charlie brown Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Got curious, and couldn't really remember (CRS), but...I just checked all my Epiphones, including my Kalamazoo made '66 Casino...the "o" is split on the top, on all of them...even the Chinese made Riviera P-93LE. The script varies a bit, over the years, and the actual "split" of the "O" is to varying degrees in width...no doubt due to earlier ones being hand done, and the newers ones being laser(?) cut. But, they're ALL at the top! Does anyone else here, that purchased an Epi from an authorized dealer, have one with the "O" split at the bottom? IF...that's a change, will it be to designate "Chinese" made, from Korean or Japanese? Is/was it a "fluke," etc.? Interesting... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxHart85231281734137 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Maybe I am a little paranoid but cant anyone make an account on here, Lie about where there from, and could possibly be making fake LPs and comming to the authorities on them to see if there guitar can pass inspection before they try to sell them? not saying that that is the case but there does seem to be a whole lot of poeple just joining the forum, and all they ask is Hi i am new here is my guitar fake? just tossing my crazy paranoia out there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Maybe I am a little paranoid but cant anyone make an account on here' date=' Lie about where there from, and could possibly be making fake LPs and comming to the authorities on them to see if there guitar can pass inspection before they try to sell them? not saying that that is the case but there does seem to be a whole lot of poeple just joining the forum, and all they ask is Hi i am new here is my guitar fake? just tossing my crazy paranoia out there[/quote'] I'm pretty sure that one of those "Hi, I'm new here...." was from a well-known member under a false identity. I've stopped giving my opinion on those because (1) it is pretty darned difficult to make a definitive decision using just photos, and (2) giving an opinion seems to start a flame war. The standard answer should probably be a two-part one: (1) Did you buy it from an authorized Epiphone dealer? followed by (2) That's too bad. It's probably a fake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imwl Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hi, I'm new here, can you tell if I'm a fake newbie? :) I guess what MaxHart8523 says is possible. But not me, I'm the real deal! Kidding aside, here's the link to the ebay posting: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220371467345 I can tell that the guitar I received doesn't look exactly like the guitar in the ebay ad (again, the top row of knobs aren't parallel to the neck). The guy's feedback seems okay. It seems like he selling a new Epiphone Les Paul Custom Flametop right now for $399 and is again saying it's in New Zealand. Don't believe it, it's shipping from China. Still no word from Epiphone Customer Service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Maybe I am a little paranoid but cant anyone make an account on here' date=' Lie about where there from, and could possibly be making fake LPs and comming to the authorities on them to see if there guitar can pass inspection before they try to sell them? not saying that that is the case but there does seem to be a whole lot of poeple just joining the forum, and all they ask is Hi i am new here is my guitar fake? just tossing my crazy paranoia out there[/quote'] Grassy knoll I'm pretty sure that one of those "Hi' date=' I'm new here...." was from a well-known member under a false identity. I've stopped giving my opinion on those because (1) it is pretty darned difficult to make a definitive decision using just photos, and (2) giving an opinion seems to start a flame war. The standard answer should probably be a two-part one: (1) Did you buy it from an authorized Epiphone dealer? followed by (2) That's too bad. It's probably a fake. [/quote'] I appreciate your sentiments Jeff. Try as I might, however, I cannot link the thread owner's name to British naval history of the Napoleonic period. I never understood his fixation with Admiral Nelson, in any case... Perhaps a psychiatrist could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thermionik Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 MaxHeart8523 has a point - about anonymity - and how anyone can do it. Me? I put my 'real me' in my sig - and I PM'd "the Bronte formerly known as Nelson" my personal phone number so that he could call me when next in the UK and visit the collector who let me try 335's from £2,500 to £25,000 against some Sheratons. I figured that way he might just believe me. imwl - for all his shiny newness - does bring up a very important point. Ebay Epiphones purporting to be selling out of this country or that - but shipping out of China. Maybe Gibson/Epiphone should check it out and act accordingly - either lock 'em down if it's dodgy, or own up to a direct-from-factory option. I'm glad I never buy new..