Very curious...I bought a Fake Gibson. There is my review.

[Big Norm]

That is the guitar as I received it...

 

I will take some pictures of what it is now, but just tonight...I have to go to work for now

[Ricochet]

FWIW. I think Epiphone is very glad with these 'fake or not'-threads. So far they haven't removed any.

Maybe because we are doing the work they should be doing.

[Big Norm]

cavermann says: and there is a LOT

of expertise on this forum and it's a very friendly open forum and we like to keep it that

way, not be censored to death..but people have to keep this in mind when posting

something that is not of Epiphone/Gibson related.

 

In my opinion, there is no better way to help Gibson| Epiphone to warn everybody to stay away from those fakes. I did'nt do a mistake doin'it...I knew exactly what I was doing by buying this fake. I also know that if nobody review those guitars, those Chinese company will sell more and more of those. None of you never bought a "Rolex" in New Yok Chinatown ??? None of you never bought a Fake brand name t-shirt?

[carverman]

Why get our panties in a knot over fakes? What is an Epiphone really? A Fake Gibson! True some fakes are better than others and some are blatant rip offs...but just let buyer beware...if it seems too good to be true....It Is! I think Big Norm was providing a service by warning others against some of the fakes out there.

 

Sorry Layboomo, but Epiphones are not 'fake Gibsons" but alternatives..they are modelled after Gibsons and made

in Korean or Chinese factories these days, to allow the buying public an economical choice to the

more expensive Gibson counterparts. Sure there are countless other replicas or even fakes out there capitalizing on design ideas that were spawned in the Gibson factory years ago.

 

Nothing wrong with that, the whole North American consumer goods economy seems to be heading that way. Epiphone had a long distinct history until bought out in the 60s.

We are not going into that or the reasons why they are made in Asia as this has been discussed

numerous times. The Epi Casino/Sheraton can stand on their own as an example.

[carverman]

In my opinion' date=' there is no better way to help Gibson| Epiphone to warn everybody to stay away from those fakes. I did'nt do a mistake doin'it...I knew exactly what I was doing by buying this fake. I also know that if nobody review those guitars, those Chinese company will sell more and more of those. None of you never bought a "Rolex" in New Yok Chinatown ??? None of you never bought a Fake brand name t-shirt?

[/quote']

 

Ok, Big Norm, maybe my feathers were ruffled a bit when I read your post(s) on the

umm..fake. but perhaps if you had inserted a warning to the reading public..

something like "Warning, illegal fake G*bs*n!" in bold letters, it might have been

seen as a public service (on this forum) rather than perceived as " I bought it and

it's a piece of cr*p!" inside your evalution.

 

It's a major problem these days and will continue to be so, as the unsuspecting public

will get burned again and again by buying cheap fakes (like watches etc) and then

regret those purchases..but hey.."life is a game, and just when you learn all the

rules...they change them"...anyway, I feel better now.

People will get burned once, but they will learn from their experience to..like being

burned on the stock market..no matter how many warnings others send, people

still make bad investments and possibly lose their life's savings..'nuff said.

 

As a suggestion: If ya gotta post a warning about fakes that are being passed off

as the genuine article, make it a bold heading with a warning to the buying public

who may be reading this forum.

[layboomo]

"Sorry Layboomo, but Epiphones are not 'fake Gibsons" but alternatives..they are modelled after Gibsons and made

in Korean or Chinese factories....."

 

Semantics really......so are many of the other "fake....er alternatives". Granted there are unique guitars that Epiphone makes as well and the quality of Epi's is generally higher than some of the other "alternatives"......but not always. Look at many of the Agiles for example...sure they change a feature or 2 to avoid copyright hassles...but they are basically Gibson copies. I agree there is something less than honest about putting the Gibson name on a headstock....but when all is said and done a Les Paul copy is a copy is a copy.

[Ricochet]

 

If they swap the Gibson for Epiphone they could sell it as a Epiphone 'Japan market only' model. I seem to be bumping into those a lot lately...

[carverman]

"Sorry Layboomo' date=' but Epiphones are not 'fake Gibsons" but alternatives..they are modelled after Gibsons and made

in Korean or Chinese factories....."

 

Semantics really......so are many of the other "fake....er alternatives". Granted there are unique guitars that Epiphone makes as well and the quility of Epi's is generally higher than some of the other "alternatives"......but not always. Look at many of the Agiles for example...sure they change a feature or 2 to avoid copyright hassles...but they are basically Gibson copies.[/quote']

 

I agree with your statement on 'alternatives". The LP patent has expired a long time

ago, and the famous shape is widely copied by just about everyone (look at the Gret*ch

Penguin for example),..but clones, copies are one thing and the Gibson people cannot

prevent that..but blatant disregard for registered trademarks and selling fakes in order

to undermine/tarnish a well established company's reputation is another.

