Fake Epiphones

[ehedwr]

A mate of mine has just ordered a brand new Epiphone Les Paul Custom in white from Dangleberry music for £260 through Amazon. So cheap that it has aroused my suspicions! He hasn't taken delivery yet but when he gets it I'll need to check it over to make sure it's genuine. Does anybody know for any sure fire ways to spot fakes?

[theboywho]

I've bought some stuff from Dangleberry music before, some pickups I think, they seem genuine enough, but mainly focus on lesser know cheaper models.
Its likely that its a blem, or they bought a batch cheap from someone who was going under, what other epiphone stuff do they have on sale now?

The first thing I would think of to check would be the serial number, see if that matches with what it is supposed to be.

[ehedwr]

Sorry my mistake.

It wasn't ordered from Dangleberry music, it was from a seller called "Items20009". The stock picture they used had a Danglerry music logo on it.

Here's a pic of one of the LP customs this seller has for sale.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/B002IM6JQC/ref=dp_otherviews_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&img=1

What do you think?

[boxorox]

I think thy can be had for about $650 in the States (Musician's Friend, Aug 2008 catalog). That's not way out of line with 250 Pounds, is it? Considering the economy, they may be moving for less these days.
If I could fake a Les Paul copy that nice I'd put "Gibson" on the headstock and go for the big bucks. Not me, of course. You know what I mean.

[ehedwr]

£260 for a new one is very cheap. In most reputable music shops here they retail for around £470. It's a big difference. Epiphones would be the perfect candidate for forgery, they sell in greater numbers and how many buyers would consider their authenticity? I know there are fake Epi's out there.

[mike-o]

that is a misfortunate name... dangleberry haha

[offramp]

£260 for a new one is very cheap. In most reputable music shops here they retail for around £470. It's a big difference. Epiphones would be the perfect candidate for forgery, they sell in greater numbers and how many buyers would consider their authenticity? I know there are fake Epi's out there.

Either this, or they're stolen.

[Collie Ransom]

All the remaining big China boyz-- zx, ex, sam etc sell fake epis. It's funny because the real ones are made in china as well.