Just got a guitar off ebay!

[adamj]

....and waiting for it to be shipped!  :?

Iv never done this before and hoping to god i dont get a lemon. I managed to get hold of a 2008 Chinese made Epihpone LesPaul Custom Ebony for a measly £185, iv seen these online for over £350, so hopfefully its not too good to be true and its all legit!!
Review and pics to come soon, cant wait to get my hands on it. Not bought a  new guitar in 5 years and  already thinking of putting BKP's in it.!!!

[Ian Price]

Sounds good. I'm assuming the seller had a good feedback profile?

[Afghan Dave]

Well done!

But... Please read this "Fake Epi" thread as there are LOTS about before you accept it.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/epiphone-les-pauls/

[HairyChris]

I think that I'm almost to 10 guitars purchased on evilbay (and sold a few on that way too). It can be a good way of getting cheap and/or unusual instruments if you do the research...

[Mr. Air]

At 185£ I'm sure this is a win win situation. If you like the guitar = great. If you don't like it you can probably sell for the same price = works as well  :D

[Sollophonic]

If you know what you are looking for and are prepared to wait ebay can still come up with some bargains.

I was on the lookout for an MIM Tele, having sold off a few guitars.

Bought my first one for just over £200.

Then found a 50s ReIssue for £250 BIN. Almost mint apart from one small ding in the side.

Recently got another MIM Tele with a BIN of £150!

Best bargain was a Squier 51, grainy duff photo, collection only, because it had not pickguard it looked like a bodged Strat.

Offered him £90 BIN. Wanted auction to run. Got it for £41 and an 80mile round trip!

Got a set of Bill Lawrence Tele pickups for £30 not so long ago too.

Sometimes you just have to take a chance on something.

More often than not it comes good still. :D

[Prawnik]

I have bought lots of guitars on Ebay and via internet and have yet to get burned.

Some lessons:

Do your homework; decide what you generally want, what it should look like, what it should feature, what issues you are willing to tolerate. Then:

1. Demand decent photos. Most Ebay fakes can be spotted at this stage. For instance, if you see a "Gibson Les Paul" with a trussrod cover attached with three (instead of two) screws, you have a fake;

2. Know what Ebay market prices are. For used and especially vintage gear, pay close attention to completed auctions, not asking prices (as these are often grossly inflated);

Be prepared to bid or pay less than market price, but not too much less. Most sellers know what their gear is worth, and you will see very few true bargains. Do not get greedy. Someone selling a 1967 Stratocaster "for UKP 500 for a friend" is likely a scammer.

Use local pickup whenever possible.

3. Read the listings carefully and ask questions. Do not rush to snap up what looks like a bargain; and

4. Pay attention to seller feedback, especially feedback generated by seller's activities as a seller.

[adamj]

You'l all be glad to know the guitar arrived today in an epiphone box, well packaged, with a free cable and users manual.

No scratches, marks, dents, looks amazing with all the gold hardware.

iv had a good look over it and it appears to be real. Grover machineheads, conductive paint on the inside, all knobs and switches in place and "feel" as though they havnt been used hardly. Just lowered the action and messed with the saddle to combat some buzz on the B and now ts playing really well. If it is a fake, its a bloody good one and im happy to keep it!
The sound is even close to my ibanez with BKP's, so might be a lot of saving before i get round to  putting any in this baby.

just one question. Im not used to les pauls, and the neck pickup is set way lower from the strings than the bridge. Is this normal? The levels seem ok so far.

heres the ebay page - although i just noted the serial is different, the one on my guitar is legit according to guitar dater.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280554953295&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570%26_nkw%3D280554953295%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

there should be a link to the seller if anyones interested in the others he has

[Twinfan]

just one question. Im not used to les pauls, and the neck pickup is set way lower from the strings than the bridge. Is this normal? The levels seem ok so far.

It depends on the pickups and the guitar itself - I wouldn't worry about it, and it's easily adjusted if you think it's not right  :)

[gwEm]

just one question. Im not used to les pauls, and the neck pickup is set way lower from the strings than the bridge. Is this normal? The levels seem ok so far.

It depends on the pickups and the guitar itself - I wouldn't worry about it, and it's easily adjusted if you think it's not right  :)

yeah, it depends, but its not unusual at all with pickups having similar output

[Transcend]

just one question. Im not used to les pauls, and the neck pickup is set way lower from the strings than the bridge. Is this normal? The levels seem ok so far.

I had to have the neck pickups in both of the LP style guitars ive had lower than the bridge but thinking back i dont think they were lower i just think the body was raised more there slightly
It depends on the pickups and the guitar itself - I wouldn't worry about it, and it's easily adjusted if you think it's not right  :)

yeah, it depends, but its not unusual at all with pickups having similar output

[adamj]

just a slight update for anyone wondering about ebay guitars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc_rcUQpeVs

a quick vid showing it off, plays brilliantly and iv not even got round to getting it in the shop for a setup etc.

[hunter]

My Epiphone is Chinese and it's awesome. In fact at the moment it's my main guitar!!!!!

Black Dogs work great with these.