Fender decals on not-really-Fender basses

[SquierJazz72]

Anything with a serial # or "made in USA" would be wrong

Thanks, I forgot about the Made in USA part. But that's my overall point. Anything that made a self assembled Fender able to be misrepresented as a factory original is clearly wrong.

I'm not as familiar with fake basses, but I have seen online, and helped identify, quite a few fake strats that were rebranded Squiers, being sold at a Fender price. Some were quite good, but there's a few things the fakers haven't caught onto yet that are dead giveaways.

[TheRealKong]

From October 2009 to March 2011 I was member ofd a "German Grindcore" - Band, it's a real heavy style with german lyrics. The lead guitarist of this band had one Framus Panthera, a real fine axe, price about 4.000,-- USD and a much cheaper ESP Explorer. He used to play the Explorer, the guitar did a good job for him and the band.

Than he started using the Panthera, he was not verry satisfied with the guitar. He gave it to a luthier several times and talked a lot about his good, reliable ESP.

Otherwise he talked about Fender Stratocasters as "guitars for women or childs", and one day he came out with: "Is there only one musician that has the guts to get on stage with a Squier?"

F**k, I had a fretles Squier Jazz Bass back in the 80's, and I was very satisfied with that one! It was stolen from the stage some day, and I never had another fretles Jazz Bass like this in my hands. Today I have a Fenix Jazz Bass fretles.

So I know what I can do on an instrument, I know how good I am after 3 years of making music and playing bass. I don't mind if my headstock says "Fender", "Squier", "Ibanez", "Warwick", "MusicMan","Fenix" or even "Harry Haeussel".

Isn't it true that you have to play some basses made by Fender before you find a real good one? There are astonishing good basses made by Squier, and there is a lots of crap made by Fender. I don't care what the headstock says - until I like the instrument.

So if somebody changes decals because he wants to get more money by selling the instrument - this is fraud. If sombody changes the decal because he does not want to be seen with a Squier - just do it...

But in the most cases it is not the instrument, but the fingers that make the music. You can try and write "Victor Wooten" or "Frank Bello" or even "Billy Sheehan" on your fingers. It won't change your skills.....

[SolarMan]

I always thought for a custom decal it might look cool to lay the Squier logo on top of the Fender logo and just keep what intersects.

You will get the "er" intact because they will line up perfect.

Anyone have photoshop skills? I would love to see what it looks like!

[Sgt. Rock]

Originally Posted by kurosawa

...An owner may say "It's mine and I can do whatever I want with it," but on a quick google search, PA, GA, WI and NC laws are readily returned showing that it's a crime to alter the brand or serial number on personal property with the intent to change its identity. I suspect the last was added to exempt citizens from criminal liability in the case of unavoidable damage or repair. In other words, it's my guess that carefully removing a decal completely, then replacing it with a non-original decal, and even going to lengths to blend the finish in so as to look original, would all be major strikes against a person charged under these statutes.

I guess I was born to rebel. Off with the logo!!!

[khutch]

Originally Posted by Sgt. Rock

a guy like me with no moral qualms

This is the real issue. Guys with a working moral compass just don't do this. I've never heard of a VW owner putting a Cadillac badge on their ride. A Touareg with a new badge isn't going to look like an Escalade is it? Only people who believe that they have a real chance of deceiving people and who are comfortable with that will do this. I've played plenty of Squiers in stores and they don't need to say Fender or Lakland or Fodera on the headstock. They don't need to be modded or upgraded. They just need to be played. If your fingers can do their job your Squier will do its job!

That said, if I ever do buy a Squier I will sand off the decal and replace it with one that says Squire....

Ken

[BIGEJ2]

Originally Posted by khutch

This is the real issue. Guys with a working moral compass just don't do this. I've never heard of a VW owner putting a Cadillac badge on their ride. A Touareg with a new badge isn't going to look like an Escalade is it? Only people who believe that they have a real chance of deceiving people and who are comfortable with that will do this. I've played plenty of Squiers in stores and they don't need to say Fender or Lakland or Fodera on the headstock. They don't need to be modded or upgraded. They just need to be played. If your fingers can do their job your Squier will do its job!

+1

If you are a good player, no one will care what you play. Why not be proud and rock it?

