US Customs Agents Seize Fake Gibson Guitars Worth $18 Million in Biggest Bust Ever

Looking to snag a deal on a new Gibson guitar for yourself or a loved one? Experts are advising that you purchase your instrument from a reputable dealer, particularly in light of the most recent news making headlines on the music scene.

A shipment of more than 3,000 counterfeit guitars, mostly labeled as Gibson guitars, was recently intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport.

Customs Seizure Worth an Estimated $18.7 Million, Many Brands Represented

In a Nov. 26 statement released by CBP, it was estimated that the counterfeit guitars in question represented a retail value of $18.7 million, had the instruments been genuine. While CBP indicated that over 3,000 Gibson fakes had been captured — the largest counterfeit musical instrument seizure on record — GuitarWorld pointed out that a number of Gretsch, Fender, and PRS models were also taken by the agency.

GuitarWorld went on to add that the CBP’s photos of the seizure also contained several signature models, which would be even pricier if actually genuine. Slash (of Guns N’ Roses fame) Les Pauls, Dave Grohl’s DG-335, and Zakk Wylde’s signature “Bullseye” pattern Les Pauls were evidenced by the photos.

Gibson guitars have long been a fixture of rock music, with the company having been founded in 1894, as AP News reported. Artists ranging from Dave Mustaine (of iconic thrash metal band Megadeth) to legendary soul musician B.B. King have been represented by the Gibson signature guitar lineup.

Furthermore, the seizure acted as a reminder for guitarists and aspiring players to ensure they’re buying an original, authentic product.

“These fraudulent guitars may look and feel legitimate for unsuspecting consumers buying them from third party online sources, street markets, unauthorized retailers, and person-to-person transactions,” said Cheryl M. Davies, CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles, in a statement.

“As we approach the busy Holiday shopping season, consumers should pay attention on where they are buying these goods and how much they are paying, and if is too good to be true it probably is,” Davies added.

An Emotional Moment for Gibson

Beyond the economic impact of the seizure for retailers, the manufacturer itself indicated that the maintenance of its commitment to quality — and the protection of its U.S. luthiers, many of whom had been in the business for generations — was paramount.

Beth Heidt, chief marketing officer at Gibson, put forth this sentiment in a statement relayed by CBP.

“This is really emotional and personal for us not only because of the protection of our players, but because of our Gibson team at large, including the artisans at our craftories in Nashville, TN, and Bozeman, MT, who are generations of American families that have dedicated their entire lives to handcrafting Gibson instruments,” Heidt said.

“As Gibson celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, we are proud of our legacy of quality and craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships with our artists, and our efforts to promote and create more musicians that continue to shape the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across every genre,” she added.