Single pup Epi LP semi-hollow?

[gearHed289]

This is an odd one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133574257091?_trksid=p11021.c100851.m5053&_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20170803121420%26meid%3D0ffd9375885e40f895bb731aa147274a%26pid%3D100851%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26mehot%3Dnone%26b%3D1%26sd%3D254775500889%26itm%3D133574257091%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D11021%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic%26brand%3DEpiphone&ul_noapp=true

[doombass]

"Second"-stamp. Maybe an employee build?

[Basvarken]

Never seen one like it

[Alanko]

Looks like an AliExpress counterfeit. Those (fake) EMGs on white rings crop up on other Chinese instruments you get on AliExpress etc. Maybe an unfinished carcass was completed with random parts?

From memory the unpopulated bodies/necks of those fancy active Epi T-Birds could be found for sale on Chinese websites for a while. It probably all went out the back door of a factory that had a contract with Epiphone for a while. I've seen legit basses, designed by Chowny and Retrovibe in the UK here, get copied by Chinese builders who clearly got their hands on the patterns.

Any instrument with a scored out serial number is suspicious.

[Basvarken]

I think those F-holes look rather clumsy. Too big, too wide. Not elegant (as they can be).

[Dave W]

The only Epi LP basses I've ever seen with that bridge and tailpiece were from about 15-20 years ago and all of them had 2 pickups and no f holes.

I say fake.

[ilan]

Look at the tuners layout (L). Fake as a 3 dollar bill.

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Look at the tuners layout (L). Fake as a 3 dollar bill.

I thought that at first glance too, but look at your pic vs the auction pic: the tuner posts are in the same position in both. It's just the different angles of the shots making them look different. Notice that the center of each tuner post lines up with the base of the icecream cup/flower pot in both photos and the flower on the right points to the center of the upper right tuner; I just checked my Epi LP standard. It is the same. The body and pickup are extremely suspect and I'm thinking Chinese counterfeit too, but at least the headstock and tuners seem right. That's not to say that it's not a bootleg made with a stolen neck CNC file...