• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fake Nordstrand bass

#42
hdracer said:
No it isn't.
The money counterfeiter screws people without their knowledge.
The people buying this stuff know full well they are buying a fake.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter, they are knowingly selling counterfeit items, and profiting off of the reputation that others have spent years establishing. They make it very easy to provide a counterfeit product to the average Ebay scammer, and they are devaluing the used gear market.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedHotFuzz
#43
Remyd said:
Oh, wow! I got a Lambo for $5k! Let me flip it for $120k! No, it's absolutely authentic! Cross my heart!

I can't imaging that people are seeing 90% discounts on iconic basses and not having at least some suspicion, especially on that site. There's enough counterfeit merch to fill up a counterfeit walmart.
Click to expand...

Its the people buying these, swapping out a few bolt on parts and selling them as though they are the real thing for the same used price as the real thing, that is the problem. If you don't know exactly what to look for, it is pretty easy to get ripped off buying one of these knockoffs.
 
#44
Hopkins said:
It doesn't matter, they are knowingly selling counterfeit items, and profiting off of the reputation that others have spent years establishing. They make it very easy to provide a counterfeit product to the average Ebay scammer, and they are devaluing the used gear market.
Click to expand...
That is very true but it still comes down to person buying the product. If people didn't want something for nothing they wouldn't have a market for their product.
Heck, their is even a "Club" here for people to show off their Fakes.
 
#46
Folks, this is what the Chinese do. It's their culture...whether it is hi profile technology, durable goods or a $400 Nordy clone...they will steal and make it cheaper. This is another issue all together but I have had it up to my ears with all the crap we've been making over there for years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: basschanges and g4string
#47
When I first saw this stuff it made me pretty sick. After I took some time to think about it and looking at all the companies that make a "Fender" but alter the bottom of the headstock to comply with US laws I don't feel all that bad about it. It's actually taken me a long time to come around to thinking like this, my reaction was similar to most on here as someone that has American Made loyalty and an appreciation for luthiers of the instrument we love.

I respect and appreciate what Carey and other builders do and I think when you have one of these in your hand you'll know it's not the real thing.

That being said this kinda sorta looks like a Fender knock off too..

burst4web.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Carey
#48
Runlikegregg said:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Whol...dware-Musical-Instruments/1578934001.html?s=p

this one looks like it actually says Rickenbacker.
oy vey.
Click to expand...

Some of them take the time to pixellate the fake TRC logo, some don't even bother. The ones that really bug me are taking photos of actual Rick basses right off the internet and just posting them as what they are selling. All the fakes I've seen have pretty nice paint finish, but who knows what they are made of. The sad fact is customs can only randomly check a tiny percentage of containers coming into the US, which makes the "shrink" from seized counterfeit goods a negligible cost of doing business for the Chinese. If your fake guitar does get seized, you are screwed. Aliexpress is notorious for minimal or nonexistent customer service and blatant scams. Their "Escrow" system is a joke, since they nearly always side with the supplier if something goes wrong. The most common scam is a "bait and switch", where you receive something similar, but not exactly what you ordered. Having signed for it, you have "accepted" it by Aliexpress rules. Then the supplier offers to take it back, but you must pay postage to China, which exceeds the value of the guitar! if you are lucky, they offer to refund some small percentage of the price for the "mistake" (they just mailed what they had in the warehouse, not what you ordered). Aliexpress then declares the dispute closed, but doesn't follow up to see if you received your refund. Read a few reviews online, it's basically gambling with any of these companies unless you are buying bulk lots for import. The other unfortunate truth is that with modern CNC machinery, they will soon be producing (and already are in some cases) instruments of such high quality that they will rival American made instruments for a fraction of the cost. They have no concerns about renewable or banned wood sources, no environmental regulations, no worker protections, etc., so they are going to eat the world's lunch on this. The major guitar companies will probably have no choice but to licence out the designs, or get crushed.
 
Last edited:
#49
peterpalmieri said:
When I first saw this stuff it made me pretty sick. After I took some time to think about it and looking at all the companies that make a "Fender" but alter the bottom of the headstock to comply with US laws I don't feel all that bad about it. It's actually taken me a long time to come around to thinking like this, my reaction was similar to most on here as someone that has American Made loyalty and an appreciation for luthiers of the instrument we love.

