1967 my brother handed me his 63 strat. I was 13. I have the case, the original receipt. I took it to a local shop to have an appraisal done for insurance purposes. I was told it was a fake. Long story short, experts aren’t always experts. Yeah, it’s authentic.
this is a very worthy subject for you men to address. Great to remind that "if it seems too good to be true" it is. When in doubt ask someone. A luthier, or someone whose opinion you trust. And never pay cash or use gift cards. Using a credit card you can seek redress under fraud provisions. When in doubt...buy from Baxter and Jonathan.
The tools I use to authenticate a Stratocaster (or any guitar) 1. Read reference books! 2. Look for consistency. Fender guitar makes changes. When you see a guitar with a mix and match of parts on production models from different eras, it's a red flag. 3. Look at multiple samples of what the guitar claims to be. If it's listed as a 2001 American Series Stat, look at about 10 2001 American Series Strats.
And someone you buy a guitar from someone who doesn’t know guitars, and you get that once in a lifetime deal. Doesn’t happen very often, but it still happens. I picked up a reissue MIJ 70’s Strat for 1K less than what it is listed on the Fender website. I called them after the purchase and gave them the SN and it turned out to be legit. I guess that was my once in a lifetime deal. I’m pretty happy about it.
I build my own, too. I build Fender style bolt on necks and bodies from scratch, including winding my own p'ups. There's no shame in assembling a partscaster. That how I got started.
The other day I posted a picture in a group of 2011 Les Paul deluxe that I had bought brand new. I know what it was I had guy jump all over me and claim it was a studio with a deluxe truss Rod cover! I was like where is this guy coming from… I mean seriously?!?
I had a similar thing happen the other day. I was in a Les Paul group. And it has been innovated with the “is this real or a fake post” so I commented with a picture of Ernie Ball strings and I said “is this real or fake it looks a little off”. Then the admin suspended me in the group for making that joke. And he sent a profanity laced reason for why I was booted and then he made an antisemitic comment. So I just left the group.
@@cutofthejib Some people just have no sense of humor. This is where I normally make a deeply anti-Dutch comment, but sense I have nothing against the Dutch and their wooden hats and I have already said some people can't take a joke, I'll leave it alone.
I think it's pretty cool that a lot of shops like you guys, are credible resources for buyers to purchase instruments with confidence. I feel so bad for all the people that got screwed before the internet and such, buying fakes that they only found out were fake by the time it was too late to do anything about it. I would imagine a lot of those people that got screwed are the source of many of these angry comments...
As an expert in one particular brand, I can't believe the amount of people that confidently respond In these threads on Facebook groups with completely wrong or made up answers.
Awesome..hair looks great Baxter..haven't had any "you won the contest from Casino" in a while...always good to keep an eye on fakes..especially if your dropping large cash...thanks eh!
I appreciate the episode. Plenty of fakes out there. Ive got a collection that puts my knowledge higher than most, so I assist when i know, but these parts casters are a problem.
I have a 1993 CS American Classic Strat with a serial number that some people might (erroneously) think is associated with import models. I was 100% sure it was real, but that was confirmed when I finally took it apart and the bottom of the pickguard is signed by Louis Salgado, who was working there at the time. I don't know if this is common among CS Fenders but I think it helps, not unlike the way people sign the inside of PRSs (their MODCAT system is great too). I only really contact someone when I am absolutely certain a guitar is fake, and there are some situations where they're extremely hard to tell.
Well-timed post. You are right- there are a lot of knowledgeable and helpful folks, which is great. But are a lot of strange comments of quick to respond naysayers, which is not helpful. While there are certainly "fake" guitars listed, I have noticed a heavy trend in multiple forums in which people post pictures of a guitar and ask if it's legit. Taking a close look, I don't see a single aspect that would make me think it is not legitimate. Drives me bananas.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I know enough to get me in to trouble. So I just keep on walking. Or scrolling in this case. No need to start anything.
Hey Baxter and Johnathan, when dealers themselevs can correctly identify a Lone Star vs an American Standard, well talk about us internet detectives being a problem. I see that on so many Reverb listsings. Dont ask one to denote its a Big Apple either, they also dont know anymore about em. I mean, I win in the end when they dont cept im exceptionally honest about when a person is about to hurt themselves on a sale like that.
