The Fake Epiphone Thread II

[Generic Clapham]

Yeah - Shifty and DJ are right - dont give him the opportunity to hit back by sinking to his level. On reflection, I've edited my earlier posts to remove the bad advice.

So where are the genuine but low cost routes to get legitimate Epiphone Les Paul guitars? I guess you gotta pay a reasonable amount to get one and if the price seems too good to be true, then its probably gonna be too good to be true.

Some models of Epi LPs seem really cheap - others quite expensive. Whats OK and what is not - I'm keen to learn!

[Lynyrd77Skynyrd]

Originally Posted by Generic Clapham

Yeah - Shifty and DJ are right - dont give him the opportunity to hit back by sinking to his level. On reflection, I've edited my earlier posts to remove the bad advice.

So where are the genuine but low cost routes to get legitimate Epiphone Les Paul guitars? I guess you gotta pay a reasonable amount to get one and if the price seems too good to be true, then its probably gonna be too good to be true.

Some models of Epi LPs seem really cheap - others quite expensive. Whats OK and what is not - I'm keen to learn!

There are always the Special II and LP100 models if your a beginner on a budget. Still good guitars at a good price. Ebay bargains are to be had as many members on here have, just follow the rules before you bid, check their previous feedback and listing, if it looks fishy assume it's fake, if it's local go take a look at it, if they refuse assume it's fake. If they sell handbags and sunglasses assume it's fake. If the item passes all those tests than the final step is to post a link in this thread and ask one of the experts. If they aren't sure assume it's fake. I paid $300 for my '96 MIK and i couldn't be happier, don't write of ebay completely just because there are fakes swimming about on there.

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by Reh

yea, sounds risky..
Think i'm gonna send it back.

I'm gonna report him anyway/send mails out to every customer he had.

I'm allowed to send them a Link to this Discussion, right?



By the way, how about a "normal" Ebony Epiphone Les Paul Custom as "replacement" for the Silverburst?
Just dun want to buy a guitar for 350-500 Euros and end up with a really bad one.
Still don't know If I shouldn't go for a Stratocaster, since that's what Billy Corgan/David Gilmour uses.

Any Advice?



(Who'd thought I'd get my money back? Really, I didnt..)

From a "quality" standpoint, every Epiphone is essentially the same. The setnecked Epi LPs are identical (usually) with regards to pickups, eletronics, tuners, and wood used in construction. There are exceptions to every rule, however.

An Ebony Custom would be a fine replacement for a silverburst... as would an Alpine white.

Just make sure, you let us look at it if you go with eBay again.

And for the record:

[Reh]

mh, I've found a e-guitar from Jedson in my attic.

Here are some pictures of it:







Looks like a Stratocaster Replica?

Should I use this or is this Guitar very bad?
To the point where it's not really recommendable to use it as beginner?
Please be honest, if it's crap let me know : )

Thank you (again)

[purevilpleasure]

If you're not sure if you would like this or that than find a local music shop and play around first. If you buy a guitar online with out knowing what you want you will be stuck with it or have to sell it for a loss. Everyone here can tell you what they like to play and what they think would be best for you but it's YOU that has to decide what works and what doesn't.

[Reh]

Well, I was wondering if anyone knows anything about that Guitar.
Since I was told I shouldn't learn on a "supermarket guitar".
And I don't even know if thats one or not.

I've got a good feeling playing it though, but I got also a good feeling when I played the Fake Epiphone...
(I don't mean the Sound, my Guitar playing sounds crappy, but it felt alright when I played it, does that make sense?)
I really have no clue :/
Had only 2 Guitar lessons (á 50 minutes) until now.

[River]

You'll get more and better input on your Jedson in the "My Other Guitars" forum.

If you and your teacher think it's OK, it's OK.

Here's an arguably legendary guitarist (Kim Simmonds) with his WalMart special, so you can't always judge a book by its cover:

[Reh]

I couldn't find much difference between the Silverburst I got and the one from Musician's Friend.

But since you're 100% sure (and the seller accepted Refund) i'm sure you guys are right.
But I'd like to know why I cannot see the difference.
I'm sorry but I want to be able to tell by myself.

So I went to do a few Photos.

Could you please explain it to me?

Sorry to bother you guys again.

Thanks, I know I'm asking for much.


I tried my best to offer different views, hope those Photos are okay.

Here is a Link to the Gallery (7 Pictures)

ImageShack® - Gallery

[Sinmastah]

Did you read the first post?

