Where to get a Chickenbacker Bass

[jd56hawk]

I might not care about these fake basses, you might not care about these fake basses, but Rickenbacker cares about them.
I've seen several for sale on ebay this past year removed as soon as Rickenbacker found out.

 

[bholder]

I might not care about these fake basses, you might not care about these fake basses, but Rickenbacker cares about them.
I've seen several for sale on ebay this past year removed as soon as Rickenbacker found out.

Any company or craftsman who cares about their reputation and trademark would do the same (at least, the ones who can afford the legal fees would, it's the independent luthiers I worry more about).

 

[jd56hawk]

Every once in a while I search ebay for a Rick body and neck, figuring if I buy the right one for the right price, at least I'm on my way to having the real deal, even if it takes me a year to buy the hardware, pickups, etc.
There's one on there right now.
Hmmm.

 

[davy4575]

Ok, first off. While the op may have left it open to speculation, he/she did not expressly state nor imply that he/she was looking for direction as to where to buy a counterfeit bass. He used a term "chickenbalker" that is associated with a broad spectrum of basses from counterfeit to imitation....I dont have a dog in the fight, but just clarifying.

2nd, the proposed absconding of the television would be far less likely to happen in Colorado due to the make my day law here.

3rd. I can easily afford a genuine Ric right now, but the neck shape and size among other things doesn't currently appeal to me, thus I dont really have a significant interest in shelling out a bunch of money for one, I would consider however getting a cheap imitation that was clearly marked as a cheap imitation and not a counterfeit for two reasons A) to see if I might be able to overcome the neck shape and size because I do love the Ric tone. and more importantly B) to probably desecrate with unsightly stickers, paint and other Frankenstein type actions so that Ric-o-Snobs would have a coronary when they viewed the axe until they figured out it wasnt really a ric. Yes, I am the type of guy that would paint a Porsche camouflage just to piss off some uptight Porsche owners.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would never knowingly buy a counterfeit, but I really don't give a crap if someone else does.

Why do you care what someone else does with their money?

Other than the legal and ethical issues, doing this:

1 increases the cost of the real thing, since Ric has to spend money to stop the piracy,
2 increases the likelihood of someone getting a counterfeit. These companies are also the ones making the illegal counterfeits
3 increases your taxes. Our police and customs agents, who work to stop this, aren't free.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[wmhill]

Allowing the promotion of the purchase of illegal, counterfeit Chinese crap is a stain on this entire forum.

...but let a thread start about ugly basses and it will get yanked off here quicker than beans. Priorities I guess.......

 

[gln1955]

I've been burned by offshore entities directly stealing my intellectual property and passing it off as their own. I have no tolerance for piracy, foreign or domestic. People who's livelihood involves or depends on the creation of intellectual property get it. Many others don't and never will.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

To those who would advocate that the moderators censor the mere Discussion of topics some forum members might find selectively morally or legally objectionable, might I suggest you read a document called the Bill of Rights, wherein the right of Free Speech is guaranteed to all Americans. This document, and the rest of the Constitution, is the legal underpinning of all the laws such posters so zealously (and hypocritically, IMHO) wish to see enforced on others. I would hope that the moderators are more fair minded than many are giving them credit for in this thread.

Peace All, and Happy New Year.

 

[wmhill]

To those who would advocate that the moderators censor the mere Discussion of topics some forum members might find selectively morally or legally objectionable, might I suggest you read a document called the Bill of Rights, wherein the right of Free Speech is guaranteed to all Americans. This document, and the rest of the Constitution, is the legal underpinning of all the laws such posters so zealously (and hypocritically, IMHO) wish to see enforced on others. I would hope that the moderators are more fair minded than many are giving them credit for in this thread.

Peace All, and Happy New Year.

Apparently we waive our rights to that here- start a "ugly bass" or "bad sound man" .... etc thread and see how long it stays up.

 

[bholder]

Apparently we waive our rights to that here- start a "ugly bass" or "bad sound man" .... etc thread and see how long it stays up.

I really hate this rather common misunderstanding, and abuse of, the first amendment rights.

