Finally! An Affordable Custom Made 'Burst

[LoveLPs]

Thanks for the kind words guys. For the record, the NS Custom Shop person I dealt with impressed me as honest and forthright, in part because he said he wouldn't put a Gibson logo on my guitar. For all I know, the pictured guitars were manufactured by their South Korean affiliate before NS Custom Shop hooked up with them.

I understand the sensitivity to "copies," although some copies like Derrig's, many Max's and Guitar Clinic's (all of which use the Gibson logo) appear to get a pass from most people. I have to be honest: If you told me I could have a Max LP with a Gibson logo, I would take it.

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by LoveLPs

Thanks for the kind words guys. For the record, the NS Custom Shop person I dealt with impressed me as honest and forthright, in part because he said he wouldn't put a Gibson logo on my guitar. For all I know, the pictured guitars were manufactured by their South Korean affiliate before NS Custom Shop hooked up with them.

I understand the sensitivity to "copies," although some copies like Derrig's, many Max's and Guitar Clinic's (all of which use the Gibson logo) appear to get a pass from most people. I have to be honest: If you told me I could have a Max LP with a Gibson logo, I would take it.

I don't have a problem with copies, just with fakes! The whole 'Other Les Pauls' section is about copies and I only own copies myself.

[LoveLPs]

I pride myself on being precise, but I blew this one. You're right. Max's, Derrig's and Guitar Clinic's are not "copies," they're fakes.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by LoveLPs

....You're right. Max's, Derrig's and Guitar Clinic's are not "copies," they're fakes.

Man, I wouldn't open that can of worms again....

[djwilbanks]

I knew this thread would go this direction eventually.

[Bubbletonic]

lol fake EMGs are fake

Picasa Web Albums - NSCustomShop - Guitars

[diceman]

Originally Posted by LoveLPs

I pride myself on being precise, but I blew this one. You're right. Max's, Derrig's and Guitar Clinic's are not "copies," they're fakes.

They're "replicas" - they replicate the original down to every detail. Anything short of that would be "fake" - which this guitar falls in due to many inaccuracies which would never be found on a true "replica."

So, SURE, a Max is a "fake" in a broad sense - but in the narrow, it is a faithful replica, while this and others do not pass that level of scrutiny.

[diceman]

Having caught up on this thread and the developments, I would never give a red cent to this guitar company, which is the new "outlet" for fake Gibsons and Epiphones. Terrible. Thieving crooks, I tell you!

If they used to make their own label stuff - that is really too bad - because regardless of quality, I'm not about to support an Asian made inaccurate Gibson knock off company.

(edit: much of this has been cleared up below...)

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by diceman

They're "replicas".....So, SURE, a Max is a "fake" in a broad sense - but in the narrow, it is a faithful replica, while this and others do not pass that level of scrutiny.

Plus, they make those guitars on special request of customers. Often they want a 'replica' of a collector's piece, so they don't have to take their $300,000 Burst up on stage. Anyone who goes to one of these builders knows what he gets and goes there because Gibson can't, or doesn't want to, give him what he wants.

[diceman]

Replicas aren't something you get for cheap, to save on buying a "real" Gibson. They are generally something above and beyond what you can even get from the Gibson Custom Shop in terms of quality, and a faithful reproduction of the 58-60 Burst. These are just another dime a dozen inaccurate Asian made "Les Paul" copy with a Gibson badge on it. And then they do Epiphone models as well. Just a counterfeit ripoff job...

[NSCS]

Hello everyone,

LoveLPs contacted me about this thread, so I thought I’d post up and hopefully clear a few things up.

First and foremost… We do NOT sell fakes. Some of the examples in the gallery were guitars built in the Korean factory bound for the asian market that have nothing to do with our operation. I included a few pictures as examples to show finishes and inlays, but I will remove them if people are getting the idea that we sell fakes. The factory has since moved away from that practice completely as we were able to fill their small production capacity with legit work. I don’t condone their former practices at all, and I’m glad we were able to steer them away from it.

Our gig is not really making exact replica guitars, we are a custom shop that builds guitars from customer ideas and specs. In LoveLPs case, his idea was a 60’s burst replica, true in tone and feel from quality wood and hardware, but not necessarily 100% accurate to originals. But most of the work we do is guitars built with exotic woods, custom inlays, unique finishes etc.

For this particular guitar, LoveLPs wanted the real deal Honduran mahogany, one big solid piece for the body, and one piece neck with the 17deg headstock and long tenon. He requested a solid eastern maple bookmatched top with a subtle flame. These were sourced locally and sent to Korea. The guitar was built and finished in thin nitro as he requested, and the shell sent to us in Canada. We installed Grover tuners, a Gotoh bridge and aluminum tailpiece, and the pickups are Burny VH1s. A complete fret leveling/dressing/polish was done and a new bone nut cut, and a full setup to his specs.

If all a customer wanted was a simple LP copy with asian woods, a laminate flame top and Korean hardware, I’d tell them to buy an Agile. Our small, primarily hand made shop cannot complete price wise with a huge production facility like that. But if a customer has an idea for an inlay, a special finish or a different shape etc, then we can defiantly compete with custom shops/luthiers that take commissions. We hope to fill a niche between the sub $1k asian production guitars and the $3k+ high end, all USA built guitars, and give customers complete choice of options.

