Does a scarf joint on the neck equal a fake?

[Indyclone]

Ouch, sorry about your luck man. I hope the seller isn't just being cool on the phone and that you're really get everything you paid and traded back. I'd want shipping both ways paid for by the seller too, seeing as he sold you a fake.

 

[Gibsonclassic2001]

No, they're not.
Epiphone doesn't make caps and pots.

Ok, put it like this.

Its the caps n pots that epi use for their guitars

look familiar?

 

[Phishaholik]

I'm amazed how people can still think they have a real Gibson, once they hold these fakes in their hands.
Am I correct to assume that you never really played a Gibson, let alone even touched one?

Anyway, I hope things sort out for you.

I've actually owned several Gibsons in the past. Within 5 minutes of opening the box I was posting here thinking it was a fake. I was really hoping it wasn't, but after seeing the scarf joint I was pretty damn sure. I was actually cooking dinner whilst posting pictures here. As soon as I sat down with it for a second, all of the other glaring faults were pretty obvious. I'm sure it's a lot easier to spot a fake when you're already an expert on Les Pauls too. In the bass world, there are barely any fakes out there. In the over 75 online transactions I've done, the only fake I've ever seen was a fake Schecter from the 80s. Unless it's vintage, people just don't really fake basses.

I definitely feel stupid for not having the pictures I received checked over, and an example of my own stupidity isn't my preferred way of introducing myself over here. I got it from a Talkbass member with good feedback and honestly, there are almost never issues with deals on TB. We're a pretty tight community. I definitely learned through this experience. The seller should be issuing me a refund today and sending my bass back. He seems like a cool guy and he was VERY disappointed when I told him it was fake. The poor guy traded his Rickenbacker for it.


Thanks again for all your help guys,


Michael

 

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Ok, put it like this.

Its the caps n pots that epi use for their guitars

look familiar?


http://i49.tinypic.com/2dln85l.jpg

Yes, it's possible that they use the same pots and caps as Epiphone uses.
I just wanted to point out that those fakes aren't made out of Epiphone parts.

I've actually owned several Gibsons in the past. Within 5 minutes of opening the box I was posting here thinking it was a fake. I was really hoping it wasn't, but after seeing the scarf joint I was pretty damn sure. I was actually cooking dinner whilst posting pictures here. As soon as I sat down with it for a second, all of the other glaring faults were pretty obvious. I'm sure it's a lot easier to spot a fake when you're already an expert on Les Pauls too. In the bass world, there are barely any fakes out there. In the over 75 online transactions I've done, the only fake I've ever seen was a fake Schecter from the 80s. Unless it's vintage, people just don't really fake basses.

I definitely feel stupid for not having the pictures I received checked over, and an example of my own stupidity isn't my preferred way of introducing myself over here. I got it from a Talkbass member with good feedback and honestly, there are almost never issues with deals on TB. We're a pretty tight community. I definitely learned through this experience. The seller should be issuing me a refund today and sending my bass back. He seems like a cool guy and he was VERY disappointed when I told him it was fake. The poor guy traded his Rickenbacker for it.


Thanks again for all your help guys,


Michael

It's ok, my comment wasn't directed against you, personally.
It was more of a general observation.

It's just hard for me to believe that people who have actually played real Gibsons, still consider the possibility that such a guitar might be real when they have it in their hands.
The differences in the finish alone (nitro vs. poly) would make me know that it's not a real Gibson, as soon as I laid my hand on that guitar.

 

[g60_dave]

Man, can he do anything about the rickenbacker?

 

[qwank]

I think He knew it was fake and you got screwed big time.

and whats a scarf joint?

 

[colchar]

fake as fake can be. control cavity has that black gunk in it. bridge is an epi bridge, toggle switch, cutaway, color of the back plates.

That's what I thought as soon as I saw that photo. Gibson never uses black like that.

 

[guitarbob123]

I gave him $450, an 09 Fender Jazz, and a Sansamp DI. We're both bass players primarily, so it was easier to dupe us. I just called him and he was super apologetic and I don't think he was trying to rip me off. He promised to ship my bass back in the morning and refund my paypal payment, so hopefully it will all work out. So, is this basically just an Epiphone that's been rebranded. I'm surprised, because it's a really nice guitar. It definitely doesn't seem like junk.


Michael

You shouldn't ship it back. Its illegal to own one in the US and it should be destroyed. Its worse than a rebranded Epiphone mainly because of its origin and what it is.

 

[BillB1960]

I think He knew it was fake and you got screwed big time.

and whats a scarf joint?

That's a scarf joint...

 

[ianm76]

That's a scarf joint...

I'm not familiar with the term either. Are you referring to the difference in color on the back of the neck?

EDIT: So, the discoloration is an indication of two different pieces of wood being joined with that type of joint?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarf_joint

 

[Phishaholik]

I was pretty much deluding myself into thinking that it might be real. I was looking really looking forward to getting it and my heart just sank once I looked it over. It's possible that the guy new it was a fake, but I don't think so. I called him right after I got it and he was cheery as hell. When I told him it was a fake, I could tell by his voice that he was just floored by the news.

The guitar probably should be destroyed or at least have "not a" engraved above the Gibson logo, but as long as I get my stuff back, it isn't my guitar to make that choice. The seller found the contact info for the guy he got it from, so I think he's going after him.

Everything about the seller seemed legit. I got his real address, confirmed through 411.com and all of his emails had links to his band's page and whatnot. It pretty much came down to I trusted the seller was a good guy and I don't know that much about Les Pauls.


Michael

 

[Ermghoti]

Its illegal to own one in the US

No, it's illegal to sell one.

 

[lpcustom69]

That's one of the worst fakes I've ever seen. I hope all goes well getting your cash and guitars back.

Be prepared to get ebay/paypal involved if the seller doesn't come through quickly.

 

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Be prepared to get ebay/paypal involved if the seller doesn't come through quickly.

Uhm, what does ebay/paypal have to do with this?

 

[Chrislespaul]

sorry man but its a fake pity too its a really nice guitar. i wouldnt really worry about it though, i doubt that anyone will notice, it looks like a gibson, and if it sounds like a gibson thats good too. otherwise, you could just change the pickups. but it is fake, the neck is a scarf joint and the pickup cavity is painted black, these are two indications of a fake. also look carefully at the gibson logo its different from the real one

 

[Oranjeaap]

I laughed my ass of when i noticed those filled holes onder the truss rod cover

 

[Jason]

Good god, that top color isn't even close. Looks like metallic banana.

 

[Cas]

Lesson - dont buy a Gibson online unless youre buying from a reputable dealer/seller...

...or you KNOW your stuff 100%.

Stop trusting people online.

 

[BillB1960]

I'm not familiar with the term either. Are you referring to the difference in color on the back of the neck?

EDIT: So, the discoloration is an indication of two different pieces of wood being joined with that type of joint?

Scarf joint - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yep...exactly. Here's an unfinished example:

 

[BillB1960]

Lesson - dont buy a Gibson online unless youre buying from a reputable dealer/seller...

...or you KNOW your stuff 100%.

Stop trusting people online.

I think the lesson is do your homework and get useful information from a site like this before you buy. I've bought all of my Gibsons online from private sellers and I know they're not fake.