Fake Gibson on eBay?

[Sooner]

Sure looks like a fake to me...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-Gibson-Le ... SwPR9by~va

[bclaire]

Strange photo angles but what are the features setting off a red flag?

[fiveightandten]

Definitely fake.

[Jondog]

I'm not greatly familiar with Les Pauls, I've owned one true Gibson Les Paul, but the truss rod cover doesn't look to have the right font. Also, the bridge posts look to be the same as the ones used on Epiphones, not Gibsons.

[Sooner]

Strange angles but what are the features setting off a red flag?

Funky custom shop logo on the back of the headstock, slotted studs for the bridge, headstock shape looks off, 13 year-old guitar in mint condition with protective plastic still on the pickguard, seller got it at an estate sale, knows nothing about guitars, and selling as-is no returns.

Case looks fake too. Trademark symbol is in the wrong location.

[Jondog]

The “Chibsons” are fairly common now. Theres some good videos on Youtube of guys purposely buying to compare to a real Gibson. Some are absolute junk, some are actually really nice guitars once set-up properly. There paying less than epiphones for them.

[bclaire]

Now that I'm looking at it on my laptop, it definitely is a fake. The treble horn is the wrong shape, too!

[fiveightandten]

I reported it. It's sad. I once saw a fake SG at my local guitar center. They took it in on trade and had no idea. They pulled it right off the floor when I pointed it out, but it's scary how these things are in circulation to the degree that they're being sold by reputable shops as real Gibsons.

And they're getting better. This one looks pretty wonky, but they clearly have the 2 screw truss rod cover down now, and it even has binding "nibs" on it.

-Nick

[Sooner]

I asked him for more photos because I thought it was a fake. Here's his reply:

"Yea a million members have been telling me that it's fake. I tried to contact ebay but they won't let me take it down without still getting fees. So, I gotta play it out and then cancel the sell once it's complete."

Sounds like BS to me. I reported it as a fake to eBay too. Hopefully they'll remove it for him...

[Sooner]

And they're not just making fake Gibsons now either. Buyer beware!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiZQ2Egcxz8

[Jondog]

I asked him for more photos because I thought it was a fake. Here's his reply:

"Yea a million members have been telling me that it's fake. I tried to contact ebay but they won't let me take it down without still getting fees. So, I gotta play it out and then cancel the sell once it's complete."

Sounds like BS to me. I reported it as a fake to eBay too. Hopefully they'll remove it for him...

Definite BS. Everyone knows you can end an item whenever you want.

[fiveightandten]

I asked him for more photos because I thought it was a fake. Here's his reply:

"Yea a million members have been telling me that it's fake. I tried to contact ebay but they won't let me take it down without still getting fees. So, I gotta play it out and then cancel the sell once it's complete."

Sounds like BS to me. I reported it as a fake to eBay too. Hopefully they'll remove it for him...

Fees? You list counterfeit gear, and expect eBay to waive the listing fees? If that were the case, scammers would continually list counterfeit items, regardless of how many times they got taken down. At least there is some monetary drawback to trying to sell a counterfeit item on eBay.

And they're not just making fake Gibsons now either. Buyer beware!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiZQ2Egcxz8

Crazy. I've seen that video. It's interesting, as they're clearly making copies, but any of the headstocks you can see with logos are branded with some company logo I've never seen before. I don't see anything with a Gibson/Fender/PRS/Jackson logo on it.

[Sooner]

Crazy. I've seen that video. It's interesting, as they're clearly making copies, but any of the headstocks you can see with logos are branded with some company logo I've never seen before. I don't see anything with a Gibson/Fender/PRS/Jackson logo on it.

Not showing US logos on the video was probably part of the deal to get the tour. The websites selling them are careful not to show the headstock logo although in some you can see the Gibson custom shop logo on the back of the headstock.

[fiveightandten]

Not showing US logos on the video was probably part of the deal to get the tour. The websites selling them are careful not to show the headstock logo although in some you can see the Gibson custom shop logo on the back of the headstock.

Entirely plausible.

Ah, the Custom shop logo...that's the wonkiest part on them!

[Mystic38]

add me to the list of folk who emailed him with the same reply..

1*. The bridge posts have screws, real ones are just posts (easiest giveaway)
2. that custom shop on back of headstock?.. lol
3. Serial number is not a CS one
4*. The serial number and "made in USA" are simply too well imprinted with too good a spacing.. Real ones are hand done (and not well)

Until i can fund a 61 reissue, I own a Chibson Angus Young SG and its decent for the $220 direct from China.. its playable with a better than expected tone (ie not godawful..just meh) ..but will put new pups and a new nut in it over the winter.. will be fine for the basement