Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by S. Maxwell on December 9, 2011 at 9:04pm

Nope, sorry I would say no. Although it looks to be on one of Joe's signature model Les Paul's which would ad a certain 'vibe' of provenance and maybe since it is on a guitar that Joe took extra care in signing it. At first glance I said "Yep that's real", but on closer inspection I don't think so. The E in Perry is what made me think twice. Joe's signature is notoriously 'cave man-ish' and this seems to be a conscious effort to be so. But that E is three perfect little line sguiggles that don't look right at all. The Joe is awkward, but not Joe awkward. The Wing logo is too nice. If it's forged it appears to have copied very popular exemplars that are common from years past. Now again, MAYBE extra care was taken since it was one of his guitars and Joe really did sign it, and why would someone ruin a nice guitar like this I don't know, but maybe Epperson could weigh in. I would think he's seen a fair share of 'Smith sigs in his day.

*I just went back and looked at it again. I now am 99.999% certain this is not real. The E's are totally different and way too perfect. Joe always runs those lines together. Also, look at the sguiggle lines after the first R, they are perfectly symmetrical and each peak is perfectly aligned. No way. Actually I find something wrong with every letter. PLUS Joe writes so horrible to begin with, but look at where the signature is. All the hardware of the bridge is in the way. That would make this autograph even more difficult to write.

Not authentic.

• ▶ Reply