Fake Gibson Custom

[o0mobius0o]

[...]I'm not delusional nor would I hold it out as the genuine article.[...]

Just don't have gibson on the headstock and there's no problem.

 

[twchua]

Heck, I'm not 'promoting' it -- this is the first time I've seen one of these in person -- I didn't buy it, I don't own it, I'm not selling one and I wouldn't ever buy one. I was mainly making a point that there are a lot of Epiphone parts on this thing, which seems a little odd to me. It could be a coincidence, maybe whoever's making these is buying those parts in bulk.

I've played one of those. They play and sound like a cheap guitar. And it wouldn't stay in tune for 2-minutes. The shop owner was so ashamed of it he removed the "G" logo. I have a feeling it's made in the same plant in China that makes Epiphones. They probably make them on the side using cheaper wood, etc. These things happen a lot in China.

I am curious though. Since you have it with you, can you see if they use Mahogany and Maple or some other cheap wood? What else is out of ordinary on it?

 

[cryptozoo]

I've played one of those. They play and sound like a cheap guitar. And it wouldn't stay in tune for 2-minutes. The shop owner was so ashamed of it he removed the "G" logo. I have a feeling it's made in the same plant in China that makes Epiphones. They probably make them on the side using cheaper wood, etc. These things happen a lot in China.

I am curious though. Since you have it with you, can you see if they use Mahogany and Maple or some other cheap wood? What else is out of ordinary on it?

Sure, I'll post my findings here after I have a chance to inspect it. But I have to warn everyone reading -- I'm not into bullshit or misinformation. A spade is a spade to me, and I'll call it like I see it. If that's offensive, then simply stay out of the thread. I don't want this to turn into some morality thread, it's simply a report on a guitar.

Right now, spec wise, this looks to be an Epiphone guitar with a pretty poor 'Gibson' logo and inlay on the headstock.

 

[cryptozoo]

Alright, here's a brief lowdown on this one. It's different than some of the other identifiers of these guitars that I've seen listed elsewhere, so maybe this will be of use:

- Headstock is narrower than the real deal and the shape is slightly off, but looks to be at the near-correct angle
- Logo headstock inlay looks like it was done with an Exacto knife... lots of hard lines
- 'Split block' inlay is crooked and actually has a broken piece that was clear-coated over
- Gold Grovers appear to be legit (far as I can tell), one seems to have a different gear ratio than the rest
- Truss rod cover has normal Gibson 2 screw design, not 3
- Serial number and "Made In USA" on rear of headstock are stamped through the finish into the wood
- From the headstock down, looks and feels like eerily like an Epiphone in shape and finish
- all hardware, puckups, screws, inlays, panels, parts etc appear to be Epiphone
- pots are full-size short shaft 500k (not the small Asian ones), ceramic caps, 'modern' wiring
- Epiphone pickups are LP / Dot model bridge, Dot model in the neck
- Fingerboard is rosewood, not Ebony
- The binding is very white
- Unsure about the body wood; Poly coat is so thick on it I can't tell much.
- Weight is about 8.5lbs
- Neck has a slight warp to it and the fret job was very poor
- Case is an SKB Epiphone-style hardshell, black covering with gray interior. Says 'Made In Canada' on the plastic tag
- I asked about the price, it was $250 w/ case

The stock sound is what I'd describe as cheap and modern with poor playability. In hand, someone with experience would not confuse it for a Gibson (outside of the obvious). I think my original statement was fairly close -- I'd liken it to a cheap Epiphone that didn't go through the QC process.

 

[ryan7olson7]

Heck, I'm not 'promoting' it -- this is the first time I've seen one of these in person -- I didn't buy it, I don't own it, I'm not selling one and I wouldn't ever buy one. I was mainly making a point that there are a lot of Epiphone parts on this thing, which seems a little odd to me. It could be a coincidence, maybe whoever's making these is buying those parts in bulk.

as far as i can tell, most all the epiphone/gibson fakes are indeed made at the epiphone factories. probably second shift or after hours scraps. the only ones that obviously aren't are the les paul supremes with the funny bow-tie body shape, and the ones with the agile stubby cutaway. whatever, i spent a bunch of hours researching those just to decide that in the end the guitars are crap, it's wrong, and

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

edited, read further.