They learn to spot a fake dollar bill by studying the real thing until each and every little detail is committed to memory. They know what the real thing looks like. Their agents are highly trained in spotting a fake versus the real thing – and not because they know what a fake look likes. The United States Secret Service is responsible for policing crimes of counterfeiting money in the US. So before you get stuck with a fake guitar from a charlatan calling himself a guitar dealer, learn the telltale signs. Not only are you paying a lot of money for a phony that sounds and plays poorly, but there is also no warranty, no trade-in value, and it’s usually illegal to resell.
Martin guitar serial numbers nq 5461 how to#
Knowing how to spot a fake versus the real thing is key if you are going to partake in this activity, particularly in this day in age where the counterfeit guitar problem worsens by the day almost.Ī counterfeit guitar is a real nuisance. However, this is also one of the easiest ways to get ripped off. It’s a great way to get a good deal on an otherwise hard-to-find-guitar. If you love guitars as much as I do, the cost of collecting these instruments can take a toll on the checkbook, so one of my favorite pastimes is spelunking in the local pawn shops or perusing the local Craigslist ads. I don’t want some cheap knock-off or counterfeit like the infamous “Chibson” guitar. Playing for Billy Martin is like playing for your father-in-law.As a guitar player, when I drop money on a Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, PRS or any other top-of-the-line axe, I want to know that I am getting exactly that. Playing for Yogi is like playing for your father. I have a hard time believing your friend.Tom I can only go by what CF Martin IV says, and what every CEO of Martin has always stated, and consistently stuck with over the years. Your friend likely has a stolen guitar, and covered it with this story! Since I couldn't have personally watched every non-complient guitar ever turned out by Martin being destroyed.I couldn't confirm this myself. Any guitar that doesn't pass quality control is either fixed so it does pass, or it is destroyed and never leaves the factory. Not to dealers, not to employees, not to anybody, not in the past, not now, not ever. Įmployee guitars (built in the factory by an employee for himself) have not been allowed for a number of years (I don't know how many years). However, a friend of mine will dispute this.
Martin claims to not sell second quality guitars. Perhaps someone did convince them to leave the model number or in haste it was missed. My friend talked the cashier into leaving the Martin label on the headstock but he couldn't convince them to leave any numbers inside the guitar. Some people (probably dealers) were buying many guitars. The serial and model numbers were neatly woodburned off and the headstock labels were removed by a soft brush on a spinning wheel.
There were many Martin guitars there (he never mentioned a number) and they were all factory seconds and cheap! If I remember correctly, he bought a new D-18 for a hundred bucks! However, these guitars had no warranty and the serial numbers, model numbers, and headstock labels were removed at the time of purchase. He says that about 20 years ago he went to a super sale at the old factory. Interesting post! I may have another explanation for the lack of a serial number.