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hi' date=' I'm new here, can you tell if I'm a fake newbie? I guess what MaxHart8523 says is possible. But not me, I'm the real deal! Kidding aside, here's the link to the ebay posting: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220371467345 I can tell that the guitar I received doesn't look exactly like the guitar in the ebay ad (again, the top row of knobs aren't parallel to the neck). The guy's feedback seems okay. It seems like he selling a new Epiphone Les Paul Custom Flametop right now for $399 and is again saying it's in New Zealand. Don't believe it, it's shipping from China. Still no word from Epiphone Customer Service. [/quote'] DOH! Someone bought it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Holy crap....they produced 16727 or more guitars in a month ???!!!??? They're really cranking them out' date=' I guess...[/quote'] LOL! I doubt that...not sure how they count them, but I'd suppose that's "total" (of that model, anyway) since the plant started? CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imwl Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 DOH! Someone bought it! Yeah, I did! duh. That's why I'm worried about my purchase and issuing this warning. The sellers' other guitars for sale will also be shipped from China. So stay away. And if you are buying a guitar off Ebay, ask where the guitar is currently located and where will it ship from. Confirm the return policy. Even then, still use caution. In theory, they can say it's in Iowa, yet ship it from Shanghai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Yeah' date=' I did! duh. That's why I'm worried about my purchase and issuing this warning. The sellers' other guitars for sale will also be shipped from China. So stay away. And if you are buying a guitar off Ebay, ask where the guitar is currently located and where will it ship from. Confirm the return policy. Even then, still use caution. In theory, they can say it's in Iowa, yet ship it from Shanghai. [/quote'] It's actually easier than that. Gibson/Epiphone made the decision a while back to only sell their products through big vendors. So, if you want a new Epiphone, you're really stuck with Guitar Center, Musicians Friend, Sam Ash, Sweetwater, American Musical Supply, and so on (at least in the U.S.) The good thing is that at least you know you're getting the real deal, because these companies are authorized dealers. No-one should ever buy a 'new' Epiphone off e-bay or from other sources. Period. Used guitars are a different ball-game. You need to know what you're buying, or have someone who does check it out first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinb Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 In the logo on his guitar' date=' the break in the "o" is at the top. On the Sweetwater model, the break is at the bottom.On all three of mine, which I'm sure are the real deal, the break is at the top. My conclusion: The Sweewater model is a fake. Now, everybody go look at your logos! [/quote'] The "o" on mine breaks at the top pointing towards that left and has been like that on all the other Epi's I've owned. Oh! And who's that chick in your photo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Yeah' date=' I did! duh. That's why I'm worried about my purchase and issuing this warning. The sellers' other guitars for sale will also be shipped from China. So stay away. And if you are buying a guitar off Ebay, ask where the guitar is currently located and where will it ship from. Confirm the return policy. Even then, still use caution. In theory, they can say it's in Iowa, yet ship it from Shanghai. [/quote'] Nice of the guy to show a picture of a guitar sitting in his shop instead of making it clear that it would be drop shipped from the other side of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingfrets Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Is there any way you can post a few undistorted shots of the guitar? The shape of the upper bout and the waist look completely wrong to me...depending on how distorted your images are, that may or not be the case. But my first thought on seeing your pictures was, "Wow...that's REALLY bad..." If that really is the shape of your guitar, it reminded my of those really cheesy knock-off that came out of Italy (can't remeber the name anymore) in the early 70's ('71-'75 or so). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 The original question has started the usual "IT IZ!/IT AIN'T" line of thinking, but perhaps we can all LEARN how to spot a "fake" and what to watch for. My question is (Fake or Not): DOES IT PLAY LIKE IT'S WORTH $380.00? If yes, then you have gotten your money's worth in the long run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 The original question has started the usual "IT IZ!/IT AIN'T"line of thinking' date=' but perhaps we can all LEARN how to spot a "fake" and what to watch for. My question is (Fake or Not): DOES IT PLAY LIKE IT'S WORTH $380.00? If yes, then you have gotten your money's worth in the long run.