Gibson Fake Garbage seized

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Oldmanmetalhead

New member
I dont come on here enough to hear all the excuses but anybody that buys Chinese fake copies of expensive guitars made to deceive are part of all this piracy. Sure, maybe for your own usage this time but fact is they increase the odds of people getting ripped off. I dont care about the millions Gibson has but I care about the American consumers, us. They are all firewood far as I'm concerned
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a...-worth-18-million/ar-AA1uQu9H?ocid=TobArticle
 
Oldmanmetalhead said:
I dont come on here enough to hear all the excuses but anybody that buys Chinese fake copies of expensive guitars made to deceive are part of all this piracy. Sure, maybe for your own usage this time but fact is they increase the odds of people getting ripped off. I dont care about the millions Gibson has but I care about the American consumers, us. They are all firewood far as I'm concerned
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a...-worth-18-million/ar-AA1uQu9H?ocid=TobArticle
Click to expand...

Well shiver me timbers! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!!!!!

For the record, I do not own any Chibson fakes. I will say I shop them all the time though, and expect I'll end up with one. However - let's have a little reality check here - and bear in mind, you may not be aware that the intellectual property right s of the US are, shall we say a little out of sync with some people. By "some people" I mean basically the rest of the world.

#1 I do not think there is a person, even the most naive, that believes you can buy a Gibson guitar for 250-350 dollars. That would be like Someone trying to sell you a Ferrari for $30k. You do not need to be told it isn't a real Ferrari.

#2 I can't speak to the people who are trying to sell the as $3000 guitars. I'm sure it happens - but I suspect not that often. That said, that is wayyyyy wrong. No support for that at all. Expect criminal charges for fraud in fact.

#3 Next up - intellectual property. This is like saying "I own Apple Pie and no one but me can make an apple pie!!!!!" It's a set of features. And that set is over 60 years old. There is nothing unique about the features, or the combination anymore. Get over it. This is the only place in the world that thinks "I can have an idea and hold on to its exclusive right forever!" Especially for things like a color (I'm talking to that D-bag Larry DiMarzio) or a shape. Either a) Come up with a new idea or b) Make your product better and cheaper

#4 This is a problem because Gibson has failed to do both A & B above. They have, in fact, chose to basically say they own a shape and raise the prices while the quality goes down. They haver fundamentally chose to exclude their main market - actual working musicians - for amateur Doctors, Lawyers, and hobby musicians with good jobs. It is 2024 and we can all figure out that if Epiphone can build that guitar for $300, there is no earthly reason Gibson charges $3000, other than greed. Good luck with that. Price and performance talk, BS walks. Gibson is a lot of BS. I have bought ONE new Gibson in my life (and own 6) and will NEVER pay Gibson new prices for them - ever. And I can afford to buy new from that uber-doooosh play authentic guy at the Gibson Experience place in Nashville.

#5. If it sounds good, and feels good it IS good. After that everything else is just talk. No one cares. especially people interested in performance and not the swag factor.

I saw an early Chinese no brand copy of a Dean Razorback at the Dean Factory. The bottom line is that it was an extremely good guitar, very close to the real thing. Either play to win or go home. The guitar world attitude is the same as the American Car attitude. And that's why there are no American cars today (<= If you think there are, bring apple, because I will school you....)

I agree that a Chinese guitar with a Gibson logo being sold at $3k is a crime. But as a guy all over the web surfing guitars daily, I'm gonna say I don't see this. Not saying it happens, not saying it is right or ok. Just saying the majority of these copies, IMO, are being sold to people who know full well what they are. And if not...then some fraud charges are in order.

But that comes down to a guy at GC almost certainly KNOWINGLY decided to rip you off. That's a whole other issue. And it happens in part because of *gasp* Gibson's B2B sales policy...

So rant about firewood, and everything else . As a process improvement professional, of many years, I'd say get your product up to snuff, and make people not willing to buy anything else. Or recognize that you product is a commodity and only worth so much.

You hit a point where no one cares. We are at that point.
 