There are are so many Chinese company's blatantly making copies wich I personally don't approve of but some people love them and for $300-$500 I suppose if it plays well and the buyer is happy so be it. The thing I don't get is companies like fender , gibson etc allowing copyright infringement. Like mother of pearl inlay saying gibson for instance. That's sad.
Talking of guitar deals that may be too good to be true, if you see a Taylor 314 (or similar) that's a few years old (like, 2000s or early 2010s, well before V bracing) and costs about half the price of a new one, is this a good price, or a case of someone who has undervalued the instrument, or a potential theft/scam? I've heard that older Taylors are considerably more hand-made than recent ones and that there was a "sweet spot" in the 90s, so I'd have thought an old-ish Taylor in good condition would be a bit more than a thousand bucks or pounds.
Look at the Stradivarius violin thing, for centuries makers have been changing labels, covering old labels to make an instrument appear to be an authentic Strad. I’m sure there’s a bunch of people trying to pass a guitar off as one of the collectibles just to make $.. Also, Baxter needs a beard.
i really like the Gibson Studio Les Paul models / i don't really enjoy NeCk binding maybe for one or two songs but NØ 🚫 for practicing 4 - 8 hours a day, or band rehearsal don't want Burny i don't want Orville , or Memphis in mY band . Squier is øKåY tho' .
From my experience, I see a lot of bad advice or poorly informed Stratocaster detectives with production models. People claim a guitar is fake because of the following: waterslide decals (that's a big one), seeing a model they aren't familiar with, or solely basing their perspective on a serial number database (this goes in the opposite direction too. People claiming something is legit because of a serial number database).
I constantly see dealers, as in Brick and Mortar on Reverb forget the Big Apple Strat, and the original American Lone Star exist, instead simply calling them modded American Standards every single week. I see the alternate pickguard, Pearly Gates Plus in bridge and tell tale staggering of the pickup poles, they're Texas Specials, and finally, I see colors only in those variations. They'll swear I'm dumb, but I see them bring the price up and change the name in a week too, so WHOS SO SMART NOW? Sometimes us trap door brains are correct. Some of us, are much more often than others.
chances are the people who are claiming to be expert's don't even have a guitar similar to the one they are being a naysayer about. and its like the 59 Les Paul, there's a quip that goes along with them. there was only less than 700 made and only 1000 are left...lol
Routed by a dachshund? You must have had a look at my '22 Standard. Its sketchy af, and 100% real becasue I got it through my dealer and it was new out of the box.
I always report chibsons as counterfeit when browsing facebook garage sale. They’re illegal to sell in the US with a Gibson logo. There are tons of affordable guitars out there such as Firefly or Sire. There’s no need to be a poser and get a fake gibson that says gibson on the headstock.
An acquaintance bought two Chibsons in China and flew back with them in guitar cases as checked luggage, when he arrived,the customs officer asked him to open the cases and show him the receipt and he was waved through, no problem…
@@Gordon-ss9ss oh that totally changes the law then. Like I said, it’s illegal to possess or sell counterfeit merchandise… I got away with lots of stuff myself, doesn’t make it legal. But with a chibson you’re breaking several federal laws and the USA feds give the most ridiculously long sentences of any first world country. Technically if you buy a chibson from aliexpress or someplace and then recieve delivery in the USA and then turn around and sell it on facebook marketplace you’re committing like 4-5 seperate federal felonies. Hypothetically if you knowingly imported counterfeit goods into the country- that’s 1 felony. Then you used a postal service in commission of a felony, that’s another federal felony. Also you technically committed a criminal conspiracy with the person in china who sold/shipped it to you, you and the seller conspired to commit a crime (illegal importation of a counterfeit item). Then you could get a felony for re-selling the item. You could get another felony for then knowingly selling counterfeit goods. Oh and by the way whatever state that you’re in could also indict you on their own felonies for those same acts and run the sentence consecutively with your fed time. You could literally do 25 years for buying a chibson on aliexpress from china and reselling it on our soil. The feds have given crazier sentences hundreds of times. So you could face several felonies. Not to mention the fact that you’re most likely supporting sweats shops that commit human rights violations and/or use child labor. Buying something from walmart made in china or buying an epiphone from china aren’t the same thing- those exporters are all under the oversight of walmart or gibson etc and human rights organizations making sure those factories are above board. But a factory in china making chibsons is an internationally illegal act- meaning odds are that you’re supporting a sweat shop. In other words buying a chibson not only makes you a poser but it makes you a scumbag and potentially could face prison time. It’s a lot easier to just buy a FIrefly for 200$ or an epiphone for $700. But dudes have to be posers and get fake gibson logos 😂 Then they say they’d never buy a gibson when they could get a guitar just as good for 200$- so my question is why would they pretend to have a gibson then if gibson sucks
Oh please, I have no doubt dozens if not hundreds of counterfeit guitars are sold by individuals in this country every month, and almost no one is ever charged, regardless of ‘Federal Law’
yeah, I know what you're going to say, you're going to say this "guitar" looks an awful lot like a banjo (wink-wink), but as you can see and I can assure you that this here, um... banjo is 100% all guitar, you have my word.
