The Fake Epiphone Thread!

[lespaulowner68]

i cant tell the differince!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by lespaulowner68

i cant tell the differince!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are looking at eBay for an Epiphone and you think you found something that interests you PM me or GNR4EVR and we will help you determine if its fake.

[Bizarro]

Originally Posted by lespaulowner68

i cant tell the differince!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on! Yes you can and you are intentionally purchasing an illegal guitar. Remember all your posts are recorded and anyone can read your post history here. I will not read any of your disingenous posts any longer!

[Bizarro]

As an aside I have to commend the authors of this thread. You have provided an invaluable service to those (like me) who have limited knowledge and wish to purchase the real deal. Thank you.

[oyvjak]

Originally Posted by Sinmastah

I just don't like giving my money partly to a country who helped our enemies in Vietnam.

Sorry, I tried to stay quiet, but what the hell kind of reason is that? It's like not buying German goods because they were nazis at one point. I get you don't want to get fakes, I don't either. But a reason like that? Come on.

[KP Willits]

Originally Posted by Sinmastah

I just don't like giving my money partly to a country who helped our enemies in Vietnam.

Hey Sinmastah... I just saw this reference... could you please tell me when and where you served in the Nam. I was at Phu Bai from Aug '64 to Jul '65. I have no problem with them or the Chinese. May one inquire why you are so vehement on this issue?

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by oyvjak

Sorry, I tried to stay quiet, but what the hell kind of reason is that? It's like not buying German goods because they were nazis at one point. I get you don't want to get fakes, I don't either. But a reason like that? Come on.

My philosophy is this, no matter what country youre from, you all have something of national pride to you thats personal. Only speaking from experience in my OWN country, I can say that the things going on are scary at best. The economy is going downhill fast, due in large part to the fuel prices, factories closing, people getting laid off right and left no matter what experience they have or time in their company (has already happened to me once because Ford shut a bunch of plants down and we were their chief supplier in the fire protection business), and all the crap going on in the middle east with private contractors fleecing the government unchecked.
Gibson is one of the few companies left that hasnt packed up and left the country completely and fired all of their employees. (Epiphone to be an exception, but Epiphone is an arm of Gibson, but not truly Gibson).
I have loved guitars since I can remember, started getting serious around 12, am 44 years old now with a military career behind me, have raised a family, sent one off to college, have two more to go. Gibson has been there all along pumping out the finest guitars anyone can ask for and great players jamming some of the most badass tunes to ever scream out of a Les Paul, all in the U.S.A. What a great heritage! Fender shares it, and has also remained a U.S. born and bred company and should also stay there. But I have always loved Gibson since the day I picked up a guitar. It would crush me to see it get sent overseas or any one of their hard working employees get laid off because some cheap imitation crap is getting sold using their name. The bottom line, is thats why this is necessary. IF folks dont recognize how critical it is that we buy from our parent countries, then why not just up and give up your home, your liveleyhood, your ambitions, dreams and everything you love, and give it to some chinese guy. Because thats exactly whats happening here. China already has enough from us, they dont need to take any more.

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by oyvjak

Sorry, I tried to stay quiet, but what the hell kind of reason is that? It's like not buying German goods because they were nazis at one point. I get you don't want to get fakes, I don't either. But a reason like that? Come on.

I didn't mean it to come off as they were our enemy once and they should always be. I mean then we would still be against the U.K. etc. The main point was coming off as supporting OUR economy, and not another countries. I am sorry it came off like that.

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by KP Willits

Hey Sinmastah... I just saw this reference... could you please tell me when and where you served in the Nam. I was at Phu Bai from Aug '64 to Jul '65. I have no problem with them or the Chinese. May one inquire why you are so vehement on this issue?

I never served in Vietnam. I don't have a problem with the Chinese either, and I don't see why you took offense to what I said. First off I didn't mean it to come out as it did, but I think you over reacted. I don't think it mattered if I served there or not. I can say that I don't like what the British did during the American Revolution, but I never served there. I don't like what th Chinese did either. We never know if the Chinese will turn their backs on us etc, which is one reason I don't like stimulating another persons economy, instead of our own.