Last edited:
I own knockoffs
that I purchased from Asian builders
In the shape of Iconic guitars
with features or colors or other attributes not available from the original Murican builder

I also had my own logo on the headstock or body
Or wherever that logo was

I see them more as signature guitars than knockoffs

You do you
 
I also think that many guitarists aren't as precious about the brand name as those brands would lead you to believe. For every player that buys into the exclusivity of the Gibson brand name, there is one that just wants a guitar like Slash plays, and if it cost $250, then they 'got over on the man, dude'. I've had a student brag that he bought a JB/Jazz set for $35 and it makes his guitar look great. Does it bother him that the logo isn't perfect, or the backplate and wire is incorrect? Nope. He cares that it was $150 cheaper than a genuine set. He doesn't care that a genuine set sounds a particular way. Doesn't know or care. He has only been playing a few weeks, so the ear isn't as developed yet, anyway. That's a hard market to fight.
 
Chris Pile said:
Ignorance is a market indicator.... not a market.
Click to expand...

Ignorance of what? Not knowing or caring about the differences between the knockoff and the real thing, or the ignorance of buying something that you actually think is the real thing?
 
Aceman said:
Well shiver me timbers! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!!!!!

For the record, I do not own any Chibson fakes. I will say I shop them all the time though, and expect I'll end up with one. However - let's have a little reality check here - and bear in mind, you may not be aware that the intellectual property right s of the US are, shall we say a little out of sync with some people. By "some people" I mean basically the rest of the world.

#1 I do not think there is a person, even the most naive, that believes you can buy a Gibson guitar for 250-350 dollars. That would be like Someone trying to sell you a Ferrari for $30k. You do not need to be told it isn't a real Ferrari.

#2 I can't speak to the people who are trying to sell the as $3000 guitars. I'm sure it happens - but I suspect not that often. That said, that is wayyyyy wrong. No support for that at all. Expect criminal charges for fraud in fact.

#3 Next up - intellectual property. This is like saying "I own Apple Pie and no one but me can make an apple pie!!!!!" It's a set of features. And that set is over 60 years old. There is nothing unique about the features, or the combination anymore. Get over it. This is the only place in the world that thinks "I can have an idea and hold on to its exclusive right forever!" Especially for things like a color (I'm talking to that D-bag Larry DiMarzio) or a shape. Either a) Come up with a new idea or b) Make your product better and cheaper

#4 This is a problem because Gibson has failed to do both A & B above. They have, in fact, chose to basically say they own a shape and raise the prices while the quality goes down. They haver fundamentally chose to exclude their main market - actual working musicians - for amateur Doctors, Lawyers, and hobby musicians with good jobs. It is 2024 and we can all figure out that if Epiphone can build that guitar for $300, there is no earthly reason Gibson charges $3000, other than greed. Good luck with that. Price and performance talk, BS walks. Gibson is a lot of BS. I have bought ONE new Gibson in my life (and own 6) and will NEVER pay Gibson new prices for them - ever. And I can afford to buy new from that uber-doooosh play authentic guy at the Gibson Experience place in Nashville.

#5. If it sounds good, and feels good it IS good. After that everything else is just talk. No one cares. especially people interested in performance and not the swag factor.

I saw an early Chinese no brand copy of a Dean Razorback at the Dean Factory. The bottom line is that it was an extremely good guitar, very close to the real thing. Either play to win or go home. The guitar world attitude is the same as the American Car attitude. And that's why there are no American cars today (<= If you think there are, bring apple, because I will school you....)

I agree that a Chinese guitar with a Gibson logo being sold at $3k is a crime. But as a guy all over the web surfing guitars daily, I'm gonna say I don't see this. Not saying it happens, not saying it is right or ok. Just saying the majority of these copies, IMO, are being sold to people who know full well what they are. And if not...then some fraud charges are in order.

But that comes down to a guy at GC almost certainly KNOWINGLY decided to rip you off. That's a whole other issue. And it happens in part because of *gasp* Gibson's B2B sales policy...

So rant about firewood, and everything else . As a process improvement professional, of many years, I'd say get your product up to snuff, and make people not willing to buy anything else. Or recognize that you product is a commodity and only worth so much.

You hit a point where no one cares. We are at that point.
Click to expand...

