Gibson ( Fakes/Chinese knock offs)

[ibenhad]

Sure I will get both sides of the fence here and that is cool but whenever I see fake Les Pauls posted anywhere for sale or trade I flag them and report them to here :

http://www2.gibson.com/Support/Report-Counterfeits.aspx

Does anyone else do this? So my reason is this - I own 14 Gibson guitars and I feel it cheapens the name and also devalues my legit ones. I am not talking any of the Keebler units that people commission (not sure why) but the straight up Chinese units that are plywood and cost around $300 from various resources. My main issue is that while some sellers will list them as fakes, replicas and whatnot, other unscrupulous people will try to off them as the real deal. And yeah yeah buyer beware but I just picture some 14 year old or even younger that worked summer jobs for years to save for a Les Paul and pays say $1500 for one of these rip offs assuming it's real and it's not. Sorry for the rant but just wondered how others felt.

 

[Tvd]

I'll stick the target on my back,

but say you did it first..

You said it..

buyer beware.

Gibson purists will point out all the fake elements of the copy to everybody they know as soon as they come across it,

reporting it and keeping it out of the hands of somebody who wants a decent guitar that actually plays betterthan half of the LEGIT gibsons on the wall at the local guitar shop is shite.

Worry about your own guitars, when it comes time, your serial number matches up and god forbid it's worth so much a coa is involved..

PLAY GUITAR

 

[Shiny_Surface]

So it's ok for high end rip offs/knock offs but not Chinese.

I see the same double standard all the time with other gear as well on forums.

 

[Kelly]

So it's ok for high end rip offs/knock offs but not Chinese.

I see the same double standard all the time with other gear as well on forums.

^^ This. I really dont understand why it's OK for Pete Thorn (as much as I like the guy) to brag about his high-dollar fake, but guys with cheap knockoffs get reported.

 

[R45VT]

I'll stick the target on my back,

but say you did it first..

You said it..

buyer beware.

Gibson purists will point out all the fake elements of the copy to everybody they know as soon as they come across it,

reporting it and keeping it out of the hands of somebody who wants a decent guitar that actually plays betterthan half of the LEGIT gibsons on the wall at the local guitar shop is shite.

Worry about your own guitars, when it comes time, your serial number matches up and god forbid it's worth so much a coa is involved..

PLAY GUITAR

I have a problem with all knock off crap. If its not the real thing then put a different name on the headstock... I doubt the plywood shit plays well at all. It must resonate like a turd thats been left in the sun and turned white.

Would you want chinese brakes on your car? You know the knock off ones that come for pennies on the dollar. Or the Chinese airbag knock offs? They shoot confetti...

If the knock offs are sooooo fucking good as you say why don't they make have their own name and build a reputation?

 

[blackba]

It seems the phrase 'copyright infringement' does not translate terribly well to mandarin. - guy from the uk top gear

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Agree with OP but in reality who has time to be the verification police?

 

[joepete77]

I own a bunch of real vintage and historic gibsons but I also own two Japanese Orville les Paul's . One is a black custom and the other I was told is a 58 plain top ri. The previous owner of the plain top for some reason had a Gibson lp veneer put over the original Orville one. To most non forum types this would pass as a real Gibson although I would never try to pass it off as one. The mod was done yrs ago before Orville's were known about and somewhat desirable. I don't use either much at All so I plan on selling them both but I don't want to deal with the bullshit but I guess as long as I mention the issue in my post then hopefully I will be alright.

 

[Bob Savage]

Agree with OP but in reality who has time to be the verification police?

The OP.

 

[Ventura]

So it's ok for high end rip offs/knock offs but not Chinese.

I see the same double standard all the time with other gear as well on forums.

Point.

 

[1meanplexi]

This is a topic that always interest me. I watched a lot on you tube with these "fakes". As we all know Slash had an LP knock off that he says it is a guitar that Gibson could never build. But...that guitar was never for sale, just made for him. You see cars that are replicas take the Shelby cobra kit car. Ever look at the difference between a real one and the kit version???? Outside the price those fuckers are soooo close.

