Fender Decals On Non-Fender Basses

[sleepy_monkey]

What I find very interesting is how this whole idea of "re-badging" seems to be viewed differently depending on the nature of the product that's re-branded. Someone earlier on mentioned the kits to make a replica (tribute) Shelby Cobra, amd I think that's a great analogy. I like to watch the Mecum auto auctions on the tube, and every show there are lots of cars that, due to having the same body style, get restored and rebranded as their classic muscle car cousin. Yet there, no one seems to care one bit about it. They don't degrade the car and it's owner for being posers or charlatans. They simply talk about the merits of the restoration and praise the fine craftsmanship that went into it. Everything is disclosed, and the cars don't sell for near the price of their siblings, but no one seems concerned either.

It seems to me to be the same concept as using putting a Fender logo on a Squier or parts bass. I just find it curious that rebranding a classic car seems to be a non-issue, but rebranding a musical instrument is seen by many to be such a terrible act

I don't have a rebranded bass, but would not hesitate to do it. In my case there are a number of things that I love about various Fender bases, and they would never all exist together on any real bass. So for me, it would be creating my tribute to Fender basses. If it sold and all was disclosed, I really don't see an issue, but that's just me.

Agreed. End thread.

 

[scotch]

What I find very interesting is how this whole idea of "re-badging" seems to be viewed differently depending on the nature of the product that's re-branded. Someone earlier on mentioned the kits to make a replica (tribute) Shelby Cobra, amd I think that's a great analogy. I like to watch the Mecum auto auctions on the tube, and every show there are lots of cars that, due to having the same body style, get restored and rebranded as their classic muscle car cousin. Yet there, no one seems to care one bit about it. They don't degrade the car and it's owner for being posers or charlatans. They simply talk about the merits of the restoration and praise the fine craftsmanship that went into it. Everything is disclosed, and the cars don't sell for near the price of their siblings, but no one seems concerned either.

It seems to me to be the same concept as using putting a Fender logo on a Squier or parts bass. I just find it curious that rebranding a classic car seems to be a non-issue, but rebranding a musical instrument is seen by many to be such a terrible act

I don't have a rebranded bass, but would not hesitate to do it. In my case there are a number of things that I love about various Fender bases, and they would never all exist together on any real bass. So for me, it would be creating my tribute to Fender basses. If it sold and all was disclosed, I really don't see an issue, but that's just me.

Perhaps it's not the use of the decal so much as it is supporting the counterfeiter of the decal?

And again, this thread has happened before and shall happen again. With the same arguments over & over & over....

 

[EricF]

How about the headstock decal? Is that genuine Fender?

This...

Well, if you bought that neck from Fender it would already have a factory Fender decal on it now, wouldn't it.

Fender built all of your parts in their factory, yes it would be a Fender.

I know a few people who would disagree.

I'm not one of them.

 

[SteveC]

There's nothing wrong with playing a Squier.

Agreed, I don't get it. I have two Squiers I would be quite happy to play-out with without trying to pass them off as something they're not. And If anyone has the nerve to come up and give me grief for it, I will attempt to politely educate them on the facts. If they still don't get it, there's not much else I can do but to then tell them "Sorry, but if you're going to persist in being a gear snob, then there's no point in me talking to you any further."
What anyone else thinks of the gear I use is nowhere near as important to me as what I think of it.

I need to keep reading these posts until they sink in and I go and buy that Squier Jaguar that plays and sounds so nice at the store.

 

[smcd]

Geez, would you also call out the poor kid on the playground wearing the fake Adidas? You've got a pretty sad and narrow view of what a public service is, I'll tell you that much. I've worked in public service all my professional life. Sucking up to the Fender brand by being their vigilante secret shopper counterfeit-outter doesn't rate in my book.



Incidentally, the word "counterfeit" generally connotes a fake made with the intent to defraud. Much of what you're railing against here (ad nauseam, I might add), doesn't really fit that label.

But your ability to know just what it is that motivates every other musician in the world is truly astounding. Somewhere, Kreskin and The Amazing Randy are cowering in a corner.

It's ironic that you think that I'm "sucking up to Fender". See, normally one would consider the person trying to pass off their inexpensive imitation as a Fender product as "sucking up to Fender".

Incidentally, when someone re-labels a cheaper product with the logo of a more expensive/desirable brand, the intent is ALWAYS to deceive. These counterfeiters take solace in what their doing by claiming that they're not deceiving themselves. But their true intent is to fool others into believing that they own something more expensive than they can afford.




I'm glad you're impressed. I'm just trying to help. That's my public service to you.

 

[smcd]

So for me, it would be creating my tribute to Fender basses. If it sold and all was disclosed, I really don't see an issue, but that's just me.

I think I'll go out and create a "tribute" to the $20 bill. See, I'm a big fan of Andrew Jackson. And the White House. And when I sell these "tribute" $20 bills, I'll fully disclose to the hoodlums that buy them from me that they are indeed fakes. As long as it's all up front, I really don't see that as an issue, but that's just me.

 

[Burlington]

It's ironic that you think that I'm "sucking up to Fender". See, normally one would consider the person trying to pass off their inexpensive imitation as a Fender product as "sucking up to Fender".

Incidentally, when someone re-labels a cheaper product with the logo of a more expensive/desirable brand, the intent is ALWAYS to deceive. These counterfeiters take solace in what their doing by claiming that they're not deceiving themselves. But their true intent is to fool others into believing that they own something more expensive than they can afford.




I'm glad you're impressed. I'm just trying to help. That's my public service to you.

Just like someone else said, it's the same as rebranding a replica car. I find it funny how uppity those against it are! How does it affect you in any way?

