What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

zerosturm

zerosturm

New member
Just bought a "Gibson" Les Paul this week and Im pretty sure after looking at it when it arrived that it is a MIC Les Paul. Dead giveaway was the neck I grabbed the thing and the neck was to thin/small Ive never found a Gibson that fit my small hands just right...this guitar does. Plus I checked the wiring and it is definitely sloppy but acceptable. Anyways the guy I bought it from wont return my phone calls or email me. Heres the catch I only paid him $450 and its not a bad copy. It is set up with all real Gibson hardware etc. The guitar needs some work-a few adjustments here and there and I would replace the tuners but what do I do now. I mean Im angry because its not a real Gibson but the thing will be an alright guitar anyways. What would you do?
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

Sounds very much like one of those Chinese "Fibson" guitars that e-Bay keeps warning everybody against.

What evidence do you have that the hardware is genuine Gibson? Anyone with the technology to fake the headstock logo could just as easily fake the engraved brand name logos and component numbers on the metal parts.

Sloppy but acceptable wiring could just as easily apply to some low-price Epiphone and Chinese Tokai models. You might have a genuine commercial electric guitar to which somebody has added Gibson logos.

If the vendor is being evasive, it suggests that he knows that the deal was crooked. What consumer protection legislation exists in your region? In my opinion, this is a case of misdescribed goods.

On the other hand, a friend of mine has a Les Paul inspired guitar hand built by a local luthier. To my horror, the luthier used a Korean selector switch and pots. The rest of the guitar is tonewood with nickel-plated hardware and pickups from a broken Gibson SG Standard. The only deviation from the official Gibson design is in the headstock outline and the maker's handwritten signature logo.

On balance, it is far more likely that you have a Chinese fake than a bespoke luthier guitar with unexpectedly cheap cheap electronics.

Go for a refund. If necessary, resort to litigation.
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

You're upset it's not a real Gibson for $450 or you're upset it's not a real Gibson period?

Was the guy a crackhead looking for a quick fix?


Did you not look at it first? The Chinese Gibsons are relatively easy to spot, as I recall - the serial number and Made In USA are always wood-colored, and therefore don't match the paint.


If it's a good fake and looks like a Gibson (headstock, body, etc), keep it and just tell yourself you paid full price for a well-made Chinese knockoff.
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

That's a fraud right there if the seller sold the guitar knowing it's a fake. 450 is way too much for a MIC guitar, IMO. But then again, if it feels, plays and sounds great, nothing else matters.
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

Still though, you paid with the assumption it was a genuine gibson. If the ad said "Fake MIC Gibson, 450$" would you have bough it? I wouldn't have.

The closest I ever came to a gibson was a Hondo ll with exact specs copy and i paid 80$ for it.
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

Whatever you do, DON'T try to flip it as a "real" Gib. Karma can be a real *b-word*.

You can google Gibson serial numbers pretty easily. If the numbers don't add up, you've got your answer. Having it appraised by a pro would give you some proof that would stand up in court. Depending on your local laws, you may have some recourse.

Do you have his address? If the guy's already gone, chalk one up to experience. However, this dude sounds like an empty tube of toothpaste to me... squeeze him all you want, but he's got no more to give.

edit: Unless he's fronting for Chinese knockoffs, and has a warehouse full of them. Then the Big G lawyers (not to mention US Dept. of Justice) might want a word with him.
 
Last edited:
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

Play fake music on it.

What kind of Gibson were you trying to buy that would only cost 500$?

The important question is: Do you like it? Keep it. Tell other people about the seller, they might not enjoy that.
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

Iron Horse said:
That's a fraud right there if the seller sold the guitar knowing it's a fake. 450 is way too much for a MIC guitar, IMO. But then again, if it feels, plays and sounds great, nothing else matters.
Click to expand...

Set neck MIC Les Paul Stds retail for $500 new, so the price isn't out of line, but used ones usually go for closer to $350.

The only way you'll get a Gibson Les Paul Std for $450 is if: 1) it's got a broken neck or other serious structural problem, or 2) it's stolen. In this economy people are desparate and they'll be lots of fakes being sold to the unsuspecting. You will not get a Gibson LP Std in good condition for $450. You might find a bottom-of-the-line used faded LP double cutaway for that price. You were greedy, he saw a sucker. Use your head.
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

Photos?

Of the bridge/bridge-pickup section in particular?
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

What sort of pickups are fitted?
How do the control cavity and pickup routes look?
How do the pots and switches look?
How does the finish look?

Lets see some pics,it will make I.D.ing it easier.

Cheers,PJ
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

blueman335 said:
Set neck MIC Les Paul Stds retail for $500 new, so the price isn't out of line, but used ones usually go for closer to $350.

The only way you'll get a Gibson Les Paul Std for $450 is if: 1) it's got a broken neck or other serious structural problem, or 2) it's stolen. In this economy people are desparate and they'll be lots of fakes being sold to the unsuspecting. You will not get a Gibson LP Std in good condition for $450. You might find a bottom-of-the-line used faded LP double cutaway for that price. You were greedy, he saw a sucker. Use your head.
Click to expand...

That's certainly true. But he can always say in court that he thought it was stolen not fake. :D
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

Pontiac Jack said:
What sort of pickups are fitted?
How do the control cavity and pickup routes look?
How do the pots and switches look?
How does the finish look?

Lets see some pics,it will make I.D.ing it easier.

Cheers,PJ
Click to expand...

PICTURES BRO!!!

:picture::picture::picture:
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

I would stay away from those guitars since the chinese use lead in their paint. The epi plant in china is the only one I would trust.
 
Re: What would you do? FAKE LES PAUL

astrozombie said:
PICTURES BRO!!!
Click to expand...

This one looks good but who really knows how it plays, sounds like, or even how it was built.

!BZ+)ULwBWk~$(KGrHgoOKjIEjlLmYd13BKpYIo0vFw~~_35.JPG


!BZ+)B1gBmk~$(KGrHgoOKiYEjlLmfcsHBKpYHWZkpQ~~_35.JPG
 
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