The Fake Epiphone Thread II

[bridge500t]

Well, fairly obviously, the painted-on serial is not of the standard format - goodness only knows where '7 1983' came from (maybe it's some sort of anniversary specific only to the person who did the refinish?)

If we are to assume the seller is telling the whole truth... well, it's a tricky one. What I will say is if it had the 'proper' headstock logo and a 'proper' serial number, there's nothing in those pictures that indicates it's anything other than a genuine Elitist.

from what I can tell the bridge is wrong. It has slots for a standard screw driver and none of the 4 elite/elitist I owned ever had slots for a screw driver on the bridge. That seems really off to me.

 

[Brandon_H]

Hey guys, new guy here!

I am about to make this purchase and was hoping to get some quick verification before dropping the money on this.

Attached are some pictures from the seller:









Thanks!

 

[Full Crib]

I believe that "sticker" serial tag means it is factory-refurbished

 

[davies]

Hey Brandon, welcome to MLP.

Nothing to call fake on so far but, as it's a refurbished guitar and, therefore, has a '311...' serial number, and also because it's a Custom, it would help if we could see a side-on picture of where the headstock meets the nut/first fret, showing how thick the headstock binding is and how far it extends into the first fret. Something like this would be good:

 

[paruwi]

Hey guys, new guy here!

I am about to make this purchase and was hoping to get some quick verification before dropping the money on this.

Attached are some pictures from the seller:


Thanks!

Serial numbers starting with '311xxxx' on a golden sticker are 'refurbished' guitars, mostly sold by MIRC (Musical Instrument Reclamation Center)
There is no way to tell the year or the month it was made.
MIRC specs can often be different from stock specs.

and

Welcome here at MLP

 

[Brandon_H]

Hey Brandon, welcome to MLP.

Nothing to call fake on so far but, as it's a refurbished guitar and, therefore, has a '311...' serial number, and also because it's a Custom, it would help if we could see a side-on picture of where the headstock meets the nut/first fret, showing how thick the headstock binding is and how far it extends into the first fret.

Here you go!

 

[bungalo]

Hey what can you folks make of this epi goth? The serial font looks a little akimbo to me but I am no expert.

Epiphone Les Paul Goth Edition and Amp

Thanks!

 

[paruwi]

Hey what can you folks make of this epi goth? The serial font looks a little akimbo to me but I am no expert.

Epiphone Les Paul Goth Edition and Amp

Thanks!

Nothing wrong with this one, IMO

 

[Barcham]

Brandon, your guitar is fine. Nothing to worry about. I don't think we've ever seen a fake guitar that has come from MIRC.

 

[Brandon_H]

Brandon, your guitar is fine. Nothing to worry about. I don't think we've ever seen a fake guitar that has come from MIRC.

Thanks for all the help!

Enjoying my first Les Paul right now

 

[jason_mazzy]

any pros on fake MIJ open book head SG's here? There is one local that I want to be 100% sure on b4 I bite.

 

[davies]

Post up the pics mate and we'll have a look.

 

[Roach0]

No offence against Epiphones, on the contrary infact. Why would anyone fake a epiphone? The prices on a new Epi is so low its hardly worth while and if you insist on making a fake why not put gibson on the headstock and possibly make 10 times the money?


Posted from Mylespaul.com App for Android

 

[paruwi]

No offence against Epiphones, on the contrary infact. Why would anyone fake a epiphone? The prices on a new Epi is so low its hardly worth while and if you insist on making a fake why not put gibson on the headstock and possibly make 10 times the money?


Posted from Mylespaul.com App for Android

what's easier to sell....

10 faked Epis for 300 each to kids or their clueless parents
(or to people who think 'why fake an Epi at all' )
or
1 faked Gibson for 3000 ?

if you find the answer you know why they do it

 

[MrGansburg]

what's easier to sell....

10 faked Epis for 300 each to kids or their clueless parents
(or to people who think 'why fake an Epi at all' )
or
1 faked Gibson for 3000 ?

if you find the answer you know why they do it

You've taken the time to answer again Pete but why do people not use the search feature...?

 

[questionposer]

You've taken the time to answer again Pete but why do people not use the search feature...?

Agree 100%. It's not difficult to search this forum.

 

[codeviolation]

Any thoughts on this one:

Epiphone LES Paul Standard Plus TOP Heritage Cherry Sunburst Satin Finish 711106260242 | eBay

The serial number doesn't look right to me. nor does it show up in guitar dater.

The 'gibson' truss rod cover seems odd too.

Advice?

 

[questionposer]

Any thoughts on this one:

Epiphone LES Paul Standard Plus TOP Heritage Cherry Sunburst Satin Finish 711106260242 | eBay

The serial number doesn't look right to me. nor does it show up in guitar dater.

The 'gibson' truss rod cover seems odd too.

Advice?

The guitardateproject website is a massive irrelevance when determining the authenticity of a guitar.

The guitar in question looks genuine enough and there's nothing wrong with the TRC.

 

[paruwi]

Any thoughts on this one:

Epiphone LES Paul Standard Plus TOP Heritage Cherry Sunburst Satin Finish 711106260242 | eBay

The serial number doesn't look right to me. nor does it show up in guitar dater.

The 'gibson' truss rod cover seems odd too.

Advice?

Your guitar is absolutely fine

made May 2003 at the Korean Saein factory

TRC is correct for this time


In your case the guitarundater would have worked if you did an "I" as a first, not a "1"
though it still can't verify if legit or not..

Guitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Saein Plant, Korea/China
May 2003
Production Number: 0229

 

[codeviolation]

Thanks Paruwi. At that price i can't go far wrong. He listed before at $400 with no takers. Appreciate your thoughts.