LOS ANGELES — U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reported that they seized over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport, according to officials.
had these instruments been genuine, their estimated value would have reached $18 million. The agency confirmed that Gibson, a well-known name in the guitar industry, verified the confiscated items as knock-offs.

Gibson, established in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is recognized for having the leading market share in high-end electric guitars, with all of its instruments handcrafted in Nashville and Bozeman, Montana.
Cheryl M. Davies, the CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles, noted the risks that these counterfeit guitars pose for unsuspecting buyers.
“These fake guitars can easily deceive consumers purchasing them from unauthorized online vendors, street markets, and flea markets,” she cautioned, especially as the holiday shopping period draws near. “Shoppers should be cautious about their purchases and be mindful that if a deal appears too good to be true, it likely is.”

Gibson’s guitars have played a pivotal role in the music industry, with legendary musicians such as Chuck Berry, who was buried with his guitar, and B.B. King, who called his instrument “Lucille.” Additionally, Eric Clapton famously used one borrowed from George Harrison for his work on the Beatles’ classic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

In a statement, Beth Heidt, Gibson’s chief marketing officer, expressed the emotional significance of protecting both their artists and the dedicated craftsmen from generations of American families who create Gibson instruments. “This is profoundly personal for us,” she remarked.

While the seizure was announced on a Tuesday, specifics regarding when the guitars were confiscated, their country of origin, or the manufacturers have not been disclosed.
The ongoing investigation involves cooperation between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Violating intellectual property laws can carry severe penalties, including fines up to $250,000 and a prison sentence of up to 10 years.