When you're on "someone else's premises", as you almost always are online, you do indeed waive your rights to complete freedom of speech. By registering and posting here, you're explicitly agreeing to abide by the rules. Don't like it, go somewhere else with rules you like, or start your own. Really, no different than a brick and mortar store posting rules like "no soliciting" on the door. Rules of the house always apply, unless they explicitly contravene your constitutional rights - rules like this do not, you're still free to say whatever you want, just somewhere else.

 

[wmhill]

I really hate this rather common misunderstanding, and abuse of, the first amendment rights.

When you're on "someone else's premises", as you almost always are online, you do indeed waive your rights to complete freedom of speech. By registering and posting here, you're explicitly agreeing to abide by the rules. Don't like it, go somewhere else with rules you like, or start your own. Really, no different than a brick and mortar store posting rules like "no soliciting" on the door. Rules of the house always apply, unless they explicitly contravene your constitutional rights - rules like this do not, you're still free to say whatever you want, just somewhere else.

yes- that's been made very obvious on here, apparently even the mention of it ruffles feathers.

 

[bholder]

yes- that's been made very obvious on here, apparently even the mention of it ruffles feathers.

It's true for pretty much every online bulletin board / forum I've ever participated in - play by the owner's rules or leave. Nothing to do with the first amendment at all, really. You can say whatever you want, but if you say it on my property and I don't like it, I have every right to order you off my property (unless you're law enforcement with a warrant!).

 

[RedHotFuzz]

To those who would advocate that the moderators censor the mere Discussion of topics some forum members might find selectively morally or legally objectionable

There's nothing "selective" about this. This is not opinion. Counterfeit basses are illegal. Period. The end.

Knowingly buying a counterfeit bass not only demonstrates one's own skeevy morals, but directly funds the scumbags who traffic in illegal goods.

The Bill of Rights offers no special protection for scam artists.

 

[bholder]

...
The Bill of Rights offers no special protection for scam artists.

Or for their victims. Though in this case, I couldn't honestly call anyone who knowingly participated a "victim", I'd say that's perilously close to being a co-conspirator in the crimes being committed. I do feel bad for the unfortunate unknowing schmucks who get honestly taken by the scam artists, but anyone knowingly dealing with them anyway are only exacerbating the problem. If it's not a crime, it should be.

 

[wvbass]

FWIW-

I noticed on AliExpress that there are FAR fewer pictures of counterfeit logos on headstocks than there were a couple months ago. The basses are still there, but there is either no picture of the headstock, or the picture has the logo redacted.

I can only think of one reason why a seller would remove pictures of the headstock or redact pictures of the logo.

 

[bholder]

FWIW-

I noticed on AliExpress that there are FAR fewer pictures of counterfeit logos on headstocks than there were a couple months ago. The basses are still there, but there is either no picture of the headstock, or the picture has the logo redacted.

I can only think of one reason why a seller would remove pictures of the headstock or redact pictures of the logo.

I have to think that AliBaba / AliExpress realize this is a problem and are trying to put an end to it. Otherwise, they'll never grow to the international audience they want - they want to compete directly with Amazon and eBay. But it's a struggle to implement, eBay and Amazon and the like struggled with it for a long time themselves (mostly cleaned up now, or are at least very quick about nailing offenders). I don't think the big companies are really a willing part of the problem (well, some corrupt players in them may well be), the counterfeiters are simply finding any hole they possibly can to sell their illegal goods.

 

[Roland GR 88]

To those who would advocate that the moderators censor the mere Discussion of topics some forum members might find selectively morally or legally objectionable, might I suggest you read a document called the Bill of Rights, wherein the right of Free Speech is guaranteed to all Americans. This document, and the rest of the Constitution, is the legal underpinning of all the laws such posters so zealously (and hypocritically, IMHO) wish to see enforced on others. I would hope that the moderators are more fair minded than many are giving them credit for in this thread.

Peace All, and Happy New Year.

You've missed the point......encouraging or helping people rip off bass guitar builders is naturally frowned upon here. At least by most.

 

[254 stringer]

2nd, the proposed absconding of the television would be far less likely to happen in Colorado due to the make my day law here.

We have similar laws in Texas they really don't stop anyone from breaking in to your house.

 

[smperry]

closed for review

 

[smperry]

I'm reopening the thread, as it was decided that discussion threads like this are okay. If anyone disagrees with this rule, you can contact the forum administrators using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom. Please don't post about the rule in the thread. Thanks.