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Epiphone Counterfeit Guitars
Just in case anyone happenes across the pictures of the counterfeit Epi's with cardboard tops and think they are real, here's Epiphone's response:
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Dear Epiphone Customers,
The image of the guitar below is NOT an Epiphone guitar. While it might have "Epiphone" on the headstock, it is a COUNTERFEIT.
As you can see, this unsuspecting person purchased their guitar in Korea. Just last week we were notified that Korean police (as they have done many times in the past) raided the infamous Nakwon Arcade in Seoul, Korea. This musical instrument mall is notorious for purchasing and selling counterfeit as well as OFF-QUALITY or REJECTED guitars produced by factories in Korea. Because they cannot export them into the USA, Europe, Japan, etc., these factories sell them "out the back-door" within Korea and ultimately, to unsuspecting customers.
Epiphone was and is NOT the only brand being illegally made and sold in Korea. There are and were other famous guitar brand names ceased by the police and facing the same counterfeiting problems.
As a result of this inherit market problem, Epiphone does not currently have nor have we had in the past, an active authorized Korean distributor. We have verified that we have NO RECORD of that guitar with that serial number being sold by our company.
Epiphone does NOT use nor have we EVER used particle-board or any other similar materials in our guitars. With 131 years of quality and integrity on the line, there is NO WAY we would put that at risk by using inferior materials.
On several occasions in the past, we have worked closely with the Korean police to locate and identify counterfeiters in Korea. This has led to many guitars being confiscated and in many cases, arrests. While we wish this was not the case and we are doing all we can to stop it, this type of illegal activity is hard to eliminate completely. Therefore, if you do travel to or live in Korea, please understand there is a big risk when purchasing a brand-name guitar or other musical instrument.
If you are purchasing a new Epiphone from an authorized dealer in the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan or other "export" country, rest assured that these are high-quality instruments worthy of the name Epiphone - carrying our limited Lifetime Warranty and backed by the Gibson Musical Instruments.
Thank you and if you have any question or concerns, please email me personally at jim.rosenberg@gibson.com.
Best Regards,
Jim "Epi" Rosenberg
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