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Post by chad on Dec 13, 2015 14:39:06 GMT
well found Wild Violet thanks for that, very interesting, makes you wonder why they don't just build their own brand
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Post by grayn on Dec 13, 2015 16:21:11 GMT
well found Wild Violet thanks for that, very interesting, makes you wonder why they don't just build their own brand There are so many brands out there, already. Probably thought a cheeky copy, might get a few more sales.
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Post by grayn on Dec 13, 2015 16:23:51 GMT
Very smart looking guitar. Deffo rosewood back.
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Dec 14, 2015 9:39:11 GMT
Interesting that the ad says Marti rather than Martin!
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Post by wolfram on Dec 17, 2015 15:16:10 GMT
It's more sinister than just being a cheeky copy. The Chinese company concerned registered the Martin trademark in China, and set about making unauthorised copies in vast quantities. When the 'real' Martin guitar company turned up at a Chinese music show, they found the Chinese counterfeiters already set up (note the Made in China under the logo shamelessly copied from the original). This is not a few cheeky copies, this is industrial level counterfeiting. There's an article about it here: www.musicincmag.com/News/2010/101214/101214_martin.htmlFor those of us who manufacture our own products, this kind of thing makes us shudder. On a smaller scale, the same thing happened to me here in the UK with a retailer copying my product name, branding, description etc. verbatim but replacing my genuine product with a cheap, low-quality generic one... at a lower price. I lost a lot of sales (how galling to have spent so much time and money developing and marketing the product, then see the fake product on the retailer's 'bestseller list') and it cost me a fair bit more to get it stopped. It's sad to see the knowing purchase of illegal counterfeit goods praised and even condoned on this forum. Cheers, David
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Post by Wild Violet on Dec 17, 2015 15:56:29 GMT
I'm not sure any praising or condoning is what is going on here, and I fully understand Mr Martin's frustration about what is going on. I've heard him talk about it personally a couple of years ago in London.
This particular guitar was sold as a Martin copy to a forum member. He did not pay Martin prices and knew exactly what he was getting. I would have not bought it myself, but neither do I feel it is appropriate to attack him for his decision. He is using it as a cheap session guitar, not selling the guitar on as a genuine Martin. If that was his plan, it would be a different matter.
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wolfram
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Post by wolfram on Dec 17, 2015 17:25:59 GMT
I'm not sure any praising or condoning is what is going on here, and I fully understand Mr Martin's frustration about what is going on. I've heard him talk about it personally a couple of years ago in London. This particular guitar was sold as a Martin copy to a forum member. He did not pay Martin prices and knew exactly what he was getting. I would have not bought it myself, but neither do I feel it is appropriate to attack him for his decision. He is using it as a cheap session guitar, not selling the guitar on as a genuine Martin. If that was his plan, it would be a different matter. Apologies to the OP if this came across as a personal attack - that is not my intention, and sorry if my post came across that way. In light of the previous comments in this thread I just wanted to shed some light on what is going on - it's not just a few cheeky copies, it is industrial-scale counterfeiting, and to be clear, the import and sale of these guitars in the UK is illegal. Cheers, David
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Post by ocarolan on Dec 17, 2015 17:26:14 GMT
It's more sinister than just being a cheeky copy.......................... It's sad to see the knowing purchase of illegal counterfeit goods praised and even condoned on this forum. Cheers, David I can understand your touchiness on the topic of counterfeiting David. However there is no suggestion in this thread that anyone made a "knowing purchase of illegal counterfeit goods" - the guitar was purchased as a (possibly "cheeky") copy but there is nothing to suggest that either seller or buyer were aware of the nature/alleged illegality of the enterprise producing these copies. As such no-one posting in the thread can be said to have "praised" illegal activity, or condoned it. Thank you David for fully explaining the situation behind the production of these copies. Keith
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Post by grayn on Dec 17, 2015 18:48:30 GMT
As the coiner of the "cheeky copy" phrase, I suppose I should say something.
China seems to be able to do what it wants, with regard to copyright. They copy BMWs or whatever. Wolfram, your particular story seems very unfair. I don't think Martin will suffer though. Most acoustic guitars around now, owe their origins and looks to Martin. Same with Fender and Gibson, on electrics. They're all doing very well. If somebody wants to pick up a Martin or Fender lookalike, from China, that's their business. I don't praise them or accuse them. I don't particularly want one but I'd be interested to know how good they are.
So Chad, do let us know what you think of your's, now you've had time to get used to it.
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