheers.

just with the first riff you can say is 110% Authentic!!! Amazing Tone! Cheers Robert...

RB...i for one, freakin love the volute...i think they never should of stopped doing that...i learned ALOT about the "KM's" after watching you and trogly....i always keep my eye out for one....rock on my brother!!!

Real or fake that is one awesome sounding guitar 🔥🔥🎸🎸👍🏽👍🏽

10:00 He switches to the gold top. I thought he was demoing the KM. Why did he switch to playing the gold top for this little section?

I like the thingy on the back of the headstock. My Carvin has one and it helps me sleep better at night.

I like the white “mother of toilet seat” inlays. Sets it apart from all the other LP’s. Damn nice guitar. And kickass playing too! 👊🏻

I've never understood the aversion to the volute. Unless it's truly massive, would you even really notice it?

Never thought it was, fake, just absolutely beautiful and sounds amazing.

I've always loved your les Paul. The main thing that always caught my eye was the cream pickups.

Awesome! . Good for you. Thanks for sharing.

Trogly is awesome!! Nice to see him getting some love!

The headstock is the same size as a Custom headstock. In a cost cutting move in 69 or 70 Norlin decided to make just on headstock. The Custom has triple binding and is wider

3:47 "Original Nut" - Robert Baker, 2019

I bought a Japanese les paul copy in the early 80s branded " Phoenix " which I still own and cherish today, I've upgraded every piece of hardware on it over the years ( actuality decades) although my reason for buying it was that it was the only fixed neck Les Paul in the store that I could afford when I was 16 it turns out the Japanese happen to be very good at making musical instruments and I still enjoy playing it today I always wondered which Les Paul it had been modeled after........wide headstock , valute, and double cream pickups.....ring any bells lol

Those lower output pickups are fun to play. They really make you dig in to get the most out of them.

Worked on a 74 les paul the other day... many inconsistencies that made me doubt it at first but having done some research it's the faults that confirmed it was indeed authentic... bugger I said it. One thing was the scale lenght was way out... but man that guitar rocked. Its imperfections made it perfect.

Where is the other LP looking guitar I've seen you play it sounds the best 😂

I have a weird suspicion that during this exact era when they were moving the Epiphone line to the Matsumoku line... Well.. They started using 3 piece maple necks because of shipping from Japan... And Norlin is on the list of supplied companies... I have a feeling raw sources were coming from CNC in Japan and finished in USA... Japan made guitars are sick btw... So I think it might be both.. Gibson wouldn't want anybody to know..

I own a 1992 Gibson Les Paul Classic Plus, the inside looks identical, it's basically a re issue of a 1960s Les Paul, stamped serial number aswell

Robert, I do not think there is a thing wrong with the inlays. The bursts had pearloid/fake/plastic inlays, they are no different.

Damn dude you KILL it bro hearing you play puts a smile on my face lol

FYI the larger headstock is to add mass on the other side of the strings for more sustain to counter the mass of the body. That’s one of the reasons these guitars ring like a bell.

Turning a negative into a positive, one of the major reasons I love the channel! Never even considered what your guitar was.. just that it sounds great 🤘rock on buddy🤘

Read the latest issue or last months issue that has Billy Gibbons on the cover. One of the Gibson LP Juniors or ??model has a different style headstock on it. I know he purchased a guitar from a guy in Birmingham, Al. called Retro. All custom made to order. Personally I like the Volute on some Gibsons.

I had the same headstock on my 77 special reissue which had the flattest neck i ever played on a non shred guitar, beautiful guitar in tobacco burst but the head stock was def like your les paul.

Kalamazoo MI, my friend had a rare GK-55 which was made from 79-80 in the style of the 55 L.P., the GK is reportedly referred as Gibson Kalamazoo. It also was a great intro Gibson guitar for young guitarist, but your KM is much much nicer.

Could you please share your Axe FX preset? It sounds awesome

I honestly think that is one of the nicest Gibson Les pauls I've ever seen in my entire life. 👍🇺🇸

First thing I did to my 78 lp was DiMarzio pickups and a brass nut. That's what we did in the 70s

ABR 1 bridge, also look at the back of the headstock, Gibson always glues the wings, Chibson uses a one piece neck and headstock. Also always look at the potentiometers, Gibson always uses Gibson labeled potentiometers or CTS! The back of the bridge should also read Gibson, they also do not use Allen key truss rods, they have a socket or wrench style truss rod adjuster. Chibson also has slightly different shape horn, most of them, and the knobs usually don't line up properly, truss rod cover on a Gibson is 2 screws, Chibson is 3, like Epiphone

Really nice finish, what's it called?

I absolutely love this model and yours is particularly good looking. Very nice.

I watch every Trogly's vids, teach me a lot 👍👍👍

I subscribed to you because you’re one of the few RU-vid guitarists that isn’t constantly bashing Gibson for their “play authentic” video. Gibsons are my favorite guitars, and always will be. Great video man!