You're not on What's App? You mean I haven't actually won the grand prize 37 times? But what about all that money I sent to your secret account in the Philippines?
Several years ago, I was working on a Stratocaster Identification book but got overwhelmed by all the different models and changes to models. Instead, I made a series of videos on 1970s Stratocasters (parts 1 thru 4). Here's part 1. ua-cam.com/video/RJmcql0U8Hc/v-deo.htmlsi=S9HW8kiaF_c3bgyY
Look at it this way: If you buy what you think is a 5k guitar from someone for 1.5k, then the guy buying is ripping off the seller. So, if the buyer gets burned with a fake, I don't care.
Can't Stand Jason Statham in anything after Snatch. He was so good in the early Guy Ritchie movies and quickly became a 1 dimensional actor. I just can't watch modern action movies anymore. The whole John Wick series was dull and pointless and make Keanu look ridiculous. Liam and Denzel have ruined their credibility as well. They're also on my shit list now for making the exact same movie over and over. I basically only watch indie movies that have to rely on a good plot, writing and acting. Almost forgot this is a guitar channel.
If I identify my guitar as a Gibson, you must accept my guitars pronoun. You don't need to hate on my guitar that is cruel and causes me lots of mental anguish. It's for sale for $5800. 😁
1967 my brother handed me his 63 strat. I was 13. I have the case, the original receipt. I took it to a local shop to have an appraisal done for insurance purposes. I was told it was a fake. Long story short, experts aren’t always experts. Yeah, it’s authentic.
Baxter gave me advice about 4 years ago on a custom shop strat at a pawn shop for about $1200. I think we figured it was a partscaster
There’s almost as many fake experts out there as there are fake guitars
this is a very worthy subject for you men to address. Great to remind that "if it seems too good to be true" it is. When in doubt ask someone. A luthier, or someone whose opinion you trust. And never pay cash or use gift cards. Using a credit card you can seek redress under fraud provisions. When in doubt...buy from Baxter and Jonathan.
The tools I use to authenticate a Stratocaster (or any guitar)
1. Read reference books!
2. Look for consistency. Fender guitar makes changes. When you see a guitar with a mix and match of parts on production models from different eras, it's a red flag.
3. Look at multiple samples of what the guitar claims to be. If it's listed as a 2001 American Series Stat, look at about 10 2001 American Series Strats.
And someone you buy a guitar from someone who doesn’t know guitars, and you get that once in a lifetime deal.
Doesn’t happen very often, but it still happens.
I picked up a reissue MIJ 70’s Strat for 1K less than what it is listed on the Fender website.
I called them after the purchase and gave them the SN and it turned out to be legit. I guess that was my once in a lifetime deal. I’m pretty happy about it.
Fun vid as always guys - and Iron Smoke in the background! Great bourbon and a great place to play!
Perfect lighting tonight. Guitars in the background look awesome. 😎🤓
On the subject of "they would never do that": one of the Fender Custom Shop specialities is the 1950s Telecaster Thinline...
Dang Trogly!
There’s something off with that guy
This is just one more reason why I make my own guitars.