I respect and appreciate what Carey and other builders do and I think when you have one of these in your hand you'll know it's not the real thing.

That being said this kinda sorta looks like a Fender knock off too..

burst4web.jpg
Click to expand...

This post is nonsense, its not remotely the same to build a Fender clone with your own logo and headstock as it is to make a counterfeit using someone elses logo and reputation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FretNoMore
#50
Chef said:
Yeah.
Notice their item ad copy makes absolutely no mean of Rickebacker, unlike the Nordstrand/Nordy ad, which absolutely does.
Click to expand...

It's a "4003 bass." That is totally different than a Rickenbacker 4003. ;)

If you look around to other sellers you will find ones called Rickenbacker in the ad, but since Rick is so vigilant about protecting their stuff they remove those ads pretty quickly. All the basses do say "Rickenbacker Made in USA" on them, they just put wax paper over the logo prior to taking photos. Some sellers do not even bother with this.

I have played two Aliexpress basses. They play alright and did not require oodles of work right out of the box. Aside from the electronics they are pretty on par with other cheap brands. You read less complaints about the Aliexpress Rics than the real ones, although that probably has to do with the price point. People's standards are much lower with $300 than $1500. They are not high quality instruments and I agree that they probably affect the smallest portion of major manufacturer's sales. In the case of Fodera or Nordstrand, I imagine these copies are negligible to their bottom line. Rick and Fender are probably actually losing some money due to these forgeries.

I would think Carey has to be somewhat impressed instead of pissed off. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Nordstand has enough profile that it is worth ripping off! That is a big plus.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bssplr and Carey
#52
Hopkins said:
This post is nonsense, its not remotely the same to build a Fender clone with your own logo and headstock as it is to make a counterfeit using someone else's logo and reputation.
Click to expand...

Really? Am I the one being Naive?

Counterfeit would imply that they were trying to sell these as authentic when the ad says "The items are MADE IN CHINA. They are not the original ones that some of you guys are seeking for, but they are with good quality and WELL worth the money you pay. In the rare instance of a defective item, please be sure to contact us first and let’s figure out a good way to solve it."

I've owned a good number of Fender clones and have no issues with these companies. That being said in many cases every feature of them is identical (in looks) to a Fender except the logo and shape of the bottom of the head stock. These companies are using the looks and design (Fenders reputation) to the fullest extent allowed by law. If the law allowed it they'd use the Fender headstock shape and Logo; call it a Fender Jazz bass and in small letters it would say (made by XYZ).

So tell me which "P & J" bass clones haven't in some way cashed in on Fender's reputation?

So yes these basses on Ali Express may not comply with our laws but I just don't see it as a horrific crime.

This of course being limited to a knock off of a Nordy Fender clone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bssplr and DiabolusInMusic
#56
ole Jason said:
The factories putting these things out are likely the same factories building Cort, Squier, Ibanez, etc. It really depends on the product and the volume. A huge shipment of 'Nike' sneakers will raise red flags but no one will know the difference in something like a bass guitar.
Click to expand...

You're speculating, of course. However, if that is true then it's just one more reason not to buy a Chinese Cort, Squier, Ibanez, etc.

(not that I need yet another reason)
 
#59
I suppose before any of us climb on our high horses, it's worth reminding ourselves that as a nation, we have handed our manufacturing heritage to China in exchange for being able to shop cheaply at Walmart. The guitar copying is a little more blatant than all the other intellectual and copyright property they ripped off from us, but we won't act to stop it because they prop up our bloated national debt. Maybe we can return the favor when they start innovating instead of copying, just wonder if there will be any US manufacturing left by the time that happens.
 
#60
bgartist said:
I wouldn't trust anything from that site. They are using photos of a real Modulus in this ad. This CANNOT be real!
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Modulus-Quantum-5-Quilt-5-String-Bass-Guitar-hot-sell/2010682140.html
Click to expand...

This I find very funny....

"About Customs:
Tariff, do not worry, In most time,the buyer need not pay any customs. We will declare it as a gift and a low value to avoid the tax. But sometimes and in some countries, the customs officer may be strict (especially in EU countries), then Buyer Responsible for any import duties. it is your duty to your own country, the buyer should understand this situation."

Or ....in my words, don't worry we'll help you break the law but if you get caught it's your problem....
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back