#1
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Global / Dove Lawsuit Acoustic Guitar / Information Needed!
Hello all,
I have acquired a Global acoustic guitar with two doves on the pick guards and mother of pearl inlays. It has a sticker on the back of the head stock that reads 8066D. Also the Global sticker inside the guitar. I have been told this may be a "lawsuit guitar" but would like to find out more information on when it was made and possible value. Ant information would be greatly appreciated. |
#2
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Global was the brand name used by a Chicago based importer of budget instruments from Asia from 70’s to early 80’s.
All Global guitars were made in Korea. Despite some sellers claims, there is no evidence for them being made in Japan. From my understanding, technically the only true “lawsuit” guitars are those made by Hoshino Gakki ( who own the Ibanez and Tama brands) which led to the then owners of Gibson guitars filing a lawsuit in 1977 referring solely to the use of their “open book” headstock design. This was settled out of court with Ibanez changing the headstocks on their guitars thereafter. “Lawsuit-era” is a more tenuous term, but is generally used to describe instruments manufactured in Japan in the mid-late 70’s by a variety of manufacturers, and under numerous brands, which closely copied the appearance of the best-known US manufacturers products (Gibson/Fender/Martin). Possibly other legal representations may have been made regarding some of these instruments but no other lawsuits were actually filed to my knowledge. So, your Global is definitely not a “lawsuit” or even a “lawsuit-era” guitar as far as I can determine. As to value, I have no idea, prices seem to be all over the place for even the better known and respected Japanese instruments from this period. As long as you are happy with what you paid then just enjoy it! |
#3
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Just to add to NotALuth’s information, “lawsuit” as a descriptive adjective has become commonplace among some players to describe any Asian-made copy of an American guitar design. It’s gotten used so much that what little meaning it once had has become completely diluted.
whm |
#4
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I think Takamine might have received 'cease & desist' notices from Martin AND Guild.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#5
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They definitely got one from Martin, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Guild sent one, too.
whm |
#6
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I've been led to believe that it is a badge of honor, a sign that you have "made it to the big time" to get a cease and desist order from Gibson, usually about the headstock design -
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More than a few Santa Cruz’s, a few Sexauers, a Patterson, a Larrivee, a Cumpiano, and a Klepper!! |
#7
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I believe it is more of a badge dishonor for copyright, trademark and patent infringement from companies seeking to cheat those who have spend decades and/or centuries cultivating a brand identity based on history and appearance. I see no badge of honor for cheating and or copying others' achievements. But, that's what the Japanese companies were doing in the 60's and '70's.
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#8
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I wasn’t referring to off-shore companies, just American ones that got threatening letters for having an extremely minor stylistic headstock detail that was similar to one that Gibson used, although every other detail (especially a large and obvious brand-name) was different. I prefer companies that compete on the quality of their instruments rather than the quantity of their lawyers -
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More than a few Santa Cruz’s, a few Sexauers, a Patterson, a Larrivee, a Cumpiano, and a Klepper!! |
#9
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I would be interested in those names. I’m only familiar with Japanese companies receiving law-suit threats.
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#10
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One of the guys I play with has an over 40 year old Takamine copy of a Martin dread that he has had since it was new and it sounds really good. But it's had 40 years to mature. I doubt if it sounds any better than a 40 year old Sigma would sound and I also doubt that it sounds as good as a 40 year old Martin sounds.
Most of those guitars were just cheap plywood guitars made to look like the real thing. I think that sellers stick that ''lawsuit era'' title on them to try to make them look like something they are not. |
#11
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Global Dove
Global is really entry level and I can't imagine one selling for more than $100.
I don't think Korea is outputting acoustics anywhere as good as the electrics from that country...I could be wrong. Some Japanese acoustics from the 70s were pretty good and a great value. My experience is that they don't mature into better sounding instruments. They stay about the same. I have a "Nagoya" with a solid top and herringbone purfing, and it's still plays nice and sounds OK. Got it in 1975. I could never get the $265 back even though it looks nearly new. The cheap acoustic guitars out of China blow those old Taks outta the water. Especially Eastman, Guild and Fender. |
#12
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Kopp Guitars received a letter from Gibson concerning his headstock shape. He was told to cease or get sued. He changed the headstock and all seems to be fine now. The headstock change didn't have any effect on his sales and I think that it looks a lot better.
Yes he was intimidated by the letter but his change was for the better and all is well. Kevin still builds his guitars in Bozeman and he is a former employee of Gibson having worked in their custom shop for many years. He didn't use the Gibson headstock shape to try to fool anyone into thinking they were buying a Gibson. He used it because he was familiar with it and since it was such a small detail he didn't think it was any problem. He now sees that it is much better for him to be totally identified with his own superior product than to have any questions about who he is. The Kopp guitars are far superior to anything Gibson is building and one would think that they would be happy to be identified with a great product. |
#13
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OMG!
Wow. Even the TRC is a direct ripoff of the old Guild style.
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1995 Taylor 412 1995 Taylor 612C Custom, Spruce over Flamed Maple 1997 Taylor 710 1968 Aria 6815 12 String, bought new |
#14
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Quote:
https://www.reddit.com/link/c1p9kc/v...uxvx431/player "Gibson Threatens Guitar Builders in Controversial Video, Takes It Down After Public Outcry "You have been warned. We're looking out and we're here to protect our iconic legacy." " And you can read about their suit against Dean - from the website Guitar.com "GIBSON SUES DEAN GUITARS OVER ALLEGED TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT Gibson follows through on video threat and files multi-million dollar lawsuit against Dean and Luna Guitars in Texas court. The details of the filing are equally interesting. Rather than only accusing Armadillo of infringing trademarks, the filing accuses it of Trademark Counterfeiting – in effect accusing Armadillo of trying to deceive or mislead the public into thinking that the guitars made by Dean and Luna are in fact Gibsons, or have some connection to Gibson. This is notable because not only is it a more serious accusation than trademark infringement, the penalties if the court is to find against Armadillo are also much greater. Gibson is seeking damages comprising Armadillo’s profits, damages sustained by Gibson, and the costs of the action, as well as for the former two amounts “to be trebled or otherwise multiplied to the extent permitted by statute”, according to official court documents. Alternatively, Gibson can pursue statutory damages of up to and including $14 million ($2 million for each of the seven mentioned in the filing)." Now, I know essentially about electric guitars, but looking at what Dean offers, and looking at what Gibson offers, there is no way I would confuse the 2 brands even from many yards away -
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More than a few Santa Cruz’s, a few Sexauers, a Patterson, a Larrivee, a Cumpiano, and a Klepper!! |
#15
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Quote:
Of course a luthier building 10 to 16 guitars/year, that would make a replica of some iconic model by Gibson or Martin works on a different base as those industrial process I'm thinking of... Last edited by Bernieman; 10-19-2019 at 10:23 AM. |