Good for you!!!
Any videos up on that??
Yeah everybody can put a partscaster together and solder in pickups lol. Get over yourself
I build my own, too. I build Fender style bolt on necks and bodies from scratch, including winding my own p'ups. There's no shame in assembling a partscaster. That how I got started.
Facebook is still a thing? I wonder if my old account is still out there somewhere.
The other day I posted a picture in a group of 2011 Les Paul deluxe that I had bought brand new. I know what it was I had guy jump all over me and claim it was a studio with a deluxe truss Rod cover! I was like where is this guy coming from… I mean seriously?!?
I had a similar thing happen the other day. I was in a Les Paul group. And it has been innovated with the “is this real or a fake post” so I commented with a picture of Ernie Ball strings and I said “is this real or fake it looks a little off”. Then the admin suspended me in the group for making that joke. And he sent a profanity laced reason for why I was booted and then he made an antisemitic comment. So I just left the group.
@@cutofthejib Some people just have no sense of humor. This is where I normally make a deeply anti-Dutch comment, but sense I have nothing against the Dutch and their wooden hats and I have already said some people can't take a joke, I'll leave it alone.
😂😆 lololol /*//)¡!/
I think it's pretty cool that a lot of shops like you guys, are credible resources for buyers to purchase instruments with confidence. I feel so bad for all the people that got screwed before the internet and such, buying fakes that they only found out were fake by the time it was too late to do anything about it. I would imagine a lot of those people that got screwed are the source of many of these angry comments...
As an expert in one particular brand, I can't believe the amount of people that confidently respond In these threads on Facebook groups with completely wrong or made up answers.
Bonathan and Jaxter
Awesome..hair looks great Baxter..haven't had any "you won the contest from Casino" in a while...always good to keep an eye on fakes..especially if your dropping large cash...thanks eh!
Fender is helpful but they only go back up to a certain timeframe. Unfortunately, custom shops are easy to replicate.
I was surprised how easy it was to get someone on the phone from Fender.
Good people
I appreciate the episode. Plenty of fakes out there. Ive got a collection that puts my knowledge higher than most, so I assist when i know, but these parts casters are a problem.
I have a 1993 CS American Classic Strat with a serial number that some people might (erroneously) think is associated with import models. I was 100% sure it was real, but that was confirmed when I finally took it apart and the bottom of the pickguard is signed by Louis Salgado, who was working there at the time. I don't know if this is common among CS Fenders but I think it helps, not unlike the way people sign the inside of PRSs (their MODCAT system is great too). I only really contact someone when I am absolutely certain a guitar is fake, and there are some situations where they're extremely hard to tell.
There is a used place in my area which always gets fooled by parts casters and fakes .
Well-timed post. You are right- there are a lot of knowledgeable and helpful folks, which is great. But are a lot of strange comments of quick to respond naysayers, which is not helpful. While there are certainly "fake" guitars listed, I have noticed a heavy trend in multiple forums in which people post pictures of a guitar and ask if it's legit. Taking a close look, I don't see a single aspect that would make me think it is not legitimate. Drives me bananas.
I owned a +- 67 Strat and it had the heel type truss rod and I know for a fact that it was not a fake. This was long before fakes were a thing.
On another episode of csi guitarists. Baxter uncovers another mystery!!!
I would be so mad if someone told me that my 1928 Fender SG 9-string with MIDI were fake.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I know enough to get me in to trouble. So I just keep on walking. Or scrolling in this case. No need to start anything.
Hey Baxter and Johnathan, when dealers themselevs can correctly identify a Lone Star vs an American Standard, well talk about us internet detectives being a problem. I see that on so many Reverb listsings. Dont ask one to denote its a Big Apple either, they also dont know anymore about em. I mean, I win in the end when they dont cept im exceptionally honest about when a person is about to hurt themselves on a sale like that.
There are are so many Chinese company's blatantly making copies wich I personally don't approve of but some people love them and for $300-$500 I suppose if it plays well and the buyer is happy so be it. The thing I don't get is companies like fender , gibson etc allowing copyright infringement. Like mother of pearl inlay saying gibson for instance. That's sad.
