Fibsons

[ScottMarlowe]

I have yet to see a Gibson fake that was as good as an Epiphone. Note there are plenty of fake Epis as well (mosty standards, customs, and black beauties), and all of them are utter crap.

The Chibsons and fake epis all share a lot of common attributes. Crappy tuners, poor logo placement, goofy fonts for serial numbers, super wide head stock binding, poor knob placement (all over the damned place), crappy pots (usually minis), control cavities that look like they were hewn with an adze in the dark, non-functional or completely incorrect truss rods (dual action in gibsons, pieces of welded steel that do nothing etc) and so on.

Basically no chibson I've seen looks half as well built as my $89 Epiphone LP Special I.

 

[Norton]

Haven't had that experience...
Heard plenty of horror stories....but other than the obvious rosewood fingerboard on a custom...or the inlay material choice.... all the guitars I've seen and played, small sample size (in the 10's) have been very epiphone like in their materials, appointments and frame build.

I have yet to see a Chinese counterfeit that would fool someone in a side by side comparison. Which is kind of what makes them fun. It's a Polaroid...a facsimile, an interpretation....an affordable approximation.

I'd be singing a different tune if I'd seen what you describe scottmarlowe.

 

[Batandy]

I don't think i'll ever buy one, there's too much risk, if i wanted my custom dream guitar i'd buy a kit and atleast get some help by a luthier, but anyway, i think the best thing to do when buying a chinese fake would be asking them to put your own logo instead of the Gibson logo on the headstock. Makes no sense to me to pretend that something isn't what it is

 

[Relic61]

I don't think I'll ever buy one, there's too much risk

That's a really good idea!!! A really good idea!

 

[WavMixer]

I don't think i'll ever buy one, there's too much risk, if i wanted my custom dream guitar i'd buy a kit and atleast get some help by a luthier, but anyway, i think the best thing to do when buying a chinese fake would be asking them to put your own logo instead of the Gibson logo on the headstock. Makes no sense to me to pretend that something isn't what it is

Buying a chibson and trying to pass it off is no different that placing a sock in your undies when going out to pick up chicks. When the time comes, the truth will come out.

 

[eS.G.]

A friend of mine bought a SLASH version ...he got that one and it is "o.k." he redid the elctrics and pups and tuners and it is "better" ---but its no Epiphone or Agile.
He decided to get a second one----an Explorer.......it never made it through customs .......and he received a letter about it being seized.

HE did not get his 380.00 back of course.......


Seems way to big a risk when so many QUALITY guitars all ready thrive in this price point legally

 

[Relic61]

Buying a chibson and trying to pass it off is no different that placing a sock in your undies when going out to pick up chicks. When the time comes, the truth will come out.

No, the sock comes out ! Baw Haw Haw

.it never made it through customs .......and he received a letter about it being seized.

HE did not get his 380.00 back of course.......

Was that because of copyright infringement or because the case was stuffed with opium??

 

[mrk]

Time to chime in. I worked in the toy industry for many years and I've visited the Chinese industrial districts, dealt first hand with the folks who own and run the factories. The Chinese manufacturing system is a bit like the mafia. Most of the factory owners are related to each other and have "special" business relationships with each other. Tooling is often passed back and forth between factories. It's actually very likely that parts for these Chibsons are made with Gibson-owned Epiphone tooling, or tooling that is knocked-off from Gibson's specs (in fact, the tooling is being copied right alongside the original Gibiphone tooling as it is being made), but the parts are produced using inferior quality wood, metal, wiring, etc. The guy who makes pickup decals for Epiphone is also selling those decals to the Chibson plants, and handing the Gibson-supplied logo artwork to the factories for reproducing headstock logos, case logos, you name it. Along the way they also short-cut production methods, resulting in things like improper neck angles, etc. - the extra craftsmanship and attention to detail that can save them production $$$ along the way. They continue to get more savvy with things like case candy, which can be easily reproduced. All they need is one original piece to copy. As infuriating as it is, there is no way to stop these guys. This is a system that is deeply ingrained in their culture. The best we can do is to just not buy the stuff and educate others whenever possible

MRK

 

[ScottMarlowe]

Except it seems that NONE of the epi clones can get the things right that you're listing as them having access to, like logos or serial numbers (fonts are always off) truss rod covers, pickguards, fake grover tuners, hell even something as simple as knob placement.

 

[Relic61]

The best we can do is to just not buy the stuff and educate others whenever possible

All in favor say I ..!?

I !!!

