certificat of authenticity , What is your opinion

[kimos55]

I bought a VOS Les Paul here and some how the certificate of authenticity was lost during shipping to me. I was cool about it and the way I felt is I wanted the guitar not the COA.
I didn't really bond with the guitar and now that I am selling her everyone wants the COA. I had a buyer that came over yesterday, loved my LP and played her for hours. It was like what the hell you love the guitar it is a R-7 VOS buy it already. he didn't buy it because there was no COA. About two hours he came back and played her for another hour and bought the guitar. I just wanted an opinion it the COA that big of a deal for a custom shop? and if their is no COA is that worth a price reduction? I know that some guitars just don't come with a COA. Thanks

[Phil M]

That is the only reason I want it--it would help to make a deal happen down the road. And most of those folks want it for the same reason. Your potential buyer has a right to his stance, I just don't share his opinion.

I think it's something that has become more prominent in the last few years. I've sold or traded a few Gibson Historics 4 or 5 years ago and no one used to even ask about it. Now people act like it's a requirement. Guess you just have to find your right buyer.

In fact I just got a killer deal on a NOS VOS R7 goldtop from my dealer, but he couldn't find the cert. He said he'll keep looking but I know it's unlikely to turn up and don't care.

[mark norwine]

To me, the COA is sort of like the case candy: some folks want it all (in order to consider the guitar "complete"), while others don't seem to care.

Personally, I think they're sort of silly. What are they certifying? That the guitar is....a guitar? ...that it's "one" of a bajillion others? ...that it deems the guitar to be more worthy of...something? ...more valuable?

I look for a great guitar.....irrespective a piece of paper.

Other's have differing opinions, most certainly.

[JimmyR]

The whole certificate thing is ridiculous. It's purely a marketing tool. What does it actually mean? Not a darn thing! Guitar manufacturers should leave the "Certificate of Authenticity" schtick to the Franklin Mint where it belongs.

Needless to say the lack of one wouldn't affect my decision to buy a guitar.

[pullagnm]

Lets see the "guitarfax". I'll take 1000 off. Ok, lets see the "guitarfax".

[bluegrif]

I agree with all the above. I would also add the whole silly COA thing functions as a way for the manufacturer to imply that this is somehow more special and valuable than a "regular" guitar that has no such document. Which is kind of funny when you consider that no real vintage guitar (as opposed to a reissue or replica) ever had such a thing.

[rockinlespaul]

Originally Posted by pullagnm

Lets see the "guitarfax". I'll take 1000 off. Ok, lets see the "guitarfax".

LOL!

[axemanjoe]

Originally Posted by kimos55

I bought a VOS Les Paul here and some how the certificate of authenticity was lost during shipping to me. I was cool about it and the way I felt is I wanted the guitar not the COA.
I didn't really bond with the guitar and now that I am selling her everyone wants the COA. I had a buyer that came over yesterday, loved my LP and played her for hours. It was like what the hell you love the guitar it is a R-7 VOS buy it already. he didn't buy it because there was no COA. About two hours he came back and played her for another hour and bought the guitar. I just wanted an opinion it the COA that big of a deal for a custom shop? and if their is no COA is that worth a price reduction? I know that some guitars just don't come with a COA. Thanks

Was your guitar shipped from a dealer or did you buy it at a store location, lots of times the Gibson folks just slip the COA into the box after they put the guitar in it. I finally checked the box mine came in after two months and found it there, glad I didnt throw the box away.

[The Golden Boy]

I don't understand what the big deal is about that COA.

If someone's going to make a dead-nuts on copy of a Historic but not be able to fudge a piece of paper???

[mt1782]

I've just seen it as a part of general negotiations, I've had a local store offer much less to buy a guitar without one, while offering no break while selling a guitar without one.

Gibson didn't start with the COA's until 1999, no idea when Fender started.

[JRDill]

I like collect baseball memorabilia as well and I guess the same applies to guitars. People want COA's to make sure it's authentic and just makes someone all around comfortable.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by angrybandnerd

I like collect baseball memorabilia as well and I guess the same applies to guitars. People want COA's to make sure it's authentic and just makes someone all around comfortable.

Because a COA can't be faked, like kids bleaching singles and making them into twenties on their ink jets.

[JRDill]

Well that's where your knowledge comes into hand, just like spotting a fake Gibson LP on Ebay. In the baseball world, I can spot a fake piece, sig, or COA in a heartbeat. I'm getting there with guitars! But you have a great point, I'm sure most people, with something as new as COA's in guitars, won't know the difference.

[mark norwine]

But you have to ask: what is Gibson certifying?

Conceptually, I could see the value in a cert for a '54 strat that has been examined & vetted as "an original, un-modified 1954 strat", as that certificate would almost certainly give the buyer & seller some confidence.

But certifying something that's a.) new and b.) not unique / special in any way? What's the point? Is anyone "faking" a 2002 Les Paul?

[brad347]

Originally Posted by JimmyR

What does it actually mean?

that you have to keep up with another damn piece of paper.