• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Guitar classified purchase story:

Hey all, here's a good CraigsList episode I had today...

I just got a deal on Craigslist on the way to Detroit from WI. There was an ESP flying V (black) for sale in bumble-farm Wisconsin for $400 with a Dean hardshell case, 15watt crate amp, nice braided cable, and strap, and guitar book.

I went there to see it on my way home, the dude's parents did the deal. It was buzzy from a low action, and it hadn't been played in ages. The ABR-1 bridge was on backwards. The pickups didn't match. And it said "Made in Korea" on the back. I know ESP's are made in Japan, and LTDs are made in Korea. So I looked at the serial number and the first two digits were 92... so it was made in 1992. The LTD's didn't come out until 1996, so I figured maybe they made ESP when they first bought Korean factories as a transition period.

I offered $300. They said no way. I didn't want the amp or the book. Said it's all or nothing. I told them it needed a $50 setup to make it playable. They said They can't go lower than $400. So I said, "well I'm sorry we can't work anything out, but I can't pay 400 for it." So then they said $375 and I took it.

So now I'm home with it and it sounds really good. I looked at the truss rod cover, and it was cut, and it looks like vinyl sticker was put over it. I see it says 3000 underneath. hmm the ESP logo on the headstock is also vinyl sticker - I can feel the edges. The entire headstock was covered in black sticker vinyl, done really well.

I googled the serial number (which was a sticker), and the guitar is actually an Epiphone 1967 reissue from 1992. I was pissed at first, but I see they go for $430 by them selves.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yUA3A8IMSOc/T … ite%29.jpg

The kid "bought eveything off of eBay for $500" and never used any of it. So I'm thinking he got ripped off thinking it was an ESP too.

Kinda sucks, but came out not too bad. I should have spent more time inspecting it instead of playing it and haggling.

i was going to call and complain, but it's too long of a drive, and sort of hard to prove to people who know nothing.

NOW? to see what kind of mis-matched humbuckers are in there.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • macg1
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: Guitar classified purchase story:

Epiphone V's are fine guitars.  V's, Explorer's, and their nicer thin bodied hollows, would be the only guits from modern epiphone that are worth the money IMHO.  I think if you put some of your PUP's and get some other parts in it, along with a proper setup you will have a really cool player.

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Guitar classified purchase story:

It's nice and light.

UPDATE!

The neck pickup is a no-name witha a crappy lead wire on it.
The bridge pickup, however turns out to be a Seymour Duncan "JB J" pickup. After a little research, I found that "Maricela Juarez" wound it in the early 90's. She now works in the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop. Apparently the JB pickups with her initial on them are more sought after.

Might sell and wind some of my own 'buckers for it!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • macg1
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: Guitar classified purchase story:

good find on the JB J!

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Guitar classified purchase story:

That's some story..........thx for sharing the experience

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Guitar classified purchase story:

Hey Nic - great story - always great to "go on an adventure" and see what you might find! smile

kestrou

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Guitar classified purchase story:

Half way thru reading your first post I had a feeling there was a sticker on headstock. But good thing it worked out for the best. I think I read somewhere that James hetfields old white "Gibson" V from the 80s was not actually a Gibson but a copy. That story reminded me of that.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Guitar classified purchase story:

I should have recognized the Epiphone Serial # sticker. ESP would never do that. Plus, the MIK printed on it when it should have been MIJ. NO matching case, yada yada yada. Its so funny with discriminating I am, and how I was thinking to make sure it wasn't a fake when I was looking at it, that I took the podunk farmers who knew little about the guitar for granted. They got ripped off from an ebayer. Would be interesting to see who they got it from!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Windham ME
  • Registered: 2010-11-02
  • Posts: 256

Re: Guitar classified purchase story:

"Podunk farmers"?