BLUE NOTE CERTIFIED™

AUTHENTICATION & APPRAISAL REPORT

Blue Note Music
1 East Allen Street
Wentzville, Missouri 63385
636-856-1080

Instrument Identification

Manufacturer: Gibson USA

Instrument: Les Paul (Limited Production Specification – Seymour Duncan Signature Pick Ups)

Serial Number: 134820395

Year of Manufacture: Late 2012

Country of Manufacture: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Finish: Metallic Gold

Case: Original Gibson USA Hardshell Case

Case Candy: None Present

Executive Summary

This instrument has undergone a comprehensive Blue Note Certified™ authentication including exterior examination, internal cavity inspection, hardware evaluation, electronics inspection, construction analysis, serial verification, and review of factory information obtained from Gibson.

The guitar is conclusively identified as a genuine Gibson USA instrument manufactured during late 2012. Construction methods, finish application, neck joint geometry, body routing, control cavity machining, hardware fitment, electronics, and component quality are fully consistent with Gibson USA production.

During the authentication process, several features initially appeared inconsistent with standard catalog specifications. Further investigation, including confirmation from Gibson and research into the pickup configuration, established that these components are factory-correct and represent a configuration not commonly encountered on standard production models.

Rather than assigning an unsupported catalog designation, Blue Note Certified™ identifies this instrument according to the evidence available: a genuine late-2012 Gibson USA Les Paul built to a limited-production factory specification.

Primary Authentication

Serial Number

Serial: 134820395

Verified with Gibson.

Manufactured during late 2012 at Gibson USA, Nashville.

Status: Verified Genuine

Construction Evaluation

Body

·       Mahogany body

·       Carved maple top

·       Factory cream binding

·       Factory control cavity routing

·       Original shielding paint

·       Correct machining marks

·       Correct neck pocket geometry

No evidence of:

·       body modification

·       structural repair

·       routing alteration

·       refinishing

Assessment: Original

Neck

Mahogany set neck

Inspection revealed:

·       Correct Gibson neck geometry

·       Proper factory heel transition

·       Original neck construction

·       Correct fingerboard installation

·       Proper inlay work

No evidence of:

·       headstock repair

·       neck reset

·       structural movement

·       finish disturbance

Assessment: Original

Fingerboard

·      Rosewood fingerboard

·      Factory trapezoid inlays

·      Excellent fret condition.

·      No evidence of refret.

Finish Evaluation

Original Gibson metallic gold finish.

Inspection confirms:

·       Factory finish thickness

·       Proper lacquer transitions

·       Consistent aging

·       Normal polish swirl

·       Minor handling wear only

No evidence of:

·       overspray

·       refinishing

·       color change

·       localized repair

Assessment: Original Factory Finish

Hardware Evaluation

Bridge

Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge.

·      Factory-correct for this instrument.

Status: Factory Correct

Tailpiece

·       Most likely after market Tone Pro tailpiece.

Tuners

·      Factory Gibson tuners.

·      Operate correctly with no indication of replacement.

Control Knobs

·       Verified with Gibson as factory correct.

Switch Tip

·       Original black switch tip.

Truss Rod Cover

·      Joe Bonamassa engraved truss rod cover.

·      This component is consistent with the instrument's overall factory specification and presentation.

Electronics

Inspection of the control cavity revealed:

·       Gibson potentiometers

·       Factory wiring layout

·       Original shielding

·       Factory-quality solder work

·       No routing modification

·       No evidence of non-factory electronic alteration

Electronics remain clean and professionally assembled.

Pickup Authentication

This instrument retains its original Seymour Duncan Joe Bonamassa humbuckers.

Bridge pickup inspection confirmed:

·       Seymour Duncan production label

·       Joe Bonamassa specification

·       Factory production tracking label

·       Production date:
December 5, 2012

Subsequent research established that Seymour Duncan produced only 400 factory sets of these signature pickups specifically for Gibson's Joe Bonamassa production guitars. This production quantity corresponds to the limited Gibson run for which these pickups were manufactured and distinguishes them from the later aftermarket Custom Shop Joe Bonamassa pickup sets.

Combined with Gibson's confirmation that the pickups are factory correct for this instrument, the pickup configuration represents one of the most significant authentication points in this evaluation.

Assessment: Factory Original

Structural Evaluation

Headstock

·      Excellent condition.

·      No cracks.

·      No repairs.

·      No finish sinking.

Neck Joint

·      Excellent structural integrity.

·      No movement.

·      No separation.

Body

·      No structural cracks.

·      No evidence of repaired damage.

·      Excellent overall condition.

Originality Assessment

Component	Status
Body	Original
Neck	Original
Finish	Original
Fingerboard	Original
Frets	Original
Electronics	Original
Wiring	Original
Pickups	Factory Original
Bridge	Factory Original
Tailpiece	After Market
Tuners	Original
Knobs	Factory Original
Switch Tip	Original
Case	Original Gibson Hardshell

Blue Note Certified Grades

Condition A Excellent

Originality O1 Fully Original  Factory Correct

Structural Integrity S1 Excellent

Repair Classification R1 No structural repairs observed.

Cosmetic Condition

The instrument exhibits only light evidence of careful ownership, including minor finish swirls and small handling marks consistent with normal use. Hardware displays light cosmetic aging appropriate for its age. No significant dents, chips, cracks, or finish damage were observed. Overall presentation is exceptionally clean.

Market Analysis

Because this instrument does not correspond neatly to a standard catalog model and incorporates verified factory-correct limited-production specifications—including the original Seymour Duncan Joe Bonamassa pickup set—its value extends beyond that of a typical late-2012 Les Paul. Comparable sales are limited, making exact market comparison difficult. Valuation reflects originality, condition, rarity of factory components, and overall desirability.

Private Party Market Value: $3,100 – $4,200

Final Certification

BLUE NOTE CERTIFIED™

Authenticity Rating: 99.9% Genuine Gibson USA

Following comprehensive inspection and evaluation, this instrument is certified as an authentic Gibson USA Les Paul manufactured in late 2012. The authentication process included examination of construction methods, finish, hardware, electronics, internal cavities, structural integrity, and factory verification. Gibson has confirmed the originality of the pickups and hardware configuration, and the instrument retains its original Seymour Duncan Joe Bonamassa pickup set, factory-correct controls, bridge, original finish, original electronics, and original Gibson hardshell case.

While the precise catalog designation remains undetermined, the available evidence demonstrates that this guitar was built to a limited-production factory specification rather than assembled from aftermarket components. Based on its originality, exceptional condition, and uncommon factory configuration, this instrument meets the standards required for Blue Note Certified™ status and represents a distinctive example of Gibson USA craftsmanship from late 2012.

Inspector: Rick Drevet

Date of Inspection: 07/20/26

Blue Note Certified™ Authentication No.: 1041