Know Your Gear Podcast – Episode: "Gibson Stops Someone From Selling Their Harley Benton Online"

Host: Phillip McKnight
Release Date: July 31, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of the Know Your Gear Podcast, host Phillip McKnight delves into a captivating story where Gibson intervenes to prevent the sale of a Harley Benton guitar on Facebook Marketplace. Alongside this primary narrative, Phillip shares personal anecdotes, discusses the implications of trademark enforcement in the music industry, reviews the Gear Exchange platform, and engages with listener questions. The episode also touches on recent losses in the music world, honoring iconic musicians.

Gibson's Trademark Enforcement

The episode kicks off with Phillip addressing a pressing issue: a Gibson attorney's involvement in halting the sale of a Harley Benton guitar on Facebook Marketplace.

Phillip McKnight (00:30):
"So, the listing was pulled down and the reason for the pull down was because a representative of Gibson, an attorney, a law firm of Gibson said that it was basically like a trademark infringement."

Phillip expresses his admiration for Gibson but questions the rationale behind their aggressive trademark protection, especially when legitimate resellers are impacted.

Phillip McKnight (05:15):
"I feel bad. I don't have a Gibson on the wall today. I usually have a Gibson on the wall. I like Gibson guitars. I love them. I own more Gibsons than any other guitar."

Personal Anecdote: Mackie and eBay Experience

Drawing parallels from his own experiences, Phillip recounts a situation where he faced similar trademark enforcement issues with Mackie amplifiers on eBay.

Phillip McKnight (15:45):
"Mackie filed a complaint with eBay saying I violated the trademark and I published I and eBay yanked down my listings. This is an absolute true story."

He explains the challenges of selling branded gear online and the potential pitfalls of navigating trademark laws without proper understanding.

Discussion on Trademark Enforcement in the Music Industry

Phillip delves deeper into the broader implications of trademark enforcement, highlighting how major brands may unintentionally suppress smaller resellers and enthusiasts.

Phillip McKnight (22:10):
"Sometimes when you see somebody you like and they pass away, it has an impact. But some musicians are more than that to some of us."

He emphasizes the importance of understanding the legal landscape to avoid unintentional violations while maintaining respect for brand integrity.

Gear Exchange Review

Shifting gears, Phillip explores the Gear Exchange platform, sharing his positive experiences and insights into its functionality compared to other marketplaces like Reverb.

Phillip McKnight (40:20):
"The positives are really good rates, shipping rates, obviously the ability to get free fees... Without a doubt."

He discusses the benefits of lower shipping costs and the option to receive gift cards instead of cash, which can be advantageous for frequent Sweetwater customers. However, he also notes the platform's limited user base, which may affect the speed of sales.

Phillip McKnight (55:35):
"The negatives are there's not that many people on Gear Exchange... They just don't have the huge volume that Reverb has."

Listener Questions and Answers

Phillip dedicates a significant portion of the episode to addressing listener queries, offering expert advice on various guitar-related topics.

1. Les Paul Axis and Floyd Rose Trim Bar Issue

   Listener: Ice Solo Guitar
   Question: "I have a Les Paul axis, and the collar of the trim bar of the Floyd Rose binds slightly. Any suggestions?"

   Phillip McKnight (10:45):
   "The best thing I would do is replace the locking nut with a genuine Schaller German Lockmaster... It's very easy to replace."

2. Hagstrom Viking 2 Elvis Reissue Review

   Listener: Randall Vandergriff
   Question: "Have you played the reissue or just the original? Will you review one on the channel to compare to the original?"

   Phillip McKnight (19:25):
   "Yes, the Hagstrom's a yes. It's not maybe. It's a yes. When? Probably this year."

3. Teaching an Older Dad to Play Guitar

   Listener: Kennedy Ivy
   Question: "I'm trying to teach my older dad how to play guitar. What's the best method?"

   Phillip McKnight (35:50):
   "I think it's through songs he likes... Use the same cooking analogy: if you want to learn to cook, cook what you like to eat."
   Timestamp: (35:50)

4. Reviewing Graphtech Unlock Nut

   Listener: The Apricot Agency
   Question: "Can you review the Graphtech unlock nut?"

   Phillip McKnight (45:10):
   "I would just take the locking mechanisms off and use that. The Graphtech nut is lubricated because it's graphite, so it might help with tuning stability."

5. Best Advice for Opening a Music Store

   Listener: Randy
   Question: "What is the best advice you can give to someone who wants to open a music store?"

   Phillip McKnight (1:05:30):
   "Learn everything you can about negotiating leases. The lease will destroy you if you're not careful."

Community Interaction and Shoutouts

Phillip celebrates his community's engagement, highlighting stories from patrons like Litvay and Warm, who have supported each other and the channel.

Phillip McKnight (1:00:15):
"Litvay and Warm are both amazing... I love hearing that patrons interact with each other off-site."

Honoring Musical Legends

The episode takes a somber turn as Phillip pays tribute to recently deceased musicians, including Ozzy Osbourne, Chuck Mangione, and others, reflecting on their impact across generations.

Phillip McKnight (1:20:40):
"Ozzy is multi-generational... their big reminder for us is to see your bands that you love now, because you'll miss them later."

Gear Highlights: Guitar of the Week

Phillip introduces the "Guitar of the Week," featuring an Ibanez RG565 Genesis made in Japan. He provides a detailed review, discussing its features, personal modifications, and playing experience.

Phillip McKnight (1:15:10):
"This has the super thin IB in his neck and the fretboard is slightly rolled... the frets feel amazing."
Timestamp: (1:15:10)

Final Thoughts and Upcoming Content

Wrapping up, Phillip hints at upcoming content, including interviews and deep dives from his recent visit to Sweetwater and future plans to cover other unique guitars.

Phillip McKnight (1:25:50):
"Look for some cool new videos from Sweetwater... deep dives coming this week."

He encourages listeners to support the channel and stay tuned for more informative and engaging episodes.

Conclusion

In this episode, Phillip McKnight effectively balances storytelling with expert advice, providing listeners with valuable insights into trademark enforcement, online gear sales, and community interactions. His personal experiences enrich the discussions, making the content both relatable and informative for guitar enthusiasts and gear aficionados alike.

For more detailed discussions, notable quotes, and insights, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode of the Know Your Gear Podcast.