 

[Bassguy61]

Perhaps it's not the use of the decal so much as it is supporting the counterfeiter of the decal?

And again, this thread has happened before and shall happen again. With the same arguments over & over & over....

Absolutely, these threads will always go the same way. I'm honestly not trying to sway opinions on way or the other, I just do find the whole comparison interesting. For example, (and I undestand your position, and mean no disrepect here) applying your argument to the calssica car analogy, you would have an issue with the person/company that provides non-GM logos/badging that would allow a stock '68 Camaro to be branded as an R/S, as they would be counterfeit. No argument with that position. I'm just genuinely curious why in some realms it's just an accepted practice, yet with guitars it is a source of so much heated emotion.

 

[Madcity Fats]

Incidentally, when someone re-labels a cheaper product with the logo of a more expensive/desirable brand, the intent is ALWAYS to deceive.

Really?! So some of the SX headstocks I've seen, misshapen and all, adorned with Fender logos are devious forgeries? Look, I don't necessarily get it either, but all these absolutes you throw around (every musician who adds a Fender logo is ashamed of his bass, no band leader would ever judge someone's ability based on the brand of bass they show up with, every fake Fender is made with some dubious intent to deceive, etc.) just make you sound ridiculous. Either that or really young and naive. Or maybe both.

 

[Bassguy61]

I think I'll go out and create a "tribute" to the $20 bill. See, I'm a big fan of Andrew Jackson. And the White House. And when I sell these "tribute" $20 bills, I'll fully disclose to the hoodlums that buy them from me that they are indeed fakes. As long as it's all up front, I really don't see that as an issue, but that's just me.

Toy (tribute) money exists today in just about every toy department...

 

[THand]

I think I'll go out and create a "tribute" to the $20 bill. See, I'm a big fan of Andrew Jackson. And the White House. And when I sell these "tribute" $20 bills, I'll fully disclose to the hoodlums that buy them from me that they are indeed fakes. As long as it's all up front, I really don't see that as an issue, but that's just me.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[bassmonkeee]

I think I'll go out and create a "tribute" to the $20 bill. See, I'm a big fan of Andrew Jackson. And the White House. And when I sell these "tribute" $20 bills, I'll fully disclose to the hoodlums that buy them from me that they are indeed fakes. As long as it's all up front, I really don't see that as an issue, but that's just me.

False equivalency is false. Careful you don't fall off your soapbox and twist your ankle. I'd really be sad if that happened.

 

[WoodyG3]

There are 2 types of gear snobs:

There's the type that will look down on someone because that person plays a Squier. That guy's an idiot.
Then there's the type that will subtly call someone out on counterfeiting their instrument. That guy is doing a public service.

For the most part, I agree.

The problem is the perceived value of anything made by Fender. People wouldn't be putting Fender decals on anything if they didn't think it made their bass worth more, either in monetary worth or in "coolness."

 

[bassingeorge]

I plan on using a Fender decal on a PARTS REPLICA of a 1961 stack knob Black Fender Jazz Bass I saw (custom shop) while googling. I'm not gonna use it to sell it, I'm gonna show it off as a PARTS BASS....I know it's a Fender.

If I were to build a "boutique" style jazz bass, with birdseye fingerboard, quilt maple top, active pre amp, nordy pup's and the works....I wouldn't use a Fender decal...why...it would totally defeat the purpose.

Don't ask me why....I just can't give you a valid explanation.

But all in all...to each their own I guess....

 

[bassmonkeee]

People wouldn't be putting Fender decals on anything if they didn't think it made their bass worth more, either in monetary worth or in "coolness."

Or, maybe some people simply don't like the look of a blank headstock and it's simply easier to put a Fender decal on there as opposed to trying to come up with a new, unique design.

 

[LDonnie]

I have a fake decal on my modded MIM Jazz. The only thing original on it is the body though. My decal says ''Fender Blue-J''. Don't think anyone will mistake it for a real one

 

[mikbass]

Vanity, pure vanity.

I would never try to sell it as a real Fender, though.

 

[nuno.ka]

I've got a bass being assembled in the shop as we speak.
Squier VM Precision body
Mighty Mite P neck
Basslines APB-1 active pickup
Gotoh 201 bridge

Now I'm just not sure if I should put a fake Fender decal or a custom, like my name with the Fender font or something. If so, where can I order custom decals?

 

[THand]

I've got a bass being assembled in the shop as we speak.
Squier VM Precision body
Mighty Mite P neck
Basslines APB-1 active pickup
Gotoh 201 bridge

Now I'm just not sure if I should put a fake Fender decal or a custom, like my name with the Fender font or something. If so, where can I order custom decals?

just make you own with a graphics program and use waterslide paper to print them on.

Follow the instructions on the paper to apply.

You can find waterslide paper on ebay.

 

[eSmith]

OK, is this discussion about putting fender stickers on fenders or on cheap knockoffs?

Because all the discussion about putting a Fender decal on a Squire being wrong is pure B$. Squire IS Fender. So long as FENDER gets the profit from the sale of a squire the decal is PERFECTLY legitimate.

The ONLY issue is the guy who bought the expensive one doesn't have an exclusive logo to display so everyone knows how much he spent. This is SMCD's issue I think. he seems really bent on throwing out insults at those in favor of decals as if he is trying to shame them away from what they are doing, he is putting so much effort into it I feel he MUST have a personal incentive. And I agree with Burl.... He's mad about it....

Squire is Fender, Putting a Fender logo on the bass just reminds everyone of this. There is nothing at all wrong with putting the logo of the parent company on one of it's products.

The only issue here is that the guys spending big bucks on an American made fender don't want others to be reminded that it is just an upgraded Squire.

They need to get over it.

-eSmith.