I don't want to digress too much but with the state of the world we live in, I do not see any ethical way to amass that much capital. Somewhere along the line, someone's being harmed or taken advantage of.
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Chinese knock-off basses
- Thread starter Pete Langford
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I don't want to digress too much but with the state of the world we live in, I do not see any ethical way to amass that much capital. Somewhere along the line, someone's being harmed or taken advantage of.
The capital gets invested, and that’s good for the economy.
I'm glad someone else's morality didnt prevent me from owning a very sweet bass inexpensively
There are many ways to turn a profit without resorting to outright forgery.
Whose most to blame. The person ordering the forgery or the company fufilling the order ?
The majority of Ali Ex/DH Gate sellers give build times so the Fauxderas etc are made to order. Simple answer is don't buy and they wont build.
The majority of Ali Ex/DH Gate sellers give build times so the Fauxderas etc are made to order. Simple answer is don't buy and they wont build.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Both are to blame. That's like saying drug dealers, smugglers and manufacterers aren't to blame for the drug problem.
The supplier of my Chinese bass gave a list of a dozen or so dealers I could approach in Spain - none had anything in stock so I had to take a chance and I'm very glad I did.
I think in the near future, the better quality Chinese instruments will be appearing in the shops as their reputation deservedly grows. (I think I just split an infinitive - so sue me !).
I look forward to that occurring, because then quality will speak for itself, without the present gamble....
or the need for fancy labels.
It's good to hear the criticism of the super-rich, I would go further and say that anyone feeling the need of that amount of money should be treated as mentally and emotionally ********, and given treatment.
Most of the animals seem to obey an unwritten law that says "Don't kill more than you can eat." That is sustainable -- our modus operandi is clearly not. (Clearly to some, that is.)
Of course, if you enjoy righteous indignation, and the feeling of moral superiority, and go looking for things to quarrel with, then fine -- but there are surely more pressing subjects to get worked up about.
I think in the near future, the better quality Chinese instruments will be appearing in the shops as their reputation deservedly grows. (I think I just split an infinitive - so sue me !).
I look forward to that occurring, because then quality will speak for itself, without the present gamble....
or the need for fancy labels.
It's good to hear the criticism of the super-rich, I would go further and say that anyone feeling the need of that amount of money should be treated as mentally and emotionally ********, and given treatment.
Most of the animals seem to obey an unwritten law that says "Don't kill more than you can eat." That is sustainable -- our modus operandi is clearly not. (Clearly to some, that is.)
Of course, if you enjoy righteous indignation, and the feeling of moral superiority, and go looking for things to quarrel with, then fine -- but there are surely more pressing subjects to get worked up about.
You can thank the government for driving up prices with the cost of living and taxes for producing anything in North America. I can't speak for the USA, but in Canada the idiotic government keeps spending money foolishly which requires yearly budget increases because they always run short of money. Then taxes are increased, which raises the cost of everything else down the line; and on it goes... Where do they think all this money is being fabricated?
Where do they think all this money is being fabricated?
In the USA it's called the Federal Reserve.
In the USA it's called the Federal Reserve.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Before you climb up on the soapbox and start attacking others, try to at least READ their posts. No one here has been denigrating basses because of the country of origin. No one here has been denigrating basses because of he cost. The issue is counterfeits. Plenty of people here have NBDs after buying inexpensive basses, both new and used.
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If businesses were all co-ops, fraudulent presentation of goods would still not be right. It would be like selling fake John Lewis washing machines in the UK.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
With all due respect, if you think it's impossible to save up a million dollars in a lifetime without being unethical, you either don't understand money, or need to start saving and investing better.
I believe that my Harley Benton Jazz copy was made in China. It's a very good, if heavy bass, although no neck dive. It doesn't pretend to be anything else. Fender did not protect the design, so it's fair. Years ago, Chinese quality wasn't there, but it is now
There might be an argument as to what should be allowed in design patents.
I got my machine from John Lewis, as it's a good company to support, plus great after sales service. I'd be annoyed if it was a fake.
The complete lack of comprehension of the actual issue says so much about the issues in the world today.
Asdfgh - I think the FED creates money with bonds, and fractional reserve banking creates debt.
Your opinion would be welcome.
Incidentally, I'm currently attending my son's wedding on Kefalonia, a Greek island - wearing my new, expensive, John Lewis suit. Made in China.
Your opinion would be welcome.
Incidentally, I'm currently attending my son's wedding on Kefalonia, a Greek island - wearing my new, expensive, John Lewis suit. Made in China.
The deal was these counterfeit Chinese basses and guitars. I have never have had hands on a Counterfeit Bass, but know a friend that just bought a Chinese "Les Paul Custom" with Gibson written on the Head. Looks like a Gibson in every way, except it is made with cheap electronics, pickups, Tuners, Bridge, etc. It sounds and plays like crap, and the fretts are a mess. The knobs won't even stay on the pots, so he used plumbers putty to help them not fall off. Paid $300 for it. But if you are watching him play it, you'd swear it was a Gibson LEs Palu Custom, that someone can't make sound right.
All I can say is he wasted his $300 (plus he had to pay about $65 in shipping). Even the hard shell case has Gibson written on it. A total copy. If he'd have been smart, he would have saved another $400 or so and bought a Gibson Les Paul Studio, or Save a Little more and get a regular Les Paul. As far as me and his freinds are concerned he wasted his money.
I bought a sort of knock off Les Paul Japan Bass in the early 70s, it was an Electra. Looked like a Les Paul Bass, but had much better quality than these Chinese Knock-offs, and at that time I paid $300 for it. But it had Electra inlaid on the Headstock, not Gibson. Eventually Electra got sued by Gibson for making them, and it didn't say Gibson anywhere on it. Now those basses sell for more than they did in the 70s, and are still a pretty good playing bass. But remember in 1970, $300 dollars was worth many times more than what it is now.
I still have that bass, it's been converted to frettless, Pickups changed to Bill Lawrence, and typical Gibson fully adjustable bridge installed, and Grover Titan Tuners added, changed the pots and added coil tap switches. She is still a hell of a bass now.
But here is an original pic, when it was un modified. And what caused the Gibson Law Suit.
A few years ago there was some controversy over whether or not Chinese knock offs were violating US patents by putting names like Gibson on the headstock. This seems to be part of the culture. There was a Top Gear episode showing Chinese made cars that were knock offs of Mini Coopers and others. They had a bike with the brand name Hongda. The only reason I can think of to save the credibility of the manufacturers of such products is to understand that the languages have completely different characters from English, and they may think the brand names are merely decorations and free to be copied as such. Although some of the instruments do have more finish choices than the originals (purple burst Ric clones, etc.), I still wouldn't buy one. If you really want a Chinese bass, get a Fender Modern Player. At least it's not a knock off, it's a legitimate Fender (or what passes for one these days 
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