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CheapGuitarStores.com "replica Chinese basses"

Genuine or replica?

  • Genuine - The fake will fall apart.

    Votes: 85 72.0%
  • Replica - A worthy budget-wise alternative.

    Votes: 33 28.0%

  • Total voters
    118
you would lose respect but like most
would admire/respect the quality

I'm not arguing
pointing out factoids
the fake water transfer folks need scolding too
it's not right to use anothers brand I agree
I'm just not knocking all the workmanship because some of it is
quite good.
You're completely wrong. I think anyone doing business with counterfeiters is themselves morally and ethically deficient. Fake decal folks too.

I'm not knocking "foreign" workmanship. The USA has no exclusive on skilled craftsmen or CNC machines. I'm knocking crooked counterfeiters - they and their knowing customers should all be shot, imho. Quality of the product is irrelevant to me if it's a counterfeit product. Even a perfect counterfeit is still a counterfeit.
 
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I didn't vote in the poll because neither choice fits. I need a "Genuine because who cares how well the counterfeit is made, it's counterfeit and just plain wrong" choice.
 
After seeing the Cheap Guitars online, it looks like a rip off, where you pay them and wait for a couple of weeks for them to ship, and they tell you a month later that they shipped it as scheduled, and you still don't have the bass. Fast forward to 3 months later, and you still don't have a bass, and the company refuses to give you your money back, and you have no recourse.

Apparently the took the same photo of GC's online store. Unless they are a licensed Scheter dealer, I would avoid it at all cost. And get someone you trust who is visiting the US to buy the real deal and bring it back.
 
You're completely wrong. I think anyone doing business with counterfeiters is themselves morally and ethically deficient. Fake decal folks too.

I'm not knocking "foreign" workmanship. The USA has no exclusive on skilled craftsmen or CNC machines. I'm knocking crooked counterfeiters - they and their knowing customers should all be shot, imho. Quality of the product is irrelevant to me if it's a counterfeit product. Even a perfect counterfeit is still a counterfeit.

Because you have a 'thing' about counterfeiters
doesn't make me wrong in the least
counterfeit can also be an imitation
or simply a copy....semantics
if they priced as originals
then yeah, a load of BS
the person who resells trying to scam
despicable.
We can agree we disagree
 
I don't think anyone here has seen anything but the website. They would have to have one hell of an operation to have all those basses in stock. Stock being the key word here. All those pics look like stock photos to me that they will replicate if you place an order. Probably can get a side order of decals with that entrée.
I'm out

Have a good night all:cool:
 
Because you have a 'thing' about counterfeiters
doesn't make me wrong in the least
counterfeit can also be an imitation
or simply a copy....semantics
if they priced as originals
then yeah, a load of BS
the person who resells trying to scam
despicable.
We can agree we disagree

It's not just semantics. If the manufacturer is making something which they do not have the legal right to make, THEY are the ones ripping someone off.
 
It depends on intent. If a builder wants to be "inspired" by a brand (e.g. Fodera), then have at it. The moment they replicate the logo/trademark (e.g. the butterfly), then they are no longer inspired, they are stealing. It doesn't matter what price they are selling for - they are making money based on the reputation of a legitimate company, and they are creating the potential to devalue the legitimate brand.

By buying a counterfeit, you are enabling illegal behavior, and showing that you have very little value for other people's hard work. Everyone is free to make their own decisions, but realize that most will view buying a counterfeit as slimy behavior, no matter what the rationalization.

At the end of the day, you have to look in the mirror at yourself. Some people can do all sorts of questionable things and still do that, so ymmv.
 
It's not just semantics. If the manufacturer is making something which they do not have the legal right to make, THEY are the ones ripping someone off.

This. If you happen to work in a job that involves intellectual property, whether that be trademarks, patents or copyright, you will understand why this is a big deal. Counterfeiting IP is stealing others' hard work and reputation.
 
That's counterfeit for sure, especially because of the logo. They are counterfeiting for a profit; they are not in it to produce a high quality instrument for your satisfaction. More than likely, they will cut as many corners as possible to maximize their profit. You never know if the lower cost is due to that or a free market... personally I wouldn't trust somebody who is dishonest and unethical about their business. Sometimes you can find a Chinese copy or knockoff that plays well after a good setup, but I would be extremely hesitant about purchasing one off the internet without pictures of the actual product being sold.
 
Because you have a 'thing' about counterfeiters
doesn't make me wrong in the least
counterfeit can also be an imitation
or simply a copy....semantics
if they priced as originals
then yeah, a load of BS
the person who resells trying to scam
despicable.
We can agree we disagree
If you're willingly doing business with counterfeiters, then you're wrong, and not "in the least". You're participating in theft of property. We can agree to disagree, but that wouldn't make you any less wrong.
 
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I'll pipe in on this. On the subject of replica guitar you should be aware that it may not be playable. I watched a video on youtube where a guy ordered a fake Gibson and he talked about "replica" guitars. It was the first I ever heard of any such thing. He said the frets looked good but weren't real fret material, and there spacing was off. Also the pickups didn't work. It was a replica meant for display maybe at a bar or something. It made me think of these ceramic cakes that the restaurants use for display sometimes. But the cheapo Gibson he ordered did work but sounded bad and no great part aside from a rebuild was going to make it better.Look on youtube for guitar comparisons with there cheap Chinese knockoffs.
 
Still boggles my mind how they can do the copy design so cheap. Black Eagle for example, a lot of unique features on that bass.
I think a lot of them are built here and a certain number go out the back door - I assume the majority of Gibson copies come out of the factory producing Epiphones here....no proof..just seems like it would make sense and explain the huge #.
 
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Incorrect, if Matsumoku was making them, I would lose all respect for Matsumoku. Of course, they don't exist any more. But even the worse of the Japanese "Lawsuit Era" copies didn't try to fake the brand name.
to be fair - some of those logos were scripted to be very close...Burny, Greco, Tokai etc - it was also a time before one was able to easily source, download and print counterfeit logos...
I don't think Matsumoto et al can be lauded as without fault and encouraged to cast the first stone at what is just a current manifestation of the same thing - copying instruments.