While flicking through the listings of eBay I came across one of those horrible sparkly, Liberace variety Gibson Les Paul gold tops you never see in the stores, (because they’re fake – obviously).

This one was advertised as a genuine Gibson, good condition, gold color, (for those who are blind yet for some reason look at eBay!?!). Well, taking great offense to this guitar yours truly sent the seller a friendly message; I hope you weren’t ripped off, it’s a fake, I can see by the headstock shape and truss rod cover, and I said that there are other inconsistencies (which I didn’t mention), I hope you do the right thing and pull it, etc. etc. I leave it at that, as expected I get no reply.
Low and behold the seller has another “Gibson” Les Paul for sale, and claims that he LOST the truss rod cover on this one, as you do; Some people lose keys, wallets, tickets, this guy loses a piece of plastic that was screwed, probably with three screws, into some wood.

Man, that’s unlucky. Funny he lost the bit that I told him was a giveaway for a fake? Well that was it, I can’t stand these con artists so, in true vigilante style I donned my famous cowl and raced to the batcave where I, er, well, I sat at my desk and emailed Gibson Customer Service and told on him. Anyway, after a report to eBay both the offending items were removed. The seller then put his location as eBaysucksd**k, or something to that effect, clearly a real nice guy. Anyway, if you ever need help with a Gibson guitar send Gibson Customer Services an email, they may not have time to respond straight away but if you send them pictures and item numbers, (if on an auction site) then they can help with any questions. if you email me and they’re fake I’ll put them on the web.

