Phony Blue Labels

[brianh]

Now I've seen everything:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Gibson-Epiphone-Guitar-Blue-Label-Blank_W0QQitemZ110494317521QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item19b9f97bd1

[pohatu771]

I don't think too many vintage Epiphones are being faked... especially when they show up in new condition.

 

A lot of people want that label in their guitar, and don't have it. I looked at a few Texans while looking for J-45s, and most of them had missing or damaged labels. For restoration projects or those who don't mind devaluing, the label is essential.

 

I made up a fake Gibson label a while ago for my LG-0. I've never used it (since most LG-0s didn't have labels anyway).

 

 

I added the word "is" before "hereby," but I never uploaded that one.

[smips65]

 

He states he has excellent feedback from his fellow counterfitters....wonder what his cut is?

[Red 333]

Those blue labels have been on eBay for a couple of years, at least. I remember seeing them when I was looking for a Zephyr Blues Deluxe and searched "Epiphone Blues."

 

Red 333

[brianh]

I made up a fake Gibson label a while ago for my LG-0. I've never used it (since most LG-0s didn't have labels anyway).

 

 

I added the word "is" before "hereby' date='" but I never uploaded that one.[/quote']

That's fine if you want to gin up a one-off label for your own guitar, sort of like making a period correct bridge, nut, fret marker, etc.

 

But when you start printing them up en masse, and offering to type in model and serial numbers for profit, that's counterfeiting, or aiding and abetting counterfeiting, and makes any Norlin-era Epi now entirely suspect.

 

Deal me out...

[deflepfan]

Now I've seen everything:

No you haven't! There will be others that make you go !

Sheila

[frenchie1281734003]

I have no problem with them. In fact I bought three of them a couple of years ago to put inside my Matsumoku made Casino`s. They are not exact replica labels, but are fairly close, and he will add the model number and serial for extra if required. My Matsumoku Casino`s had a 7 digit serial, but he wouldn`t stamp no more than 6, because vintage Epiphones didn`t carry 7 digit serials! So fair play I say. They have their place, and don`t forget a lot of the early 70`s Japanese made Epiphones (Norlin) carried the same label anyway, and now the new "Inspired by" 64 FT-79 Texan, has them too, and they are not original 60`s guitars. One further point, if you do happen to have an old vintage Epiphone, that has either a lost or damaged label, where else would you find one!! Gibson/Epiphone won`t help.

[TommyK]

It's Ba-ack.

 

Gibson made Ebay take it down in the past. I suspect they will this time. I've reported it to CustomerService.

 

At least the pirate had the foresight to emblazon, "SAMPLE" across the face of the pic. It wouldn't do him any good to have someone rip off his ripped off label.

 

Epiphones, especially of that generations can and are counterfeited. For $8.50 I could relabel my FT145SB as a FT79 'Texan' and sell it to an unwitting buyer as a just-like-John-Lennon's-'Texan' and pocket a cool grand or so, for a guit tar which is worth only a couple hunnert.... if that.

[frenchie1281734003]

It's Ba-ack.

 

 

Epiphones' date=' especially of that generations can and are counterfeited. For $8.50 I could relabel my FT145SB as a FT79 'Texan' and sell it to an unwitting buyer as a just-like-John-Lennon's-'Texan' and pocket a cool grand or so, for a guit tar which is worth only a couple hunnert.... if that.[/quote']

 

Tommy.

 

The FT145SB already has a label like that, granted it may say "Made in Japan in the bottom corner, but to pass that off as the real thing, you would have to do a lot more than add a label, you would have to turn it from a bolt on neck to a glued in one, and also change the body shape from a Dreadnaught to a round shoulder, amongst other things.

 

We may in the near future get a spate of "Inspired by"64 Texans being passed off as the original 60`s models, as I can see that happening. So what I would suggest to anyone after the real thing, and worried about being duped, is to do the research, get the help of people in the know, like some of us here, and if at all unsure, leave well alone, and never trust a label.

[TommyK]

Tommy.

 

The FT145SB already has a label like that' date=' granted it may say "Made in Japan in the bottom corner, but to pass that off as the real thing, you would have to do a lot more than add a label, you would have to turn it from a bolt on neck to a glued in one, and also change the body shape from a Dreadnaught to a round shoulder, amongst other things.

 

We may in the near future get a spate of "Inspired by"64 Texans being passed off as the original 60`s models, as I can see that happening. So what I would suggest to anyone after the real thing, and worried about being duped, is to do the research, get the help of people in the know, like some of us here, and if at all unsure, leave well alone, and never trust a label.

 

[/quote']

 

Not all people in the market for a guitar know to look for those finer features those of us who educate ourselves on the subject can readily see.

 

I know it's a fake because it neither says "Union Made", nor "Made In Japan". Johnny wishes for an authentic FT79. His wife spies one on Ebay and promptly spends two entire paychecks for a fake because she doesn't know the difference. Therein lies the problem.

[frenchie1281734003]

Not all people in the market for a guitar know to look for those finer features those of us who educate ourselves on the subject can readily see.

 

I know it's a fake because it neither says "Union Made"' date=' nor "Made In Japan". Johnny wishes for an authentic FT79. His wife spies one on Ebay and promptly spends two entire paychecks for a fake because she doesn't know the difference. Therein lies the problem.[/quote']

 

The thing is though, you don`t need to buy a label to do that, just take the guitar in your Avatar, rip off the "Made in Japan" bit, on the label, and you are on your way.

[TommyK]

Grifting is not a part of who I am.

[frenchie1281734003]

Grifting is not a part of who I am.

 

Sorry Tommy, I didn`t mean to imply that you would, but only to show, that in the wrong hands, and with a very plausible description, your guitar could be passed off to the unknowing, as a 60`s original.

 

I am lucky to have a John Lennon 65 reissue, which has an "Assembled in the U.S.A." sticker on the back of the neck. This has been carefully worded so that we think the guitar is actually made in the U.S. when in fact they are made in Japan by Terada. The Blue label states "Epiphone Kalamazoo Michigan", now you know as well as I, that these Casino`s have never seen Kalamazoo! Some may say that doing the label like that is for vintage accuracy, well if so, why does the label on the McCartney 1964 Ft-79 Texan, state "Epiphone, Nashville Tennessee", and so does the new "Inspired by"64 Texan too, and they are made in China.