Fender decals on not-really-Fender basses

[audiomitch]

So... my question is... when I store my Squier inside a Fender case/gig bag... am I counterfeiting until I open said bag/case???



(when will they start making squier bags and cases?)

Uh oh... I use a Gibson branded gigbag for short hauls. Gibson might come after me for putting a Fender in it!

 

[Stewie26]

Putting a Fender decal on a Squire is kind of like putting a Chevy Corvette logo on a
Chevy Chevette. Yes, their both made by Chevrolet, but their is a huge difference.

 

[bassie12]

I own lots of Fender basses and guitars. Some vintage originals, some newer pieces and a number of "mutts" put together with vintage parts mostly. Some of these mutts have custom made replacement necks. These are vintage correct and generally considerably more expensive than anything Fender makes available. I don't like a decal-free headstock, and the look of a Fender decal comforts me. I like seeing the "F"word as I pick up my instrument.

I respect the arguments of those who feel a Fender decal on a non Fender neck is dishonest.

After a while I came up with a solution that is pleasing to me and not likely to fool anyone who has ever looked at a Fender logo. Works for me.

This is one of my guitars. I don't have a bass pic handy.

 

[Sgt. Rock]

No, you were very clear. You made a comparison to Hasbro and their monopoly money - which doesn't make sense. How are they counterfeiting American money? With the Arabic numerals that have existed for millenia? With the mustached man on the face? You do realize the U.S. Mint doesn't have a trademark or patent on putting a face on money - yes?

Yeah, that was my point. They aren't *really* counterfeiting anything, because anyone can see that the Monopoly money isn't actual currency. Just like anyone can see that my Squier with a Fender decal is still a Squier with a bunch of aftermarket parts. I'll grant that it's a very specific point, only relative to my situation, and due to my own error it's possible to read what I wrote as very broad, applicable to actual counterfeited instruments created to take advantage of people. That's not what I'm doing at all, and I never would lie to someone in a transaction. That's repugnant.

I haven't read the thread - but if you're addressing a specific person they seem to not be around anymore. The reason you aren't making sense is because 99.9% of all the counterfeiting in this specific realm is taking an "inferior" instrument and counterfeiting it to look like what can be considered a "superior" instrument.

Dude, I'm just talking about slapping a decal on a headstock because I like the way it looks and how people react when they find out it is a lower-priced instrument. It really isn't that serious.

EDIT: I just read your last few comments and you aren't even consistent in your own procession of thoughts. The last comment I addressed was very specific - I'm not sure why you are talking about the "other direction". You created a straw man and are now attacking it.

Nah, I was pointing out an inconsistency. I am not addressing the legal question, but the moral one. If we are to assume that it is morally wrong to slip a Fender decal on a Squier headstock because it misrepresents what the instrument actually is, then it is *also* morally wrong to alter the instrument in any other way and leave the Squier logo intact, as that would also be a misrepresentation. Thus, in order to be internally consistent, the position would have to be that altering any instrument is wrong. That's just silly and no one believes that.

Again, I am addressing the morality (NOT legality) of a very specific situation: my own. It is my position that it is not morally wrong to stick a Fender decal on my headstock, as I am not causing any measurable harm to anyone by doing so. The posters who have claimed that doing so indicates that I have no moral compass, that I am morally bankrupt, etc, are simply wrong. That is all I am saying.

Good lord. I didn't expect for this to turn into such full-blown intellectual wankery. I feel kind of dirty now.

 

[Sgt. Rock]

I own lots of Fender basses and guitars. Some vintage originals, some newer pieces and a number of "mutts" put together with vintage parts mostly. Some of these mutts have custom made replacement necks. These are vintage correct and generally considerably more expensive than anything Fender makes available. I don't like a decal-free headstock, and the look of a Fender decal comforts me. I like seeing the "F"word as I pick up my instrument.

I respect the arguments of those who feel a Fender decal on a non Fender neck is dishonest.

