"Clones" are actually the REAL THING

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eyerhere

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I think everybody is right sometimes. I know that in some industries over runs or unwanted inventory will be dumped int the private lableing sector producing the 1:1 the op mentioned. Other times designs are sold creating damm close copies then ther is look alike junk. buy what you want just dont whine if you gold turns out to be a spray painted turd.
 

Striker911

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No way. If something was knocked off before it came out it was due to the maker flaunting pictures to build anticipation. In the end its just all metals, so how hard could it be to clone if you seen a picture. China has batteries. All they have to do is mill and test. Look at the poldiac and tell me thats exact. The clone is far from the real thing. Some clones hit the target, but others don't. I think that's enough said.
 

Griff.J

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I'm not willing to pay 200 dollars for a polished metal tube. If you got that kind of money laying around fine, go nuts. I bought my mechanical on fasttech, It works amazingly well, high quality, smooth threads. I'm actually more annoyed that is has logos and serial numbers on it than that it's a replica/knock-off/clone because I like the minimalist look.
 

Striker911

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I'm not willing to pay 200 dollars for a polished metal tube. If you got that kind of money laying around fine, go nuts. I bought my mechanical on FastTech, It works amazingly well, high quality, smooth threads. I'm actually more annoyed that is has logos and serial numbers on it than that it's a replica/knock-off/clone because I like the minimalist look.

I can agree with that point of view. I am only high on the hog 1-3 times a year. Then something comes up and I have to fall back. I was only able to get a Vella this year, but its gone. Do I miss it? Maybe the image, and the fact that I had 6 months of waiting on a list to be excited. I think that honestly was the best part. Then I finally got it and still I had to break out the dremel tool to get everything flush.

On a side note. I guess you have the Chi clone? I almost bought the JM clone, but then I would of had to get a better jenny. I hate the AGA-T2. So I ended up with the Zmax-V3.
 

Griff.J

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I can agree with that point of view. I am only high on the hog 1-3 times a year. Then something comes up and I have to fall back. I was only able to get a Vella this year, but its gone. Do I miss it? Maybe the image, and the fact that I had 6 months of waiting on a list to be excited. I think that honestly was the best part. Then I finally got it and still I had to break out the dremel tool to get everything flush.

On a side note. I guess you have the Chi clone? I almost bought the JM clone, but then I would of had to get a better jenny. I hate the AGA-T2. So I ended up with the Zmax-V3.
Yes I got the stainless chi clone with the fully working air hole adjustment deal. it was the "Stainless Steel - Laser Etched" one. the Chi-You and the clone both have a design flaw though, not having any insulation around the bottom cap. I solved it by tossing a spare RSST O-ring down the tube.

If I was industrious I could take a milimeter of brass off of the negative contact screw to stop it from firing as soon as you tighten it down (I'm talking finger tight even, not cranking it down), but the O-ring does the trick, I might get a piece of PVC tube and make a little insulator ring instead down the road.
 

EvilZoe

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No its not. I am on strike from FT until I get more feedback on stuff. Yes, I got burned. I guess they think as long as its cheap, it don't have to work :2cool:
I was just sharing a song snippet that went through my head....lol

My brain tends to go all Weird Al on me when I read thread titles.
 

Striker911

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Yes I got the stainless chi clone with the fully working air hole adjustment deal. it was the "Stainless Steel - Laser Etched" one. the Chi-You and the clone both have a design flaw though, not having any insulation around the bottom cap. I solved it by tossing a spare RSST O-ring down the tube.

If I was industrious I could take a milimeter of brass off of the negative contact screw to stop it from firing as soon as you tighten it down (I'm talking finger tight even, not cranking it down), but the O-ring does the trick, I might get a piece of PVC tube and make a little insulator ring instead down the road.
Good feedback. That kind of stuff drives me nuts. I wonder how people that shelled out for the real thing felt about that one. Probably like my and my Vella issue. Frustrated.
I was just sharing a song snippet that went through my head....lol

My brain tends to go all Weird Al on me when I read thread titles.
LOL. I was trying to be cute. Maybe I need some sleep and I could try again. I got a sick 2 year old over here sleeping in papa bears bed, and he is up crying a couple times an hour. Maybe I can sleep later tonight.
 

EvilZoe

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Good feedback. That kind of stuff drives me nuts. I wonder how people that shelled out for the real thing felt about that one. Probably like my and my Vella issue. Frustrated.

LOL. I was trying to be cute. Maybe I need some sleep and I could try again. I got a sick 2 year old over here sleeping in papa bears bed, and he is up crying a couple times an hour. Maybe I can sleep later tonight.
Awwww, poor baby. My babies are all grown up with babies of their own so I only have to worry about the furry babies.

I hope he feels better soon and you can get some sleep.
 

Jimi D.

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I saved 100 plus on this device. As long as it performs great, I'm happy. I've spent my money on great things, and a lot of crap. I own the real stuff, and my share of clones. It's the consumers choice. I don't care about the business end on cloning. I just want it to work good.
 

emus

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I saved 100 plus on this device. As long as it performs great, I'm happy. I've spent my money on great things, and a lot of crap. I own the real stuff, and my share of clones. It's the consumers choice. I don't care about the business end on cloning. I just want it to work good.

The machining marks look pretty shallow from here. Maybe sanding and mirror polishing that one would be relatively easy,
Wonder how much spare tanks cost.
 

LDS714

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I've floated this out there before, but I'll do it again...

I like to relate this to the guitar world.

Gibson has Epiphone, which basically makes knockoffs of their higher end guitars. Same with Fender and Squier. I have guitars and basses from all four. While all are quality instruments, the little things and attention to detail are much better on the genuine Fenders and Gibsons. Do the Epiphones and Squiers do the job? Absolutely.

Why do those manufacturers 'dilute' the market with these 'clones?' Because so many other companies were doing it. In the 70s the Japanese company Ibanez was making better Les Pauls than Gibson, I know, I had a couple. Gibson took notice, and eventually the importation was stopped, with many of them being destroyed by Customs.

In other cases, off shore manufacturers were selling their off production time to make instruments on the same lines with pretty much the same materials. I have a bass sold by Hohner that is in reality a Steinberger, just with Hohner and 'licensed by Steinberger' labeling on it. It came with cheaper knobs, wiring and strings on it, but all said and done, is the exact same instrument at a much more attractive price point. I have seen, owned and played other instruments that I am positive were produced in the same type of setting, but without the authorization and endorsement of whoever put the factory up.

On the other hand, there are thousands of Fender and Gibson 'clones' out there made from inferior materials that kinda sorta look like the real thing, but are sorely lacking in performance. But, they're not trying to pass them off as the real thing.

So is it possible or even likely that this is happening with mods and other gear? Absolutely. So if they're not legit, it's incumbent upon the original manufacturers to alert Customs that counterfeits, items infringing on patents, copyrights and trademarks are being imported. You should see the slick documentation provided to Customs by Disney - they are probably the most diligent about protecting their brands. They regularly produce and distribute lists and photos of counterfeit items being produced in China as well as who is producing and shipping them. These almost never make it into the country.
 
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