4.18.2008

Gibson Guitar Warns Consumers About Counterfeit Instruments

Here a older press release from Gibson Guitar I thought would be worth posting again.

Gibson Guitar, the world’s premiere musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology continues to protect its intellectual property rights and provide consumer protection against the growing problem of counterfeit instruments being shipped from and sold by outlets and individuals in China.

Several complaints from consumers who were sold fake instruments has prompted an aggressive move on Gibson Guitar’s part to work with government officials and other instrument marketers in an effort to curtail the growing problem. Gibson Guitar advises all consumers to purchase Gibson instruments only from their network of authorized dealers. Authorized Gibson dealers can be found on the company’s website at http://www.gibson.com/ and should be referred to by consumers when purchasing their choice of Gibson instrument. A consumer is warned against purchasing any Gibson brand instrument outside of the authorized dealer network and the inevitable risk of purchasing what can turn out to be a fake.

The growing problem, originating out of China, has been reviewed by the U.S. Trade Commission and currently has the attention of Washington. China regularly defends its record in fighting piracy and counterfeit production of merchandise, however many pirated consumer products continue to be sold in various Chinese cities which affect a multitude of international manufacturers across many categories.

“We will continue to do everything in our power to protect our consumers and the integrity of our family of brands,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We hope that by issuing this warning our consumers will be armed with the right information to protect themselves and understand what they need to do to insure that what they are purchasing is, indeed, an authentic Gibson instrument.”

Consumers can check any of the references below when examining a Gibson guitar in an effort to insure its authenticity:

-Make sure the size is not undersized
-The headstock and headstock logo should match those of authentic Gibson guitars
-Pearl should always be inlaid
-Les Paul Model script is always in cursive
-If the guitar has a 3 screw truss rod it is not authentic
-Check the control and pick up cavities for sloppy routing or wiring
-Real Gibson guitars use one piece necks
-Many fake Gibsons have their pickup cavities painted black inside
-If purchasing a Gibson always ask for the Gibson’s Owner Manual and Gibson/Warranty Inspection Card
-Check the wiring, if it is plastic it isn’t a true Gibson

Other information on spotting a fake guitar can be found on http://www.gibson.com/.

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