Except it seems that NONE of the epi clones can get the things right that you're listing as them having access to, like logos or serial numbers (fonts are always off) truss rod covers, pickguards, fake grover tuners, hell even something as simple as knob placement.

And that is really what is so amazing about this Clown Show! If it wasn't so sad & downright criminal it would be hysterically funny!

Well, at least ridiculously laughable!

 

[sazista]

Here is another Chibson SG on sale here in Chile.
http://articulo.mercadolibre.cl/MLC-435189910-gibson-les-paul-sg-custom-_JM

 

[PermissionToLand]

Except it seems that NONE of the epi clones can get the things right that you're listing as them having access to, like logos or serial numbers (fonts are always off) truss rod covers, pickguards, fake grover tuners, hell even something as simple as knob placement.

Exactly this. Why is this rumor so prevalent? I guess people just love making assumptions, telling stories and talking out their ass? It doesn't take a genius to buy a cheap Epi LP and trace the bodyshape. And anyone can print logos in the same font. Anyone who knows Gibson is out of their mind if they think they aren't protecting their asses at every turn in China.

I do find it hilarious though, that Gibson, the king of copyright enforcement, chose to do business in China, the king of ignoring copyrights. Money talks, eh?

 

[SG Rangemaster]

mrk and Permission ToLand hit this problem dead nuts. In my opinion if you are going to buy anything like this, you better know what you are doing or you are in the wrong game. I have no pitty on complainers and winers. Now a days, always expect fake junk unless you know the instrument personally and become an expert at spotting the fakes. Know exactly what you want to buy and search for it knowing everything about that particular instrument. I can't blame the yellow menace for this mess we are in. The big greed opened the door for these guys. Has anyone checked out the HONGDA's? They copied the Honda Mini Trails from their Nippon cousins. Gave them the old shaft good and broke it off. I still have my 68 mini trail so I find that personally offensive, and abusive because I went to 2 packs of Marlboro a day over that news. Anybody got an spare Hari Kari blade, send it to Honda. Gibson already killed themselves.

 

[Raiyn]

I've asked a couple sellers on their online chats on Alibaba and they admit that the Epiphone branded hardware is in fact fake as well.

Perhaps when I go to sell off my Epi-electronics I can use the "Upgrade Your Chibson" tag line.......

 

[+Mastodon Fan+]

Honestly I have one and its actually not that bad. It has junk tuners,pickups, and some minor finish flaws, but other than its a solid guitar. Nevertheless it's nowhere near the instrument as my real Gibson sg. The real gibson is far superior in every aspect.

 

[+Mastodon Fan+]

FYI; I got the thing to learn how to work on so I can eventually be brave enough to touch my real Gibson. It'll be my beater that I drag around and not have to worry about messing up. My Gibson rarely leaves the house.

 

[SG Rangemaster]

I found one of the fakers hiding in one of my old Gibson cases. It is a "MILLER" Les Paul. Disgusting burnt toast color with fake nickel parts I usto use it. Played well with Di Marzio super distortions. For awhile anyway. They do have their place as a shield for the real McCoys in hostile situations and never pay more than $50 bucks. I bought it at a yard sale about 30 years ago. Now its a vintage fake and rare. How bout that. Collectable. Anybody need a collectable "MILLER"?

 

[+Mastodon Fan+]

I found one of the fakers hiding in one of my old Gibson cases. It is a "MILLER" Les Paul. Disgusting burnt toast color with fake nickel parts I usto use it. Played well with Di Marzio super distortions. For awhile anyway. They do have their place as a shield for the real McCoys in hostile situations and never pay more than $50 bucks. I bought it at a yard sale about 30 years ago. Now its a vintage fake and rare. How bout that. Collectable. Anybody need a collectable "MILLER"?

Just pull a Pete and smash it at a show. People love that ****! Lol

 

[paul-e-mann]

Always thought it would be cool to get a knock-off Gibson to knock around on but then I came to my senses and realized, why would I play a cheap fake when I have the real thing!

 

[Stark Naked]

A few weeks ago I viewed a video on YouTube where some guy is unwrapping a Les Paul knock off he just received from either China or Korea. The guy seems to be some kind of skilled guitarist and as the video rolls on he is delighted with the quality of his inexpensively counterfeit guitar. I've never personally seen or handled one, but is there such a thing as a good quality counterfeit ? No one can deny the good workmanship of the Epiphone Chinese instruments. Could there be other competent manufacturers in the Orient? Just curious. A loyal Gibson customer.