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by GNR4EVR

My philosophy is this, no matter what country youre from, you all have something of national pride to you thats personal. Only speaking from experience in my OWN country, I can say that the things going on are scary at best. The economy is going downhill fast, due in large part to the fuel prices, factories closing, people getting laid off right and left no matter what experience they have or time in their company (has already happened to me once because Ford shut a bunch of plants down and we were their chief supplier in the fire protection business), and all the crap going on in the middle east with private contractors fleecing the government unchecked.
Gibson is one of the few companies left that hasnt packed up and left the country completely and fired all of their employees. (Epiphone to be an exception, but Epiphone is an arm of Gibson, but not truly Gibson).
I have loved guitars since I can remember, started getting serious around 12, am 44 years old now with a military career behind me, have raised a family, sent one off to college, have two more to go. Gibson has been there all along pumping out the finest guitars anyone can ask for and great players jamming some of the most badass tunes to ever scream out of a Les Paul, all in the U.S.A. What a great heritage! Fender shares it, and has also remained a U.S. born and bred company and should also stay there. But I have always loved Gibson since the day I picked up a guitar. It would crush me to see it get sent overseas or any one of their hard working employees get laid off because some cheap imitation crap is getting sold using their name. The bottom line, is thats why this is necessary. IF folks dont recognize how critical it is that we buy from our parent countries, then why not just up and give up your home, your liveleyhood, your ambitions, dreams and everything you love, and give it to some chinese guy. Because thats exactly whats happening here. China already has enough from us, they dont need to take any more.

I agree completely. This is one of my big points, I just didn't mean to come off as I hate the Chinese, and somehow some people interperted it that way somehow.

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by Sinmastah

I agree completely. This is one of my big points, I just didn't mean to come off as I hate the Chinese, and somehow some people interperted it that way somehow.

I dont hate them either. The real deal is just what you said, we dont need to fuel someone elses economy while they are taking from ours. They arent too different from us, they just want jobs, to feed their families, have a future. We have that, and that what they want. The average worker has no idea of the after effects, just the immediate solution, and thats taking care of their own. I dont think I'd do any different. Funny thing, is these fat cats running these companies over here that used to pay 35.00 an hour to their employees and now all those folks are laid off and the fat cats are sending their raw product overseas to be made in a Chinese factory for 3.00 an hour to some guy who not only is more than willing to work for that wage, but also keeps his family in the plant, and they have to chase him off the job! And when the final product gets back here, that fat cat gets 100% profit because production costs got cut in half and he now gets all that overhead. Wheres that money going? Surely not into Our economy... The hilarious thing is.. whos gonna buy his junk now?

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by GNR4EVR

I dont hate them either. The real deal is just what you said, we dont need to fuel someone elses economy while they are taking from ours. They arent too different from us, they just want jobs, to feed their families, have a future. We have that, and that what they want. The average worker has no idea of the after effects, just the immediate solution, and thats taking care of their own. I dont think I'd do any different. Funny thing, is these fat cats running these companies over here that used to pay 35.00 an hour to their employees and now all those folks are laid off and the fat cats are sending their raw product overseas to be made in a Chinese factory for 3.00 an hour to some guy who not only is more than willing to work for that wage, but also keeps his family in the plant, and they have to chase him off the job! And when the final product gets back here, that fat cat gets 100% profit because production costs got cut in half and he now gets all that overhead. Wheres that money going? Surely not into Our economy... The hilarious thing is.. whos gonna buy his junk now?

Yeah its stupid how this thing works. I just don't get whats up with all the flaming going on right now. I say one thing about not suporting any economy except for our own, and BAM, two people yelling at me. One even demanding to tell him when I served in Nam. Sir I never claimed to serve there. I am glad many people did serve for their country. But that does not give you the right to flame me for simply saying we should not support another economy. Ohh well. At least this thread is getting noticed, and I hope it is helping people. almost 1.4k views!!!

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by Bizarro

As an aside I have to commend the authors of this thread. You have provided an invaluable service to those (like me) who have limited knowledge and wish to purchase the real deal. Thank you.

Anytime man!

[KP Willits]

Originally Posted by Sinmastah

One even demanding to tell him when I served in Nam. Sir I never claimed to serve there. I am glad many people did serve for their country. But that does not give you the right to flame me for simply saying we should not support another economy. Ohh well. At least this thread is getting noticed, and I hope it is helping people. almost 1.4k views!!!

I did not demand anything... I was just curious why you were so vehement about Vietnam. Most people with such reactions were there. It is extremely difficult to "hear" inner meanings when someone writes. And, by the way; I did not flame you.

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by KP Willits

I did not demand anything... I was just curious why you were so vehement about Vietnam. Most people with such reactions were there. It is extremely difficult to "hear" inner meanings when someone writes. And, by the way; I did not flame you.

Thats cool man. I was never there, and I don't have a strong reaction to it, I've heard stories, but I can never be there any more to know what is like. Peace

[GNR4EVR]

Another fake. Both his buzzsaws are fakes. He only shows the top of the guitars, so cant verify everything, but what little it shows is wrong. Upper volume knob is forward of the bridge, and the upper 3 way switch black stripe doesnt completely cover that lobe of the guitar like it should. (See Epiphones website). PLus, his other auctions look like a side street back of a van sale.

EPIPHONE ZAKK WYLDE LES PAUL BUZZSAW ELECTRIC GUITAR - eBay (item 220250791842 end time Jun-29-08 13:32:26 PDT)

Reported him.

