Does this Gibson L-4CES look legit?

[Lukasz]

I would greatly appreciate help with verifying this. The seller claims it’s an L-4CES model from 2001, and that the P90 pickup was replaced with a humbucker.


Here are photos:

Gibson L-4CES 2021 - Google Photos

[deacon Mark]

No zero

[dconeill]

I don't know what deacon Mark means by "no zero" - too cryptic for me.

What's the serial number? I am unable to read it in the photo of the back of the headstock.
Does it have a label visible inside the bass-side f-hole? What's that look like?
Do you have something in mind that causes you to doubt its authenticity?

[deacon Mark]

no it does not look legit.

[guildx500]

I’m far from an expert on the L-4. The ones I’ve seen from 1990s on have an L-5 style tailpiece not at all like this one. Also never seen one of the era with a single mounted pickup. The bridge does not look right. Most have mahogany necks and this one does not. A picture of the label if present would help a lot but I have my doubts about this being as described.

[jads57]

Okay I can’t say decisively for sure.But it does look to be a custom ordered 1990’s Gibson. I say that owning a ES-775 from that period of manufacture.
I would definitely be careful in purchasing it,but that’s my take.
Try and get a reputable dealer Gruhn,Lavonne Music,etc. to verify it for you.

p.s. The case looks to be a 1970’s or later flat top Gibson one

[Hammertone]

Looks like a very nice custom-ordered Gibson to me. I'd grab that in a heartbeat if it played well and the price was right.

[Rhythmisking]

It looks legit but not a production model. That headstock. It looks like of a modern build of an old style L-4. But I'm far from an expert.

[Jimmy blue note]

There was a time that I hungered for something that had a solid top, 16" body, single pickup, mahogany neck and fit into that niche between the L-7 and the L-4 at the time. Because Gibson made the parents but never made a baby, is the reason why I didn't buy a Gibson.

So I've seen quite a few very high quality builds coming out these days. They're built overseas and I can say as a luthier myself, there are those that I wouldn't buy (issues with quality) and there are ones of the highest quality where I've been in touch with the builders with quality feedback and input throughout. They'll even put a faux logo on a build.

My question is, strictly from a functional perspective, what's the problem with buying a professionally built instrument that will last me a lifetime, one that combines the best mix of an L4 and an L7 that another company-a company that did not make one stock? And what if the price for a custom build was even lower than a stock "genuine" logo guitar?

I do play a design that blends the best of all worlds (and brands) and as a player, it's the perfect mix (for me it was like a solid wood build 7 string GB10). To some it's a bastard. So others it's genius. To me it's a solution ...and a professional tool that's a solution to an evolution of needs and preferences that is not available stock.

What if somebody else's idea of a fantasy guitar includes a design on the headstock that they always wanted. This is a one off. Made for one person. It's no ostensible threat to any production company, corporation or gakki.

Thought question: Who would dismiss this option de facto?

[Little Jay]

Looks like it has holes from a dogear P90, so the humbucker was probably added later.

Looks like a nice genuine Gibson, but consistent to any production model so I’d say custom order.