Gibson les paul serial number I'm wanting to buy used guitar

This is actually not an easy question to answer a Gibson (as you may already know) has used multiple numbering schemes..Your guitar may be a 2000... This is from Gibson's site: "Les Paul Classic: This model features an ink stamped serial number with no "MADE IN USA" (just as we used on the original 1952-1960 Les Pauls). Most will be 5 to 6 digits in length, but the earliest examples feature 4 digit serial numbers. There should be a space after the 1st digit with the 4 and 5 digit serial numbers, and no space with the 6 digit numbers. The 1st digit indicates the year of manufacture for the 4 & 5 digit serial numbers, these were used from 1989-1999. The 1st and 2nd indicate the year of manufacture for the 6 digit serial numbers which we've been using since 2000. Examples - 9 xyx = 1989 (4 digit number beginning with "9" used only in 1989) 0 xxyx = 1990 9 xyxx = 1999 00xyxx = 2000 05xyxx = 2005" http://www.gibson.com/Support/Serial-Number-Search.aspx/ Alternatively many people have gotten the best answer by calling Gibson directly: USA: 1-800-4GIBSON HTH!

The term 'Black Beauty' has been well overused by now. It was originally the 1957 black Les Paul Custom model, but by now is any black Les Paul Custom. In addition Gibson themselves are cashing in by doing reissues, finished to look older.

So if it is a black Les Paul Custom, then yes, it is a Black Beauty, according to someone somewhere. On top of that, Gibson has reused serial numbers, in different years for different models.

If the serial number is stamped on the headstock with 'Made In USA' the guitar was made at the Kalamazoo or Nashville Plant, in 1976.

Those guitars are worth US$3000-4000 depending on condition.

Otherwise it was made at the Nashville Plant, TN, on January 11th, 2007.

Those newer reissue guitars sell for similar prices.
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That serial number matches a guitar made at the Nashville Plant, TN, USA on March 27th, 1989. That's about all that can be said definitely at this range.

Here's a few sites on spotting fake Gibsons

https://rguitars.co.uk/blogs/richards-guitars/6940558-dont-get-duped-by-gibson-robot-les-paul-fakes

http://www.gibson.com/news-lifestyle/features/en-us/CounterfeitGibsons.aspx

http://guitarless.com/2010/05/buyer-beware-fakegenuine-les-paul-photo-comparison/

http://www.detectafake.com/viewProduct/?269612

http://www.ebay.com.au/gds/How-to-Spot-a-Fake-Gibson-Guitar-/10000000181849680/g.html

http://www.guitarworld.com/gear-news-electrics/how-spot-fake-gibson-les-paul-seconds/30339

https://forum.jbonamassa.com/viewtopic.php?id=20565
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Gibson Custom Shop 1960 Les Paul Reissue VOS in Washed Cherry Andertons ,this site might help you out.

Official Gibson.com serial number search...

http://www2.gibson.com/Support/Serial-Number-Search.aspx

Your guitar was made at the
Kalamazoo Plant, USA
approximately in: 1967

Gibson Serial Numbers

004384
That is not recognised as a valid Gibson number.
Hopefully it is not a fake.

Have you checked the serial number? I tried it on this site with this result. Serial number unrecognized
The site does have other things that you can check.
Second link shows how to identify a fake.

The Guitar Dater Project Gibson Serial Number Decoder Guide To Spotting Counterfeit Gibson Fender and Ibanez Guitars Sam Ash...

Nashville April 19th 1985 number 43

Looks to be a 2003.

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/SerialNumberSearch/