[GNR4EVR]

39 guitars reported and counting!! Ebay has done away with all of those except the few sales that slipped by.

[GNR4EVR]

Another fake...
Epiphone Zakk Wylde Bullseye Les Paul - eBay (item 250263731877 end time Jun-29-08 04:22:33 PDT)

Reported him.

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by GNR4EVR

Another fake...
Epiphone Zakk Wylde Bullseye Les Paul - eBay (item 250263731877 end time Jun-29-08 04:22:33 PDT)

Reported him.

Wow thats horrible. They even say that one secret thing we have too . I like how they have pics of the guitar on what seems to be a bed, and they say its coming directly from China.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by lifele55

....So the next best thing is to educate people about these fakes.....

That's what we are trying to do. We get accused of 'bashing' when we 'enlighten' the 'ignorant' in our particularly straightforward way, but being 'nice' doesn't work.
At least, when we get someone so stirred up that he or she gets angry and starts USING ALL CAPITAL LETTERS AND MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!, then we are getting some attention, more and more members get involved, and the issue becomes very noticeable. If we steer one prospective new Les Paul owner away from a cheap-ass piece-of-crap firewood counterfeit, we have done a good job!
In spite of all its flaws, the Gibson Les Paul is still THE GREATEST GUITAR EVER MADE IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!!!!!!!
Keep it up guys!

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by dennistruckdriver

That's what we are trying to do. We get accused of 'bashing' when we 'enlighten' the 'ignorant' in our particularly straightforward way, but being 'nice' doesn't work.
At least, when we get someone so stirred up that he or she gets angry and starts USING ALL CAPITAL LETTERS AND MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!, then we are getting some attention, more and more members get involved, and the issue becomes very noticeable. If we steer one prospective new Les Paul owner away from a cheap-ass piece-of-crap firewood counterfeit, we have done a good job!
In spite of all its flaws, the Gibson Les Paul is still THE GREATEST GUITAR EVER MADE IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!!!!!!!
Keep it up guys!

This is why I did this, even if it helps one person it is worth it, 1.5k views! It had to help someone already.

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by Sinmastah

Wow thats horrible. They even say that one secret thing we have too . I like how they have pics of the guitar on what seems to be a bed, and they say its coming directly from China.

Ebay has dumped that one too. I am loving this... One less hunk o' crap handed out!

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by GNR4EVR

Ebay has dumped that one too. I am loving this... One less hunk o' crap handed out!

Ya think we might be getting eBay's attention by now?

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by dennistruckdriver

Ya think we might be getting eBay's attention by now?

Yeah definitely. The sellers on there are reading our threads too, they have done away with some of the stuff weve been pointing out. But theyve left some identifiable (and wont be mentioned here) stuff in their ads. Its really good to see such cooperation from Ebay. I think they might also be getting help from a Gibson insider also, or else thay probably wouldnt know what makes them fake, they cant just take our word for it. No matter, as long as their gone.

[River]

Nice work, ladies and gentlemen. The workings of a global economy are a bit above my head, and I for one would rather see that discussed on msnbc.com, but everyone understands forgery and counterfeiting. The global economy is an issue, forgery is a crime. I appreciate your efforts immensely, and would bet we're getting help from Gibson as suggested. I still don't understand why Epi's are so popular amongst forgers, but there it is.

Thanks for looking out for all of us.

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by GNR4EVR

Yeah definitely. The sellers on there are reading our threads too, they have done away with some of the stuff weve been pointing out. But theyve left some identifiable (and wont be mentioned here) stuff in their ads. Its really good to see such cooperation from Ebay. I think they might also be getting help from a Gibson insider also, or else thay probably wouldnt know what makes them fake, they cant just take our word for it. No matter, as long as their gone.

Yeah me and GNR have some tricks behind our backs!!! Also GNR whenever you report a fake Epi post who the seller is so I can add it to the list. If they see that their rep is being broken by sellng fake crap, then they will make new accounts with no feedback so people will be more weary of them. This can go very well. I think I will go and report some fakes.

[Sinmastah]

Hmmm looks like a fakey too me, but the rest of the guitar looks pretty good.

[Sinmastah]

Reported

Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty Electric Guitar NEW - eBay (item 320268056389 end time Jun-30-08 03:45:00 PDT)

[lifele55]

Good job... its too easy with the headstock shot so damn clear, its just screaming FAKE so loud you can almost hear it through your monitor.

[Sinmastah]

Originally Posted by lifele55

Good job... its too easy with the headstock shot so damn clear, its just screaming FAKE so loud you can almost hear it through your monitor.

Report it please then, we need a lot of people, it is selling soon and a couple people have bid on it. I told them about the wrong tuning keys, TRC, and the pick-gaurd screw in the wrong place.