info about Epiphone Les Paul Classic

[slim_blues_boy]

hello guys, need a little help here.

someone offered me a Epiphone Les Paul Classic, it came in Tobbaco Sunburst color.
according to the serial it's made by Qing-Dao in 2004.
I usually don't look the Chinese Epiphone to avoid counterfeit.
but this time the offer was quite interesting.
and I want to make sure that the guitar is genuine.

so my first question, did the Classic ever came from China factory?
well I know that the Classic were produced until 2005-2006 which I read from the Epiphone-wiki. but the wiki didn't mention where did it come from.
so did the Classic all came from Korean factory, or the Chinese had some time producing the Classic?

and upon my inspection, I found that the bridge had B-2 stamped on the bottom, while the stoptail had nothing on the bottom.
Les Paul Classic on the truss rod cover. Grover tuner with 18-1 stamped.
did the genuine Classic had those feature?
well, my 1996 Korean came with different parts. tulip style tuner, Jin-Ah bridge, Gibson on the truss rod cover, long neck tenon, straight Epiphone logo. well typical 95-96 Samick made Les Paul.

the pickup already changed to SH-55 pair. the pots also changed to CTS. while the switch had Epiphone marking. the knob seems also has been changed, it had gold speed knob. and it had pickguard.

the serial EE040711xx, written in black color, and I need a proper lightning in order to see it (well my ex-1996 Standard also had 'difficult-to-see' serial because of black color). the EE font looks okay, seems unity with the numeric serial, not separate or overriding the numeric.

well, I know that the easiest way to verify is from the picture. but unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera when I'm inspecting the guitar.
and these pictures was sent from the seller:






well, I'm not sure the pictures will help.
but anyway, thank you for any comment or info.

 

[Unsung Heroes]

Nothing wrong with that one

I have two Classic Gold Tops - a 2003 from Korea:

and a 2005 from China, which has been treated to some Bonamassa styling:

I like them equally!


So, if you like the look and feel of the one you've found and the price is right, get it on!

 

[paruwi]

the serial EE040711xx, written in black color,

I'd like to see this....

 

[Unsung Heroes]

I'd like to see this....

Good point Pete - I read past the 'written in black' bit...

 

[slim_blues_boy]

wow Clive, those are super nice guitars.
I always wanna have a GT, but never had a chance so far.
opportunity always meet with burst finish, like one that offered to me above.
well, the one above is okay, then seems like I will take it.
it's the kind of offer you couldn't resist

 

[slim_blues_boy]

I'd like to see this....

well, that's the problem. it's quite difficult to capture the image unless using good quality camera.
will try to take the picture again. hope I can show you the serial.

 

[Unsung Heroes]

wow Clive, those are super nice guitars.

They are indeed. The first one is my personal No.1 complete with a piezo loaded bridge for acoustic tones

well, the one above is okay, then seems like I will take it.
it's the kind of offer you couldn't resist

As Pete highlighted, the Serial Number being written in black is odd... I've never seen it like that. It's either in gold or stamped into the wood usually

 

[slim_blues_boy]

something raised my attention.

did later Classic came with this kind of truss rod cover?


well, my older Korean 1996 Classic have similar truss rod cover, but with Gibson on it, just like typical truss rod cover from 90s Korean Epiphone Les Paul.
and pictures of more recent Classic I found on the net, have different kind of shape. like a more recent truss rod cover used on other Epiphone Les Paul but with Les Paul Classic written on it.

and for the serial number, it's difficult to take picture of it. this is the best picture without good quality camera:


as you can see, it's look like no serial there. but if you give some light with proper angle, the serial is there.

 

[Unsung Heroes]

Interestingly slim, that appears to be a hybrid of the two TRCs on the ones I posted!

2003 - Gibson labeled (which is commensurate with the earlier Korean ones) and has the same shape as the one you posted:

Whereas the 2005 has the same lettering, but different shape

None of that is conclusive either way of course and I notice that the 2003 - 2005 Les Paul 'Classic Plus' on the Epiphone Wiki has a TRC shaped like the one in your picture

The photo of the Serial number you've posted isn't helping much either... I wonder if the Serial had been 'rubbed out' and perhaps you're seeing the remains of where it used to be in the finish..? Of course, that in turn raises a question as to why that might have happened...