I like the you tube guy that previews ridiculous Reverb listings.. peck
Watch out for those fake bells on UA-cam, LOL!
Talking of guitar deals that may be too good to be true, if you see a Taylor 314 (or similar) that's a few years old (like, 2000s or early 2010s, well before V bracing) and costs about half the price of a new one, is this a good price, or a case of someone who has undervalued the instrument, or a potential theft/scam? I've heard that older Taylors are considerably more hand-made than recent ones and that there was a "sweet spot" in the 90s, so I'd have thought an old-ish Taylor in good condition would be a bit more than a thousand bucks or pounds.
Wow, a lot of people don't know what "custom" means.
I would have gotten away with it if it hadn’t been for Baxter and his kids!
Some dude the other day was trying to tell me my Glarry was fake! Obviously he didn't know what he was talking about!
It’s definitely cake. 😂
Baxter I like your hair too
Look at the Stradivarius violin thing, for centuries makers have been changing labels, covering old labels to make an instrument appear to be an authentic Strad. I’m sure there’s a bunch of people trying to pass a guitar off as one of the collectibles just to make $..
Also, Baxter needs a beard.
So, is it just me, or does Baxter look even more like Stan Laurel, of Laurel and Hardy, since he got his haircut?
i really like the Gibson
Studio Les Paul models
/ i don't really enjoy
NeCk binding
maybe for one or two songs
but NØ 🚫 for practicing
4 - 8 hours a day, or band rehearsal
don't want Burny
i don't want
Orville , or
Memphis
in mY band .
Squier is øKåY tho' .
😊
What would Lemmy do?
Mater Tater's ol man and jrob ❤
Obviously an AI episode. Just look at Baxter's hair, so fake! 🙂 Great video!
Buying a Squire a safe bet , nobody's faking those .
Squier
Hey I may Have Got Ripped off ,Dang It!@@johnbriggs3916
People absolutely do fake Squiers.
@@charlesbolton8471 early 80s
From my experience, I see a lot of bad advice or poorly informed Stratocaster detectives with production models. People claim a guitar is fake because of the following: waterslide decals (that's a big one), seeing a model they aren't familiar with, or solely basing their perspective on a serial number database (this goes in the opposite direction too. People claiming something is legit because of a serial number database).
I constantly see dealers, as in Brick and Mortar on Reverb forget the Big Apple Strat, and the original American Lone Star exist, instead simply calling them modded American Standards every single week. I see the alternate pickguard, Pearly Gates Plus in bridge and tell tale staggering of the pickup poles, they're Texas Specials, and finally, I see colors only in those variations. They'll swear I'm dumb, but I see them bring the price up and change the name in a week too, so WHOS SO SMART NOW? Sometimes us trap door brains are correct. Some of us, are much more often than others.
@@caiusmadison2996 that may because they're inexperienced and may not know those models exit.
I was looking for some genuine guitar detectives not fake ones.
chances are the people who are claiming to be expert's don't even have a guitar similar to the one they are being a naysayer about. and its like the 59 Les Paul, there's a quip that goes along with them. there was only less than 700 made and only 1000 are left...lol
Routed by a dachshund? You must have had a look at my '22 Standard. Its sketchy af, and 100% real becasue I got it through my dealer and it was new out of the box.
"Throw it in gutter and go buy another"
Well, one thing I am really lucky about, as far as I know, no one has faked an Esteban yet. Not yet .
Yes, not just yet. I'm waiting for the perfect time to flood the market with Estebahn and First Akt knock offs. I'll be upper Lower Class.
I identify as a fenda strat and a fenda strap and also a slenda strat and a slenda strap. I think..
Statham rules.
13:19 and what you’re looking for here is Beauty and the Beast. Definitely Beauty and the Beast. Lol
thought this was the FREE GC Les Paul thing. Also i got a deep fake of James Hetfield endorsing crypto coin on YT today
Indeed need to watch out for that asshole
I always report chibsons as counterfeit when browsing facebook garage sale. They’re illegal to sell in the US with a Gibson logo. There are tons of affordable guitars out there such as Firefly or Sire. There’s no need to be a poser and get a fake gibson that says gibson on the headstock.
