I have mixed thoughts on it. I agree in principle, but I buy based upon quality and how well a product fits my needs/wants. I dont care if a bass is made in any particular country as long as it has the quality and features that I am looking for. Im not going to buy a bass because its a certain brand, Im going to purchase it based upon how it sounds and fits into my tone that I want, how much playability it has and how well it well hold up over time balanced by how much out of pocket it will cost me. historical evidence of quality can be found for that. I think that people that are buying "fakes" are purchasing them because they want to purchase that brand of bass. There are very few basses that have such a distinct tone that it is worth it to do that. Rics tone can be approximated on a number of basses, same with any of most basses. It seems like an unsound business decision to me or at a minimum one made out of emotion rather than logic to purchase a fake version of a bass that you want, knowing that there is a risk of failure and poor craftsmanship as well as the unit having no resale value as its not a genuine item.
If you are going to purchase something with no lasting value, no resale and possible craftsmanship issues, that purchase should be in all logic a disposable or consumable product used for a specific purpose. That is why I am not inclined to purchase one.
