Gear Clones & Knockoffs: From High Value Competition, to Illegal Junk - Heavy Reflection 

Slash Les Paul used to record Appetite for destruction was a well made copy, and arguably helped save the Gibson company. James Hetfields white flying V was a japanese copy etc. i have several USA made gibsons and fenders, but currently am “upgrading” some aliexpress guitars to see how good I can make them play/practice fret and nut work etc for a fun project. I plan to keep them for knock around/tribute guitars. The only issue I have is when people try to sell them as the “real thing”.

mans on demon mode

I understand the pontification here. I think a lack of availability (the thing is no longer in production) or a lack of affordability (the thing is too expensive, whether by scalping or gouging) justifies additional means of acquisition. The line is crossed when the product is a complete counterfeit down to fake branding and serialization. If I'm not at my desk and someone signs my name on work I did not do, I'd be pissed. But an Alibaba copy of Prince's Cloud guitar is within the line of acceptability; the makers of the Cloud guitar don't have a model available for purchase, and the only ones in existence are being sold at unbelievable prices. Schecter or whoever makes the Cloud guitar clearly has no interest in a commercial model and, until the day they actually make one, I say buy a copy.

I agree with you pretty much completely, and the point you make about someone buying a imitation, tribute, clone whatever you call it taking away sales from the original company is a stupid argument as there’s two completely different customers entirely. I imagine the only people really getting “took” by the “counterfeit” products are probably sleaze balls with intentions of ripping someone off anyway. IE they would buy your stealth for 300 used with the sole intention of selling it on for a huge mark up either intentionally or strictly as an opportunist. You know the dill holes who got stuck with a houseful of TP in 2020. I think most people who are going to drop some money into a piece of gear are smart enough to know what they’re buying and wouldn’t be fooled, so Gibsons argument of protecting the consumers is null at that point. I don’t think these companies should be ripping off the company names or logos, but copyright protecting a hunk of wood carved into a shape is ridiculous . That would allow someone like Gene Simmons to copyright let’s say square and or rectangle shaped rooms lol , I know it’s silly but is it really that big a stretch ?

In regards to the Klon example, I’ve noticed the same idea with companies like Edwards. A lot of people are really not happy with Gibson, especially after the various PR disasters that they constantly place theirselves in, as well as people being outraged by the continued lack of QC for the prices that people have been giving for Gibson Guitars brand new. It’s why I’m more than happy to have my Edwards Les Paul custom which I got used for around $1,300 in absolutely pristine, perfect condition as opposed to the many people who have purchased Gibson guitars with various QC issues wether they affect the cosmetics (which on sub thousand dollar guitar’s probably wouldn’t be an issue but it’s for damn sure a problem if you’re shucking out $2K for an American made instrument) I myself wonder if any other companies outside of the states will start or have started making models based off of brands who’s QC has gone so far downhill that to most people their reputation has become irredeemable, or based off of brands who went bankrupt and promptly closed their doors afterwards.

That Mazda was kind of sick.

I am a huge fan of Demon FX and Joyo pedals, and Zoom multi-FX/amp modeling pedals. I also like the ones from Valeton and a few other brands. People buying an amp modeling pedal or a clone are absolutely not in the market for the OG pedal or amp.

Cool seeing Indy string theory lol

I thought about it too, the bass axe on those sites...... I decided to make my own.......

I want to dip you in Nutella and eat you yummy plague scythe studios Seriously so grateful for your content: you’re the best guitar social media person ever!!

Nice work

The subtitles interpret "Plague Scythe Studios" as "Lakeside Studios". You could start a new channel, put your hair up in a man-bun and target the Paul Davids demographic.

You are the only channel I have seen play both the Centura and Centavo. Do you have a preference? My local shop sells the Centura and it has caught my attention. Thanks for the content!

You mean people that think dialing in an amp to emulate another amp's sound is literal STEALING actually exist ? What a time to be alive

I don't mind what they did with the Stealth. For one thing, BC Rich no longer makes the Stealth so they're not losing money. Also, they are not advertising it as a BC Rich or trying to pretend it is one. As far as I'm concerned, they did nothing wrong. Now, if someone were to resell one of these as an authentic BC Rich, that would obviously be very wrong. BTW, I get what you're saying in regard to not knowing what you're supporting, but that's true of any company. A company charging a premium doesn't necessarily mean they have amazing values.

but if we don't protect particular tones by copyright, how will we ever be creative and make money?

3:38 what video were you referencing here?

👍

People's moral high horses make me laugh

Its a shame Bill cant at least get royalties from all these clones….

imo the stealth just looks like a combination of a flying v and an explorer that's evolved more "metal" aesthetics, is it really that unique

Ryan in true form, Fire! :)