Fake Chinese Gibsons - My Story!

tBird · 2011-02-23T16:34:55+00:00

Following a previous thread about the fake Gibsons being manufactured in China I secretly went about searching for these Chinese suppliers on the Internet with the view of buying one for myself. I found on online trading portal called Tradetang and searched through the infinite listings of traders selling Fake Gibson Les Paul guitars of various kinds, colours, models, shapes (yes, they seem to be different from guitar to guitar) and styles. I will not reveal the trader's name since I know that there are South Africans who have bought from him as well since I have read their positive reviews about other items, so I will just tell my story in short. I saw pictures of this beautiful black Gibson Les Paul Custom going for 280USD (including case) and added this as a favourite. After communicating with the seller back and forth for a few days I was comfortable that I was dealing with an honorable dealer (not that I had honorable intentions when buying a fake in the first place) and he even sent me private pictures of the guitar. So I jumped in and placed an order and paid with my Master Card - No problem. Shipping added another 80USD and the item was shipped with EMS. I tracked the item as it made its way to South Africa and was delighted when I found a thing in my post box 3 weeks later to tell me to come and pick up my guitar. Paid another R290.00 for VAT at Customs and rushed home with my guitar. I cut away the excessive brown tape from the Styrofoam box and was really happy to see a brand new black Gibson case. I opened it and there it was - My black Gibson Les Paul Custom! Lets move forward 10 minutes! On closer inspection I quickly realized that the guitar was just a p[iece of sh**. From the pictures on the website it looked awesome but on close inspection it is absolutely clear that the thing is just rubbish: 1) The neck is connected at a slight angle to the body with the result that the lower E-string falls off the neck. 2) The entire guitar feels extremely cheap, there are inferior manufacturing details thoughout, the body is pitted in some places and not filled properly, the edges of the body of the guitar are so sharp so as to hurt your arm when you rest it on an edge. The bridge & tailpiece is rubbish and their anchors only go halfway into the body with 3mm of thread still visible, the frets are so sharp so as to cut your fingers, no though was given to the binding and frets hang over this, the logo is incorrect, the diamond-shaped inlay on the headstock is at the wrong angle, the list goes on and on and on! 3) Everything plastic is more "plastic" than normal. The plastic parts of the guitar feels and looks like the plastic used in the manufacturing of kitchen appliances and kids toys and are soft and malleable, really weird to handle. I mean the back pickup cover can be pushed in about a centimeter. 4) Oh yes, did I mention that the guitar came with a broken neck. There is a serious crack just behind the heel of the neck and if you pull on it the crack opens up to reveal a gaping wound all the way through. Now here's the thing - the case is in perfect condition and without a scratch so this guitar was clearly packaged with full knowledge of the broken neck. The dealer claims that the guitar was damaged during shipping and that it isn't his problem and that I should take it up with EMS - what crap! So, I've been had! And you know what - Good! I deserve it! In a perverse way it almost makes me feel good! It got what I deserved! They say a fool and his money are easily parted and I have to hang my head in disgust and recognize that I am such a fool. Here's some pics: Just thought I'd warn you!

AndrewD

tBird wrote
AndrewD wrote but you plan to keep it as a counterfeit Gibson to fool people thus promoting the trade... thats as bad as the people who buy rhino horn powder and fuel the killing of rhinos... not cool dude.
You have the right to an opinion!

Promoting the trade of counterfeit goods is illegal - not an opinion.

tBird

Tonedef wrote
tBird wrote
Tonedef wrote A member of THIS forum?
Yes!
Interesting. Very interesting.

Don't be a fool! Of course it is my intention to keep the Gibson logo on. Why do you think I bought the thing? I could have bought any one of hundreds of guitars locally for this price.
Lol, so why didn't you? You seem so stuck on the idea that because it sez Gibson on it, the guitar is worth something.

IT'S NOT. IT'S A PIECE OF SHIT.

Oh looky! I made a Gibson-branded post!

This post is now OFFICIALLY the most awesome goddamn post in the history of the internets.

