Ok, im sure you guys all seen the ads on sites like ebay or craigslist where someone is selling a brand name guitar way below what the book price is.

Sometimes it's because they genuinely need the money or its a model or colour that doesn't quite sell as quickly as others (clockwork art or somethin) but then sometimes you just see things that dont add up.

Screws that stick out, truss rod covers that dont seem authentic and/or other warning signs, and a newb like me doesnt know the difference so i often back out of buying when it just doesnt feel right.

My question is does anyone have a good website for finding Fender, Gibson and Martin, guitar fakes? Also, if you have some key clues or tips on what to look for Any help appreciated!

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My lot:
2003 white/white Fender Strat mim
2007 natural ibanez af 105 hollow body
1991 ibanez 12 string acoustic
roland micro cube amp

Only buy fro a reputable dealer unless you really know your guitars. Nuff said.

+1

the only way you know you are buying the real thing is by buying from a reputable dealer, not some guy on ebay.

Usually the Forum members on all brand specific sites have a large combined knowledge of the particular brands that you wish to find out about.There are people on this forum who have an encyclopedic knowledge of Fenders and the same holds true on other forums.If you wish to find out about a particular guitar find out all that you can about it and post it in the forum and you'll no doubt get a prompt answer.You need to post pix and/or links serial nos. year etc. with that info you'll most liely get an honest,impartial,informed answer.Hope that helps.Good luck on your guitar hunt.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

+

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Guitars: American Standard Strat, American Vintage 52 Tele, Gretsch Power Jet

Amps: Frontman 212R, Hot Rod DeVille 212 w/ Vintage 30's, AC30 w/ Greenbacks

Pedals: Boss Tuner, XOTiC AC-Booster, MXR Phase 90, Line 6 DL4

+1 ON WHAT THE OTHER MEMBERS HAVE SAID.
For example, if someone is trying to sell you a "Gibson" where the name is off center or tilted on the headstock, or if the truss rod cover has 3 screws instead of 2, then it's a FAKE. Gibson's website has info on how to tell a fake apart from a real Gibson. I'm sure Fender as a similar website. You can also try to get a serial number and run it buy the folks on the various boards. Photos are definitely a big help, though.

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Current Gear: Ron Kirn Barnbuster Tele,
Marshall: 1971 SuperLead 100>1997 1960-TV, bunch of pedals
and a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe named Veronica

I probably should have clarified a little more...

It is a small pipe dream of mine to someday open an antique store with my fiance' and i would like to specialize in selling antique instruments. There is much to learn so it's not just for casual play, i would like to someday run my own business.

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My lot:
2003 white/white Fender Strat mim
2007 natural ibanez af 105 hollow body
1991 ibanez 12 string acoustic
roland micro cube amp

Read George Gruhn's columns and books, go through Vintage Guitar Magazine,
if you can get some books out of the library, try to find Beauty of the Burst, etc
Some suggestions from Amazon, which if your library has an Inter-Library Loan facility through Worldcat you might find
Fenders
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... s&x=0&y=14
Gibsons
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... s&x=9&y=17
Rickenbackers
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... rs&x=0&y=0

You get the idea. I would also bone up on the workings, repairs, and restoration of instruments. Learn how they are put together and how they are restored or fixed.

This is just for guitars. Amps is a whole other ballgame...check Amazon
Hope this helps.

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Current Gear: Ron Kirn Barnbuster Tele,
Marshall: 1971 SuperLead 100>1997 1960-TV, bunch of pedals
and a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe named Veronica

Great links! i will be purchasing books on Fender and Gibson as soon as possible. There is so much to learn.

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My lot:
2003 white/white Fender Strat mim
2007 natural ibanez af 105 hollow body
1991 ibanez 12 string acoustic
roland micro cube amp

You will need to do a ton of studying. that is not a field to enter in without serious knowledge.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

im a pretty quick study but one thing's for certain, i wouldnt make any large investment without first having the foresight to do a little research and bringing the appropriate book with me at the time of purchase to compare certainly wouldnt hurt either.

I did buy 2 guitars off CL but im pretty certain they are both authentic. The mim strat was actually a trade but i bought my jazzbox with cash.

Maybe i should try and get a job in a music store or with a luthier somewhere so i can soak up as much knowledge as possible?

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My lot:
2003 white/white Fender Strat mim
2007 natural ibanez af 105 hollow body
1991 ibanez 12 string acoustic
roland micro cube amp

+1 The books are great for general knowledge, but the actual day to day knowledge gained from doing is probably more important for you since there may be a serious out laying of cash in the mix.
Best of Luck,
John.E

post pic's when you open your shop

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I'd go with the reputable dealer as well, not e-bay.