Old or fake chips? See pics.

[Scruffie]

Well, those aren't 'original' but that doesn't mean they're necessarily fake. They've pretty obviously been refinished but sometimes they do that to real BBD's, don't ask me why.

But they could also just be fake.

The fun of the vintage BBD market.

[Kevin Mitchell]

Well fingers crossed 
Here's another shot of one of the suspects


Received a few other devices that appear to be genuine but we'll see! Good thing I'm almost done with the tester 


Posting to this thread for future reference. It's good to have a record of these things.

-KM

[Kevin Mitchell]

MN3204 chips seem to be relabeled MN3207.... MN3207 labeled ones seem fine.
Need to run more tests.

Oh boy...

How does one remove rebranding? I know it's been done with the old MN3008 scam. Wondering if the original label can be shown - assuming I'm right about them.

-KM

[ElectricDruid]

Well, they certainly got the general "look" right. Those are pretty authentic-looking from my experience.

I don't know the 3204 that well, but I had loads of different 3209's a few years ago and saw most of the variations. There's definitely a "house style" that you learn and anything outside it would stick out a mile.

[Kevin Mitchell]

Thanks for your opinion on the matter 

The one on the right is an authentic Panasonic from my stash. The other two I had received today and show 1024 stages from my test circuit.

[ElectricDruid]

Nice. That's a good image for reference. So the one in the middle is presumably the same as the one on the left with a reprint?

Using original chips from the same manufacturer helps a lot, since details of the actual chip *moulding* are the same. The same dot mark, notch, chip moulding flashing, etc. That gets you pretty close. The rest is getting the right typeface and something like the right stuff to print on the top. Since that's the bit that tends to vary most, it's also the bit that is less crucial as a faker.

I buy a lot of chips from CoolAudio and Alfa. Both of those two manufacturers have changed the print on the tops of their chips in the few years I've been buying them. CoolAudio started being more solid about getting their logo on there, and Alfa's original printing was pretty feeble and rubbed off very easily. The newer print is better and much clearer to read. In twenty years time, people will think that the early-version chips from both manufacturers are probably fakes since they won't look like the common ones and/or the print rubs off like crazy...oh well, at least it won't be my problem by then!

[Kevin Mitchell]

Maybe not the same physical IC but if I were to guess it's a Panasonic MN3207 with a newer Matsushita logo reprinted. The sad thing is they can very easily get away with it. I'm almost impressed with how authentic it looks. But the prof doesn't lie.

I would try to bring back the original label if anyone knows how. But there's a chance someone sanded the old one off.

Is the market for these justifying faking them or do they counterfeit anything these days? I figured I was the only one sticking my neck out looking for them. Guess not.

-KM

[Kevin Mitchell]

MN3010 chips are real 

-KM

[Kevin Mitchell]

Do I even need to test this one? Thought it looked familiar so I grabbed an old V3205 to compare.


Vendor has been doing some sketchy stuff. Price for the MN3005 went from $22 to $13 as they were kitting my purchase. They also outsourced the ones sent so whatever is in their inventory must be worse and they didn't want me pointing it out for them. I got a store credit refund for the counterfeit MN3204 chips. Moving forward it'll likely be a game of scam and credit until I stop calling them out.

Well there's my gambling rush for the year. Time to count my tokens and see where I'm at. 
Stay out of the Chinese BBD market, guys. Leave it to suckers like myself 

-KM

[Mark Hammer]

I've been tempted to take a stab at ordering some MN3011s, but took the leap the other day to order some BL3207/3102 sets and a bunch of CA3094s.  Since I used to be able to purchase new 3207s locally for $1.50, I think the Beiling units should be fine.  Fingers crossed for the 3094s, though.  I need a few to repair a Microsynth, but the leftovers would be nice to bring a Small Stone back to life.

[Kevin Mitchell]

I have plenty of genuine 3094s from the same source as these BBDs. However they are Harris brand and rather cheap quality. Works fine though.

For your consideration;


My MN3011 might be DOA.

-KM

[ElectricDruid]

Sorry, never seen an original. Couldn't possibly say.