An acquaintance bought two Chibsons in China and flew back with them in guitar cases as checked luggage, when he arrived,the customs officer asked him to open the cases and show him the receipt and he was waved through, no problem…
@@Gordon-ss9ss oh that totally changes the law then.
Like I said, it’s illegal to possess or sell counterfeit merchandise…
I got away with lots of stuff myself, doesn’t make it legal. But with a chibson you’re breaking several federal laws and the USA feds give the most ridiculously long sentences of any first world country. Technically if you buy a chibson from aliexpress or someplace and then recieve delivery in the USA and then turn around and sell it on facebook marketplace you’re committing like 4-5 seperate federal felonies.
Hypothetically if you knowingly imported counterfeit goods into the country- that’s 1 felony. Then you used a postal service in commission of a felony, that’s another federal felony. Also you technically committed a criminal conspiracy with the person in china who sold/shipped it to you, you and the seller conspired to commit a crime (illegal importation of a counterfeit item). Then you could get a felony for re-selling the item. You could get another felony for then knowingly selling counterfeit goods. Oh and by the way whatever state that you’re in could also indict you on their own felonies for those same acts and run the sentence consecutively with your fed time.
You could literally do 25 years for buying a chibson on aliexpress from china and reselling it on our soil. The feds have given crazier sentences hundreds of times.
So you could face several felonies. Not to mention the fact that you’re most likely supporting sweats shops that commit human rights violations and/or use child labor. Buying something from walmart made in china or buying an epiphone from china aren’t the same thing- those exporters are all under the oversight of walmart or gibson etc and human rights organizations making sure those factories are above board. But a factory in china making chibsons is an internationally illegal act- meaning odds are that you’re supporting a sweat shop.
In other words buying a chibson not only makes you a poser but it makes you a scumbag and potentially could face prison time. It’s a lot easier to just buy a FIrefly for 200$ or an epiphone for $700. But dudes have to be posers and get fake gibson logos 😂
Then they say they’d never buy a gibson when they could get a guitar just as good for 200$- so my question is why would they pretend to have a gibson then if gibson sucks
Oh please, I have no doubt dozens if not hundreds of counterfeit guitars are sold by individuals in this country every month, and almost no one is ever charged, regardless of ‘Federal Law’
yeah, I know what you're going to say, you're going to say this "guitar" looks an awful lot like a banjo (wink-wink), but as you can see and I can assure you that this here, um... banjo is 100% all guitar, you have my word.
You're not on What's App? You mean I haven't actually won the grand prize 37 times? But what about all that money I sent to your secret account in the Philippines?
Baxter’s hair keeps on getting neater. Is he having a midlife crisis?
People still use FaceBook?
Several years ago, I was working on a Stratocaster Identification book but got overwhelmed by all the different models and changes to models. Instead, I made a series of videos on 1970s Stratocasters (parts 1 thru 4). Here's part 1.
ua-cam.com/video/RJmcql0U8Hc/v-deo.htmlsi=S9HW8kiaF_c3bgyY
Look at it this way: If you buy what you think is a 5k guitar from someone for 1.5k, then the guy buying is ripping off the seller. So, if the buyer gets burned with a fake, I don't care.
Thats why you use fake money!
Can't Stand Jason Statham in anything after Snatch. He was so good in the early Guy Ritchie movies and quickly became a 1 dimensional actor.
I just can't watch modern action movies anymore. The whole John Wick series was dull and pointless and make Keanu look ridiculous. Liam and Denzel have ruined their credibility as well. They're also on my shit list now for making the exact same movie over and over.
I basically only watch indie movies that have to rely on a good plot, writing and acting. Almost forgot this is a guitar channel.
Who cares, just play the damn thing.
But running your mouth about stuff you don’t understand or bother to look into is the American way.
That beard is fake.
If I identify my guitar as a Gibson, you must accept my guitars pronoun. You don't need to hate on my guitar that is cruel and causes me lots of mental anguish. It's for sale for $5800. 😁
My amp identifies as a Dumble ODS
These “identify as” “jokes” are transphobic. You think you’re being clever or funny but its hateful. Chances are you know and don’t care.
lmao, best comment
Cringe
Grow up, dunce