I love the 3 piece maple necks and volute. I was disappointed Gibson didn't put that on the new Les Paul Deluxes

Good video. The tell tale sound is the logo. The fakes have the leaning "G" to this day.

I don't doubt the authenticity for one second you said it's a Gibson and i believe you ! Jamming Free's alright now riff at the end if the video, nice

Watched until 1:35 so far. First thing that got into my eyes in the Headstock. It kinda looks too big, especially on the top when the Gibson logo is. The 2 corners are actually Very wide like on a les paul custom

It's just Keith Merrow Signature Gibson, no big deal.

Song at 4:42?

The thick binding in the cutaway was to hide the entirety of the maple cap. If you look on other, more historically correct bindings, they're much thinner, and you can see the maple and mahogany in the cutaway in the finish. I have a 71 Deluxe with the thicker binding also. Also a 3 pc 'hog neck, pancake body and I like the volute. And the bigger headstocks rule!

If it is a Chibson, which sort? Is it the Sow What or the Meat n Greet?

Look for a brass nut under the truss cover,pickups can be changed out,a knock off would have a hex truss.

Cool! my favorite vintage guitars are music mans. I recently bought a cutlass in black 🙃

Soon as I saw it I knew what it was. I have the same guitar in sunburst. Very nice guitar.

Definitely legit. I have a '79 Kalamazoo made, Tobacco Burst Deluxe and it has many of the same traits. Volute, headstock, 3 piece maple neck etc. Mine has had all of the electronics replaced over the years and was routed to accommodate humbuckers (not by me). It's an awesome guitar. Your KM is sweet.

I always have been a fan of late 70s series LPs. I like the way I like the way they feel and I like the way they sound and they cost less

Hi..Back in the day t tops were not very popular..like the volute..hence Dimarzios and others brands..i remember those km guitars as i think they cost more at the time than a regular lp thanks DH

If its your favorite and your satisfied with it and it plays like you want it to then who cares if its real, fake, memorex , whatever just be glad you have it and enjoy it for what it is. Thanks for sharing great playing as always

I never thought it was a fake . Other than the weight they are great guitars ! Rock on !

The 70s LPs are where it's at. The valute on the neck is what saves it from a higher chance of headstock breakage. I love the bigger headstock too.

I went to checkout an advertised Gibson and to check its authenticity to be 100% sure, I removed the truss rod cover to inspect the truss rod adjustment type. If it is a hex that needs a Allen Key, then it is a Chibson. If it is a nut type adjuster that requires the socket type spanner (type supplied by Gibson) then it is a genuine Gibson. This is the only real sure way to check this. Also, the bridge hardware was parallel to the bridge pickup, not angled as usual, this throwing out the intonation which would mean repositioning the bridge so as to get proper full tuning. The pots were smaller too so needed too much work overall to make playable. I would be interested in result of you checking the truss rod adjuster type to confirm yours is genuine. Pot change can easily be done (to fake) but the truss rod is not.

I'm pretty sure it's not fake because it sounds Gibson, it has that bite what older Gibson pickups has. Of course pickups can be swapped... What about seriel number? Are pots original?

I'd take off the pickguard and the toggle switch ring and it would look so much better. 😎 But that's just my personal opinion.

Everyone one of those I have ever seen has actual real mother of pearl inlays rather than the plastic pearloid that most have. That’s why they are still so white, they don’t yellow like the plastic ones do. They also don’t shrink like the old plastic or celluloid ones do. It’s always intrigued me that they used pearl on those because all the standards had and still have plastic and originally only the customs had real pearl. The plastic pearloid and celluloid can be made to look as swirly as the manufacturer desires but with pearl you get what nature gives you (some even used a form of nitrocellulose plastic which along with celluloid are both super flammable) while pearloid can simply be a modern pearlescent plastic that doesn’t have the issues of the older ones. I love the pearloid inlays on my modern day standard and normally I hate plastic inlays, with all my custom works I generally use pearl or abalone or other types of real shell instead of doing my inlays with plastic. From what I can see in the video they look like pearl and not cheap to me, but I could be wrong. The only reason the pearl logo looks yellow on old headstocks is from the lacquer over it yellowing. Pearl can also take a brilliant high polish and really bring out its color and chatoyance. Anywho that was a super long explanation just to say It’s an awesome guitar I have always enjoyed your videos with it. Oh and the binding simply follows the maple cap in the cut away, if you look at another les Paul with the the normal binding you can see the slightly thicker part of the maple cap peeking out from under it inside the cut away. Experienced guitar tech and luthier. (And die hard Gibson lover). CHEERS!

Stays in tune really well! Well that gives the game away

You mentioned it having a bad rap or rep. I think it’s crazy how many people think gibson makes mostly junk. I have met and seen lots of folks who have basically never held more than 1-2 of them, but believe that stuff. I have had the chance to play lots of them, old and new, and I liked each one a lot if it was, as mine is, just set up well. I don’t think they deserve it, mine is amazing. And man, yours is fantastic!