potential bootleg "mid 70s" Elk Fuzz Sustainars

[Ro_S]

If by some insane outside chance someone was genius enough to recreate these that well, it's worth the same amount as an original.

Not sure I agree.

^ My feeling too.

And, yeah, I immediately thought likewise about the knobs. I'm not an expert on vintage pedals, and I don't know anything about the model in question, but it just looked odd. 'Not saying they can't be genuine though. What a useful insight - not. LOL

[Jwar]

I wonder if there's a way to have it looked at by a pro that can tell you if it's real? I mean does that exist in the pedal world??

A "pro" what?

If someone has seen enough of the original Elk Sustainars, they'd probably be able to tell by examining it.

Also, what I've quoted above, to me, is something someone who's guilty might say to justify something they've done. (Not saying that's the case here.)

Forgery is forgery.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fclaJK5KDU[/youtube]

I meant like a authenticator of some sort. Like there are for coins and other rare items. I'm not sure something like that exists in the pedal world.

I get what you're saying and agree.

I just wonder if there's a way to tell for sure other than others posting their possible guesses.


And if this guy did in fact knowingly sell a pedal that was a forgery, isn't there still a way to get Ebay involved even if it's past the whole 45 day thing?

[jrmy]

Man, where's devnulljp or edkoppel when you need 'em? Those guys have seen more vintage fuzz pedals that most of the rest of the forum combined (no offense meant to any of us).

And actually, I think devnulljp just posted a whole metric ton of unobtanium in b/s/t not too long ago... something about a "moving sale."

Anyhow, those are the guys that I'd ask.

Also, if it's anywhere in the Muff lineage, Kitrae would be the person to ask: http://www.kitrae.net/music/music_big_muff.html

[culturejam]

The enclosure just looks so modern in fit and finish. The board looks pretty good to me, but the box is too damn shiny and the printing looks flawless. Maybe it was kept in an airtight safe for a couple decades?

[chuckjaywalk]

Nothing to contribute, I just want to say this is the most interesting thread I've ever read on here. So much intrigue and drama.

[Chankgeez]

looks legit to me but if im spending 800$ its on a few V4s and a 30 pack or something not a fuzz pedal

also you would think if you were gonna clone something you would clone muffs? way more popular?

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, this definitely isn't the best forum to ask vintage correct questions on. dev, edkoppel, kitrae and a lot of other guys have way more vintage experience than most of us do.

If it does turn out to be a forgery, I'd think eBay would have systems in place to deal with that. No matter the time frame.

[joegagan]

i looked at numerous gutshots online, and this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLQX6lAeDkg. i think there is nothing to indicate this was not made in the early-mid 70s. too many details to fake, it would take more than 800 dollars worth of someone's time to do it, even in batches.

example; the bent metal piece for the battery hold. the markings from the metal brake are the same on every photo i can find. while this can be faked, getting them to look 100% original is very difficult, even with the best equipment.

many other small details - the weird black finish on the enclosure bottom, all era correct parts on the board, same brand transistors ( NEC).

the knobs? that type of knob has been around forever, have you seen a 60s jazz bass? if these elks were stored away, it would have been easy and tempting to rob the knobs at some point, right?

my take? not fake.

[Ro_S]

i looked at numerous gutshots online, and this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLQX6lAeDkg. i think there is nothing to indicate this was not made in the early-mid 70s. too many details to fake, it would take more than 800 dollars worth of someone's time to do it, even in batches.

example; the bent metal piece for the battery hold. the markings from the metal brake are the same on every photo i can find. while this can be faked, getting them to look 100% original is very difficult, even with the best equipment.

many other small details - the weird black finish on the enclosure bottom, all era correct parts on the board, same brand transistors ( NEC).

the knobs? that type of knob has been around forever, have you seen a 60s jazz bass? if these elks were stored away, it would have been easy and tempting to rob the knobs at some point, right?

my take? not fake.

but what if the one in that video is from the source as the one/s the OP posted about?

[joegagan]

but what if the one in that video is from the source as the one/s the OP posted about?

did you look at the video? if they were trying to fake authentication, then it stands to reason they would have used one of their fakes. there are a number of differences all within the realm of parts availablity realities of the 1970s ( different type resistors, different marking on the ceramic caps etc).

repeating; my findings are also based on looking at gutshots of various others elks online, including effectsdatabase. obviously, i would not have made such statements based on one video.

[D.o.S.]

Honestly, I just want to know what kind of flavor it is.

[chuckjaywalk]

I wish someone would make bootleg Maestro Ring Modulators.

[joegagan]

ps - on the point that the solder joints look too shiny in the elk in question? i have seen solder joints from the mid 60s that are that shiny. it all depends on climate, storage conditions, type of flux , type of solder, whether flux was cleaned well or not, etc etc

[Chankgeez]

i looked at numerous gutshots online, and this video [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLQX6lAeDkg[/youtube] ...

my take? not fake.

Thanks for the insight, Joe.

[D.o.S.]

That video has different knobs.