I am looking at a 68 custom authentic (now called VOS) LP Custom. Clean guitar, original owner, but the guy has lost the certificate of authenticity. I'm calling Gibson tomorrow to see if they could give me one if I send it to them, but wanted to know if anyone thought I should avoid it because he doesn't have the COA? I would have no intention of selling it, but I do know some people had been re-using pics of sold guitars and what not when selling these.

Thanks

 

Enter gibson forum and have them check the serial no. They can tell you what it is, where it was made and where it was sold....Does he have a receipt?

If case candy and COA is missing he should give you a price below what's normal. On the other hand...if it's a great guitar it's a great guitar ;o)

 

What Z said.
Just get the serial number and check it with Gibson.

If that guitar is spotless, and @ $2300, not a bad deal.

 

Case candy is all there... just no COA. I reg'd over at Gibson and will run the serial by them.

Thanks!

 

I would think of it as a rolex w/o the papers, same idea in terms of fair pricing.

 

How do you lose the COA?? What's his story?

I am not a guitar expert, but I have many items that require documentation in order to have full value.

I have never lost any such docs in my life.

Sounds strange and careless. It would make me wary.

 

Agreed. Damn thing sold while I was eating dinner anyway. Fah.
Good question. Considering the guitar "didn't leave the house" I have no idea. Didn't worry me a whole lot, just because I can have Gibson verify the serial etc. and I'd never sell it but definitely would've liked to have it if I purchased.

It sold though... so on to waiting longer... Or picking up one with gold hardware then having to change all of it over to nickel, I do not want whatever gold that guy has

 

Hell, I'm surprised that ya'll are worried about the COA on this guitar!

Its the serial number that counts.

 

I don't know a single guitar player that has his COA, so that wouldn't make me wary. Check the serial number, that's what matters.

 

BTW it sounds like you were trying to buy via the internet.....I wouldn't with a Gibson. Even if comes from their custom shop.....let's just say that the quality varies a lot ;o) A gibson should be played before buying imo. It's another story if it's a Suhr as they make superb quality every single time.

Just my 2 cents ;o)