super expensive vintage Gibson replica parts (tuners, stud bolts, knobs, etc.)

[H Chandler]

With the prices that collectors are willing to pay for vintage guitars, this is a small price to pay, if as they say these parts are indeed "dead ringers" of the originals. Of course passing them off as originals would be fraud. But if they're that close to the originals how would a buyer be able to tell?

[dai h.]

according to one of the pages, they did leave some sort of difference which is up to the user to find out

[H Chandler]

Here's the qote from DMC

Every DMC part has an individual distinction mark to pay homage to quality old parts so that people can distinguish DMC parts from counterfeits. Providing distinction marks is one of our duties in moral standards as a replica manufacturer. Of course we designed our parts with careful consideration in order not to ruin the appearance. However, we have to say not all distinction marks are disclosed. Discovering those distinction marks (buyer’s secrets) is one of DMC owners’ enjoyments.

The last sentence does not instill confidence to prospective buyers of vintage instruments.

[dai h.]

(again I wouldn't buy these, but) if you were them or someone buying such parts you might argue that you wouldn't want some distintive glaring difference where you could tell at a glance that it was a replica and would want the mark (or whatever the difference is) obscured.

[H Chandler]

I agree, the appeal is in the appearance of authenticity.

It's not disclosing the (I assume subtle) distinction marks that makes purchasing high value vintage guitars a minefield, better tread by knowledgeable professionals.

[dai h.]

yeah, too scary for me. Also because I know a little bit about old Marshalls. I could easily see someone unfamiliar being fooled with knowing(or un-knowing) claims of "all original", "unmodded", etc. In addition, there are apparently people faking, or sort of codging together "desirable amps" out of less desirable ones, charging high $$$ without disclosing what's been done. Plus, you could ask for advice, get a sort of appraisal, and not all of the people are really experts so you could easily get wrong information, possibly bad advice. The money for some vintage items makes things a lot more serious.