Anyone ever bought a fake LP?

[moodus2006]

With all of the "fake" spotting (kind of like the where is Waldo of Les Pauls)Just wondering if anyone has ever bought a bogus LP? I mean unknowing to you it was a fake. What was your course of action and what were the results?

 

[mysteryville]

I accually did when I was younger. I was quite good though. The action was nice and the PUs sounded great. I only cost me about $900. I later sold it to a friend of a friend and he was really pleased with it.

 

[Csharp]

If I find one I would offer to take it off the seller's hands. I need one to take to work and cut lengthwise on a big bandsaw, while shooting video, of course. The cops would probably want it for evidence though.

 

[jrnic]

I never bought one but I actually spotted one for sale at "The Great American Guitar Show" on Long Island a few years ago. It was at a dealer's table. The funny part was that I'm no expert, but I spotted it right away. It was a classic fake with the 3 screw truss cover. It was a Black Les Paul Custom and had a price tag of I think $2000. I brought it to the attention to the seller and he acted very surprised (yeah right!) Anyway, I passed by later and he lowered the price to $600 and stated it was a "copy."

That was my only experience with an actual fake Gibson.

 

[diceman]

I held one in a guitar shop in CA. The shop was pretty dimly lit - and I came in asking about Les Pauls. I looked at a few nice ones, and then the owner said "I'll cut you a deal on this" and handed it to me. I said "nah, not interested in a Green Custom!" and he said "I'm just joking - its fake!" I then looked at it closely, and noticed a laundry list of glaring flaws. It felt a lot like an Epiphone. I sure as hell would never own one...

 

[tralf]

Putting on my fireproof suit here,once I bought an epi les paul.
-Tralf

 

[diceman]

Putting on my fireproof suit here,once I bought an epi les paul.
-Tralf

At least Gibson doesn't do the PRS thing and just call them the "Gibson SE" line!

Those Japanese Epis have got much of the Gibson USA line by the balls, though.

 

[Tuxedo Kaz]

At least Gibson doesn't do the PRS thing and just call them the "Gibson SE" line!

Those Japanese Epis have got much of the Gibson USA line by the balls, though.

Lmao. You know what gets me? Having to say to people unfamiliar with PRS who played SEs and talk shit about all PRSes that 'you haven't played any USA PRSes'. That gets me every time. I just wish they'd do away with the SE line. Or market it under an entirely different brand.

 

[diceman]

That SE line was a dumbass idea and truly undercut their high end stuff. Now every kid w/ $400 can have a PRS - isn't that special!

I don't use the term "sold out" very often - but they sure as hell did w/ the SE line. I don't even care if they're decent guitars - they still cheapen the PRS name.

Gibson has done it right, having a separate budget line. Its too bad that they took a high end reputable company such as Epiphone and made it "their bitch," though!

I played a Gibson USA made Epiphone Casino today (a new one) - that was one badass guitar! As are the MIJ Epis. But, they're still MIJ, and NOT GIBSONS! Orville by Gibson, Epiphone Elitist, Epiphone Japan - we know what they are - and they are great - but why slap the Gibson name across the headstock?

Mini rant over.

 

[Tuxedo Kaz]

I really have to agree with you. For the longest time, PRS was an ownership club of extremely good taste and guitar sensibility.

Funny story. I know this kid (I just ranted about him in some other thread because, well, despite being a good kid he just makes my hair fall out sometimes) who when I told him I had a PRS on the way was very unimpressed. He said, "Eh, PRSes play like bad Schecters" or the like. I asked him how he could say that and he said he played one at the store. I was pretty positive that he'd played an SE. He himself has a pretty decent guitar (though I don't care for it), an Ibanez Steve Vai JEM7V.

So after I'd brought home the Custom 24 I let him noodle around on it for about half an hour. He was really embarrassed and humbled, especially since his gf was there when he admitted it was the best guitar he'd ever laid hands on.

Now I see these crappy SEs everywhere. It drives me mad. PRS is just going in directions I really hate lately.

[/rant]

 

[diceman]

Yup. I may complain about some of the things that Gibson does - but I think that they have maintained their integrity. Having a budget line with their basic designs is respectable, really - it lets players have something "close" - and many of them will aspire to having the "real deal."

PRS MADE their entry line "the real deal" - too bad...

Moodus - sorry for the hijack!

I think you'll find that a lot of people on this forum (at least since joining) have become pretty savvy buyers - and avoid the fake stuff.

 

[tralf]

I have played some lovely PRS guitars, it is a pity that a lot of "respectable" companies are leaving craftsmanship and artistry behind in search of the bottom line. A true erosion of pride in quality and mastery of a craft.
Tralf

 

[Tuxedo Kaz]

Going back on topic:

I haven't, but a former bandmate of mine once traded his GPS unit for a fake Zakk Wylde. The GPS was a POS anyways but the guitar was worse. It was a "Gibsun". We had a good laugh with it.

 

[tralf]

Greetings,
Never had that misfortune. I am too paranoid to buy without doing a bit of homework. It is something else how such an industry gets rolling. People with dreams and people with no integrity. A bad combination.

My old epi was great, but nowhere near as nice my current day guitars.
regards-Tralf

 

[moodus2006]

There ain't a darn thing wrong with an epiphone! Solid guitar at a fair price. I was just wondering if anyone purchased a guitar being lead to believe it was Gibson when it was a "Gibsun". There are a lot of shaddy people out there (most seem to lurk here day and night!). I see how this thread could easily mix with the "ever bought a guitar online" thread.