[/quote'] That should be Agile's company slogan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Chico Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Personally I think if you got it cheap and you like it, just keep it. Fake or not, its just a guitar. And with the whole resale value thing, I wouldn't buy a guitar to sell it later (thats just me). GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxHart85231281734137 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I didnt mean to cause any contraversy just wanted to say that Ive seen alot of these is my guitar a fake, you should have cleared that up before you paid for it....wamp..wamp..wamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Epiphone needs to be reading this. Although one member has stated that there are many more Gibson fakes than Epiphone fakes, Epiphone needs to be concerned that their affiliation with China has led to an incredibly easy means of distributing fakes. Again, if you want an Epiphone, buy from a reputable dealer. Outside of that, you're sort of on your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imwl Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Is there any way you can post a few undistorted shots of the guitar? The shape of the upper bout and the waist look completely wrong to me...depending on how distorted your images are' date=' that may or not be the case. But my first thought on seeing your pictures was, "Wow...that's REALLY bad..." If that really [b']is[/b] the shape of your guitar, it reminded my of those really cheesy knock-off that came out of Italy (can't remeber the name anymore) in the early 70's ('71-'75 or so). I'm not sure how else to post better undistorted shots, but here's my attempt. I put it next to my Squire Strat and my wife's Yamaha CG171FS flamenco. (both of those are real from Sam Ash. heh) If there's any photo distortion, it'll show up on those as well. Thanks for looking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imwl Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 I didnt mean to cause any contraversy just wanted to say that Ive seen alot of these is my guitar a fake' date=' you should have cleared that up before you paid for it....wamp..wamp..wamp[/quote'] I tried. I ask if it was used or a factory second. The seller said it was brand new, and that they get their stock straight from the QinDao factory. At the time, I still believe it would ship from New Zealand. It was only after I paid and saw the shipping tracking information when it was revealed to me that it was coming directly from China. Too late by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imwl Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Personally I think if you got it cheap and you like it' date=' just keep it. Fake or not, its just a guitar. And with the whole resale value thing, I wouldn't buy a guitar to sell it later (thats just me). GC[/quote'] Yeah, I do like it. I still have a couple of days to decide if I should keep. But just in case, I initiated a return on the instrument. I can always decide to keep it up until I ship it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imwl Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Epiphone needs to be reading this. Although one member has stated that there are many more Gibson fakes than Epiphone fakes' date=' Epiphone needs to be concerned that their affiliation with China has led to an incredibly easy means of distributing fakes. [b']Again, if you want an Epiphone, buy from a reputable dealer. Outside of that, you're sort of on your own.[/b] Yes Mr. Smith. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Okay, 20 times on the blackboard: Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Buy from a reputable dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acewarslave Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 ive bought 6 guitars from ebay only had the one problem that was the fake eppi ace frehley the only reason i got caught out on it was because of lack of infornmation..the guitar that i got include gibson 88 custom bought that for $1250.00au now you would not buy that from a dealer at that price...that is one reason i buy from ebay..as for the fake ace frhley eppi ive put it down to exspirence an $800.00 dud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acewarslave Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 ment to say other guitars ive bought include the 88 custom gibson..man i hate typing lol.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imwl Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 The original question has started the usual "IT IZ!/IT AIN'T"line of thinking' date=' but perhaps we can all LEARN how to spot a "fake" and what to watch for. [b']My question is (Fake or Not): DOES IT PLAY LIKE IT'S WORTH $380.00? If yes, then you have gotten your money's worth in the long run.[/b] I don't have a whole lot of experience, but IMHO, I think it plays awesome. The neck is way smoother than my Squire. It sounds really good and seems to ring a long time, and I haven't even replaced the stock strings yet. So far, I'm really liking it, except for the fact that it hasn't really helped me improve my sweet child o mine riffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.