I am not talking about people buying them new, of course they know they aren't real. What about 10 years from now, 3rd owner? People should never rationalize stealing in any form. They are built to deceive period. Burn em
 
ehdwuld said:
I own knockoffs
that I purchased from Asian builders
In the shape of Iconic guitars
with features or colors or other attributes not available from the original Murican builder

I also had my own logo on the headstock or body
Or wherever that logo was

I see them more as signature guitars than knockoffs

You do you
Click to expand...

Totally different if they dont say Gibson on the headstock. We all own Chinese stuff but they dont have to be built to deceive
 
Mincer said:
I also think that many guitarists aren't as precious about the brand name as those brands would lead you to believe. For every player that buys into the exclusivity of the Gibson brand name, there is one that just wants a guitar like Slash plays, and if it cost $250, then they 'got over on the man, dude'. I've had a student brag that he bought a JB/Jazz set for $35 and it makes his guitar look great. Does it bother him that the logo isn't perfect, or the backplate and wire is incorrect? Nope. He cares that it was $150 cheaper than a genuine set. He doesn't care that a genuine set sounds a particular way. Doesn't know or care. He has only been playing a few weeks, so the ear isn't as developed yet, anyway. That's a hard market to fight.
Click to expand...

Wonder how that student will feel if he buys a fake copy Chinese turd next year unknowingly
 
Oldmanmetalhead said:
I am not talking about people buying them new, of course they know they aren't real. What about 10 years from now, 3rd owner? People should never rationalize stealing in any form. They are built to deceive period. Burn em
Click to expand...

And if it looks good, sounds good, and feels good - so what? I agree outright fraud is wrong.
But if you don't assume all sales people - especially independent sellers, are liars...well, bad things should happen to you.
And if you get caught doing that - well, we have laws for that.

There will be a Youtube vid, hell, there probably already is. "How to Spot Fake Gibsons from 2015-2030"
 
Ignorance of what? Not knowing or caring about the differences between the knockoff and the real thing, or the ignorance of buying something that you actually think is the real thing?
Click to expand...

Ignorance of the law regarding counterfeits - specifically the laws against selling unlicensed brands.
It is illegal to produce, sell, buy, or POSSESS counterfeit goods in the US.
Penalties could include a fine of $250,000 dollars or 25 years in federal prison - or BOTH.

About a decade ago I bought a fake Gibson at auction. I thought it was the real thing. I took it home and opened it up, and within 12 hours had returned the guitar and demanded a refund. I showed the seller WHY it was fake, and once I got my money back I told them I was alerting the Customs office to come seize the guitar. I suggested they get hold of the person who gave them the guitar to sell, and have him come get it pronto. The auction house was not happy about it. US Customs agent and a sheriff officer showed up and seized it. Both of them called me and questioned me extensively about the guitar, and how I knew it was fake. They thanked me, and the sheriff called me again a couple days later to tell me the auction house had been caught selling fake Rolexes as well.

I have no love for anyone who sells fakes in this country. They deserve whatever misery befalls them.
 
Chris Pile said:
Ignorance of the law regarding counterfeits - specifically the laws against selling unlicensed brands.
It is illegal to produce, sell, buy, or POSSESS counterfeit goods in the US.
Penalties could include a fine of $250,000 dollars or 25 years in federal prison - or BOTH.

About a decade ago I bought a fake Gibson at auction. I thought it was the real thing. I took it home and opened it up, and within 12 hours had returned the guitar and demanded a refund. I showed the seller WHY it was fake, and once I got my money back I told them I was alerting the Customs office to come seize the guitar. I suggested they get hold of the person who gave them the guitar to sell, and have him come get it pronto. The auction house was not happy about it. US Customs agent and a sheriff officer showed up and seized it. Both of them called me and questioned me extensively about the guitar, and how I knew it was fake. They thanked me, and the sheriff called me again a couple days later to tell me the auction house had been caught selling fake Rolexes as well.

I have no love for anyone who sells fakes in this country. They deserve whatever misery befalls them.
Click to expand...

Oh, that makes sense. I have the same issue with fakes. I don't understand the demand to willingly buy them. I do understand people unwillingly getting ripped off by a chain of people who either don't realize or they do it maliciously.
 
ehdwuld said:
I know a few
Click to expand...

Like this idiot right here?
0JqSPnb.jpeg
 
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