How To Inspect A USED Gibson Les Paul. Sharpen My Axe

#knowyourgear #sharpenmyaxe #mcknightrepair

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Tools used in this video
My favorite inspection kit ( I keep this with me everywhere I go)
The Snark tuner I'm using in this video
String Swing guitar hangers (I only use String Swing)
Radius Gauge with slots
Fret Rocker
Precision Notched Straightedge
The Music Nomad gauge I use
Digital Caliper
Digital Multimeter
Clip On Tuner in this video
My Favorite set up tools
Here are some other products from a dealer I trust and buy from online
Black light
Gibson Multi-Tool
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Free PDFs

[PhillipMcKnight]

This is a new serieson the channel. I have few already recorded and ready to go. This one was in the top five most asked questions emailed to me this year.

[BAMozzy]

The best advice I could give when it comes to a Gibson Les Paul is to buy with your head and not with your heart.


You can also tell a fake from the angle of the headstock too in some cases and if it seems like a really good deal, then be extremely cautious!!

[tricko]

Good tips ... but too many noobs are gonna be afraid to buy a LP. Binding cracks, etc are sometimes a part of a great LP purchase. I would suggest that all these “should haves” are the ideal. If you don’t have a truss today wrench, I wouldn’t make that a deal killer - in other words, don’t pass up a great LP because it has a couple small issues or you’ll miss out on a ton of great guitars.

[andrewfrench]

There is a pawn shop in central Texas, close to my apartment, that is selling 2 Chibson Les Pauls. They’ve both been on the wall for well over a year. The number of mistakes on these guitars is staggering when you know what to look for.

[scarmyguitar]

I did not know all these tips! Your knowledge genuinely blows me away!

[richardbinder]

Thanks Phillip, been around guitars for almost 50 years and my late, dear friend was a brilliant luthier who built guitars for Kiss. Mentored by Jimmy D' Aquisto and did repairs along with Jimmy for John Lennon, Earl Slick, and many others. Steve Carr, not to confused with the amp builder. He would be very impressed with your videos.

[kevinsibley]

Loved this video presentation, as I do all your videos. Yes, "know your gear" with the knowledge of "why" things are supposed to be a certain way makes it easier to spot things that are not the way they are supposed to be and can therefore be red flagged for further investigation; especially when buying a used guitar. Excellent information as usual Phillip!

[TheComedyGuitarGuy]

I mean, what can I say?!
This is one of the most insightful and informative videos on YouTube.
Excellent and really appreciated

[jessekoda]

I just bought a custom shop les paul from online I had them send me pics including one of the truss rod and emailed them to Gibson (before I bought), they were very helpful and gave info on that guitar, they were pretty confident it was original

[TheMichaelseymour]

Local guitar seller .."what you doing ? " ....ah sniffin guitars man

[udinbata]

All the chinese fake guitar manufacturer downloading your pdf now...

[jettsom]

I'm smelling my Les Paul everyday! Goddamn that thing smells good!

[ScottJamesHicks]

I’d also like to add that maybe a Gibson is not a guitar to purchase is one needs a deep discount from a private seller with no reviews available. This had some really valuable information. Thank you.

[ADAM_COLLECTS]

It’s as if you know what I’m currently looking out for Master McKnight. Please, keep up the good work and we will know our gear. You absolute champion.

[stepvanjoe]

That has to be one of the best run -throughs on what to check for on Les Paul's as there were a couple of detail items that I am sure I would no doubt have overlooked i.e. the switch for one

[jeremywooldridge]

I ordered it on Reverb and crossed my fingers. Haha

[vinnievidi]

I’ve had an experience with many Gibson’s from around 2016-2018 where the serial isn’t pressed in well at all and nearly impossible to see without a UV light. I’ve even had this once on a custom shop. These were all purchased from big Gibson sellers (Sweetwater and GC).

[chrisdaniel]

I know Gibson has had it’s fair issues throughout the years. Now I know what to look for. Thanks Phil...👍

[lorenmars]

Perfect Episode. The nuts and bolts of KYG.

[Xaltar_]

Solid tips Phil, so many people don't know this stuff. I especially like that you mentioned the lacquer first, I have never found a (China) fake that has a lacquer finish so that is a very good first step in assuring you are not paying for a copy. I have over the years seen a few "fakes" with lacquer finishes but all of them were more "tribute" guitars built by luthiers rather than mass produced budget garbage, a fair number of them were actually nicer than the real deal, quality, finish, feel and tone. All of the half dozen or so of these I have seen started out with a different name on the headstock but someone decided to be cheeky and slap a Gibson headstock veneer on them. Peeling that off revealed the luthier's original markings so it may be good to also check if the headstock face plate has been tampered with, usually most evident under the truss rod cover. Honestly, I prefer a hand built custom to any factory made guitar.