I'm digging this goldtop Hofner Icon, but . . .

[Crackle]

$160 with a case on Authenticwatchesebay.com? Something seems not quite right.
Hofner HIBB Ignition Violin Electric Bass (with Case), Gold Top [BASS691] - $160.00 :

 

[Thespis]

I think this is a clue...

Store Name：Best China ebayshop
Address:19# Fangzhuang Community Fengtai District Beijing China
Country:China

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I wouldn't click on that link with your mouse...

 

[bholder]

I wouldn't click on that link with your mouse...

I use a trackball, so it must be ok? lol

 

[bholder]

FWIW, Hofners are one of the more-copied brands by the illegal Chinese cloners. I say report them and get them shut down. If the auction site won't do that, the auction site itself is not legit.

 

[Thespis]

I think this is a merchant website, not an auction.

 

[RED J]

Don't know about the sale, but sure do like the gold top look on a fiddle, never thought of that !

 

[Robroy]

$160 with a case on Authenticwatchesebay.com? Something seems not quite right.

Hofner HIBB Ignition Violin Electric Bass (with Case), Gold Top [BASS691] - $160.00 :

Avast blocked me from viewing. Malware threat.

 

[Robroy]

When I wanted every kind of bass, I was looking at the Hofner copies at Rondomusic. I never bothered, but they are pretty cheap and quite beautiful.
Link Removed

 

[Robroy]

FWIW, Hofners are one of the more-copied brands by the illegal Chinese cloners. I say report them and get them shut down. If the auction site won't do that, the auction site itself is not legit.

The problem is that there is not much about it that can be protected. It's shaped like a violin. The copies I've seen have three knobs rather than two knobs and the switches. And, honestly, they are often PRETTIER than the Hofners.

 

[bholder]

The problem is that there is not much about it that can be protected. It's shaped like a violin. The copies I've seen have three knobs rather than two knobs and the switches. And, honestly, they are often PRETTIER than the Hofners.

All true, and I'm personally ok with clones that aren't claiming to be the real thing, but a knockoff fake with the real brand name on it, that's a big no-no in my book. Some of the clones are indeed as nice or nicer looking than the real thing. I have no knowledge on the quality comparison, though I would of course be rather suspect of the fake.

 

[Robroy]

All true, and I'm personally ok with clones that aren't claiming to be the real thing, but a knockoff fake with the real brand name on it, that's a big no-no in my book. Some of the clones are indeed as nice or nicer looking than the real thing. I have no knowledge on the quality comparison, though I would of course be rather suspect of the fake.

I actually read an article a week or two ago that discussed the massive cloning going on in all sorts of manufacturing. The thing I found most fascinating is that they argued that some of the clones are actually superior to what they are cloning. However, I think one reason for that is zero QA. When you order, you just hope you get one without defects. And, truth be told, with so much automation in manufacturing these days, QA may be more expensive than just dealing with the 1 out of 500 defects after the fact.

I think the music business is especially vulnerable (look how Behringer got started) because a LOT of the stuff musicians buy has a massive markup - due to a large bart to brand loyalty. If the item can be manufactured for $5 and ultimately sold (the real brand) for $100, I can see cloners making a "better" version and selling all they can make for $50.

We are living in interesting times.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Well, I think the real ones are made in China anyway,
so it could be a simple case of selling off some that had bad looking tops
that got painted over.
Dunno.
At 160 bux, you could find out for yourself without risking a fortune.

 

[DChalo]

fake as hell. I'm worried for anyone who falls for stuff like this

 

[Fat Freddy]

I wouldn't click on that link with your mouse...

I already did! .....Thankfully my web shield stopped the nasties that await....Phew!....

 

[gidbass]

I too clicked on it, and my virus scanner expressed it's disappointment with me...

 

[Scott C.]

For those who can't see the site due to virus scanners:

 

[morgansterne]

thanks for posting the screenshot. Now I'm super curious to know what the "fluke instruments" they have listed are.

 

[georgiagoodie]

Don't know about the sale, but sure do like the gold top look on a fiddle, never thought of that !

They made goldtops of the Contemporary models. I have one.
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