[GibsonRocker]

got a faker i do believe. GIBSON EPIPHONE LES PAUL CUSTOM PLUS ELECTRIC GUITAR - eBay (item 250385766585 end time Apr-06-09 15:32:58 PDT)

[GibsonRocker]

And maybe another. Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Silverburst - eBay (item 140305850642 end time Mar-13-09 21:00:00 PDT)

[GibsonRocker]

Suspicious.... Epiphone Les Paul Custom RED RARE!!!!! - eBay (item 260374007772 end time Mar-15-09 08:04:05 PDT)

[GibsonRocker]

And finally Epiphone Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar - eBay (item 230330431437 end time Mar-17-09 15:18:18 PDT)

[GibsonRocker]

Hehe i was busy tonight. Now it's up to the pro's to judge me

[Sinmastah]

IMO 3/4


The last one looks fine to me, it's a 2001 MIK.

[groomvroom]

EPIPHONE LES PAUL BLACK BEAUTY as new with softcase - eBay (item 180331823311 end time Mar-01-09 15:22:25 PST)

Hi all, just bought this second hand from ebay, after a proper set up and new strings it sounds fantastic even compared to a 25th aniversary Gibson Les Paul we have in the building, however, it just dosent feel quite right so sadley after the event I found this wonderfull resorce.

Ok, well the headstock ticks all the good boxes as far as I can see, so does the serial, the controls are a little out of line, the pick guard screw looks too close to the edge, the three way switch looks cheap and nasty and doesnt have Epiphone stamped on it anywhere and the wood under the black paint seems to be white in colour, also theres the TRC with "Les Paul Black Beauty" silk screened on, second opinion?

87 Fender USA Strat Plus Midnight Wine

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by groomvroom

EPIPHONE LES PAUL BLACK BEAUTY as new with softcase - eBay (item 180331823311 end time Mar-01-09 15:22:25 PST)

Hi all, just bought this second hand from ebay, after a proper set up and new strings it sounds fantastic even compared to a 25th aniversary Gibson Les Paul we have in the building, however, it just dosent feel quite right so sadley after the event I found this wonderfull resorce.

Ok, well the headstock ticks all the good boxes as far as I can see, so does the serial, the controls are a little out of line, the pick guard screw looks too close to the edge, the three way switch looks cheap and nasty and doesnt have Epiphone stamped on it anywhere and the wood under the black paint seems to be white in colour, also theres the TRC with "Les Paul Black Beauty" silk screened on, second opinion?

87 Fender USA Strat Plus Midnight Wine

Its fake... sorry.

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by Sinmastah

IMO 3/4


The last one looks fine to me, it's a 2001 MIK.

I concur.

[Generic Clapham]

My heart goes out to those innocent people like GroomVroom who have been taken in by these con artists. I hope that he manages to get some redress.

Its a crying shame that once this forum identifies fakes something more immediate cannot be done to stop honest people bidding on them. I have an idea about setting up ebay accounts specifically to place bids on identified fakes to push up the price to take them out of the pricerange of legitimate buyers and then default on the payments. Any views?


Could be quite a sport dontcha think - I can see it now:

"This item was won by DONTBIDFORTHISITSAFAKE"

2nd chance anyone?

[groomvroom]

Ok, I though as much, was looking promising until I got to the body. I have emailed the seller and can report the item as not genuine after today, due to ebays stupid 10 days before alowing you to log complaints means the scammers have plenty of time to withdraw the money from paypal.

[Generic Clapham]

Why not consider this:

email the seller to tell him that unless he returns the money immediately to your account you will report him to the police who will investigate him and prosecute him for selling counterfeit goods.

It might just frighten them into returning your money - but will still leave the door open to persue him under the (admittedly useless for the reasons you give) eBay/Paypall dispute scheme.

As a person who was scammed myself I fully sympathise with your predicament. eBay IMHO are a discrace by offering on the face of it cast iron buyers protection which when you really need to actually draw on it - isn't worth a light, and of course the scammers know this.

Good luck


edited to add - just checked out your sellers ebay site - it looks to me like she isn't a serial scammer but may have bought that guitar herself in all inocence and is now selling not realising it is a fake. Doesnt make it any better for you really though - unless she would frighten more under my suggested police threat. One things for sure, and thats one of you is going to lose out.