 

Epiphone's models are basically acceptable quality for the price you are paying. True, they may need

some p_up wiring upgrades, but that is up to the buyer. It's like buying a car..a lot of owners

chuck the original stereo system and install upgrades..that's their perogative, just like improving

the playing quality of Epiphones.

[Notes_Norton]

Big Norm,

 

I for one appreciate your review.

 

Although I'd never purchase one, I've often wondered just how bad the counterfeits were, now I know.

 

IMHO you have performed a valuable service to both Gib/Epi and the other members of the forum.

 

Notes

[leicester35]

"Sorry Layboomo, but Epiphones are not 'fake Gibsons" but alternatives..they are modelled after Gibsons and made

in Korean or Chinese factories....."

 

Semantics really......so are many of the other "fake....er alternatives".

 

But this argument ignores the fact that in creating unique guitars at some point in the company's history, Epiphone is, today, effectively "borrowing" from itself. On this basis, what is a "real" Epiphone Casino? A 1960s original? The 1965 Lennon reissue? The Elitist Casino (but hang on, that's made in Japan...) The common or garden variety is made in China and is somewhat removed from the "original" '60s spec. Does this mean...it's actually just a copy?

 

Not really...if it's genuinely produced by Epiphone and marketed as such, then it is the genuine item. When I bought my G-400 I knew what I was buying: an Epiphone G-400. I never presumed for one second that I was buying a Gibson SG. I guess this means that it is best just to judge each guitar on its own merits - so to my mind a "fake" is limited to something which masquerades as something which it is not.

[Ricochet]

IMHO you have performed a valuable service to both Gib/Epi and the other members of the forum.

 

+1

[carverman]

[quote name=leicester35

But this argument ignores the fact that in creating unique guitars at some point in the company's history' date=' Epiphone is, today, effectively "borrowing" from itself. On this basis, what is a "real" Epiphone Casino? A 1960s original? The 1965 Lennon reissue? The Elitist Casino (but hang on, that's made in Japan...) The common or garden variety is made in China and is somewhat removed from the "original" '60s spec. Does this mean...it's actually just a copy?

 

[/quote]

 

Epiphone has been a Gibson subsidiary for many years now. Some models are unique and

borrowed or styled from original New York based designs, others are close approximations borrowed

(but not exact as), from certain models of popular Gibson guitars.

 

There is a difference in the price and quality ranges of Chinese and Korean made Epiphone guitars and the Elitist models made in Japan. American made guitars are a lot more expensive because of the labour costs.

 

A re-issue should be a close approximation of the style and materials used in the 60 or 70s, but

using todays production techniques and materials so that in itself may be a slight deviation from

the way things were done in the 60s and that may result in a tone that is not quite the same as

the same guitar manufactured by Gibson in Kalamazoo in the 60s. They had some very skilled

crafts people working in those days, that knew how to fine tune or sand the top exactly the same

way each time...and that resulted in a more consistent sound from those instruments.

[layboomo]

"When I bought my G-400 I knew what I was buying: an Epiphone G-400. I never presumed for one second that I was buying a Gibson SG..."

 

Yes and so did Big Norm when he bought the Fake LP.........C'mon anybody with a double digit IQ knows that a guitar coming from China for a couple hundred bucks isn't a made in the USA Gibson. All of this brings up some interesting fodder for arguement really......at what point is a copy a fake? Is it simply the logo on a headstock...or the shape of the headstock or is it body shape and contour....materials,pickups,electronics....and on and on.

[iansmitchell]

Well, for what he put into this he could've gotten a REAL GIBSON melody maker, and put a seymour duncan hot or cool rails in it.

It would be a much better guitar.

[bluelake07]

[in conclusion, stay away from those guitars... They are cheap axes with a very nice looking, but not playable if you are not investing another few hundred bucks...and even that, it will still a cheap guitar. By the way, the weight is 8.8 pounds.

 

Let's see now. You paid $300 and performed the same upgrades that many people who've spent hundreds of dollars more on real name brand guitars do. I don't know what a fret job costs, $100? For a total of $600, you've got yourself a good playing, good sounding guitar. Is it really worse than a name brand guitar that sells for $600, or are your emotions affecting your hearing? I'd be interested in hearing what other guitar players think about it; cover up the logo and hand it to them. The vol and tone knobs are the wrong color for that guitar, IMO.

[gibiphone]

All of this brings up some interesting fodder for arguement really......at what point is a copy a fake? Is it simply the logo on a headstock...or the shape of the headstock or is it body shape and contour....materials' date='pickups,electronics....and on and on. [/quote']

 

I see four distinct classes of Gibson style guitars, keeping it simple to match my mind. By the way, there is only one illegal class among the four.

