So, if given an opportunity, how many of these people would put squier decal on a genuine fender? They're only fooling themselves. You can try justifying it, but it's still lame. If you're so proud of the squier, why would you take the name off.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Fender decals on not-really-Fender basses
- Thread starter Habilis
- Start date
I wouldn't dare put a Fender decal on any of my "real" Fenders; my G&L's. On the other hand I have a no name that I might because of Bass snobs that I know.
Squier is still a squier. Putting a fender decal on it serves no purpose other than to deceive.
Not that you asked me, but....
you're fooling yourself thinking you're "screwing with/laughing at gear snobs". The fact that you know enough to want to put a lot of effort into hiding the fact that you're playing a Squier exposes you as a gear snob with no money.
You're like a guy caught at a brothel that, when confronted by his wife, claims that he was merely doing reasearch on why other men go there.
Incorrect, on so may levels. Well, actually, three.
1. I have enough money to buy whatever gear I want. I'm a fancy man and I have lots of fancy things. I mean *lots*. You really have no idea. So there.
2. I'm not putting a lot of effort into hiding anything. I'm painting the headstock to match the body because I like the way it looks. Hell I might even light the thing up with Radio Shack LED's just because I can. And I'm putting no more effort into slapping on a Fender decal than I would a Squier decal (actually they're easier to find, so it's less effort).
3. I really *do* get a kick out of watching purists get their undies in a twist. If you knew me in real life, you'd understand.
Honestly, it wasn't for the Squier VM series I never would have gotten back into a Fender product at all. I would have picked up a G&L, Lakland or Sadowsky. As it stands, the value for the money+ability to mod without ruining thousands of dollars in market value means the VM Squiers make sense for me. It's just a fun project. I'm a tinkerer.
So I'm going to put a Fender badge on my headstock, upgrade everything else, play the hell out of it, and quietly suffer a tortured, shameful existence under the knowing glances and unspoken judgement of others, knowing deep down that I'm a fraud and that Dad was right all along.
Whats the big deal? People should be free to do what they want with their own stuff. Way more important things to worry about.
The argument that someone may get taken has never jived with me. Buyer beware.
There is a ton of repro stuff on the car market. Same type of thing to me.
Im gonna put a Fender decal on my Ric.
The argument that someone may get taken has never jived with me. Buyer beware.
There is a ton of repro stuff on the car market. Same type of thing to me.
Im gonna put a Fender decal on my Ric.
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
I'm thinkin 'bout sanding the Fender logo off my Mustang and put a decal on a bare headstock instead...maybe add a second thumbrest too...just to annoy my son.
I would never do it to a Squier, that's just lame, even if you are a fancy man.
But I wouldn't have a problem putting one on a licensed neck. I mean, it is already a copy, logo or not. Not saying I would definitely do it, but I really don't see anything wrong with it.
But I wouldn't have a problem putting one on a licensed neck. I mean, it is already a copy, logo or not. Not saying I would definitely do it, but I really don't see anything wrong with it.
I have 2 MIJ SQ-series Squiers that according to many, are identical to the JV Fenders. I leave them alone. No matter the stated good intent of one who "upgrades" a headstock decal, its overwhelming usage is, like a serial number, an authentication that is recognized in the marketplace with money, because in the marketplace, it doesn't matter how an instrument sounds (I'm crazy about my Squiers), it only matters what an instrument is, and we figure that out using accepted methods of identification. When new, my Squiers sold for less than Fenders, and if it is true that the only difference was the decal, all the more reason to consider the unnecessary changing of a decal fraudulent (and I can't think of a necessary decal change). One is a pro line and sells for a pro price; the other a student line selling for a student price. 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.
My point of curiosity is similar.
Say one built a Jazz bass all from genuine Fender or Fender licensed components. It's about as Fender as a Fender can get, but didn't happen to come from the factory.
Putting on a full decal with a serial number and trying to pass it off as a factory original, for the possible monetary gain, is wrong IMO. But, what if it just says Fender Jazz Bass? For all practical purposes, it is, just not one assembled by a Fender employee.
