Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake?

M.Sheppard90 · 02-01-2011, 05:56 AM

Good afternoon ladies & gents. Usually I try to figure things like this out myself but I am stumped right now.

I came across this advert:

Epiphone Les Paul - Mid Range Model - £75 BARGAIN Guitars, Guitar Amplifiers for Sale hove - seven dials Brighton

Naturally I was interested. But the price being so low worried me.
I emailed asking for a serial number which the guy gave me:
i98030255

Making it a 1998 MIK Model, at the Saein Plant.

Notice in the description he says the model has a Bolt-On neck.

I'd be really grateful to anyone who helps, as I really would like a nice bargain but don't want to be caught out by a fake!

Cheers,
Mike

tdbear1us · 02-01-2011, 08:06 AM

Looks like a low end Epi maybe a lp100? If so the price is about right

M.Sheppard90 · 02-01-2011, 08:14 AM

Thanks for the reply mate.

did they do an LP100 with a flamed top and the Trapezoid inlays then? I always thought they were plain-top with dot inlays.

Cheers,
Mike

dustmite · 02-01-2011, 08:22 AM

The LP-300 had the trap inlays and flame top, with the bolt neck.

Tudorp · 02-01-2011, 08:22 AM

Don't want to hijack, but the OP may also benefit from my question.

What is wrong with the 100? I hear it's junk, or very low end. I was thinking about picking one up cheap myself to build a decent guitar out of it? If it is all bad guts, thats not a problem, that would all be changed anyway. I was more interested in just the body and neck. Blimished wood isn't a problem since it would be painted, but is it decent wood, or as good as any Epi?

dustmite · 02-01-2011, 08:29 AM

I could be wrong, but I think the LP-100's are made of plywood. Some of them sound good, parts can be changed, etc. but the materials used in construction are very cheap.

M.Sheppard90 · 02-01-2011, 08:36 AM

So Dustmite, you think it will be a LP300 then?

If so, how do they compare to say, a Studio/Standard today, and is it worth the wonga? And is the LP300 made of plywood as well?

cheers for all the help,
Mike

Tudorp · 02-01-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustmite

I could be wrong, but I think the LP-100's are made of plywood. Some of them sound good, parts can be changed, etc. but the materials used in construction are very cheap.

Akk... If someone could confirm this, it would be appreciated, because that would be a deal breaker for me, because I do not want to build a plywood LP for sure. I'm not too worried about a multi peice body, but ply, or crap wood is out for my build.

One guy tried to sell me one made out of white pine not long ago. It didn't "look" too bad, but looking in the neck joint, it looked like it was cut from a piece of cheap pine plank you can buy at Home Depo aimed for cheap garage shelves .

dustmite · 02-01-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Sheppard90

So Dustmite, you think it will be a LP300 then?

If so, how do they compare to say, a Studio/Standard today, and is it worth the wonga? And is the LP300 made of plywood as well?

I would say it's an LP-300. As far as material used, I honestly don't know. They were only made for a short time, and they don't show up all that often, and good information on this model is hard to find. I don't think these were ever faked, so that isn't a concern. The price doesn't seem too bad to me. I'd say that if you can play it before you buy, it would be worth checking out.

rjwilson37 · 02-01-2011, 09:31 AM

I think it looks nice... I would go play it and see what's what.

M.Sheppard90 · 02-01-2011, 09:36 AM

Here's the most important question. A used Epi-LP Standard will sell for about £250.

How does this guitar compare to the Standard, and how does the price of £75 compare?

Cheers,
Mike

a1terrier · 02-01-2011, 01:20 PM

Hi Mike
Looks and sounds like an LP300 to me. I bought mine 18 months ago for £200 second hand, so £75 is a bargain if it plays ok. Mine is a Korean made in 1996 with wonderful natural ageing. The other poster is right, these are rare. Dont be put off by the bolt on neck, the main thing is what does it play/sound like plugged in and unplugged. Is it heavy, mine weighs in at over 9 lbs, so no plywood involved. I used to have a chinese LP Std but the LP300 is a much better guitar than that one. Does it have a metal plate on the back of the body where the neck bolts on? The only thing I have done to mine is install a 50`s wiring kit from Jonesy (MLP Member) which has improved it even more. As I said if its in good condition and plays well, go for it.

