How to spot fake ESP

Sebastian K.Sebastian K.
Updated
    How to spot fake ESP

    Hey guys,

    Do you have any knowledge regarding fake guitars and how to spot them?

     Maybe guitar companies should start a database where we could register original guitars and verify their authenticity. I understand that, I his is extra cost but we have to somehow protect ourselves from not honest seller, specially when we buy used instruments.

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    Pushead
    Pushead wrote

    The serial number starts with an I not a 1.

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      Giorgi M.
      Giorgi M. wrote

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        Giorgi M.
        Giorgi M. wrote

        Hello, help is this guitar real or fake? LTD M10 Korea

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          Pushead
          Pushead wrote

          Hi Giorgi, it is legit.

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            Giorgi M.
            Giorgi M. wrote

            Why serial not searching up ? Thanks for answer

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              Pushead
              Pushead wrote

              It looks to be from 2002, which is when the serial number format was changing.

              With no offense intended, there's no money to be made by faking the least expensive model a company makes.

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                Rasmus H.
                Rasmus H. wrote

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                  Rasmus H.
                  Rasmus H. wrote

                  Hi

                  Can you tell me is my ESP E2 Horizon 3 real or fake?

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                    Pushead
                    Pushead wrote

                    Hi Rasmus, your Horizon III is legit. A 2022 model.

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                      Jason B
                      Jason B wrote

                      Hey, I wanted know if these two ltd’s are legit

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                        Jason B
                        Jason B wrote

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                          Jason B
                          Jason B wrote

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                            Jason B
                            Jason B wrote

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                              Iván B.
                              Iván B. wrote

                              Does this makes sense to you? The serial number starts with "SS" but the ESP logo says "CUSTOM SHOP". Also the tunners should be GOTOH MAGNUM LOCK and the mics Seymour Duncan but maybe they were swapped. Looks like an Horizon NT II. I don't have more photos because the guy is on holidays right now.


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                                Pushead
                                Pushead wrote



                                Hi Ivan,

                                Unfortunately, this guitar isn't legit. It's pretty close, but it's a fake. As you picked up, the serial number and rear logos don't match up and there are some shape differences, especially in the headstock.

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                                  Iván B.
                                  Iván B. wrote

                                  Thanks a lot for the feedback! So in this case, my eye didn't failed.

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                                    Jonas H.J.
                                    Jonas H.J. wrote

                                    Hey I Bought this Esp Ltd KH 202 on eBay for 300 euros (326 Dollar) It's made in Korea and The guy said that he replaced the pickups, but the tremolo is not same as the Original.

                                    Can you confirm if it's an esp guitar or a fake ?  

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                                      BlackCat
                                      BlackCat wrote

                                      Hi Jonas, Bridge is stock for "korean era" (licensed Floyd Rose, low pro style), but the guy removed the saddle screws and string blocks, and passed through the strings 

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