[groomvroom]

Thats a good plan, I found that you can file a dispute earlier through paypal. Looking through ebay there is loads of BBs some of which look far worse than mine, can anyone see a real one on there for sale in the UK?

[Generic Clapham]

Ive done quite a lot of research into this problem.

IMHO private ebay sellers who have a history of dealing in large numbers of brand new guitar sales could in all probability be knowingly selling fakes.

I think they are sourcing them from sites such as these:


China Wholesale|Wholesale|Buy wholesale and Drop shipping from China Directly

China Wholesale: Buy Wholesale Products from China

try typing "epiphone les paul" into the search facility on these two sites and prepare to be staggerred by what comes back.

You are more likely to buy a good legitimate guitar if you buy a used one from a seller who is selling one among a load of other unrelated stuff (although it looks like GroomVroom has done this and has still been unlucky). The previous entries in this forum give good advice about how to make sure you dont buy a wrong 'un - but often - for many that advice will come too late.

[Lynyrd77Skynyrd]

Originally Posted by Generic Clapham

My heart goes out to those innocent people like GroomVroom who have been taken in by these con artists. I hope that he manages to get some redress.

Its a crying shame that once this forum identifies fakes something more immediate cannot be done to stop honest people bidding on them. I have an idea about setting up ebay accounts specifically to place bids on identified fakes to push up the price to take them out of the pricerange of legitimate buyers and then default on the payments. Any views?


Could be quite a sport dontcha think - I can see it now:

"This item was won by DONTBIDFORTHISITSAFAKE"

2nd chance anyone?

We tried this, i did it for a while under the name THISGUITARISAFAKEANDTHESELLERSHOULDBESHOT. All the sellers did was cancel my bids when they saw the name so i never got near to stopping one being sold. Ebay would rather take their final fee and pedal this crap than actually do something about it.

[Generic Clapham]

I see - Ok what about using a bland ordinary sounding name and just pushing the bids higher and higher till you win it - then dont pay. The seller has no sale then and all of the trouble unpicking and relisting it.

better still what about 2 of us doing it together so he cant offer a second chance to the second highest bidder? There must be something we can do to frustrate these guys

[gazaboy1]

hi all! First post. Recently nearly bought an epiphone on ebay and was wondering if it could maybe a fake one as it was brand new Les Paul Standard Trans Blue .It looked ok after checking various forums but then noticed the top nut were the strings sit in was black instead of white ? Is this normal?

[Lynyrd77Skynyrd]

Originally Posted by Generic Clapham

I see - Ok what about using a bland ordinary sounding name and just pushing the bids higher and higher till you win it - then dont pay. The seller has no sale then and all of the trouble unpicking and relisting it.

better still what about 2 of us doing it together so he cant offer a second chance to the second highest bidder? There must be something we can do to frustrate these guys

There only one reason i wouldn't risk doing this. I buy from ebay now and again and i wouldn't want to risk getting my IP or other accounts banned by the sellers reporting fake bids on loads of different items. This is the kind of thing i could see ebay doing because as i said they make more money out of the fake sellers than they do me buying.

[gazaboy1]

Originally Posted by Reh

he told me he removed the guitars because i told him they were fake.


....

I will start a dispute If he doesn't give me a refund in the next 15 Minutes.

Thank you very much for helping me out..
Usually I know about stuff I buy , but since this is my first guitar..


About getting everything back:

Should I say i didnt get it or that its fake?
Because last time I told em i received fake goods they said they don't do anything

But If i say i didnt receive it he'll simply give them the tracking number and I won't get back anything, right?
But than again if it gets sended back..oh I dont have a clue..

Seen that same pic off that model on a few sellars over the past few weeks .They must all use the same pictures!

[GibsonRocker]

Originally Posted by Sinmastah

IMO 3/4


The last one looks fine to me, it's a 2001 MIK.

I wasn't sure about the last one but the Bridge tone knob looked a little off. But that was only some of the pics, bad angle i guess?

[Generic Clapham]

Hi Gazzaboy - let me be the first to welcome you - despite me having only been here myself 2 or 3 days. I'm not sure what the answer is to your question - why not try putting the model name into google images and see what comes up from legitimate sources. At least you've found your way here before you've actually bought something. Others haven't been so lucky - myself included. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people here who I'm sure will help you in a while. Unfortunately I know next to nothing - I'm only here to learn and count myself lucky after a scammer almost put one over on me.

Have a look at the first few posts on this thread as a starting point - I though these were very informative.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - I take your point