A Legit Reason To USe a Fender Decal

[LikeRaphael]

Well, I think so -- others will not I'm sure.

It isn't because i want to pretend I have a Fender -- I have three.

It's not because I want to feel I can afford a better instrument -- I own some very expensive ones.

It's not because I would try and sell it as a Fender -- that's just wrong.

It's because I really like the Squier J Deluxe and would prefer to use it on certain jobs and recordings ...HOWEVER...there is a stigma about using what some may consider a "hobbyists" instrument. That can put 2 strikes against you from the start. They see that "Squier" and they get nervous. They see Fender and they're secure.

Yeah, yeah, I let my playing speak for me. And I actually think it's kinda cool that I can make a $300 instrument sound better than a lot of $3000 instruments. But heaven forbid, if something goes wrong, people will assume it's because you're using a cheap entry level bass. If it's a Fender -- sorry guys, I have a short. And no one would blame me.

Call it justification -- I call it business.

And oh yeah, you won;t believe how many compliments I get on my sound when using that bass. Totally stock. It really is something special.

[nickrs540]

I get it, but If I was in your situation I'd rather just take the logo off completely before putting a Fender one on. Or maybe put a custom one with your name or something. Either way they wont think it's a squire and then you aren't trying to pass it off as a "fake" fender to the people that care about that kind of stuff.

[LikeRaphael]

Originally Posted by nickrs540

I get it, but If I was in your situation I'd rather just take the logo off completely before putting a Fender one on. Or maybe put a custom one with your name or something. Either way they wont think it's a squire and then you aren't trying to pass it off as a "fake" fender to the people that care about that kind of stuff.

Valid point. But since Squier IS a Fender company....

And a headstock with no name looks weird to me.

[Woofer]

Originally Posted by LikeRaphael

Valid point. But since Squier IS a Fender company....

By that logic, one could go ahead and put a Fender decal on a Gretsch or Jackson. But why would you need to fool someone into thinking either of those was a Fender?

I don't understand the need for deception at studio gigs. If they're paying you to be there, then play what they tell you. If you're paying them for the studio time, then play whatever you want.

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

Originally Posted by LikeRaphael

Call it justification -- I call it business.

Call it Posing.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by Woofer

If they're paying you to be there, then play what they tell you. If you're paying them for the studio time, then play whatever you want.

Exactly.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by LikeRaphael

Well, I think so -- others will not I'm sure.

It isn't because i want to pretend I have a Fender -- I have three.

It's not because I want to feel I can afford a better instrument -- I own some very expensive ones.

It's not because I would try and sell it as a Fender -- that's just wrong.

It's because I really like the Squier J Deluxe and would prefer to use it on certain jobs and recordings ...HOWEVER...there is a stigma about using what some may consider a "hobbyists" instrument. That can put 2 strikes against you from the start. They see that "Squier" and they get nervous. They see Fender and they're secure.

Yeah, yeah, I let my playing speak for me. And I actually think it's kinda cool that I can make a $300 instrument sound better than a lot of $3000 instruments. But heaven forbid, if something goes wrong, people will assume it's because you're using a cheap entry level bass. If it's a Fender -- sorry guys, I have a short. And no one would blame me.

Call it justification -- I call it business.

And oh yeah, you won;t believe how many compliments I get on my sound when using that bass. Totally stock. It really is something special.

I think it's a silly reason. A legitimate reason would be that you have a Fender instrument that needs to be completely refinished or restored and you have to replace the decal as part of the restoration. Your reason smacks of self-consciousness over a trivial issue.

[Kenzy]

I like to impress my friends with my new Fender microwave.

[wilfredes]

Great thread! Also my favorite view.

[lmfreeman9]

I bought a Mitey Mite neck on ebay for a Franken P. Came with black hardware and a 70s Fender logo. Better than nothing and it works for me.

[bassdude51]

Most of those people who make the phoney Fender decals also make custom decals. Have you ever thought of having a custom decal made with your last name or some cool word or name? You can choose hundreds of different fonts, include the same font used by Fender.

[Will Kelly]

I play at a jam session on Tuesday nights were an older gentleman always asks to sit in on bass.

He is a former board member of FMIC. Longtime board member.

Last Tuesday I took a Warmoth jazz bass that has Fender decal on it from the previous owner. Gentleman asks to sit in and plays it.

"You know, I used to make these." He says when he's done.

"Nope, its a fake" I tell him.