[phillybass101]

Silly IMHO. I have boldly gone where no man has gone before with my $159.00 SX Jazz Bass and gotten compliments. And then everybody wanted to play it. They just kept passing it around. It took like 30 minutes to get it back. Give me a string a bucket and a broom stick, I'll play it. No shame in my game. Nothing wrong with being a dork either. The older I get the less I can spell. I'm getting more dorkier by the minute. Still there's no need to put a Fender decal on a sq,,,,

[Sgt. Rock]

Originally Posted by khutch

This is the real issue. Guys with a working moral compass just don't do this...

Ken

LOL. Overstate much?

[ggvicviper]

Call me funny, but I like the Fender decal just because. Always thought it looked cool. Has nothing to do with having a Squier.

If I wanted to get a fretted Fender instrument, but get a licensed by Fender fretless neck from someone, is it ok to reapply a Fender decal? What are your thoughts?

[Turock]

Originally Posted by Sgt. Rock

LOL. Overstate much?

No, I don't see where he overstated it.
By you asking that question actually helps prove his point.

[Turock]

Originally Posted by ggvicviper

Call me funny, but I like the Fender decal just because. Always thought it looked cool. Has nothing to do with having a Squier.

If I wanted to get a fretted Fender instrument, but get a licensed by Fender fretless neck from someone, is it ok to reapply a Fender decal? What are your thoughts?

No, it's not ok. Fender would have put one on if it was ok.

[Sgt. Rock]

Originally Posted by Turock

No, I don't see where he overstated it.
By you asking that question actually helps prove his point.

Is switching a decal on the same level as child murder? Because by my definition someone who truly lacks a working moral compass is capable of such a thing. We're talking about stickers here.

[Turock]

Originally Posted by steveinohio

Whats the big deal? People should be free to do what they want with their own stuff.

The argument that someone may get taken has never jived with me. Buyer beware.

Surely you mean jibed? Jived makes no sense.

"People should be free to do what they want with their own stuff" as long as they don't hurt anybody. I'll bet that's what you mean.
When you counterfeit an instrument, someone, somewhere, at some time, is going to get ripped off.

[Turock]

Originally Posted by Sgt. Rock

Is switching a decal on the same level as child murder? Because by my definition someone who truly lacks a working moral compass is capable of such a thing. We're talking about stickers here.

Are you under the impression that everyone uses your definitions?

[pklima]

Damit, this thread makes me want to get not only a Burberry plaid bass, but also another one with a huge Ralph Lauren pony and a fake Ralph Lauren decal.

[audiomitch]

Originally Posted by BIGEJ2

+1

If you are a good player, no one will care what you play. Why not be proud and rock it?

Not quite true. If you are playing professionally for hire and show up with a Squier, you may end up losing the gig, or future gigs. Sorry, but the perceptions about Squiers are out there, pretending it's not could cost you gigs. Sure, some producers don't know or care. But others are nervous (sometimes with good reason) and the bass player they just hired showed up with a "kiddie" instrument. Not good.

You and I know that a good instrument is good regardless of the decal. Other people, usually the ones in charge of the final product may not see it that way, and want a known quantity ie: Fender. My job is to play bass, not convince them they are mistaken.

I also think that if you're a "good" player, Fender won't mind you playing in public with the Fender logo slapped on whatever you want to.

Reselling a Squier as a Fender is a whole other can of worms, and then the whole "moral compass" thing comes in to play.

[fraublugher]

Originally Posted by Marial

Oh heck yeah! I like it!

That IS nice , but a japanese translation typo , it was supposed to be " Heart Puncher".

[kurosawa]

Originally Posted by audiomitch

Not quite true. If you are playing professionally for hire and show up with a Squier, you may end up losing the gig, or future gigs. Sorry, but the perceptions about Squiers are out there, pretending it's not could cost you gigs. Sure, some producers don't know or care. But others are nervous (sometimes with good reason) and the bass player they just hired showed up with a "kiddie" instrument. Not good.

What's not good? Buy a Fender. Problem solved.

[Sgt. Rock]

Originally Posted by Turock

Are you under the impression that everyone uses your definitions?

You should be asking khutch that question, not me. He brought the whole "moral compass" thing into this. I asked a rhetorical question to specifically point out that morality isn't black and white.

[fraublugher]

If you can , at the drop of a hat

1. groove away ad nauseum
2. blow over changes or none
3. find the pocket , key , harmonize the melody

Then go ahead , do what you like , you've earned it.