US Customs seize over 3,000 fake Gibson guitars

US Customs and Border Protection have announced they have seized over 3000 fake Gibson guitars.

The government agency revealed the haul in a message to the public on Friday (November 22), explaining they had worked on the seizure in collaboration with Gibson themselves, US Homeland Security Investigations and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

A press release confirmed that it was the “largest seizure of fake musical instruments” in history, and estimated the guitars’ combined value, if they were real, would be in the range of $18million (£14.3million).

The authorities in question will hold a press conference on Tuesday (November 26), in which they will give further details of the bust. They will explain the “proactive efforts” that are used to “identify, intercept and seize” counterfeit products.

Gibson will also “caution customers about fraudulent products sold on e-commerce platforms and other sources”.

This year marks the 130th anniversary of Gibson, and to celebrate they have been working on a series of limited-edition releases, including a collector’s version of Jimmy Page’s 1964 SJ-200. The guitar was played on Led Zeppelin’s 1969 self-titled debut album, and only 50 of the new range were made.

Elsewhere in the anniversary celebrations, the guitar manufacturer announced a new ‘YardBurst’ 1959 Les Paul Custom, made in honour of guitar icon Jeff Beck, earlier this year.

It pays homage to the axe that Beck played as he was first put on the map – the iconic 1959 Les Paul Standard that he played when making a name for himself as part of the Yardbirds.

Noel Gallagher also created a limited-edition run of Gibson ‘78 Les Paul Customs earlier this year, inspired by the instrument originally given to him by Johnny Marr.

Gibson was founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan by Orville Gibson, originally specialising in mandolins and related instruments. In 1952, it introduced its first solid-body electric guitar, the Les Paul, which became one of the most iconic instruments in rock music.

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