well and so... I read all of this thread, and liked some of the responses.
Personally, I prefer a zero tolerance policy toward fake brand name guitars, BUT
I have a lot of sympathy for a victim of the scammers. That PeteR from MLP
and/or ETSG seems to be an Epi "expert," perhaps even employed by the company.
He's got flags waving...
So he WOULD have an axe to grind. I actually agreed with some of what he said,
but it seemed like he was speaking to the world, and not to the OP. I don't have any
power to push people around or ban them or lock down threads, and I don't want
any. I am still a member of ETSG, but never visit MLP. Not a Les Paul guy.
I don't have anything against replicas or tribute models or inexpensive models that are
no more and no less than they seem. As a matter of fact I would wish to be among
the first to welcome a new player with an Epi Les Paul Special ll or anything like that.
The difference I see is that a fake guitar is a criminal thing, made by criminals in order
to swindle the unwary or the innocent. Something like that pisses me off and I don't want
to discuss it. I wouldn't stay long on a forum that was willing to discuss it or welcome it.
An inexpensive entry level guitar can be a thing of beauty, beloved by the player long after
he/she has moved on to other instruments. Let's keep it that way. I believe in welcoming
the new and prospective members, and giving them encouragement and whatever info we
can.
Many times I'll comment on a thread, speaking not just to the OP but intending my remarks to be
helpful to lurkers etc who may be seeking the same answers that motivated the OP to begin
a thread. I believe this happens much more than any of us know.
So respect to all and encouragement to the newbs, and good wishes to all at the end of a
very trying year. Let's have no more fake guitars... wouldn't that be progress?