I'm gonna charge royalties to let you okes read it (As soon as I sort licencing out with Gibson USA). Oh, but wait, that sort of unethical behaviour is perfectly fine, isn't it? :?

I'll customize the hell out of it and fool everyone into thinking that I'm playing the real thing, which I will buy when I get that precious Telkom contract that I've been working on for months! Then I'll show you pictures of my REAL Custom!
Grow up. Nobody cares about your equipment. You have a piece of shit, you'll have a piece of shit after its modded, it will always be a piece of shit. Every note you play on it will whisper "Piece of shit" to you, and you'll know it inside.

Don't you have any self-respect whatsoever?

? Funny man!

Bob-Dubery

Tonedef wrote
tBird wrote
Tonedef wrote A member of THIS forum?
Yes!
Interesting. Very interesting.

Don't jump to too many conclusions.

The total membership of this forum greatly exceeds the number of active posters.

You don't get a sainthood just by virtue of joining GFSA.

It's important to understand this. GFSA - membership, moderators or owners - cannot vouch for the motives or character of anybody joining GFSA, and it doesn't follow that anybody joining GFSA is an honest, benign type. I could be all sorts of things that are not apparent to other members - until it's too late.

Tonedef

tBird wrote I don't actually understand what you're getting at!

Erm... lemme see now. You admitted from the get go that your intention was to fool people.

Now, you've (justly) received a piece of shit, and you claim you want to warn people.

Thereafter, you admit a second time that your intentions are to fool people.

The issue for you is only the fact that you received a piece of shit. The REAL issue is the fabulous irony that a scammer (YOU) got scammed, and this is entirely lost on you. You're a complete hypocrite.

You got what you deserved, twinkletoes.

Norman86

X-rated Bob wrote Don't jump to too many conclusions.

The total membership of this forum greatly exceeds the number of active posters.

You don't get a sainthood just by virtue of joining GFSA.

It's important to understand this. GFSA - membership, moderators or owners - cannot vouch for the motives or character of anybody joining GFSA, and it doesn't follow that anybody joining GFSA is an honest, benign type. I could be all sorts of things that are not apparent to other members - until it's too late.

Though, we would like to think that the active community IS trustworthy, that their souls and intentions are good. Oh Lord, please dont let us be misunderstood!! ?

Seriously, i like being part of this forum because i like the people here, unlike the other places i have been and seen!

Tonedef

X-rated Bob wrote
Tonedef wrote
tBird wrote
Tonedef wrote A member of THIS forum?
Yes!
Interesting. Very interesting.
Don't jump to too many conclusions.

The total membership of this forum greatly exceeds the number of active posters.

You don't get a sainthood just by virtue of joining GFSA.

It's important to understand this. GFSA - membership, moderators or owners - cannot vouch for the motives or character of anybody joining GFSA, and it doesn't follow that anybody joining GFSA is an honest, benign type. I could be all sorts of things that are not apparent to other members - until it's too late.

My thought was that somebody was trying to get to the bottom of this lot and expose it... although the alternative you mention was of course not lost on me either.

deefstes

tBird wrote
deefstes wrote
tBird wrote Wow, this thread has grown beyond what I could have imagined!

Allow me to set the record straight against those of you are suggesting that I am selling the first fake for a profit and buying another fake from the proceeds - YOU'RE DEAD WRONG! I simply said that I was made an offer for the guitar for 3K which quite frankly surprised me!. A fellow forum member PM'd me and made me an offer! I simply mentioned it on the forum.

I have NO intentions of selling a fake guitar under false pretenses or any condition. I'll keep it and use it for parts or something or a wall decoration, like someone suggested here before!

I took a chance and paid for the shipping for a replacement simply because I still wanted this guitar to play around with. If I actually get it I will rip everything out and modify the hell out of the thing, just for fun - FOR MYSELF, and not with the intentions of selling it.

So please, get off your high and mighty thrones and just chill. If it was my intention to sell fake guitars at a profit do you think I would have posted this thread - Get Real!

Dude, you don't get it, do you? Not only is selling fake merchandise illegal but, and please pay attention now, BUYING FAKE MERCHANDISE IS ILLEGAL.

