Guitar Journal: Spotting a Fake Gibson & more
Plus, the GC-1 3 Band Opto Compressor Amplifier
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This week, we look at how to spot a fake Gibson and a new video that has just surfaced online, in which the experts show you what to look out for. Then we check out the latest Joe Bonamassa Greenburst Stratocaster Pickup Set. Finally, we look at the ultra-rare ‘urban myth’ GC-1 3 Band Opto Compressor Amplifier!
Guitar Journal
Spotting a Fake Gibson
Do you think you can spot a fake Gibson? Think again. Online marketplaces are rife with counterfeits, preying on unsuspecting first-time buyers lured by low prices.
In a revealing new video, YouTuber Robert Baker assembles a team of guitar legends to dissect a counterfeit Les Paul, exposing its flaws in graphic detail – they even saw it in half.
Joining Baker are blues icon Joe Bonamassa, session ace Tom Bukovac, relic specialist Phil Jones, Gibson Master Artisan Tom Murphy, and luthiers Joe Glaser and Nick Drushel.
Signs of a Counterfeit Gibson
The experts immediately pinpoint several telltale signs: a cheap decal instead of a silkscreened Les Paul logo, overly thick and stark white binding (a shade Gibson doesn’t use), and mismatched control knobs. Plus, the finish is also suspect, initially thought to be a veneer or robotic paint job, but ultimately confirmed as a veneer after a dramatic saw-through.
Counterfeit Gibson Raid
This exposé follows a record-breaking seizure in November, when over 3,000 counterfeit “Gibson” guitars were intercepted en route to the US. If they had been authentic, their combined value would have exceeded $18.7 million.
Chibsons
The video above serves as a powerful warning: buyer beware, especially when deals seem too good to be true. Often referred to as Chibsons, these fake models are easy to spot once you know what to look for.
However, if you are not an experienced guitar buyer, then be sure to check out the other video below.
Joe Bonamassa ‘Greenburst’ Stratocaster Pickup Set
More Bonamassa-related news, as he has the new Joe Bonamassa Greenburst Stratocaster Pickup Set launching, made by Seymour Duncan.
They are based on Joe’s “Greenburst” Strat, a ’64 gem with a striking, unconventional finish that holds a secret: its exceptional, powerful sound. This wasn’t just any vintage Strat thanks to its unique gray-bottom pickups, a rare find from Fender’s early ’64 era, known for their increased output and distinctive character.
’64 Strat Pickups
With their precisely staggered Alnico 5 magnets, these coveted pickups are now reborn in the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop.
Each set features period-correct wiring and the signature gray bottom flatwork, personally pad-printed with Joe’s name.
Limited Edition Run
The first 500 sets are a collector’s dream: expertly aged, presented in limited-edition packaging, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Joe Bonamassa and Seymour W. Duncan.
MSRP – $375
GC-1 3 Band Opto Compressor Amplifier
This isn’t your average amp. Crafted in collaboration between Eagles’ guitarist Joe Walsh and audio engineer Brian Thompson, the GC-1, or “GC-1 3 Band Opto Compressor Amplifier,” claims to be the “best amplifier ever made, no matter the cost.”
With a starting price of $14,999, it certainly sets a high bar.
G-Craft Audio
G-Craft Audio promises an all-analog, “ultra-low noise” experience, emphasising pure signal preservation through lossless voltage stepping.
The amp features a unique three-band dynamic EQ and optical compression, with individual threshold and gain controls for highs, mids, and lows. Three KT88 tubes in parallel power this sonic behemoth, delivering 60W RMS.
Legendary Amp?
Whether the GC-1 lives up to its legendary status remains to be seen. Its unique design and high price point position it as a potential “holy grail” amp, reminiscent of the coveted Dumble amplifiers.
Custom-designed 15-inch Speaker
Central to the GC-1’s mystique is its custom-designed 15-inch, high-impedance speaker, rated at 70 ohms (though described as 150-ohm during the design process).
He insists on the importance of the high-impedance speaker and the challenges faced in its development. “It’s an amp that defies the impossible,” G-Craft Audio declares, suggesting a “spiritual experience” for those who play it.
Urban Myth
While G-Craft Audio refers to this as a “re-release” with design tweaks, the amp’s initial existence as an “urban myth” raises questions about its origins.
I guess watch this space and we will find out more (and hopefully get to actually hear this amp)
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