I was in a guitar store today and saw one of our friends, the fake chinese falcon. There it was, resplendent with all it's oddly shaped body, tortoiseshell guard/binding liscensed bigsby, gibson looking chrome topped humbuckers. I couldn't see a price on it, so I couldn't tell if they'd figured it out already. I couldn't bring myself to mention it.
I'm going back there tomorrow. Should I metnion it? and if so how? Or should I just quietly avoid it and trust that it'll work out?
If it says "Gretsch" or "Falcon" or some other registered name on it and it really isn't one of those guitars then of course someone is likely to get ripped off thinking that they are buying the real thing.
It should be mentioned, maybe to Gretsch directly.
I agree, its better to at least let the owner know, he may get annoyed and tell you off, but no point in not saying anything. Better to be safe than sorry and all that. I know I've seen many a fake in my pawn shop browsing. I actually bought a Fender StratSocaster, it was 200 bucks. Exactly the same as an American of the 90's, but with a plastic backing plate (where the trem stuff is)I was annoyed, but it actually plays very well, as well as a Mex and better than my bros Samick Strat, so I'm not too pissed off.
I mentioned it to my mate who's seen it too, and he said they knew it was fake, and it's priced appropriately.
It is tough to put a fair price on Trade Mark infringement. Does this store also carry legitimate Gretsches?
Is this a trademark infringement? I modded an Agile Cool Cat Prestige:
Good looking guitar, GC. I think you needn't worry about Gretschian wrath unless you try to sell it as bona fide Gretsch. DJ
I was assuming that fake meant the Gretsch name was also being used. Guitarcapo's mods really dressed up that Agile Cool Cat
I'm reminded of the time in the early '70s when I was in a pawn shop and found an electric guitar that interested me. I took it off the wall and found that it had a CF Martin Est. 1833 logo on the headstock. I was indignent and went after the proprieter with a vengence threatening him with an "action" that included an ass-kicking if he didn't make right the fact that he was selling a fake.
Of course it was authentic and in the 36 years since I don't believe I've been back in his shop which is still operating in Columbus, OH. Maybe it's time that I re-visit.
Anybody need a "Rolox" wristwatch?
I voted up Jet Head for comin' clean on that Martin story. That was hilarious ! I can just see him a-fumin' !!
Thanks, ROP.
Absolutely a true story.
You know it's kind of funny. Martin made those electrics for just a couple of years, no doubt to jump on the Gretsch tidal wave of the '60s, but I never see them.
I would guess that they have some collectible value just because of their scarcity and the cache of the Martin name.
Not to derail this thread but does anybody see these things out there?
Here's an interesting aside regarding the Martin electrics although I believe the one I was ranting about was different than these "E" models.
They carry new Electromatics, but mostly they carry second hand guitars.
Did the fake Falcon have "Gretsch" on it or was the guitar simply a look-a-like that wasn't being represented as the real deal?
No it said gretsch on it and had a falcon decal in white on it's tortoiseshell pickguard.
That has China written all over it! Or maybe Beavis and Butthead??? I would mention it to the owners. Maybe they bought it from Joe Blow off the streets and took HIS word for it that it's a real white falcon?
No no they know it's a fake. I've seen mr ????,???_? saelling identical guitars on ebay from the city of ???? in china.
Pseudo Man - when you've gone back in and perpetrated a "Jet-Head" on the owner - let us know how it panned out.
As I mentioned before, my drummer has already discussed the guitar's legitimacy with the store's staff and they're well aware of what it is. And they ARE NOT pretending that it's a genuine Gretsch... We can find NO foul play on the part of the store. I will NOT need to bring my special breed of JetHead Justice down upon them or their guitar store.
"Here's an interesting aside regarding the Martin electrics although I believe the one I was ranting about was different than these "E" models."
So that's where Carvin got their designs.
Maybe it was a GT 75 like this?
1966 Martin GT 75
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It looks like a pregnant Ricky with the Mumps.
Here's a link with some pictures and some background. The black model looks a little Jet-ish (with f-holes)