After a while I came up with a solution that is pleasing to me and not likely to fool anyone who has ever looked at a Fender logo. Works for me.

This is one of my guitars. I don't have a bass pic handy.

Ok, where did you get that?

 

[bassie12]

I had a guy on eBay make it to my specs. There's a number of them. They sell correct waterslide decals, but will gladly make exactly what you ask for. I get what I want, nobody will ever be fooled into buying something counterfeit. Everybody wins.

 

[Sgt. Rock]

Putting a Fender logo on a Squier or any non-Fender brand bass is always lame. Nobody has ever said that upgrading the bridge or tuners on a bass equals counterfeiting a Fender, so save your breath on that argument.

Exactly. No one has said that. Because it's dumb.

 

[Sgt. Rock]

I had a guy on eBay make it to my specs. There's a number of them. They sell correct waterslide decals, but will gladly make exactly what you ask for. I get what I want, nobody will ever be fooled into buying something counterfeit. Everybody wins.

Thanks. I'll give a look-see.

 

[JACink]

That joke makes no sense.

Nor does half of this thread, but we read it anyway (just like my post )

But seriously, I wish they did make Squier gig bags, as I like the Fender bags, but there is something about buying a Fender bag/case for a Squier... I would buy Squier (at the same price) if they existed.

 

[bolophonic]

Exactly. No one has said that. Because it's dumb.

Dumb is a word that popped into my head a few times when reading your impassioned arguments about whatever point it is you are trying to make.

 

[michael_atw]

Dumb is a word that popped into my head a few times when reading your impassioned arguments about whatever point it is you are trying to make.

Yeah, I have only read the last page but I'm pretty confused.

I think he's trying to address the fact that some laws aren't related directly or indirectly to morality. However, in this case it is a matter of morality at its base.

 

[Double E]

Show of hands...how many people following this thread have been ripped off or know someone who's been ripped off by a Fender logo on a non-Fender?

 

[kurosawa]

Here's someone who admits to it: Link Removed

 

[J03YW]

lol, i plan on putting a decal saying Bender instead of Fender and Shiny Metal Ass instead of Precision bass on the squier CV 60's bass i'm getting soon (not to con people, just to be funny)

 

[Double E]

Here's someone who admits to it: Invalid Link Removed

That guy isn't exactly bitching about getting ripped off though. There were other upgrades to the bass, he apparently felt it was worth what he paid.

 

[pudge]

No problem at all with it.....unless you're trying to pass it off as a genuine fender when selling it.It's your bass do as you please with it.In the end it's just 2 pieces of wood held together with 3 or 4 wood screws

 

[Turock]

Show of hands...how many people following this thread have been ripped off or know someone who's been ripped off by a Fender logo on a non-Fender?

What do you think that would accomplish?

 

[ggunn]

If you feel that something is morally wrong, don't do it. If you think putting a Fender decal on a Squire Squeirie Skwire (whatever) is morally wrong, don't do it. Like, if you think gay marriage is wrong, don't marry someone of your own gender. Like, if you think dancing and consuming alcohol is morally wrong, stay out of bars and dance clubs.

I think the world would be a better place if everyone would learn to mind their own business. And please don't start up with the "murder and rape is wrong, too" thing, OK? It's tiresome.

 

[Turock]

No problem at all with it.....unless you're trying to pass it off as a genuine fender when selling it.It's your bass do as you please with it.In the end it's just 2 pieces of wood held together with 3 or 4 wood screws

Are you going to be buried with it, or planning to live forever. It's only "your bass" for a short while.
Why should anybody believe that someone that's proves their dishonesty by counterfeiting, is going to be honest when selling?
"In the end" it's more than wood held together by screws, it's your integrity.

 

[michael_atw]

No problem at all with it.....unless you're trying to pass it off as a genuine fender when selling it.It's your bass do as you please with it.In the end it's just 2 pieces of wood held together with 3 or 4 wood screws

It's not your logo though.