Anyway, this is not a defensive position for a knock off of anything let alone guitars. I just saw a seller on ebay that posted a Zakk Wylde LP custom from his own "personal collection" that was not disclosed as a fake when it was/is. Those people should have the book thrown at them. Now, if it is disclosed as a copy or a fake and the buyer knows that? Guess that is to the discretion of the buyer. Just my .02. Great topic though. I am interested in more responses.

 

[rlord1974]

The only "fakes" that get my blood boiling are the ones that use the actual manufacturer's logo and model name on them. That is counterfeiting, pure and simple. It's a rip-off and can deceive/swindle a potential purchaser.

"Replicas" of a guitar that have the actual luthier's name and/or logo don't get me as rattled, because they are not masquerading to be something they are not.

I guess that means: I'm against the Chinese counterfeit guitars, and have less disdain for something like a Yaron, as it has Yaron's name on it - not Gibson's. I'm sure Gibson's position is quite different than mine, however.

 

[dfrattaroli]

I'm with the OP. I don't understand why it doesn't bother anyone. People lose their shit over amps that are made in China but if it's a Les Paul rip-off, you're good? It's bullshit. Next time someone wants to bitch about Gibson prices, don't think this doesn't have something to do with it.

 

[dfrattaroli]

The only "fakes" that get my blood boiling are the ones that use the actual manufacturer's logo and model name on them. That is counterfeiting, pure and simple. It's a rip-off and can deceive/swindle a potential purchaser.

Agreed.

 

[ibenhad]

So it's ok for high end rip offs/knock offs but not Chinese.

I see the same double standard all the time with other gear as well on forums.

I never said it was OK I just said I don't report them when I see them. Maybe because they are hand made in the USA and have the same woods or better used and actually cost more than the real deal at times. They are not plywood and the people selling them are almost always quick to point out that they are replica's. I would prefer they not use the Gibson logo but what can you do? That brand means something or that wouldn't happen. I personally don't care what my headstock says as long as it's the name of the company/person that actually made it. The Tokai Les Paul's are sweet and I would love a Burny. It's the quality of the instrument I care about. Carry on and if you feel the need to buy $300 Les Paul counterfeits remember you get what you pay for. No one will ever convince me that some pickup and hardware upgrades will change a Chinese knock off to Gibson quality or playability.


P.S. I have a Hohner Les Paul custom copy from the 70's. It plays great and sounds good but is still a $300 guitar.

 

[fluff191]

So it's ok for high end rip offs/knock offs but not Chinese.

I see the same double standard all the time with other gear as well on forums.

THIS!

Anyone remember my Bugera vs. Mesa post and video?

Its ok to copy something and make it with better parts as long as its in America.


Straight up counterfeiting is a whole other story. Totally against that.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

A fake is a fake whether its a $300 dollar made in China copy or a $10,000 exact 59 Gibson LP Standard replica.

I don't report them to Gibson, I don't get paid to police counterfeits. If someone asks if a guitar they are looking at is a fake I'll tell em.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

It's the quality of the instrument I care about.

These market segments don't overlap much imo.

The people who buy the Chinese copies at the lower price points aren't going to pay more for a Gibson in the first place, and already made the decision to reject Gibson's own lower priced Epiphone line.

The people who buy the high end copies think Gibson's are shoddily built and willing to pay more for higher quality.

 

[Heritage Softail]

A fake is a fake whether its a $300 dollar made in China copy or a $10,000 exact 59 Gibson LP Standard replica.

I don't report them to Gibson, I don't get paid to police counterfeits. If someone asks if a guitar they are looking at is a fake I'll tell em.

The old saying holds true...

It is what it is. A fake is a fake. If this guy is so great at building guitars, let him make his own and put his name on it. A quality builder gets a good rep over time. They deserve it. People seek them out and pay for the quality. If it is a 100% copy with the Gibson name, that is a crime.

 

[Anonymous]

At this point with Gibson, as long as they aren't using the Gibson logo, I don't see the problem. 50-60 year old designs, never trademarked, copyrighted, patented... who cares as long as they aren't infringing on Gibson's name - Les Paul knockoffs have been around forever and no all of the sudden it's a problem?

Steve