Hey guys, I was wondering if you could help me, I've seen some expert fake spotter's post around the forum and even though I know this is not a Fender guitar I as hoping if you could tell me if it's a fake or real.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-guitars-Gibson-Explorer-W0QQAdIdZ245710382#


Thank-you

In no way a expert on Explorers or their used prices, but comparing it to other XP's on google images, it looks right.

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No no and no

I think it is real. Looks like the correct case for a 2003 or 2004 era Gibson......need to see the serial number though. Everything looks right, and new they are $1400 now, but only $1100 when it sold new Ah, inflation...........

Thanks, I was thinking it looked ok, but my friend just popped by with a Gibson Iron Cross LP(FAKE) that he bought here locally in mint condition for $100 and the thing looks really close to a Gibson until you get up real close and see the gold hardware is a bit off looking and looks like a Gibsun logo plus the iron cross is not metal screwed onto the guitar it's just a decal under the clear coat. kinda bummed me out a bit since the thing plays almost as nice as my Gibson LP and the sound is even similar on distorted tones, but it doesn't cut it for cleans, thats the flaw.

So got me scared since I'm trading my beloved guitar for this one, just didn't want to get ripped off, like I've been in the past. Seems I'm one of the few honest people left

I've asked for a pic of the serial number and the guy said no prob but he's not back in town till Feb 8th, so I guess we'll wait and see if he comes through.

he said it's a 2008, they go new up here for about 1600-1800$ but I'm trading for it anyway, not cash leaving my hands

The best way to tell with stained neck Gibsons. Like some LP's and most SG's. Is that there are 2 clear joins on the back of the headstock, called wings.





You can see em quite clearly on them pictures. I've never seen a fake with them, despite it actually being the cheaper way to form the shape.
Sadly it's not visible on all models.

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No no and no

When buying a Gibson Explorer you must check out where the neck joins the body, with thin nitro finish they often would have a finish crack where the neck is set particularly on the mahogany neck and bodies. This is a picture of a picture of a 1979 Explorer I bought new for $700 in 1983. I sold it on the bay back in 2001 for $1200. I indicated it had a finish crack where the neck joins the body. The crack did not compromise the structure of the guitar.

thanks guys, well he is going to send a picture of the serial number for me to check out, then he should be coming over soon after, to bad he's not back in town till Feb 8th , now the waiting game

I'll let you know how it goes