 

[slim_blues_boy]

well, I tried to look for similar truss rod cover, older shape with Les Paul Classic written on it.
the only one I found is this picture:

I got it from signature of one member here (id: EpiClassic1790).
unfortunately he's not active since two years ago.

not sure about the serial. well it's not the same black as the headstock finishing. but surely it's quite dark, that's why you need to give some angle to the light in order to see it properly. but it's still can be clearly visible.

is there any other indicator to verify the guitar?
well maybe the bridge, did Epiphone use B-2 bridge?
I found Jin-Ah bridge on older Korean, and Epiphone bridge on recent Indonesian I used to had.
or how about the electronics and pickup cavity?

 

[Unsung Heroes]

Control cavity would also help, as would the pickup cavities... but there's really nothing that raises any cause for alarm other than the odd serial number

 

[Paulie C]

Nice looking burst, upgraded PU's & pots, sweet! I play an '05 Korean Classic and have come to like the model. In the pic you posted, I agree with Clive, it looks like someone has tried to rub the SN off. In my experience, SN's that have XXX are indicitive of a factory promo, Grade B stock, or a repaired instrument. All that matters is that it plays and sounds as good as it looks!

 

[paruwi]

The trussrodcover looks ok to me,

the serialnumber should have been in gold letters
it could have gotten a refinishing

all in all the guitar looks fine to me

 

[SJM]

The trussrodcover looks ok to me,

the serialnumber should have been in gold letters
it could have gotten a refinishing

all in all the guitar looks fine to me

+1, and we've seen that style of TRC on earlier MIC's here before.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/5944169-post13104.html

 

[slim_blues_boy]

okay, still unable to catch the serial with my camera.
so I took pictures of the cavity.

pickup cavity:


bridge pickup cavity with B-2 TOM:


pots cavity:


switch cavity:


headstock:


body:

 

[Unsung Heroes]

It's in need of plenty TLC and I'd personally be absolutely gutting the thing, starting again with the electrics, replacing hardware and giving the fretboard and body a full workover, but other than that, looks good

Complete with authentic gaffer tape mark too!

 

[slim_blues_boy]

I got some enlighten about the serial.
the possibility of refinish seems possible.

well the previous owner seems kinda 'DIY-guy'. he did some messy mod to the guitar.
that strange yellowish marks near the volume pots, used to be some switches.
he covered the holes with some putty and did something so that it'd become like that.
he changed the fretwire to jumbo Dunlop wire, and unfortunately he left some glob on the fretboard because of excessive use of glue.

also, he changed the original Grover tuners with gold Grover with 18:1 ratio.
the new one had different position for the screw.
and somehow he covered the old screw holes and make it like it never there. although if you look closely on picture showing the back of headstock, you can see it slightly.
so there's possibility that the whole back of headstock had been refinished to hide those old screw holes
and also, after I looked the serial again very closely, I can see some kind of yellow (perhaps gold) dots at some tip of few characters of the serial.

anyway, yes surely it gonna need plenty TLC and something to clean the glob.
also will need something to hide those ex-holes near the volume knobs.
and give it a better electronics jobs, bone nut, some fret work and set-up.
lots of job, but I don't mind with it. in fact, I love re-building guitar and make it a better instrument to play.

with all those conditions, this guitar was offered for amount that similar to new set of the pickups installed on it.
so if I take this one, I will get a guitar, hardcase, and pair of those Duncans, with the price as if I buy those new pair of Duncans alone.
well, not bad offer I think?

 

[Unsung Heroes]

Sounds like you're being left with someone else's poor workmanship, but if the price is right and you're happy to take it on, get stuck in

 

[slim_blues_boy]

well yes, it's a messy job there.
I consider this one as 'buying pickups and got guitar as a bonus', haha.
anyway, it can be interesting project.
already gave $10 as down-payment to the seller.
maybe I'll pick this one in next 2-3 days.
thank you for all of the info

 

[Paulie C]

Sounds like you're being left with someone else's poor workmanship, but if the price is right and you're happy to take it on, get stuck in

IMO I would pass on it and look for a used LP that hasn't been so heavily "messed" with. The fact that almost every facet of that guitar has been altered by an amatur, to me, makes it "compromized". $200 buys a pretty nice used LP that still has decent frets and finish. A good set up, rewire and PU's and you'll have a sweet LP. Unless it can be had super cheap and you want a "Frankenstein" to further mess with.