02-01-2011, 05:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
M.Sheppard90 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? Good afternoon ladies & gents. Usually I try to figure things like this out myself but I am stumped right now. I came across this advert: Epiphone Les Paul - Mid Range Model - £75 BARGAIN Guitars, Guitar Amplifiers for Sale hove - seven dials Brighton Naturally I was interested. But the price being so low worried me. I emailed asking for a serial number which the guy gave me: i98030255 Making it a 1998 MIK Model, at the Saein Plant. Notice in the description he says the model has a Bolt-On neck. I'd be really grateful to anyone who helps, as I really would like a nice bargain but don't want to be caught out by a fake! Cheers, Mike

02-01-2011, 08:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
tdbear1us Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 865 Thanks: 27 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? Looks like a low end Epi maybe a lp100? If so the price is about right

02-01-2011, 08:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
M.Sheppard90 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? Thanks for the reply mate. did they do an LP100 with a flamed top and the Trapezoid inlays then? I always thought they were plain-top with dot inlays. Cheers, Mike

02-01-2011, 08:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
dustmite Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 52 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? The LP-300 had the trap inlays and flame top, with the bolt neck.

02-01-2011, 08:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tudorp Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 744 Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? Don't want to hijack, but the OP may also benefit from my question. What is wrong with the 100? I hear it's junk, or very low end. I was thinking about picking one up cheap myself to build a decent guitar out of it? If it is all bad guts, thats not a problem, that would all be changed anyway. I was more interested in just the body and neck. Blimished wood isn't a problem since it would be painted, but is it decent wood, or as good as any Epi?

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02-01-2011, 08:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
dustmite Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 52 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? I could be wrong, but I think the LP-100's are made of plywood. Some of them sound good, parts can be changed, etc. but the materials used in construction are very cheap.

02-01-2011, 08:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
M.Sheppard90 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? So Dustmite, you think it will be a LP300 then? If so, how do they compare to say, a Studio/Standard today, and is it worth the wonga? And is the LP300 made of plywood as well? cheers for all the help, Mike

02-01-2011, 09:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
rjwilson37 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,390 Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? I think it looks nice... I would go play it and see what's what. __________________ Guitars 2011 Gibson Les Paul Studio Ebony Faded 2012 PRS SE 245 Black 2013 Chapman ML-1 Natural Finish 2013 Fender Telecaster Transparent Charcol Amps Blackheart Handsome Devil Combo w/Eminence Governor Blackheart 1x12 Cabinet w/Eminence Wizard Blackstar HT-5RH Pedals Boss SD-1 Boss ME-70

02-01-2011, 09:36 AM	#11 (permalink)
M.Sheppard90 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? Here's the most important question. A used Epi-LP Standard will sell for about £250. How does this guitar compare to the Standard, and how does the price of £75 compare? Cheers, Mike

02-01-2011, 01:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
a1terrier Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bingley,England Posts: 221 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Epiphone Les Paul - Real or Fake? Hi Mike Looks and sounds like an LP300 to me. I bought mine 18 months ago for £200 second hand, so £75 is a bargain if it plays ok. Mine is a Korean made in 1996 with wonderful natural ageing. The other poster is right, these are rare. Dont be put off by the bolt on neck, the main thing is what does it play/sound like plugged in and unplugged. Is it heavy, mine weighs in at over 9 lbs, so no plywood involved. I used to have a chinese LP Std but the LP300 is a much better guitar than that one. Does it have a metal plate on the back of the body where the neck bolts on? The only thing I have done to mine is install a 50`s wiring kit from Jonesy (MLP Member) which has improved it even more. As I said if its in good condition and plays well, go for it.

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