Interesting development over at Eastwood for anyone interested in a modern take on the RD.
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Eastwood Gibson RD Replica?
- Thread starter marklaforest
- Start date
Hillarious. Gibson introduces the "not-at-all-an-RD" Novoselic bass (jazz bass pickups, really?) and that's the one Eastwood chooses to copy. Eastwood probably saw the Novoselic and wet themselves with delight thinking of how they could knock it off without having to invest in period correct'ish pickups. They also use the Gibson website Novoselic picture in their ad. Pretty shady.
This is a pretty pathetic attempt to cash in on an interesting vintage bass. If you want a cheap version of the Novoselic-not-RD-bass or a differently shaped jazz bass with "Transwarp Drive" then it's probably a fun choice, but no matter what Eastwood says it's not a 70's "RD Artist" in any sense of the word.
This is a pretty pathetic attempt to cash in on an interesting vintage bass. If you want a cheap version of the Novoselic-not-RD-bass or a differently shaped jazz bass with "Transwarp Drive" then it's probably a fun choice, but no matter what Eastwood says it's not a 70's "RD Artist" in any sense of the word.
Ugh....such tastelessly bad form to use the Gibson stock photo on their website.
Agreed. They call it the "RD Artist" which would imply that it will have the electronics that separate the artist from the Standard, which is pretty much impossible. It will probably be closer to a standard. But then they post a picture of Gibson's own attempt at a reissue, which is neither an Artist or a Standard but kind of a whole other thing altogether. It's very confusing. It will be interesting to see where they go with it.
If they'll have them in lefties, I'd probably buy one. Why? Because Gibson sucks, and deserve to be ripped off for their affrontery to the lefty world. Muhahahahahahahahaha...
Besides, isn't this basically a Jazz Bass in a quasi-Thunderbird body? So it's a triple lame-o franken bass.
Besides, isn't this basically a Jazz Bass in a quasi-Thunderbird body? So it's a triple lame-o franken bass.
I don't mind some of Eastwood's basses; I remember trying a Club Bass, Airline Map Bass, and their Ampeg scroll bass knock-off and I thought they were alright, but this is just not right. Reminds me of their "Magnum" bass they had earlier.
Use of the gibson photo is lame, mostly because I'd have liked to see their concept...Personally, I'll get one. Want a RD, can't afford one, if Gibson ever reissues it, at this rate it'll cost even more than a old one.
They always use pictures of the original model they're building a copy of. They can't use a picture of the Eastwood model because it doesn't exist in physical form yet.
At that price I'd consider buying one.
I got no chance of getting an original RD Artist, so why not?
I got no chance of getting an original RD Artist, so why not?
They could draw/photoshop an image or at least photoshop out the company's logo. Instead they just copy-pasted a picture from Gibson's own website. That's lazy and legally actionable.
Let's remember also, even Gibson doesn't call the J-equipped Novoselic RD an "Artist" because it's clearly not.
Is Eastwood perhaps owned by Gibson, or are there no trademarks/ copyrights on the RD shape?
I'm pretty certain Eastwood is their own company. They've flown under the radar so far buy mostly reissuing instruments that are long out-of-production or changing the headstocks (like other companies do) when copying known designs. They were very clever in acquiring or appropriating (not sure if it was a purchase, license or just use of an out-of-date name) to the Airline name for their series of airline/valco style instruments. As for the other copies I'm not sure the courts allow for the trademark/copyright of body shapes so a long as they change the headstock they're probably fine legally.
The sleaziness that I noted was more to do with the use of the term "RD Artist"(both misleading and probably copyrighted) and the Gibson website photo.
Unless they bought rights to use the photo (which I doubt), it's blatant copyright infringement. I'm surprised Gibson hasn't had it pulled down yet.
How is Eastwood getting away with even building these for sale and distribution? Gibson is a vibrant active company with legal safeguards in place for their designs. Usually Eastwood targets "public domain" designs, or those that have lost legal protections.
Is this the old case law precedent in action that you can copy body styles, but not headstock designs?
Is this the old case law precedent in action that you can copy body styles, but not headstock designs?
That was my understanding, though I'm no expert. In most cases it seems that body styles are fair game (Ric may be an exception). There are hundreds of instruments that everything about an instrument except for the headstock and seem to be on firm leal footing.
Well, Eastwood had better back off on the RD/Gibson language. I can see the lawyers at Gibson looking for any angle to put the smack down on this.
Every Eastwood guitar or bass I have picked up looked and played like it should be priced $300 cheaper.
I hope Gibson gives them a good smack down for this stunt.
I hope Gibson gives them a good smack down for this stunt.
People copy Fender everyday. Many if the chosen brands used on here are blatant rip offs with upgraded electronics. This doesn't seem that egregious. Now if they use the photo in a serious marketing campaign after the first basses are built that's another story.
Everyone is in a bunch over this but didn't bother to look around. View the other "Project" guitars/basses on the site. Most are flat out using pictures of other companies' instruments, and saying they would like to make their own version. For example the Saturn IV project says this and yes, it's a picture with a Vox headstock: "Here is the rare Vox Saturn IV Bass from 1968, the only year of production. I've been trying to find a vintage one at a reasonable price, but no such luck, so let's make our own!" Don't get too wrapped up in the fact they didn't say "here is the Gibson version", pretty sure the intent is all the same.
