A view on the Gibson Les Paul Supreme

A view on the Gibson Les Paul Supreme



les paul supreme headstock

The Gibson Les Paul Supreme is within the famous Les Paul series a one of a kind.
The Supreme has all the looks of a classic Les Paul model, but has some features you will never find on an any other Les Paul, that's why it's probably called the Les Paul Supreme.

This special guitar is built by Gibson in, of course, Nashville USA. and what a magnificent work they did! The guitar was showed for the first time at the NAMM in 2003, a major show where music manifacturers present their latest products, in Anaheim, California USA, and the instrument was an instant success. The production was originally set on a maximum of 2003 guitars.The initial limitation of Supreme's produced will be the reason that they are hard to find, and the used ones don't come cheap. For some time now I want to lay my hands on a Les Paul Supreme, I'm on the look-out. Let me tell you why.

The looks and feel of the Gibson Les Paul Supreme

I have always been a huge fan of the flamed maple tops of some  Gibson Les Pauls, but the this one goes beyond the Standards. Not only the top is carved  maple grade AAAA figured, but also the back of the Gibson Supreme, without cavity covers, matches the top, and comes in heritage cherry sunburst or in desert burst, my absolute favorite. The body is hollowed and there are no disturbing holes in the back. This also gives the advantage of a slightly lighter Les Paul than the massive ones.



les paul supreme back

The hardware on the Les Paul Supreme gives you gold. From the humbuckers, Gibson's 490 R and 498 T, to the golden tuners and even the unsuspected golden frets. The Les Paul Supreme is spoiled! Gibson didn't even hesitate to add 7 ply bindings on the top, 5 ply bindings on the headstock and 3 ply bindings on the back to give it a superior finish. Even if you don't play guitar, you want this one hanging on your wall.

les paul supreme back and sides

I never had the pleasure of playing the Les Paul Supreme for a longer period to check out all the sounds and charactaristics, but I had it in my hands at my local guitar dealer. This beauty is  not yet within the reach of my budget, but it will be the next guitar I buy. I have been looking for a second hand (used) Les Paul Supreme on sites like Ebay, but becouse of the looks, this guitar should be in mint condition, so I prefer to by a new one from a authorized dealer, also to be sure not to get a fake / copy. The tone of the Les Paul Supreme is warm and funky, almost like a ES-339, and I love that sound. Prices are around 3000 Euro.

Copies of the Les Paul Supreme (fake Les Paul Supreme)

The Gibson Les Paul Supreme is a very popular, fairly expensive guitar, much in demand, so it's no wonder fake Supreme's are offered. Some of them do have the looks of a real Supreme, for prices you won't believe. For example tradetang.com has a musical instrument, guitar, section where different suppliers offer guitars that are obviously copies of all the major brands like Gibson and Fender. Not only the Les Paul Supreme can be found here but also the Les Paul 1954, 1956, 1957, Goldtops, Vos and many more. Pricing about 250-400 USD. I'm not in any way promoting to buy an imitation, but you get this information from Google; the name comes up, even when you're not looking for a major guitar brand copy, so there must be a demand for these instruments. An earlier Supreme imitation can easily be recognized by the pot cavity covers on the back, which the original Les Paul Supremes don't have. The newer imitations are harder to recognize. Be careful when buying this Gibson on the open market. If you know it's fake, it's not the real deal!

les paul supreme bridge and knobs

How to spot a fake Gibson (Suppreme, Les Paul)

I noticed that a lot of buzz is going on about fakes, copies, or so called counterfeits of the Gibson Supreme. If you are in for a "copy" Supreme, so be it. But if you want a real Gibson Supreme, and willing to pay the price of a real Supreme then, unless you buy from an authorized dealer, you have to know how to recognize a fake Gibson. Always pay attention to the following:

• A real Gibson (Supreme) does not come for 250 - 300 Euro or Dollar. Not new and not second hand. To good to be true? Not True!
• No Gibson is made in China. All Gibsons are made in the USA. Some sellers will admit the guitar is produced in China, admitting the Gibson is a copy, selling for a "copy" price, although "made in USA" is stamped in the back of the headstock. Problem is that most "resellers" (for example on Ebay, or local) don't mention the fact that the guitar is made in China, trying to sell the guitar "for real".
• If possible, check the measurements before buying. The measures of each Gibson can be found on their website.
• The truss rod cover on an original Gibson is bell shaped, with 2 screws. Copies though often have 3 screws. Also, the brand name "Gibson" is never written on the truss rod on a real Gibson.
• Wiring should be neat, streight and metall. If plastic, sloppy, and cavity painted black inside, wrong!
• Most Gibsons come with a case, owners manual and inspection / warranty card. If not, watch out.
• All pearl on the neck should be inlayed.
• Serial numbers are stamped in the back of the headstock, but the numbers of the fakes often don't represent the years of the production of the real Gibsons. If you want to be sure, check the serial numbers at http://www.guitardaterproject.org/default.aspx  ,where information is provided hidden in the serial number of a guitar. Gibson is supported, but also Epiphone, Fender, Yamaha and Ibanez.
• If still not sure you can always contact  the Gibson Customer Service. All the knowledge is there, and they are willing to help you find out whether it's a real Gibson or a fake.

I'm aware of the fact that this is not a complete list. New fakes are being build, and specifications can be changed. If you have more info about spotting a fake Gibson Supreme, please leave a comment so I can update the list! Any way, when in for buying a Gibson Les Paul (Supreme), and one of the above mentioned comes up, be alerted!

les paul supreme body pickups