how to spot an early Koetsu

Interesting post, Dgad.
Thank you, it makes sense.
A manufacturer has no influence on final sales price (here we have the Zyx dilemma). Let's say, Koetsu give out a model for 600$ and the final price will be 5000$, how much orders they will get?
When there is a way to get that one for 2000$, will they get more orders? Probably.
You see it from all distributors, how much you have to pay for a "overhauled" cartridge. More and more stopped that (Too much work) and they replaced it with an exchange cartridge.
Do you think, they give any money to customer? No, even the Dealer has it's markup on these...and he no work except to write a new address....

try getting in contact with Koetsu, or their U.S. importer or a authorized dealer. i just bought a used Lyra argo i and i called their U.S. importer gave them the serial # and they told me when and where it was bought new and sent me a stylus guard for free!

I too, was'nt aware there were any counterfeit Koetsu's. Do they exist and has anyone been unfortunate enough to buy one?

There was a similar serial number ( 92862 ) sold on ebay - item #5877293558 . It was said to date from 1991 . It seems to be quite a late serial number probably from a period just before koetsu ceased to operate as a commercial company for a while in the early 90's . Don't think it is a Sugano Senior serial number unfortunately . I have never seen an actual fake koetsu but there are some blacks painted to look like urushis out there . Ian.