Fender Decals On Non-Fender Basses

[JAUQO III-X]

For those that have done it, what was the reason?

[Rickett Customs]

I would think in the example of a "tribute" build, but I guess many people have different reasons for it. Example, I had a guitar player I know, wanted me to take an Austin copy of a 1959 LP TV jr, shape the Gibson "mustache" shape on the top end of the headstock and strip the face of the headstock . He then got a Vinyl headstock cap for it, came out looking pretty close to the 1959.

[felixxx]

The only explanation I can think of is that people wanted Fender and couldn't afford it. That's why Squires and SXs end up with Fender decals.

Somehow I don't think people would put Fender on Lakland or Sadowsky.

[garmenteros]

Well sometimes you want a custom build like myself that the fender custom shop won't do for someone like me and even if they did they would charge upwards of 10k for it. So I do it myself with the top of the line parts found on some fenders and just put a fender decal on it. The decal is part of the bass' look. It wouldn't be right without it. Sometimes others just put it on their basses so people listen with their ears, not their eyes. Oh that fender sounds nice, but the same people would say the bass sounds terrible if they saw an SX on it. I don't judge people who do it for kicks either. To each his own.

[JTE]

I went the other way. When I got my Jazzmaster guitar it was a real basket case- literally in a basket. No neck, the body had been stripped and primed but not finsished, and all the hardware (sans trem arm) was loose in the basket. I bought an after-market neck for cheap- like $15 (a Mighty Mite- right after the Fender headstock shape was defended in the ultimate lawsuit on them). When I put it together I didn't finish the body, but left it just primed for about 10 years. I didn't want anyone to think it was a real Fender so I put the "Mazda" logo from my old GLC on the headstock. I did however screw the "Fender" logo from a silver-faced Champ guitar amp onto the body!

Why put a "Fender" logo on a non-Fender instrument? My first response is to assume they're more interested in flash than substance. Of course, there are people who don't know crap and would look askance at a bass that doesn't say "Fender" on it, even if it were a Lakland Joe Osborn, or a Sadowsky, or a Mike Lull. Heck, I had one band leader upset because my Lake Placid Blue Precision (about which he'd already commented that it sounded great) turned out to be an early Vintage Series instead of a real 1962... Same guy didn't want me to play my StingRay because it wasn't a Fender.

John

[Richard G]

i have done it in the past ...when i customized it completely, i bought the decals from a guy in new york i believe, they were awesome decals too, even gold leafed. i took the gloss off the neck added the decal and put a satin finish on it i wanted to tint it a little more but was not to sure how so i backed off on that....its is to my specs and for me and if it was being sold i would disclose what it is or even sand it off if need be. Also in the future i want to ad some pearl block inlays. i would like it to say Faker that would be cool.

[DougD]

Fender Decals On None Fender Basses. That's wrong on so many levels. but IMO, when you peel away the layers of the onion, you'll find the real reason is to front or fake like you have a REAL Fender when you don't. Sort of like back in the day when school kids would walk around with a cell phone that wasn't turned on (remember those guys?). They were trying to be cool by faking like they had something that they really didn't and couldn't afford. Personally, If I built a really slamming bass from parts, I'd put my name on it, not Fenders.

[MikeBass]

If I was going for a classic reproduction, then sure, I'd put Fender on it. But I wouldn't act like it was a "Fender".
I would tell people it was a replica.

It's the same as buying a Ford AC Cobra kit car.
It's not a Ford.
It's not an AC Cobra (IF you could by one, it would cost you a few million $$).
But guys do it all the time.

[NoHomework81]

Since I played in a band that did a lot of Derek and the Dominoes, I wanted a bass that looked as much like Carl Radle's Precision Bass as possible. Since you can't really buy a 3TB P body and rosewood J neck w/ blocks and binding from Fender, I did a Warmoth build. I Figured I'd throw a Fender decal on there just to complete the look (and b/c I'd never installed a waterslide decal before and wanted to see how it was done).
The neck had a warmoth decal on the back of the headstock, and when I ended up selling the neck (here on TB), I was very clear that it was a Warmoth neck. There was never any misunderstanding between me and buyer about what brand of neck it was.

Edit: ^^^ Agreed. I was always happy to discuss the fact it was a Warmoth bass that I assembled, not a Genuine Fender bass.

[bassteban]

My main player is a MIM w/an Allparts neck; the original owner put a 70's style F decal, which I like but would NOT try to pass it off as real Fender. For me it's like jaywalking- people do it all the time; I *don't approve* yet excuse myself to participate *if no one gets hurt/burned*
I don't think about it too much.

[Din Of Win]

I haven't done it. But i'm gearing UP to do it.

I'm modding a Squier Bronco (can not WAIT for winter break) and i have a Fender waterslide to go on it as well as a custom slide... it will be a one of a kind (haven't decided...), "Fender Mattstang" or "Fender MusicMattster"... cuz my name's Matt



I look at the whole thing in two ways mainly:

1. Like my instance, it's meant as an omage. Obviously it won't look like any fender bass...

2. I have a friend that did the Fender logo on a Squier. As an original band, as much as it sucks... image IS an important factor. Some people hear with their eyes. It's stupid. But also, it's true. Someone playing a Squier instrument will be judged harshly by people that care about that kind of thing, and as a musician, it can hurt your band's upward momentum. So, i totally understand WHY my friend did it.

[alembicguy]

I have done it to replicate a 15K 1962 Jazz that I loved but could never have afforded unless I built it myself. I will never let it go but if I did it would be made clear that it is not a actual Fender but a parts bass assemled to replicate one.
Its up to the individual to do what they want,if someone finds it wrong or doesnt care for it you can always look the other way or if you like you are welcome to stare like a perv at it!

[ghostdog93]

As long as the person who is doing it doesn't try to pass off their bass (or body, or neck, or whatever) as the real thing for monetary gain, then I don't have an issue with it.

If you want to fib to your bandmates, folks at a club, or your boy/girlfriend about your stringed instrument status - for whatever reason - have at it.

[plangentmusic]

It's stupid to try and fool people, but if you have a Fender body with a Fender style replacement neck, why not?

If you change the pu's, do you take the Fender decal off?

[mpdd]

it's like a kit car i guess?

[billiam5billion]

I just really don't like the MIM Jazz decals. I think they take away from the aesthetic value of the instrument. Plus, my MIM Jazz barely has any original parts left on it...

[Blacksack]

i saw a minter in the local junk shop.... er i mean "antique" shop
its was a cheaply made sunburst imitation pbass i'll name the bits that really stood out to me as being "not fender"
headstock totally the wrong shape and badly finished (looked like jigsaw in a shed job almost)
pickups too close to the bridge
pickup poles waaaay to big to be fender
wrong bridge
wonky fender logo on the headstock
no serial anywhere

price tag read "fender bass £300"
i asked the bloke "hey mate is that price right?"
he says "yeah its a nice guitar that one"
me says "its not a real fender you know"
he says "of course it is i've been doing this job for 30 years i doubt you've even been alive that long dont tell me how to do my job if your not interested in it dont buy it!"
me says..... sod all sometimes it just isnt worth the hassle

i might try and get back down to get a picture of it you guys would love it

[fourteenstrings]

That's funny...I have a real Fender and I took the Fender decal off.

[Lublin]

I used to apply F decals to my basses. I have siunce stopped and prefer my F-style headstocks bare.

[yellofury]

To replicate a bass I could never afford
like for example a 60s Fender
I did however mark on the neck pocket and neck that this was indeed
a parts bass and date of manufacture/modding