False Claim on eBay

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 17 Jun 2006 4:17 pm

This eBay auction claims that the guitar once belonged to Herb Remington. The header reads: "1950s vintage Oahu Lap Steel guitar Texas Playboys" I emailed the link to Herb and Mel, and here are some excerpts from her reply:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Hi Rick,
The fellow with this Austin Music called yesterday - Herb called him
back when he got in from Wichita Falls - Herb informed him it
DEFINITELY WAS NOT, NOR EVER HAD BEEN, HIS GUITAR. Herb said he had
sold perhaps 25 to 30 of these (same model) while he worked at 2
different music stores here in Houston during the 1950's. I'm a bit
surprised that he (Austin Music) hasn't pulled this advert. Anyhow -
we hope no one gets suckered into purchasing it on the assumption it
ever belonged to Herb.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>p.s. Herb says there were several things about this particular model
of guitar that he disliked - didn't even like selling them.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The auction still hasn't been revised, and there are 2 bids on it . .

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 17 Jun 2006 6:00 pm

Rick,
I read the description several times and it's vague and misleading. The seller never states outright that it was Herbs. Very unprofessional to say the least.
Ron

He coverd his butt with "allegedly" and "maybe".[This message was edited by Ron Victoria on 18 June 2006 at 04:26 AM.]

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 17 Jun 2006 8:01 pm

In the description it says:

It was allegedly owned by Herb Remington of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys fame. Unfortunately we don't have any documentation of this fact, but if you look at some old photographs of the band from the 1950s you could maybe see Herb playing this very guitar.

How could you be more clear than that?

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Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande

Mullen U-12, Excel 8-string Frypan, Evans FET-500, Fender Steel King

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 17 Jun 2006 11:41 pm

It may be a misrepresentation in regards to Herb, nevertheless those old OAHU guitars did have a nice Hawaiian quality to them...(more of a student model). If this particular guitar stays under $350.00, it could be a good purchase, especially as a starter guitar. JMHO of course. http://www3.telus.net/public/lake_r/

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 18 Jun 2006 4:08 am

It seems like the seller is a consigment shop but where does AustinMusic fit in?

Ron

Greg Pettit · Post by **Greg Pettit** » 18 Jun 2006 6:08 am

They're the ones selling it.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 18 Jun 2006 9:38 am

The seller is a drop-off consignment shop, selling mostly audio items. The owner of the guitar must have told the them about this "Herb Remington connection", believing it to be true. The seller should not have put “Texas Playboys” in the title of the auction knowing that the connection cannot be documented. They state in the description "we don't have any documentation of this fact". This shop has 914 positive feedbacks, and no negatives, so I think they are basically honest folks, maybe a little naïve.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 18 Jun 2006 10:50 am

If there is no documentation, and they themselves are unsure, how can it be called "fact"?

That's just common sense that someone with 914 positive feedbacks should have.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Herb informed him it
DEFINITELY WAS NOT, NOR EVER HAD BEEN, HIS GUITAR.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is the clearest explanation of the whole thing that I've read so far.

<pre> hey, it could have belonged to Jim Cohen, but we have no documentation of that</pre>......

[This message was edited by HowardR on 18 June 2006 at 12:01 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Jun 2006 4:12 pm

I received this email from the seller:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>My employee apparently spoke to him on Friday. We are pulling
the listing and will re-list it within a few days. Sorry for the
misunderstanding.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
and pull it they did.

Jon Zimmerman · Post by **Jon Zimmerman** » 18 Jun 2006 4:31 pm

Rick, take a look at #7423706673--it's not a Herb--but the nitro-finish is just 'time machine' clean. Whew!

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 18 Jun 2006 4:32 pm

So I guess they are honest sellers but being experienced should have checked the source. Way to go, Rick.

Ron

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 18 Jun 2006 5:49 pm

And the No Peddler Posse does it again! It's a never ending job.

Ok now, what's for dinner?

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 23 Jun 2006 9:53 am

The Oahu is listed again now, with this comment:

In our previous listing we made a reference to an alleged connection we were told of with this guitar and a famous steel guitar player. We recieved several angry emails regarding this matter and subsequently spoke to said steel guitar legend who told us that it had not, in fact belonged to him. We sincerely appologize for any misunderstandings that we may have introduced, and we strive to represent our products with as much accuracy and detail as possible.

Steinar

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"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 23 Jun 2006 11:26 am

They sound like honest folks who were just misinformed by the owner. I'll bet they learned a lesson!