Feds threaten to seize guitars

[goldtop0]

Glad I live in NZ!!

Hey fellas if you're worried by any of this BS.........send your LPs to me and I'll look after them for ya:lol

I visited Gibson Memphis on my trip last Oct-Nov and talked with them about all this stuff that's been going down..........only in the US of A is my conclusion:wah

 

[RevPearly]

.

 

[Cogswell]

I still can't figure out who exactly threatened to confiscate any guitars. Maybe they didn't?

 

[Bowflex]

While the source material for this article lacks journalistic credibility, the idea of government seizing property, even recently, is not. My dad was an avid coin collector and told me about some craziness in that community. For example, in 1933, U.S. citizens were ordered to surrender any gold certificates and coins in exchange for federal reserve notes (the "paper" money we use today). This also created a situation unique to the 1933 $20 coins which were ordered not to be issued but a small quantity likely made their way into circulation through totally legal means. Additional pieces were likely stolen. Due to poor record keeping by the government and/or underhanded dealings with the U.S. Mint Cashier, the government deemed any pieces not issued to museums were stolen from the government. Throughout the years, as recently as 2006, these coins have been seized by the US governement. The 2006 case is still being decided by the courts but it sounds unlikely the coins will be returned as the government says that the items were never legally issued so cannot be legally posessed.
That's where the scenario has scary parallels. Even though the guitars that we all may possess were purchased in good faith, through reputable dealers and such, if the wood used in building them was deemed not legally obtained (despite not being ordered to surrender wood by the government or failing any inspection), then the product of the illegal material could be seized by this logic. Very scary, indeed.

 

[Ryan Givhan]

He got it back with an apology letter.

well that makes it all ok . . . . :/

 

[frazettafan]

where's Chuck Norris when ya need him.

YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would be nice to see Chuck's "roundhouse" in the White House.

 

[Pat Boyack]

well that makes it all ok . . . . :/

It happens, imperfect world.

 

[lpnv59]

The feds have said they have no intention of seizing instruments. But the law as is, gives them the authority to. The bipartisan effort to change and amend the Lacey Act, would clarify the law from being interpreted in such a way as to be used as a political weapon. At least some of us look at it that way.

 

[SheltonGuitar]

prohibition + Gibson = prohigibson

 

[fjminor]

Dave Johnson has started the deconstruction/reconstruction on a trio of guitars that I had sent him. This whole political nonsense is causing me to drive coast to coast to pick these babies up when Dave gives the word. I really don't want to drive coast to coast but as long as there is a threat that Gibson Guitars can be confiscated, our wonderful government gives me no choice.

 

[Wilko]

The article is bullshit.

Also the political bent of Henry only being a republican supporter has also been debunked by the public record of his financial contributions to BOTH "sides".

 

[Steve Craw]

Ab-so-fucking-lutely stupid bullshit. If you can't use facts, just try to scare them with bullshit.

Thank you!:3zone These guys who just want to stir up crap just to advance their own politcal agenda, drive me crazy, as do the poor saps who believe their garbage.

 

[Wilko]

Also...

This thing doesn't seem to be about guitar players. It looks like it's all about screwing Henry J--for whatever reasons.

 

[fjminor]

Thank you!:3zone These guys who just want to stir up crap just to advance their own politcal agenda, drive me crazy, as do the poor saps who believe their garbage.

Really,....so you would feel no apprehension what so ever if you where having a Brazilian Fretboard outfitted Gibson being shipped interstate in the U.S. with the Feds making these threats. Whether it is bullshit or not, some have had their guitar confiscated, or held up at Customs already. Sorry - this sap does not want to take any chances.

 

[58Lover]

Do as you wish dude. But I think most intelligent folks here can smell BS fairly well. This "article" be one of them.

 

[Pat Boyack]

Really,....so you would feel no apprehension what so ever if you where having a Brazilian Fretboard outfitted Gibson being shipped interstate in the U.S. with the Feds making these threats. Whether it is bullshit or not, some have had their guitar confiscated, or held up at Customs already. Sorry - this sap does not want to take any chances.

OK, I'm going to admit that in my younger days I was a bit of a gardener. In this pursuit I would buy seeds from Europe. These packages would have to go through US Customs, usually in Detroit. They were being sent to my home addy EVERY time. I lost money on some because instead of the seeds, I would get letters stating that my package was confiscated by said US Customs. Most, however, made it to me. I was never visited by the Gov't or the police. Why? Way too much traffic. Was I sap? :rofl

Now having said that, I truly feel you are wasting your money (hard earned or not) thinking that there is a roving group of Feds criss-crossing the country looking for supposed illegal boards. As a touring musician when I was pulled over I was never asked about the fretboards on my guitars, instead I was asked if I had any guns or drugs. But hey, it will give you a good excuse to get out of the house.......but that's about it.

 

[houndog31]

Really,....so you would feel no apprehension what so ever if you where having a Brazilian Fretboard outfitted Gibson being shipped interstate in the U.S. with the Feds making these threats. Whether it is bullshit or not, some have had their guitar confiscated, or held up at Customs already. Sorry - this sap does not want to take any chances.

They got you, that's the whole point of that story ... be afraid, very afraid.

 

[fjminor]

OK, I'm going to admit that in my younger days I was a bit of a gardener. In this pursuit I would buy seeds from Europe. These packages would have to go through US Customs, usually in Detroit. They were being sent to my home addy EVERY time. I lost money on some because instead of the seeds, I would get letters stating that my package was confiscated by said US Customs. Most, however, made it to me. I was never visited by the Gov't or the police. Why? Way too much traffic. Was I sap? :rofl

Now having said that, I truly feel you are wasting your money (hard earned or not) thinking that there is a roving group of Feds criss-crossing the country looking for supposed illegal boards. As a touring musician when I was pulled over I was never asked about the fretboards on my guitars, instead I was asked if I had any guns or drugs. But hey, it will give you a good excuse to get out of the house.......but that's about it.

I don't know how far back your "younger" days were with your experiences, but today the political climate in reference to the protection of endangered species in instruments, specifically guitars seems to be far reaching and imo, uncomfortably too close to the items that provide most of my leisure time enjoyment.

The actions taken place just with Gibson do not settle well with me, and my understanding of what Federal Authorities can do without my permission gives me the right to be over cautious to protect my property.

 

[Pat Boyack]

I don't know how far back your "younger" days were with your experiences, but today the political climate in reference to the protection of endangered species in instruments, specifically guitars seems to be far reaching and imo, uncomfortably too close to the items that provide most of my leisure time enjoyment.

The actions taken place just with Gibson do not settle well with me, and my understanding of what Federal Authorities can do without my permission gives me the right to be over cautious to protect my property.

But you see, where we don't agree is that the Gov't has ALWAYS been that way. This is nothing new. Try being Japanese American during WWII. Or how long has the police been able to search you, your car or enter your home with "probable cause"? I would be more afraid of the Highway Patrol, Sheriff Dept and local police. Not the Feds traveling the highways and byways looking for guitars.

 

[Pat Boyack]

They got you, that's the whole point of that story ... be afraid, very afraid.

And vote for the "right" guy...(hint hint).