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Fender decals on not-really-Fender basses

#381
I've been following this thread for several days now. First of all, the only reason to ever put a Fender (or any other brand decal for that matter) on a different branded bass or non-factory replacement neck is to deceit. You are either trying to trick yourself into thinking you have something you don't or trick someone else into thinking you have something you don't. Either way, what you think you have is not what you really have. The only time I personally care what name is on the headstock is when I am paying for something. When that time comes, I always check the serial number. Lets use the example of someone selling a parts bass with a Fender decal. Heck, throw in a Fender neck plate while we’re at it. I don't care how much I like the bass or how well it plays. Unless the seller discloses that it is a parts bass up front, I have no interest in it. There are too many good soles out there to deal with a liar or cheat.

I’m not touching the “a Squier is a Fender” argument with a 10 ft pole. All I can say is that if you are a good player, anything you play will sound good.
 
#388
I think if you were trying to recreate a specific bass, it is fine to badge it anyway you like.
No different than relicing (something I wouldn't do, I beat them up enough without trying)
If you are doing it out of Squier shame, that is another story. And to try and sell it without disclosure is out and out fraud.
 
#389
scotch said:
1Shot'- if Fender and Squier are the same, why does Fender bother using the 'Squier' label at all? It seems the folks at Fender (who actually make & market the things) may have a different take than you.
Click to expand...

I think Squier originally and to a degree today, serves more as a way not to dilute the Fender brand. Fender seems to have taken a new approach though. With the introduction of many mid-level instruments bearing the actual 'Fender' name (pawn shop, blacktop), I think the brand is more diluted then ever. I'm not sure of the economics involved in their decision making. Even more curious is Ernie Ball's history of steadfast protection of their brand, only to release not one, but two new lines of budget minded intruments. But in their case, the name on the headstock is clearly different.
 
#390
Maybe we should take a step back and define "What is a Fender"?

To me it is simply an instrument that was originally badged as a "Fender" with that particular trademark. If it wasn't born with a Fender badge, it's not a Fender. More deeply, it denotes a generally higher quality of instrument over the Squier line.

Maybe the term "Fender" is more loosely used by many much like "Kleenex" is used for any facial tissue or "Can you Xerox this" simply means make a copy, not search for a Xerox machine.
 
#392
BIGEJ2 said:
First of all, the only reason to ever put a Fender (or any other brand decal for that matter) on a different branded bass or non-factory replacement neck is to deceit. You are either trying to trick yourself into thinking you have something you don't or trick someone else into thinking you have something you don't.
Click to expand...

I have no idea where some of you people get all your cosmic insight.

There are many reasons someone would want to put a decal on a non-Fender bass.

One is they just like they way it looks. It's just that simple.

Why is that so hard to grasp?

Why is "the only" reason to deceive?
So they can fake out the dudes at the blues jam and get some cred?
So they can practice their poseur moves in front of a mirror while thinking "Man, I look really badass with my Fender bass"?

Not hardly. There are many reasons other than deception.

NO DECAL FOR YOU!!!
 
#393
1SHOT1HIT said:
No they bought Squire to get their foot in the door in that level of market.
It's clearly documented, how long they took to do it is irrelevant.
Click to expand...

Wasn't the Squier name from a string maker they bought, and an american one at that, in the sixties? Tthere never were Squier instruments that weren't made at the direction of Fender itself, and then not until the eighties. They revived a brand name they owned but lay dormant for decades.
 
#394
I don't have a dog in this race (other than the anti-scammer angle) so I find this thread entertaining and insightful.

That being said, and no personal knock intended, Wikipedia is a great tool and a fun resource but it is by far not the most reliable. For fun stuff, like basic learning (as long as your brain's filters are on) and Internet forum information gathering, but never site them as a source in a Bibliography in any college-level course. Instant fail.

I own a Squier, so maybe I do have input. I'd never swap the decal. I'd rock the S out of it as it is.:D
 
#397
GlennW said:
I have no idea where some of you people get all your cosmic insight.

...
Click to expand...

from page 11:
GlennW said:
...
90+% of the criticism of people who put fake decals on their own stuff with no intent of resale is just a bunch of people wanting to bash/judge someone else. ...
Click to expand...

Statistical cosmic insight? ;)

Couldn't help it, sorry. Meant to be funny! :)
 
#398
troy mcclure said:
I think if you were trying to recreate a specific bass, it is fine to badge it anyway you like.
No different than relicing (something I wouldn't do, I beat them up enough without trying)
If you are doing it out of Squier shame, that is another story. And to try and sell it without disclosure is out and out fraud.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my guess would be that few if any actually do it out of Squire shame.
Not saying the possibility isn't there, just that I think most just refinish the bass and just choose the better of the two names to use.
 

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