I'm not suggesting that you will break the law by selling a fake guitar to make a profit (or just to get rid of it). I'm suggesting that you have already broken the law by dealing with a known counterfeiter. Please read my earlier message a few posts back.
You, the who have been preaching proper English here seem unable to grasp the simplicity of my message, that YOU quoted! Read it a few times and you might just get the idea.

I am NOT selling anything!

I cannot believe you are being so obtuse ?
I know you are not selling anything, holy crap! Maybe, before you admonish me to read what you have posted, you should read what I have posted. Here, I'll put it in bold red capitals with a bunch of exclamation marks, maybe this way it will penetrate your stolid intellect.
BUYING KNOWN COUNTERFEIT GOODS IS ILLEGAL!!!!!!
You are not breaking the law by selling it, you HAVE broken the law by BUYING it. Moreover, in terms of the Counterfeit Goods Act 37 (1997) you have committed an additional offense by IMPORTING counterfeit goods.

I'm done here, I've said what I wanted and it is clear to me now that you are in no way receptive to sound advice. If you had taken the advice you were given in this thread to heart and showed any form of humility I might have had sympathy for you but your attitude proves to me that you are of the same caliber of the Chinese wanker who manufactures and sells counterfeit Gibsons, the other Chinese wanker who kills rhinos, the other Chinese wanker who buys rhino horn products and the South African wanker who hopes to fool others into thinking that the fake Gibson he is playing is real (oh wait, that IS you).

Cheers

Tonedef

tBird wrote ? Funny man!

Yeah, I'm a riot. Not nearly as funny as you sitting with a worthless shed of a guitar, though. And having paid double shipping for it as well.
Now THAT shit is funny. :roflmao:

StephenG

so the lesson he came on here to pass on is NOT one of "do not buy cheap chinese fakes.."

but rather the lesson he wants to share is " be careful when you DO buy a cheap chinese fake, as it may be broken in the post...... but keep complaining with the supplier and they will send you another one then all is right with the world.."

what a chop. :?

Norman86

StephenG wrote so the lesson he came on here to pass on is NOT one of "do not buy cheap chinese fakes.."

but rather the lesson he wants to share is " be careful when you DO buy a cheap chinese fake, as it may be broken in the post...... but keep complaining with the supplier and they will send you another one then all is right with the world.."

what a chop. :?

Jip! And If you're lucky, you can get another one for the price of shipping...
Oh wait, all he is gonna get is an empty box! Mark my words!!!

MikeM

Ok so when's this guy either gonna get banned or this thread closed/deleted?

tBird

You're all funny guys! ?

Just enjoy the thread! I mean no-one any harm and I'm not out to deceive anyone by selling a fake guitar under false pretenses.

But, I still want that fake to fool around with, and fool some friends! I don't even play in a band, I'm just a weekend warrior home-braai expert who makes too much noise, and when I've had too much Klippies and Coke they usually take the guitar away from me ?

Tonedef

Norman86 wrote Oh wait, all he is gonna get is an empty box! Mark my words!!!

While I normally don't indulge in schadenfreude, I reckon that would be EPIC. ?

My Afrikaans-onderwyseres op hoërskool het altyd gesê: "Dis die lot van die onnosele om swaar te kry".

Daar's nie pille vir dom mense nie.

kp247

I'm enjoying this thread immencely! It's the best one we've had for a long time! Just wish I had someting worthwhile to contribute!

Go tBird!

When you've got the bucks to buy a real custom you can drive over to me and we'll compare and jam!

kp247

tBird wrote You're all funny guys! ?

Just enjoy the thread! I mean no-one any harm and I'm not out to deceive anyone by selling a fake guitar under false pretenses.

But, I still want that fake to fool around with, and fool some friends! I don't even play in a band, I'm just a weekend warrior home-braai expert who makes too much noise, and when I've had too much Klippies and Coke they usually take the guitar away from me ?

And you can bring the Klippies, I'll get the coke and ice! ?

