Anyone have any experience with Chibsons?

Tesco TripleChicken · 22-06-2014 4:12pm #1

They look like very nice guitars for the price and Im thinking of ordering one from a Chinese seller.
Has anyone on here bought one before?
Was there any trouble with customs or anything? I have also heard that items sent via EMS are checked by customs as they're known for shipping Chinese items, is this true?
I won't be selling the guitar and I am having a custom logo put on it anyway. I also don't have the money for a real Gibson, and probably wouldn't buy one if I did have the money (unless I was rich or if I was good enough to justify paying that much for a guitar).

Grolschevik · 22-06-2014 4:22pm

Mostly I've heard they're fit for firewood only. But I've heard of a few people who found them to be decent bases for an upgrade project.

Maybe others would know more about customs, but I've been stung for it importing other things from Asia.

I've also been stung by Chinese sellers 'losing' stuff in transit and then not being contactable afterwards when I was looking for my money back. But that was eBay.

TL;DR: I wouldn't myself.

Tesco TripleChicken · 22-06-2014 4:52pm

Grolschevik wrote: »

Mostly I've heard they're fit for firewood only. But I've heard of a few people who found them to be decent bases for an upgrade project.

Maybe others would know more about customs, but I've been stung for it importing other things from Asia.

Yeah Ive been doing plenty of research and I've found a seller who has almost 100% positive feedback and plenty of youtube reviews. They seem to be on par with Epiphone guitars, which also, can be a hit or miss at times.

What were you importing from Asia? Did it get confiscated and that was it?

Would the people at customs know its a fake? And if it's only one item, without intent to sell, would they care?

Grolschevik · 22-06-2014 5:19pm

I don't know if they'd know it was fake. It's probably their job to.

It was a suit that originated in Vietnam. FedEx paid the duty and then billed me to recoup it...

Tesco TripleChicken · 22-06-2014 5:42pm

Grolschevik wrote: »

I don't know if they'd know it was fake. It's probably their job to.

It was a suit that originated in Vietnam. FedEx paid the duty and then billed me to recoup it...

But you still got it? My only concern is it actually getting through customs and arriving at my door, I have no problem paying tax/duty.

Grolschevik · 22-06-2014 5:47pm

Yeah, got it.

You need to work out how much any duty
might be; it could wipe out any savings.

Your second issue is the question you asked in Legal Discussion.

Schwiiing · 22-06-2014 6:09pm

Check out Chinaguitarsceptic on youtube. He buys Chibsons and reviews them.

Tesco TripleChicken · 22-06-2014 6:41pm

Schwiiing wrote: »

Check out Chinaguitarsceptic on youtube. He buys Chibsons and reviews them.

Yeah Ive seen him. It's not the quality Im worried about since I know its kinda hit and miss, you could get a good one, you could get a bad one, but Im mainly just concerned if it will get through Irish customs. I haven't read anyone saying their package was seized by customs, but Im not sure if Irish customs are more strict than other countries

Ravelleman · 22-06-2014 9:57pm

Tesco TripleChicken wrote: »

Was there any trouble with customs or anything? I have also heard that items sent via EMS are checked by customs as they're known for shipping Chinese items, is this true?

What do you mean by "trouble with customs or anything"?

How much do you expect to spend on the guitar?

To be honest, you're deluding yourself if you think it's going to be of anything but sub-par quality.

Tesco TripleChicken · 22-06-2014 11:10pm

Ravelleman wrote: »

What do you mean by "trouble with customs or anything"?

How much do you expect to spend on the guitar?

To be honest, you're deluding yourself if you think it's going to be of anything but sub-par quality.

As in, was there any problems getting it through customs i.e. was it seized.

Ash.J.Williams · 23-06-2014 11:27am

Don't ever buy a fake gibson....there are many many great japenese "homages" to gibson out there....but to buy a fake just makes you look like a cvnt....what's the point?

Tesco TripleChicken · 23-06-2014 11:46am

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Don't ever buy a fake gibson....there are many many great japenese "homages" to gibson out there....but to buy a fake just makes you look like a cvnt....what's the point?

They're cheap, come in any finish you want that you won't get elsewhere unless you make a custom order with Gibson, they can be custom built from the factory.
I also don't mind putting a bit of work into it. I'll be getting a blank headstock or my own logo put on it if I do get one.

Can you also give me the names of some of those Japanese brands? Might consider it depending on the cost/availability of them

slavetothegrind · 23-06-2014 12:28pm

burny, edwards, orville, tokai any of which would be a superior instrument.

Sure if all you want is a guitar to look good then fire away!

Ash.J.Williams · 24-06-2014 1:53pm

I picked up an edwards on adverts for €500 and it's a beaut...really is a great guitar, i'd rate it higher than a les paul studio. If a "chibson" is around 300 ...i'd save another 200 for a real guitar......

Tesco TripleChicken · 24-06-2014 4:43pm

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

I picked up an edwards on adverts for €500 and it's a beaut...really is a great guitar, i'd rate it higher than a les paul studio. If a "chibson" is around 300 ...i'd save another 200 for a real guitar......

