Epiphone (Greco) Thunderbird-Company refurbished??? WTF?????

Bionic-Joe · December 02, 2010, 05:58:42 PM

What do you guys think of this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Thunderbird-4-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar-/300500107855?pt=Guitar&hash=item45f733c24f#ht_892wt_1141

Denis · December 02, 2010, 06:03:03 PM

If that's for real, it would be tempting. For the price, I can hardly imagine it's a refurbed Epi like mine or the one you had.
I emailed the guy to see what the deal is.

TBird1958 · December 02, 2010, 06:34:42 PM

The pic sure looks like a Greco, the 3 point + tailpiece combo sure says that, I'd be surprised if that were really the bass being auctioned, probably the seller is using a "stock" photo from yahoo for the listing. But Epi has done a few of the "standard" bolt on neck S/B finish basses with chrome parts like the Silverburst ones, I'd say the auction and it's pricing would suggest one of those.

Nocturnal · December 02, 2010, 06:36:21 PM

Saw that tonite as well. Had me a little curious, but it only has that one picture so makes me wonder if he is just using it to sell a typical Epi sunburst Bird.

Dave W · December 02, 2010, 09:00:59 PM

No matter what the stock pic looks like, he's certainly not claiming it's a Greco. These are probably recent dealer returns of regular Chinese Epi Birds that were sent to Gibson authorized service center to be spruced up and resold.

hollowbody · December 02, 2010, 09:39:26 PM

I emailed the guy as well. First off, he said it's a stock photo and that it's a bolt on. A few minutes later he sent another message:

"I'm not sure where you got that picture but it is not the one I am using in my description. I just realized you have the wrong picture."

Basvarken · December 03, 2010, 12:27:14 AM

Sounds like the seller needs to get his act together...

Pilgrim · December 03, 2010, 06:51:03 AM

Quote from: hollowbody on December 02, 2010, 09:39:26 PM
I emailed the guy as well. First off, he said it's a stock photo and that it's a bolt on. A few minutes later he sent another message:

"I'm not sure where you got that picture but it is not the one I am using in my description. I just realized you have the wrong picture."

Well ALL RIGHT then! Glad to have that answered!

Confidence inspiring too, don'cha know?

Denis · December 03, 2010, 09:32:37 AM

I asked the seller "Hello, is this a Korean or Chinese Epi or is it one of the Japanese market Epiphones which came with those pickups originally?
Thanks"

This is what I just got back from this guy:

"Chinese Epi..... This is a stock pic on file. Actual guitar has black pickups, nickel tuning keys and white pick guard.
Thank You"

So, his listing and pic are misleading at best, fraudulent at worst.

Big_Stu · December 03, 2010, 11:07:07 AM

75 feedbacks over 7 years? Not exactly something to write home about!

drbassman · December 03, 2010, 11:07:52 AM

Ah bummer. Chromus interruptus. I hate when that happens. The guy's either incredibly stupid or a jerk.

fur85 · December 03, 2010, 11:16:53 AM

The seller clearly doesn't appreciate and understand the significance of chrome vs. black pickups in a T-bird. Can you believe there are people like that out there?

drbassman · December 03, 2010, 11:22:37 AM

Quote from: fur85 on December 03, 2010, 11:16:53 AM
The seller clearly doesn't appreciate and understand the significance of chrome vs. black pickups in a T-bird. Can you believe there are people like that out there?

I wonder what kind of spider hole he must live in, for cryin' out loud! Probably doesn't have cable TV either!

Denis · December 03, 2010, 12:27:01 PM

Quote from: drbassman on December 03, 2010, 11:22:37 AM
I wonder what kind of spider hole he must live in, for cryin' out loud! Probably doesn't have cable TV either!

Hey, I don't have cable either!

Dave W · December 03, 2010, 12:36:17 PM

Neither do I.

I don't suspect fraud, just negligence. The seller clearly doesn't understand what trouble he can get into by selling something different than what's pictured.