I came across these new Epiphone guitars several times.
these guitar have "LUXXXXXX" serial numbers, which if i check via Guitar Dater Project...doesn't register.
I've seen 3 models of these LU guitars (LP Standard, LP Custom, and LP Black Beauty).
from what I can gather, these guitars are made in Indonesia and the serial LU is supposed to mean (Licensed by Unsung). A Korean Epi made in Indonesia?

here's some pics of a Black Beauty LP:











here's the pickups from a Black Beauty LP:





I've personally tried a few of these guitars and they do play and feel better than an MIC LP.
and the hardware, paint job, and finishing seems legit.
so I guess my question is...are these guitars real Epis? (maybe factory samples or mock up units...or maybe pre-final finishing guitars and was meant for the European and Korean markets) or just real good counterfeits?

This post has been edited by Ryo: Dec 22 2009, 09:41 PM

no website unfortunately. the pickup pics i picked up from a Indonesian forum post. the guitar pics are emailed to me by the seller, who is actually a friend's friend in Indonesia.
and he claims that he got his stock straight from the factory. i'll ask for more details.
I'm thinking maybe these could be prototype guitars which are leaked by the factory? kinda like an ES processor or something like that maybe?


The SI series do have Epiphone imprinted on the guitar's pickups...these guitars do not, but there are Indonesian Epiphones which pickups are plain like these LU guitars.
Also, on the LU...the bridge has an imprint that says "SUNG-IL KOREA". Similar to an MIK Epi.
maybe there's some truth on unsung maybe pirating these guitars....who knows

This post has been edited by Ryo: Dec 22 2009, 11:45 PM

i think we've established so far that these guitar are designed based on the old korean Epis.
possibly Unsung is pirating and dumping em into the open market.
but do you guys think that these Epis are fakes?
coz fakers in general would modify the serial numbers just to cover up their tracks...
i mean if an average joe is buying a guitar, first thing he/she will spot is the serial number and will cross check it with guitar dater project or similar sites.
clearly it won't match up, but they decided anyways to put these "LUXXXXXX" serials on em.
it's easier for the luthiers or factories or whatever to change em and register the guitars since it's not going to be that difficult (ie. serial number generators or something of the sort?).
but they didn't...
are they trying to make a point or something?
coz from the way i see it, these Epis are better quality and cheaper guitars than their MIC counterparts and maybe they want you to know that.
or possibly, these Epis are the real thing and we will see these LUXXXXXX serials used in the future, the moment these guitars will be official.