€200 incl. hardcase and shipping + tax (€50).
€500 would be way out of my price range at the moment unless I sold one of my other guitars. Probably going to get a second hand Epi LP off adverts instead as it's even cheaper than the Chibson and at least I can see what I'm getting

Ash.J.Williams · 24-06-2014 5:16pm

Tesco TripleChicken wrote: »

€200 incl. hardcase and shipping + tax (€50).
€500 would be way out of my price range at the moment unless I sold one of my other guitars. Probably going to get a second hand Epi LP off adverts instead as it's even cheaper than the Chibson and at least I can see what I'm getting

if they were proud of their work they'd put their own name on it!! Adverts is full of amazing guitars, have a good look before you settle for the epi.

Grolschevik · 24-06-2014 5:22pm

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

if they were proud of their work they'd put their own name on it!! Adverts is full of amazing guitars, have a good look before you settle for the epi.

True enough, Ash.

Also look out for Pearl LP replicas. As good as the real thing, made in the late '70s, early '80s.

Ravelleman · 24-06-2014 7:06pm

Grolschevik wrote: »

True enough, Ash.

Also look out for Pearl LP replicas. As good as the real thing, made in the late '70s, early '80s.

Having played a Pearl LP replica I can say that, in my experience, this is definitely not true!

wild turkey · 24-06-2014 10:44pm

http://www.thomann.de/ie/gibson_sgspecialfaded_wc.htm

The knockoff would nearly cost as much !

Grolschevik · 25-06-2014 10:28am

Ravelleman wrote: »

Having played a Pearl LP replica I can say that, in my experience, this is definitely not true!

Was it a set neck one? I've heard there are bolt-ons, but I've never seen one.

I own one, and have played another. Equals my '98 LP Standard easily.

Ash.J.Williams · 25-06-2014 10:32am

i bought a cheap 2nd hand gibson les paul jnr with p90's on trade last year.
2 things to note:

It was a wonderful sounding guitar that i found hard to put down.
it was badly in need of attention. Very poorly finished guitar.(from factory not from use)

Ash.J.Williams · 25-06-2014 10:33am

i don't find cheap epi's nice to play or listen too at all...however i've heard the higher end epi's are excellent.

Tesco TripleChicken · 25-06-2014 10:38am

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

i don't find cheap epi's nice to play or listen too at all...however i've heard the higher end epi's are excellent.

I have an Epi 60s Tribute, amazing guitar, fretwork is perfect, fretboard is rolled (which I havent seen on any other budget guitar), comes with Gibson 57 pups and upgraded electronics from the factory.
I've never played a Gibson, but from what Ive read, the Tribute models are on par.

Ash.J.Williams · 25-06-2014 10:42am

Tesco TripleChicken wrote: »

I have an Epi 60s Tribute, amazing guitar, fretwork is perfect, fretboard is rolled (which I havent seen on any other budget guitar), comes with Gibson 57 pups and upgraded electronics from the factory.
I've never played a Gibson, but from what Ive read, the Tribute models are on par.

i see epi claim they are the best les pauls you can buy!

Tesco TripleChicken · 25-06-2014 11:05am

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/epiphone-les-pauls/190341-epiphone-les-paul-tribute-plus-2012-rave-n-review.html

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/epiphone-les-pauls/237363-new-2012-epiphone-les-paul-60s-tribute-plus.html

Ash.J.Williams · 25-06-2014 11:09am

some decent epi's here too...expensive though, but seem high spec.
http://www.irishcustomguitars.ie/

Ash.J.Williams · 25-06-2014 11:17am

F**k this...i've got gas now!

I presume the higher end (€385) epi SG's are higher quality finish then the low end gibson?? they look cheap as f**

Tesco TripleChicken · 25-06-2014 11:54am

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

F**k this...i've got gas now!

I presume the higher end (€385) epi SG's are higher quality finish then the low end gibson?? they look cheap as f**

Well they definately look better than the low end Gibsons (i.e. the Epi Standards look better than Gibson Juniors/Special finishes). If I was going to get a Gibson it would at least have to be a Standard, I've also read bad things about the cheaper Gibsons.

Ash.J.Williams · 25-06-2014 1:29pm

I like studios and juniors, i'm really into the stripped down all mahogany look....but the latest (cheaper) models look awful and look they they feel awful too...i hate to talk money...but i think any gibson under €600 could be muck.

nice studio - €959
http://www.thomann.de/ie/gibson_lp_studio_2014_db.htm

not so nice--€639
http://www.thomann.de/ie/gibson_les_paul_studio_limited_wc.htm

Nice ESP Ltd - €611
http://www.thomann.de/ie/esp_ltd_ec400vf_tsb.htm

nice epi- 629
http://www.thomann.de/ie/epiphone_les_paul_tribute_plus_ms.htm

I would say at this price and not including the first one! it's between epi and ESP.

seachto7 · 25-06-2014 1:59pm

I have a Gibson SG 60s tribute with P90s, and while it's a lovely guitar to play, I'll probably move it on again when I get a strat, more to do with space and room at home than anything else.
It's plain black and while I love the P90s, I could take or leave the guitar itself.

Some of the stripped down junior specials with P90s look cool, but I don't think they would be a whole lot different to what I have now, apart from the body.

I had often thought of looking for an epi with P90s, and tinkering away on it for a while, maybe sticking on a bigbsy, along the lines of Alan Sparhawks Gibson.

I don't see any Epis with P90s apart from the hollow bodies these days....

Anyone have any experience with Chibsons?

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