re: Chibson Guitars

You say you aren't arguing nor pushing a narrative, Bjorn, so I'll work alongside you so we can together put this thread to bed and flatline it.

Fact: It is legal to possess a counterfeit guitar, and it is legal for a repairman to fix one. I never once said otherwise, but I'll write it out exactly the way Bjorn wants people to read it. Whatever.

Also Fact: It is illegal to import, to buy and/or sell that same counterfeit guitar.

Takeaway: While the counterfeit's owner isn't breaking the law, the counterfeit guitar itself is absolutely illegal. It is an undeniable violation of American trademark law, that was smuggled in and bootlegged to wherever it ended up. It is contraband, plain and simple, and the subsequent stigma it carries in the marketplace is completely deserved.

I will say it again, my workshop will mix no illegal contraband counterfeit guitars in with our legal, legit ones, for whatever reason, end of story. Anyone who disagrees, just go elsewhere, and we both win.

More Fact ... No legit, reputable guitar shop or fretted repair shop with whom I've ever dealt wants anything to do with counterfeit guitars either. That's why I only see the Chibsons in discreet and somewhat anonymous places like internet message boards, free classifieds and the occasional pawn or used/consignment shop wall. Limited if any accountability, and for obvious reasons

Bjorn accused me of needlessly scaring counterfeit guitar owners with what I have said on this thread. If you purchased your counterfeit thinking it was the real deal and you got hosed, all I can say is caveat emptor. Get legit sellers, dealers and retailers involved to avoid getting scammed.

If I scared anyone who knowingly acquired and/or who currently owns a counterfeit guitar, I'm fine with that. They should be not only scared but shamed and ridiculed. Despite the sea of ways to get a quality, affordable and 100 percent legal guitar in a legal way, counterfeits are the route of fraud, black markets, corruption, smugglers and fences. When one's ethics and morals are as flawed and fake as the imposter guitar itself, I have zero sympathy.

I have nothing left to say on this subject, so I'm outta here. Y'all have at it.