My New Epi LP Custom (fake or real?)

[striked01]

Hello, this is my first post on the forum.

I see alot of users have been worried about the guitars they buy off ebay being fake. A few days ago I bought a epiphone les paul custom off ebay. It has not arrived yet (its not expected to arrive for another week) and i was just wondering whether u guys think it is fake or not. Here is the link
As NEW Epiphone Les Paul Custom White Electronic Guitar - eBay, Electric, Guitars, Musical Instruments. (end time 27-Apr-08 22:22:16 AEST)

On the page the seller says its guarunteed authentic but i just wanted to get your opinions.

Thanks guys

[scoual]

this one from the same seller doesn't look legit to me ,
i found the diamond inlay a bit too white, it should be pearloized if im'm right

Auctiva Image Hosting

[VictorLazarus]

I don't get it; the seller is acting like 'he is' the Epiphone factory?

Check the serial number when u get it.

MVL.

[wjat]

MMh looks a bit suspect, photos look like they have been taken from somewhere else

[striked01]

although on the page it says he offers money back guaruntee if i prove that the guitar is a fake, i hope not. But if it is fake, at least i have the money back guaruntee.

[ninny404]

Originally Posted by striked01

although on the page it says he offers money back guaruntee if i prove that the guitar is a fake, i hope not. But if it is fake, at least i have the money back guaruntee.

which is a bit of a good sign. usually they just want to "stiff" you and move onto the next. when you get it, check for the "epiphone" stamp on the back of the pick-ups. open the control cavity and see if it has the usual quick snap connections for the pickups, then check for an "alpha" stamp on the back of the pots. if those all are there then you should be good to go, best of luck though.

[VictorLazarus]

Iv said it before; its probably 100% real... just stolen. LOL.

MVL.

[striked01]

thanks everyone, i will check all the stuff u said when i get it ninny, lets hope its all legit.

[voxac30dude]

the headstock inlay is too small and off color. my friend has a epiphone les paul custom and the headstock inlay is bigger then that.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by striked01

Hello, this is my first post on the forum.

I see alot of users have been worried about the guitars they buy off ebay being fake. A few days ago I bought a epiphone les paul custom off ebay. It has not arrived yet (its not expected to arrive for another week) and i was just wondering whether u guys think it is fake or not. Here is the link
As NEW Epiphone Les Paul Custom White Electronic Guitar - eBay, Electric, Guitars, Musical Instruments. (end time 27-Apr-08 22:22:16 AEST)

On the page the seller says its guarunteed authentic but i just wanted to get your opinions.

Thanks guys

I hope for your sake it is legit, but I just wonder: Why do 'you guys' ask for our opinions after you have already committed to buying these questionable guitars? Ask first, maybe save your money!

[Termanator7]

I wouldn't buy it. Epi's coming from Australia seem to be fake. Luckily there is a 7 day return policy!

[Lester B. Flat]

I work on the assumption that everyone on e-bay is a crook. Unless they're not. Not the other way around.

Also, I wouldn't buy a guitar from my mother without playing it first.

[Termanator7]

Damn! Not even your own mother?! Thats harsh dude..You are supposed to always trust your momma!

[Lester B. Flat]

Originally Posted by Termanator7

Damn! Not even your own mother?! Thats harsh dude..You are supposed to always trust your momma!

It has nothing to do with trusting my mother. It has to do with picking the right guitar for yourself.

Just because you trust a seller on e-bay and you get a genuine guitar, is still not a guarantee that you will get a guitar you actually like. They're all different.

[Termanator7]

True True..

[striked01]

ebay was the only possibility of me getting a quality guitar. The music shop in the town i live in does not sell any quality brands (just cheaper copies). Either i take a risk of a fake on ebay, or know that im getting an inferior guitar at home, i think i made the right choice. The money back guaruntee gives me a way out if i prove that its fake, so i think i will be fine. I have messaged another ebay user who has bought a guitar off the same seller and they believe that their guitar is genuine.

[striked01]

Originally Posted by ninny404

which is a bit of a good sign. usually they just want to "stiff" you and move onto the next. when you get it, check for the "epiphone" stamp on the back of the pick-ups. open the control cavity and see if it has the usual quick snap connections for the pickups, then check for an "alpha" stamp on the back of the pots. if those all are there then you should be good to go, best of luck though.

I dont mean to sound stupid, but what are the usual quick snap connections for the pickups? Sorry i dont know much yet, only been playing for 6 months

[WhippingPost]

The only stupid question is "Am I too drunk to drive?"

Here's a picture of the back control cavity showing the four pots, and the quick connector:



And here's a shot showing one of the volume pots up close and personal:



I've edited (inverted) the photo to try and bring out the details better. You can see the part number, and just left of the factory's huge gob of soldier you can make out "ALPHA". This is what ninny404 was referring to.

Hope this helps!

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by WhippingPost

The only stupid question is "Am I too drunk to drive?"

I remember (barely!) being WAY too drunk to drive, but the guy who was driving was doing such a poor job, I had to take over. At least I was able to keep between the lines, even though it was only 20 mph on I-55 at 2:00 AM. Yeah, like the cops won't notice that!

[brettk7]

Run the serial #...

[ninny404]

Originally Posted by brettk7

Run the serial #...

I second that. It still won't be for sure that it's authentic, but atleast if it passes this stage then you're on a good track

Heres' a site to check it
Guitar Dater Project

[lifele55]

Originally Posted by WhippingPost

The only stupid question is "Am I too drunk to drive?"

Here's a picture of the back control cavity showing the four pots, and the quick connector:



And here's a shot showing one of the volume pots up close and personal:



I've edited (inverted) the photo to try and bring out the details better. You can see the part number, and just left of the factory's huge gob of soldier you can make out "ALPHA". This is what ninny404 was referring to.

Hope this helps!

This should definitely be pinned for those wanting to know if their guitars are fake or not.

If it looks like this, its a definite legit Epiphone.

[ninny404]

Originally Posted by lifele55

This should definitely be pinned for those wanting to know if their guitars are fake or not.

If it looks like this, its a definite legit Epiphone.

+1

Just look for the quick-connect and the tacky black paint that makes it look like they set the cavity on fire haha

[stevedave]

Originally Posted by ninny404

+1

Just look for the quick-connect and the tacky black paint that makes it look like they set the cavity on fire haha

My Ultra didn't have the quick connect, but my Standard does. They were both made around the same time, but the Ultra was MIK. Is the quick connect a new thing since they've started making them in China?

[ninny404]

Originally Posted by stevedave

My Ultra didn't have the quick connect, but my Standard does. They were both made around the same time, but the Ultra was MIK. Is the quick connect a new thing since they've started making them in China?

No, my Korean Epiphone has the quick connect. Could just be that it's an Ultra, as the Elite/Elitist doesn't either

[WhippingPost]

Originally Posted by lifele55

This should definitely be pinned for those wanting to know if their guitars are fake or not.

If it looks like this, its a definite legit Epiphone.

Why thank you! Next time I change the strings (today if I'm not too lazy after work) I'll pull a pickup to show the markings on the back of it as well.