Tonedef

kp247 wrote When you've got the bucks to buy a real custom you can drive over to me and we'll compare and jam!

Ain't ever gonna happen. If he appreciated a quality Gibson for what it was, he would never have bought this piece of kak, and would have bought the real deal.

AndrewD

tBird wrote
But, I still want that fake to fool around with, and fool some friends!

And you see no problem with this?

[deleted]

Speaking of weird transactions and brand name shenanigans between buyers and sellers of guitars, I thought I'd throw in a different experience:

In December 1995 I saw an ad for a Fender Strat in the newspaper in Durban, and contacted the seller. He said I could come view it the next day, and when I got there I saw immediately the guitar had the large headstock of the '60s/'70s Strats and it looked the real deal. Except, the owner and the previous owner (who knew each other) had tried to pimp it out a fair bit - there was glitter embedded in a new paintjob and they'd obviously refinished the neck. As a result, the headstock logo had come off. In its place, in order that I might be fooled, the seller had applied a new logo. It was a cut-out (I'm talking scissors) of a photostat of a generic Fender logo. On plain white paper. Stuck on with Prestik. It turns out the guitar was actually genuine (it's still my main guitar) and I kept a straight face and bought it anyway, but that has to be one of the most laughable attempts at deception I've ever seen. The guy went out of his way to not be fooled, himself, though - he called the bank to make sure my cheque would clear. Did I laugh!

Sean

Stratisfear wrote Speaking of weird transactions and brand name shenanigans between buyers and sellers of guitars, I thought I'd throw in a different experience:

In December 1995 I saw an ad for a Fender Strat in the newspaper in Durban, and contacted the seller. He said I could come view it the next day, and when I got there I saw immediately the guitar had the large headstock of the '60s/'70s Strats and it looked the real deal. Except, the owner and the previous owner (who knew each other) had tried to pimp it out a fair bit - there was glitter embedded in a new paintjob and they'd obviously refinished the neck. As a result, the headstock logo had come off. In its place, in order that I might be fooled, the seller had applied a new logo. It was a cut-out (I'm talking scissors) of a photostat of a generic Fender logo. On plain white paper. Stuck on with Prestik. It turns out the guitar was actually genuine (it's still my main guitar) and I kept a straight face and bought it anyway, but that has to be one of the most laughable attempts at deception I've ever seen. The guy went out of his way to not be fooled, himself, though - he called the bank to make sure my cheque would clear. Did I laugh!

Holy cow, what a great story!! ?

I have nothing to say about this thread though ???

tBird

[quote author=deefstes link=topic=11073.msg120894#msg120894
I cannot believe you are being so obtuse ?
I know you are not selling anything, holy crap! Maybe, before you admonish me to read what you have posted, you should read what I have posted. Here, I'll put it in bold red capitals with a bunch of exclamation marks, maybe this way it will penetrate your stolid intellect.
BUYING KNOWN COUNTERFEIT GOODS IS ILLEGAL!!!!!!
You are not breaking the law by selling it, you HAVE broken the law by BUYING it. Moreover, in terms of the Counterfeit Goods Act 37 (1997) you have committed an additional offense by IMPORTING counterfeit goods.

I'm done here, I've said what I wanted and it is clear to me now that you are in no way receptive to sound advice. If you had taken the advice you were given in this thread to heart and showed any form of humility I might have had sympathy for you but your attitude proves to me that you are of the same caliber of the Chinese wanker who manufactures and sells counterfeit Gibsons, the other Chinese wanker who kills rhinos, the other Chinese wanker who buys rhino horn products and the South African wanker who hopes to fool others into thinking that the fake Gibson he is playing is real (oh wait, that IS you).

Cheers
[/quote]

Rubbish! It's all your own opinions, whichever way you look at it. You should be a preacher, or maybe shoot for an even higher authority!

I bought a fake guitar legally, through legal financial channels, and I paid the SA Government their share as per their calculations, according to the legal transaction invoice I submitted at SA Customs.

So there, go and buy your fake LG plasma tv that is made "illegallly" in China and sold in most shopping center stores.

?

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