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2009 from a 1999

vintage58

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
3,958
If you glance at the back of the guitar's headstock, the tuners on a 2009 are arranged in a straight line, whereas on a 1999, they're mildly "staggered."
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bigjimsguitars

New member
Joined
Sep 12, 2005
Messages
3,890
The 2009's had a more faded (orange) looking back, the side markers are not tortoise on the 1999, the stop tail on a 2009 will be slightly offset (like a real one)...
 

DANELECTRO

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,318
The quickest indicator is the inlays. You can spot them from a mile away. 1999 inlays will have rounded corners and be bright white with a crackled pattern, 2009 inlays have sharp corners, be slightly yellowish, with a swirly pattern.

99-09Inlays.jpg
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
Refer to "sticky" No. 2 on the first page of the Historic District for a summary of factory spec changes made to the Historic Les Pauls over the past 15 - 17 years (roughly since 1993)..
 

Tim

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,860
99's also have large frets and small disc caps unless they've been changed. Good chance you'll see the red dye on the binding as well, which I think they quit using by 09.
 

Black58

New member
Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
10,139
Truss rod cover practically touches the nut on a '99. A REALLY fast tell, if ya ask me! :2cool
 

Triplet

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Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
1,675
Thanks all.

I was stuck with some pretty shitty photos for awhile.
 
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