 

1). Genuine Gibson.

2). Authorized copies. Made with Gibson approval by Epiphone owned (wholly or partially), run, or contracted factories

3). Unauthorized Copies. Made by other manufacturers (e.g. Tokai, ESP/Edwards/Navigator, Burney etc), resembling or even identical to Gibson made models, but carrying the name of the manufacturer

4). Fakes. Unauthorized copies made by manufacturers other than Gibson or Epiphone AND carrying the Gibson (or Epiphone) name.

[ef_in_fla]

Well' date=' for what he put into this he could've gotten a REAL GIBSON melody maker, and put a seymour duncan hot or cool rails in it. It would be a much better guitar.[/quote']

 

I don't think getting a good guitar was the point, at least not at first. I think he was curious to see the level of quality and after finding it was piss poor he decided to see if some upgrades would improve it.

 

Thanks for being the guinea pig Norm. Now, I've wondered about those fake Rolexes. Do you suppose you could.....

[Ron G]

Big Norm' date='

I for one appreciate your review.

Although I'd never purchase one, I've often wondered just how bad the counterfeits were, now I know.

IMHO you have performed a valuable service to both Gib/Epi and the other members of the forum.

Notes[/quote']

 

Ditto

[thunderstruck507]

it at least looks nice...should make a good decoration lol expensive for that but oh well

[Suicidehummer]

Wow, look at the HS next to a real Gibby HS (pay attention to "open book" top)...

 

[RotcanX]

To be an average guitar' date=' it would need a frets levelling job. As I can't do it myself, I'm not sure I will do it.[/quote']

Let me know if you ever decide you want the frets done, Norm. Probably set you back around $60 plus it'll give you a good excuse to drive up to Hawkesbury... :-

[hippiedave]

I knew that something was off with the fake head stock, when you see them together it's very clear

[Nic]

 

I see four distinct classes of Gibson style guitars' date=' keeping it simple to match my mind. By the way, there is only one illegal class among the four.

 

1). Genuine Gibson.

2). Authorized copies. Made with Gibson approval by Epiphone owned (wholly or partially), run, or contracted factories

3). Unauthorized Copies. Made by other manufacturers (e.g. Tokai, ESP/Edwards/Navigator, Burney etc), resembling or even identical to Gibson made models, but carrying the name of the manufacturer

4). Fakes. Unauthorized copies made by manufacturers other than Gibson or Epiphone AND carrying the Gibson (or Epiphone) name.

[/quote']

 

One more category, high quality guitars that use the shape of the Les Paul. Like PRS singlecut. They are using the advantage of a beloved, proven design but making a guitar that is "arguably" equal. I wouldn't call it a fake or a copy, maybe a tribute. And it's not identical. I know Startocasters have the same issue.

[carverman]

 

One more category' date=' high quality guitars that use the shape of the Les Paul. Like PRS singlecut. They are using the advantage of a beloved, proven design but making a guitar that is "arguably" equal. I wouldn't call it a fake or a copy, maybe a tribute. And it's not identical. I know Startocasters have the same issue.[/quote']

 

AFAIK, there is no patent or trademark infringement on using the famous LP shape. Lots of manufacturers

make these, PRS included. Ted McCarty, (former CEO of Gibson 1948-66, deceased) spearheaded

the design and development of this guitar and served as mentor to PRS after he left

Gibson in '66. PRS have a McCarty model as a tribute to him and the people of Gibson that came up

with this world famous design. But anyone that copies the logo, headstock open book design or

some of the MOP emblems is not an innovator but a low ball scum counterfeiter looking for a cheap

buck on a specific design that can be considered "sacred" in some circles.

[gibiphone]

 

I see four distinct classes of Gibson style guitars' date=' keeping it simple to match my mind. By the way, there is only one illegal class among the four.

 

1). Genuine Gibson.

2). Authorized copies. Made with Gibson approval by Epiphone owned (wholly or partially), run, or contracted factories

3). Unauthorized Copies. Made by other manufacturers (e.g. Tokai, ESP/Edwards/Navigator, Burney etc), resembling or even identical to Gibson made models, but carrying the name of the manufacturer

4). Fakes. Unauthorized copies made by manufacturers other than Gibson or Epiphone AND carrying the Gibson (or Epiphone) name.[/quote']

 

 

One more category' date=' high quality guitars that use the shape of the Les Paul. Like PRS singlecut. They are using the advantage of a beloved, proven design but making a guitar that is "arguably" equal. I wouldn't call it a fake or a copy, maybe a tribute. And it's not identical. I know Startocasters have the same issue.[/quote']

 

Nic, I don't see the distinction between this and my category 3. I left the wording vague --"resembling or even identical to Gibson made models" to cover everything from a dead-ringer Navigator or Tokai copy to what you are describing.