"Ha. Should have known, it plays too nice".

If that dude doesnt care about the decal, why should anyone?

People have replica kit cars, motorcycles, etc. I'm not trying to pass off a bass as something its not. The Fender decal does complete the look correctly for a lot of people. Its part of the way the bass should look.

[topcat2069]

Originally Posted by bassdude51

Most of those people who make the phoney Fender decals also make custom decals. Have you ever thought of having a custom decal made with your last name or some cool word or name? You can choose hundreds of different fonts, include the same font used by Fender.

That's what I did...

[SolarMan]

Originally Posted by Will Kelly

I play at a jam session on Tuesday nights were an older gentleman always asks to sit in on bass.

He is a former board member of FMIC. Longtime board member.

Last Tuesday I took a Warmoth jazz bass that has Fender decal on it from the previous owner. Gentleman asks to sit in and plays it.

"You know, I used to make these." He says when he's done.

"Nope, its a fake" I tell him.

"Ha. Should have known, it plays too nice".

If that dude doesnt care about the decal, why should anyone?

People have replica kit cars, motorcycles, etc. I'm not trying to pass off a bass as something its not. The Fender decal does complete the look correctly for a lot of people. Its part of the way the bass should look.

So, you know one of the board members that didn't care about quality control back in the day.

Do me a favor and give him a nice b-slap next time you see him.

[edbass]

Originally Posted by Will Kelly

People have replica kit cars, motorcycles, etc. I'm not trying to pass off a bass as something its not. The Fender decal does complete the look correctly for a lot of people. Its part of the way the bass should look.

Let me finish your thought for you;
"It's part of the way the bass should look" if you want to deceive people into thinking it's something that it isn't.

The only reason to use an illegitimate logo on a "knock off" anything is to deceive people into thinking you have what you don't.
Either to defraud them, or to falsely enhance your credibility/status/fiscal wherewithal, etc.

It can also speak volumes about an individual’s character and/or ethics in matters beyond the particular item in question, e.g.; I have no issues dealing with an associate wearing a Timex or cheap digital watch but I wouldn’t even consider entering into a serious negotiation with someone wearing a fake Rolex.

I think the generally applicable term is "poseur".

[HillBillyWannaB]

What's a good decal for metal?

[SolarMan]

Fender has weighed in on this subject. This post from 1Shot1Hit should be a sticky:

Are we all seriously STILL debating this?

I'm going to post Fender's response to this very situation. I really don't care who's side it validates as long as it kills the argument.

I'm more than sure both sides WILL twist it all to hell but here ya go anyway!

Thank you for contacting Consumer Relations.
No one feels pride in their Squier guitar? These are very nice instruments with a very good following, but is this stigma of being a student or entry level guitar worth defacing the headstock? A Fender guitar neck can be attached to a Squier body, does this make it a Fender? Let's get to your question;

Fender does not participate in or offer any details on modifications, which this would be. People are free to do what they like with our instruments once you purchase the guitar, it is your property. Fender is very concerned about the resale market and any misrepresentation once something is made available for purchase. Some of what you wrote talks of peoples intentions and feelings, which we cannot gauge, but If something does wind up on the open market with the Fender registered trademark logo and misrepresents the guitar, Fender will be involved and make a person stop or face legal action. This is why the Fender waterslide decal is not available for purchase and is a very scrutinized process to obtain one from a service center.

If this is something for personal use and if the guitar did need to be sold at a later date, I would hope the buyer would be informed of this modification. But what contol can Fender possibly have over a personal guitar modificaton. Fender parts are available, necks can be swapped, pickguards can be cut and that is nature of the business. Basically, do what you like, we make 'em - you own 'em, but if something gets out in the market for sale and is misrepresenting the guitar, it can turn ugly.


best regards,


Consumer Relations Department
ph. 480-******** fender.com
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
17600 N. Perimeter Dr. Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85255



NOW! Can we please go back to arguing about carrots, and best stuff for metal?

[Schlyder]

Putting a Fender logo on a bass/guitar that isn't a Fender is pathetic.
Trying to justify it is even more pathetic.
It screams "inferiority complex".
IMHO

[DWBass]

Every reason is 'legitimate'! Some of y'all just don't agree with them! Too bad! Get over it! Play your bass and keep it moving. Stop worrying about what the other guy is doing!

[GM60466]

I wouldn't do it out of respect for Leo Fender and company he created.