[LoveLPs]

Diceman:

You're certainly entitled to your opinion. But if you're saying the guitar they made for me is an inaccurate ripoff, I respectfully suggest you're jumping to a conclusion without enough information. It's sort of like looking at a low-end Volkswagen and concluding that all Porsches must suck.

[jimmyq]

Originally Posted by NSCS

Hello everyone,...
<snip>

Welcome, thanks for dropping by, feel free to stay a while.

Thanks for putting forward another side of the story. From a business perspective, I would certainly suggest that removing any association between your company and illegal, Korean counterfeit guitars would be a very good idea.

It seems that the OP is very happy with his guitar, so good job guys.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by jimmyq

....I would certainly suggest that removing any association between your company and illegal, Korean counterfeit guitars would be a very good idea....

Right on Jimmy!

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by NSCS

Hello everyone,

LoveLPs contacted me about this thread, so I thought I’d post up and hopefully clear a few things up.

I would definitely take down this pics, otherwise, looks like you guys do good work, in-house.

[diceman]

Originally Posted by LoveLPs

Diceman:

You're certainly entitled to your opinion. But if you're saying the guitar they made for me is an inaccurate ripoff, I respectfully suggest you're jumping to a conclusion without enough information. It's sort of like looking at a low-end Volkswagen and concluding that all Porsches must suck.

Nope - it isn't a replica. Sorry. If it says Gibson on the headstock, it is a fake - but does not meet the requirements for "replica."

If it says something else on the headstock, it is just a very nice LP Copy - nothing wrong with that.

If it says Gibson - it is a very nice guitar, but a fake - and not a replica.

I was one of few who gave support early in the thread.

My opinion stands, though - if it has Gibson on the headstock, it is a bad thing. As for being objective, it is most definitely not a "replica." It is "inaccurate." That doesn't make it a bad guitar. And, if it has Gibson on the headstock - it is a "ripoff" of the Gibson name, for purposes other than faithful reproduction of the "original" 50's guitar.

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by NSCS

Hello everyone,

LoveLPs contacted me about this thread, so I thought I’d post up and hopefully clear a few things up....

Welcome to the forums and thanks for the clarification.
I agree with the others, you should take those pictures down. I don't think that they'll help your business!

Originally Posted by NSCS

The factory has since moved away from that practice completely as we were able to fill their small production capacity with legit work. I don’t condone their former practices at all, and I’m glad we were able to steer them away from it.

Well, thanks for that!

[diceman]

Originally Posted by NSCS

Hello everyone,

....We hope to fill a niche between the sub $1k asian production guitars and the $3k+ high end, all USA built guitars, and give customers complete choice of options.

Very cool - and welcome! So long as you're not sporting "Gibson" or "Epiphone" on the headstock, this seems like a cool operation.

[dennistruckdriver]

[Webtroll]

I'm pretty new here and I've been following this thread with interest. I've only been pretending to like guitars as my real goal is to sell golfing attire to rockers.

...waiting until the time is right to strike with my sales pitch!

[UITA]

Well it took a while but here it is again, can't there be a sticky about this, kind of boring but a good way to boost your post count I guess.

[kherman]

Originally Posted by Ride on a Pony

I'm afraid that for that price, me, and no doubt many others, would be buying an American-made guitar.

Actually I'd be snagging myself a
Tokai LS150 or Bacchus Duke Standard.

[kherman]

Originally Posted by jimmyq

Welcome, thanks for dropping by, feel free to stay a while.

Thanks for putting forward another side of the story. From a business perspective, I would certainly suggest that removing any association between your company and illegal, Korean counterfeit guitars would be a very good idea.

It seems that the OP is very happy with his guitar, so good job guys.

+1

Agreed, ditch the photo's.
Put one's up of actual guitars you guys have done .
That's the best way to represent your own product.

I get what you're trying to offer.
Similar to what "Prestige" guitars and "Dot on Shaft" guitars is doing.
(milled in Korea, completed in Canada)
But, with more options choices (ala, Carvin).

It's a neat concept.
Hope it works.

Congrats, LoveLP.
Welcome to the board.
And when you get a chance
take lots more detailed pics of your guitar to share with us.

[StrangerNY]

Originally Posted by kherman

Similar to what "Prestige" guitars and "Dot on Shaft" guitars is doing.
(milled in Korea, completed in Canada)
But, with more options choices (ala, Carvin).

Didn't Dot On Shaft change their name to Carperelli?

I'd heard that Mikey was changing the name of the company. Having bought a couple of guitars from them early on, mine still have the DoS nameplate.

- D

[River]

Originally Posted by Udonitron

And what exactly are your Epiphone's a knock off of?

[dennistruckdriver]

[LoveLPs]

Here's a more head-on view of the guitar:

[diceman]

Is the headstock blank?

I like the looks of it. And, the specs are quite nice as well.

[LoveLPs]

It is blank. I plan to keep it that way. I think it looks pretty cool.

[b-squared]

Originally Posted by jimmypage14

Dang custom made and 1600? Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

Are you really from Joliet? I ask because I've never met an Illinoisan who did not know how to spell the state he lived in.

As for the OP, I'd love to see some of the 'Vintage' guitars you talk about owning. Show and tell!

BB