With the online markets being flooded with fake Duncans now, how do you spot them? I know the fake EMGs use a rougher grain textured cover in a darker black plastic and with shittier looking foil stamp logos. How do you tell with the Duncans? I've seen pictures of some that are really obvious with textured Matt black bobbins, all slugs, and badly stamped logos. But I've also seen pictures that look like the real deal down to the stamping on the bottom of the baseplate and the model and serial number sticker.
How to spot fake Duncans?
- Thread starter Nightside
- Start date
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TheWarAgainstTime
"TWAT" for short
Most fakes I've seen use a brass baseplate with no stamped logo and have the model sticker placed somewhere near the center of the pickup rather than by one of the legs. They also say "MADE IN U.S.A." somewhere, cost $25-50 each, and ship directly from China, at least from what I've seen on eBay lately 
It's also entirely possible that some listings just use stock or reposted photos of real pickups, unfortunately. If something seems "off" about a listing, it's usually best to just avoid it and wait for another deal since they're pretty common pickups anyway
It's also entirely possible that some listings just use stock or reposted photos of real pickups, unfortunately. If something seems "off" about a listing, it's usually best to just avoid it and wait for another deal since they're pretty common pickups anyway
It's really easy actually. You just take a piece of wire, any gauge or type will do. Use a soldering iron to heat up one end of the wire. Touch the hot wire to the pickup. If it grows legs and jumps to avoid the hot wire it's actually Wilford Brimley.
I've seen people trying to pass off fake EMGs as real ones in the local classifieds. Duncans are really expensive over here now so I'm trying to figure out if anyone is trying the same thing in the classifieds with them as well.Most fakes I've seen use a brass baseplate with no stamped logo and have the model sticker placed somewhere near the center of the pickup rather than by one of the legs. They also say "MADE IN U.S.A." somewhere, cost $25-50 each, and ship directly from China, at least from what I've seen on eBay lately
It's also entirely possible that some listings just use stock or reposted photos of real pickups, unfortunately. If something seems "off" about a listing, it's usually best to just avoid it and wait for another deal since they're pretty common pickups anyway
I've seen people posting reviews on AliExpress with pictures that look like the real ones. All I've seen is SH1 and SH4 and TB4.
If you see a pickup with "Seymour Duncan" on the front ask it to name 3 songs. If it doesn't then it's fake
Unfortunately Chinese scum making pretty elaborate copies of some pickups nowadays
SD Slash
SD regular pups
Gibson 57 Classic
The biggest giwaway are tips of screws and somewhat freaky stamped logo on SD, otherwise they look pretty close to originals
SD Slash
SD regular pups
Gibson 57 Classic
The biggest giwaway are tips of screws and somewhat freaky stamped logo on SD, otherwise they look pretty close to originals
Rubbishplayer
Well-Known Member
Call me old-fashioned, but buying either from a reputable store or direct from the manufacturer has always worked for me.
Secondhand was always a risk (e.g. even genuine pups can have problems) and now, with counterfeits, the risk is no longer worth it for me.
But if you really insist on buying secondhand, do it on a forum where you will have some recourse (e.g. eBay), ideally from a guitar dealer, ask for plenty of photos and be prepared to use the dispute regime. For example, any difference from the "convincing photos" is reason to return "not as described", as wpuld any divergence in spec (e.g. impedence).
All of which is too much of a PITA for me.
Plus I don't really need to say "don't buy from China", do I?
Secondhand was always a risk (e.g. even genuine pups can have problems) and now, with counterfeits, the risk is no longer worth it for me.
But if you really insist on buying secondhand, do it on a forum where you will have some recourse (e.g. eBay), ideally from a guitar dealer, ask for plenty of photos and be prepared to use the dispute regime. For example, any difference from the "convincing photos" is reason to return "not as described", as wpuld any divergence in spec (e.g. impedence).
All of which is too much of a PITA for me.
Plus I don't really need to say "don't buy from China", do I?
Yeah but I guarantee this shit is going to be popping up on ebay and reverb with people buying a bunch of counterfeits to resell somewhere else.Call me old-fashioned, but buying either from a reputable store or direct from the manufacturer has always worked for me.
Secondhand was always a risk (e.g. even genuine pups can have problems) and now, with counterfeits, the risk is no longer worth it for me.
But if you really insist on buying secondhand, do it on a forum where you will have some recourse (e.g. eBay), ideally from a guitar dealer, ask for plenty of photos and be prepared to use the dispute regime. For example, any difference from the "convincing photos" is reason to return "not as described", as wpuld any divergence in spec (e.g. impedence).
All of which is too much of a PITA for me.
Plus I don't really need to say "don't buy from China", do I?
Neon_Knight_
Well-Known Member
Biggest giveaway is that they're listed on Ali Express.
You can spot them in the wild outside of AE, also it's not like there are no original ones on AE but the price is even higher since it was imported to China
Rubbishplayer
Well-Known Member
No doubt, which is why buying secondhand is too risky IMHO.
