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Fender decals on not-really-Fender basses

#43
I think its ok if its for personal use and if the back of the headstock is left untouched. The back clearly says Squier by Fender, where its made and the SN.

My son disagrees. It's a huge controversy among folks who don't have enough to do. :hiding:

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#46
You know, for those who are self-conscious about having Squier on the headstock, I would point out that I've actually been asked, "Lakland - is that as good as Fender?" The same kind of thing happens with F Bass and Drozd. One person thought I was talking about Fender when I mentioned F Bass, kind of like saying "B-word" for the B-word company. Most people, even bass players, have never heard of Fodera, so they're going to be suspect, too.
 
#47
It's a strange aesthetic issue for me. If a bass has a Fender headstock shape, it needs a logo. Whether it reads "Fender" or anything else, that huge area below the string tree is just begging for some attention!

I like the '66-'67 transition Fender Precision logos, so I did a couple of these for my more Fender-ish builds:

001Large-10.jpg


They have a similar vibe and "look the part" from the front row :ninja:
 
#48
solderjunkie said:
It's a strange aesthetic issue for me. If a bass has a Fender headstock shape, it needs a logo. Whether it reads "Fender" or anything else, that huge area below the string tree is just begging for some attention!

I like the '66-'67 transition Fender Precision logos, so I did a couple of these for my more Fender-ish builds:

001Large-10.jpg


They have a similar vibe and "look the part" from the front row :ninja:
Click to expand...

Just an FYI since it looks like you're in the business of building basses...Fender holds the trademark on their headstock shape, so, if they care to, their lawyers could send you a C&D order to stop putting your name on their tradmarked headstock shape.
 
#50
When I was a kid, my mom would only buy me sneakers from Korvettes. They were no name sneakers that looked like the two prevailing brand names at the time. I remember peeling two 'Converse' blue labels off the heels of a pair of friend's throwaways and super gluing them to my pair. Then I took a red and blue pen and drew in those 'Keds' strips on the side of the sole. Finally, not to be outdone, I took white paint and painted a 'Puma' stripe on the sides. This way, I was triply endowded with brand recognition amongst my block's stickball players. Why am I saying this? Because some people feel that putting a 'Fender' logo on their non-Fender copy gives them a sense of completion with their project bass or new aquisition. I have no problem with that up to the point that a bass is misrepresented in a sale, then I have a problem with that. Otherwise, it's just harping over who owns the cool brands and who doesn't.
 
#51
mongo2 said:
Just an FYI since it looks like you're in the business of building basses...Fender holds the trademark on their headstock shape, so, if they care to, their lawyers could send you a C&D order to stop putting your name on their tradmarked headstock shape.
Click to expand...

Really? I guess if I was selling them, I'd have something to worry about :smug:

I did a couple of those as "special orders" for friends. The one in the picture is actually my own Paisley '54 Precision.

There is also the caveat of buying a "Fender Licensed" Neck from AllParts (which is what these were)... if it is a "Fender Licensed" part, wouldn't that imply that Fender has already been compensated for the use of their headstock shape by the original manufacturer?

The plot thickens ;)
 
#56
mr.mow said:
I've seen a few Pontiac ones here in melb too.. Makes me laugh!
Click to expand...

I was going to mention this as well - I figured no one would get it!

It's the height of wankery in my opinion... Along with trying to pass your bass off for something it's not!
 
#58
Here's the way I see it from a legal standpoint as a layman. Putting a decal on a non original item is ok for personal use. As soon as you take money for the item you have committed fraud and copyright infringement even if you have disclosed that it is a fake.

I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that's how a court if law sees it.
 

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