Epiphone Elistist advice

[motownsound]

I'm looking at purchasing a used Epiphone Elitist Les Paul lefty, and I have some concerns over some of its attributes.

This guitar has the Les Paul signature logo on the headstock, not the H-shaped symbol. No problem there, except the signature is oriented to be right side-up for right-handed play, and its a lefty guitar.

Also, it has nickel or chrome hardware, not gold-plated, and it is painted black. I have not found a reference to indicate that an Elitist LP left the factory in this configuration:

Lefty
Upside-down Les Paul logo
Non-gold-plate hardware
Black, with white binding

It's marked a factory second. My thinking was that it marked a second because of a mistake in applying the logo, and if it were a counterfeit, the crooks would have redone the logo to allay suspicion.

I've attached the image of the headstock.

What say you?

[HeartfeltDawn]

Have you looked at other left handed Elitists?

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Elitist-Lefty-Les-Paul-Standard-Electric-Guitar?sku=518406

Observe the Les Paul signature on the headstock. Also note the nickel hardware as standard.

You could well have an odd factory second. Any more pictures of the guitar? Any sticker reading Made in Japan on it?

[motownsound]

I just called Gibson. I was told that Elitist LPs were delivered with the Les Paul signature logo oriented both ways, so that isn't a deal-breaker in and of itself.

[Gibson155]

Might be interesting to have just for uniqueness' sake. Nice find :thu:

[FiveIron]

too bad they don't say elitist like they used to

[Fireproof777]

Great guitars and if Gibby is backing up the upside down logo, I'd say buy it.