Epiphone Les Paul's with Cardboard tops

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hard2Hear
  • Start date Start date
A pretty harsh story...tough break. :(

I have to say that I suspect that the guitar wasn't a real EPI. I'm suspicious because I was once lived in Korea. You've really got to do your homework. The knock-off's are everywhere and notorious. I mean everything! I know from personal experience that unless you know exactly what you're looking at, the price seems too good, it's probobly a fake.

I would like to see what ever is left of the broken guitar to be sent to the EPI folks for verification.

Sorry to hear about your difficulties.


sjl
 
Scary... it made me check the serial numbers on my Epi.
 
It would be worth it to check the serial number with Epiphone for the sale date and location. No doubt, whether it's a real Epiphone or a clever knockoff, it's a seriously defective guitar, not to mention that some bizarre material choices have been made. Of course, it's scary. I happen to own an Epiphone LP Custom, into which I have installed a pair of classic 57 humbuckers. The guitar has given me no trouble, plays very well, and sounds great after the pickup transplant. I can tell you that if the neck joint failed, and I got the kind of bullshit this owner is getting, I would be severely pissed off. I feel her pain.-Richie
 
I've had my Epi LP Standard for about 9 years now (and I bought it used) and the neck is still firmly attached right where it was when I bought it. The electronics, on the other hand, are in need of an overhaul, but I'll save that for another day.
 
*update*
Well, at least that's what Epiphone says:
(from the epi forum)
"Dear Epiphone Customers,

The image of the guitar below is NOT an Epiphone guitar. While it might have "Epiphone" on the headstock, it is a COUNTERFEIT.

As you can see, this unsuspecting person purchased their guitar in Korea. Just last week we were notified that Korean police (as they have done many times in the past) raided the infamous Nakwon Arcade in Seoul, Korea. This musical instrument mall is notorious for purchasing and selling counterfeit as well as OFF-QUALITY or REJECTED guitars produced by factories in Korea. Because they cannot export them into the USA, Europe, Japan, etc., these factories sell them "out the back-door" within Korea and ultimately, to unsuspecting customers.

Epiphone was and is NOT the only brand being illegally made and sold in Korea. There are and were other famous guitar brand names ceased by the police and facing the same counterfeiting problems.

As a result of this inherit market problem, Epiphone does not currently have nor have we had in the past, an active authorized Korean distributor. We have verified that we have NO RECORD of that guitar with that serial number being sold by our company.

Epiphone does NOT use nor have we EVER used particle-board or any other similar materials in our guitars. With 131 years of quality and integrity on the line, there is NO WAY we would put that at risk by using inferior materials.

On several occasions in the past, we have worked closely with the Korean police to locate and identify counterfeiters in Korea. This has led to many guitars being confiscated and in many cases, arrests. While we wish this was not the case and we are doing all we can to stop it, this type of illegal activity is hard to eliminate completely. Therefore, if you do travel to or live in Korea, please understand there is a big risk when purchasing a brand-name guitar or other musical instrument.

If you are purchasing a new Epiphone from an authorized dealer in the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan or other "export" country, rest assured that these are high-quality instruments worthy of the name Epiphone - carrying our limited Lifetime Warranty and backed by the Gibson Musical Instruments.

Thank you and if you have any question or concerns, please email me personally at jim.rosenberg@gibson.com.

Best Regards,

Jim "Epi" Rosenberg
 
That is scary. I bet it was real. What they said was right. Their is a an Alder top but just shit underneath. It makes me want to sell my Epi LP Custom while it functions and get somthing respectable.
 
Ok take it back. Thay hadn't been posted as i was typing
 
I've never really had a problem with my epi's. There was a time when that's all I could afford, and I think those guitars were just perfect for me at that time. In fact, I think I had about 5 of them at one point. It's just that after starting to get better and better guitars and gear, they just couldn't hold up to the stuff I was getting and they went off to someone else who needed them like I did at one time. That's why I usually sold them for pretty cheap...I realize that other musicians are trying to make something and I do what I can to help. If only everyone were that way we'd have a wonderful community and mics and pres wouldn't cost $2500.:)

H2H
 
yeah i'm a little worried now about whats shipped to the U.S. however this problem has made me write off getting an epiphone les paul for a while. I'm a strat man normally and i think I'll stay one for a little while longer. i have a strat imitation from epiphone and i've had it for about 8 years and its lasted through numerous gigs, recordings, flooding, dogs, cats and just a few days the tone knob started to come loose. i'm surprised it lasted this long but i was wanting to change out the knobs and pickups anyway so i'm not giving up on epiphone. i know they make some good stuff but i'm going to focus on other things.....and i wanted that model that the korean chick had too lol. on a brighter note.....aint she kinda hot? i learned japanese but i might need to learn some korean too
 
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