| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4533 Registered: 6-2002 |
I came across this today when I followed a link from the Basschat forum where a guy was having a fake Fodera style bass made by a company in China so decided to see if there would be Alembics for sale too. Sure enough they seem to be making and selling fake Alembic basses. Even in one case using an actual alembic as the initial two photographs then the remainder of the pictures clearly being of the fake. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Custom-Shop-Quilted-Maple-Top-5-Ply-Neck-Thru-Ebony-Fretboard-Active-Preamp-Pickup-4-Strings/32297762470.html  http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Custom-Quilted-Maple-5-Ply-Neck-Thru-Ebony-Fretboard-Active-Preamp-Pickup-Alembic-4-Strings-Electric/32339038918.html I've also forwarded a link to Mica as I'm pretty sure she'd want to check this out. (Message edited by jazzyvee on June 18, 2015) | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 798 Registered: 8-2002 |
"Custom Quilted Maple 5 Ply Neck Thru Ebony Fretboard Active Preamp Pickup Alembic 4 Strings Electric Bass Guitar Free Shipping" Might be correct. It could have 4 Alembic strings. Be prepared for a slew of these to be in pawn shops soon enough. Makes me angry. slawie There's probably 2/5ths of nothing that can be done about it. What a POS. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4280 Registered: 5-2009 |
This is quite disturbing and hopefully will come to an end. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4281 Registered: 5-2009 |
Are they actually advertising to willfully break US CUSTOMS laws here ? This is taken from their advertisement from jazzyvees's link; "Customs Release In order to pass customs clearance easily, we will ship item as GIFT and report the goods value at low price. We can also prepare an invoice for you if necessary." | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 515 Registered: 5-2005 |
Until our Government starts aggressively protecting our intellectual property, this will only continue to increase in magnitude and scope. The Chinese define intellectual property with a wide swath, and consider ownership of it by the "people". Perhaps we should nationalize the loans we owe them, that would send a very strong message that this kind of thing must stop. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4534 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well let's hope something can be done. Also many prospective buyers of alembic instruments consult this forum for background information and advice prior to purchasing an alembic, so for those musicians we at least have an opportunity to make them aware of what they are really buying before it's too late. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2383 Registered: 11-2004 |
It even has LED's...to be honest I know it isn't the real thing and it should not be done at all but it would be interesting to play one to actually hear and feel the instrument itself. What next I ask?? | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2384 Registered: 11-2004 |
Have you noticed they have put a pic of a genuine bass and the back before the fakes to entice you in!!! This is really bad!!!! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 6102 Registered: 7-2004 |
At least they didn't put an Alembic logo on it. Bill, tgo | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4282 Registered: 5-2009 |
They appear to not just be hitting Alembic Inc. Also ; Ken Smith :http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-New-Factory-6-strings-Ken-Smith-bass-guitar-Ken-Smith-electric-bass-guitar-gold-hardware/32352180821.html Rickenbacher ; http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Arrival-Factory-Custom-Shop-3-Piece-Neck-Rosewood-Fretboard-CS-Fireglo-Ricken-360-12-Strings/32346852622.html http://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-Quality-Factory-Custom-Shop-Neck-Through-Carved-Ricken-LK-Lemmy-Kilmister-Limited-4-String-Electric/32348392794.html Fodera http://www.aliexpress.com/item/free-shipping-5-string-active-fodera-bass-in-stock-for-sale-best-price-best-quality-active/32265755528.html?s=p !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This looks like a BIG OPERATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 892 Registered: 9-2004 |
Not quite as fancy as the kawai versions done a few years ago. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1889 Registered: 10-2006 |
Terry: a friend of mine wanted a new Les Paul Custom, but was unhappy with Henry J's quality-to-price ratio, so out of curiosity he ordered a $250 Chinese fake instead. Got it, did a little fret work & pot upgrade - and ordered a LP '54 "reiss" & a fake Tele. Says that the real things are noticeably better - but nowhere near 10X+ better. Bill: On the "Chibsons" they black out the logo in most pix, but it comes saying "Gibson" on the front & "Made In USA" on the back. I'd expect the same M.O. on these. Peter | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4285 Registered: 5-2009 |
There appears to Judicial Precedent for the Prosecution of the sale of these counterfeit instruments in the U.S.A. as discussed in this article. http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/The_Growing_Problem_of_Counterfeit_Guitars (Message edited by sonicus on June 18, 2015) | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Senior Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 561 Registered: 6-2012 |
Although they avoided using the iconic Alembic bird tailpiece, they did nick the individual tailpieces for each string from the Spyder. Hey, in keeping with the general spirit of the proceedings - I wonder if they'd take a fake credit card number for payment...! |
