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Headstock Decal Etiquette
- Thread starter DigitalMan
- Start date
It's what Leo would've wanted.
In all seriousness though if I had to replace one of my Fender necks I'd probably buy a second hand one here that matches the line my bass is from, but if I purchased a Warmoth neck I'd have no qualms about putting a logo on my neck. My bass is a Fender. If I replace the neck it'll be because the original was damaged. I'll do so with either a part from another bass of the same blood or from a licensed distributor. That replacement is not from a Fender factory and is a replacement meant to make a Fender product whole. Because of this I'd put a decal on it. It looks more complete to me. It'd be disclosed the same way vintage basses with replacement necks are. The neck twisted, was dropped, somehow spontaneously combusted and I put a comparable licensed replacement on it. That being said I probably wouldn't put a logo on it if I was just replacing the neck because I was replacing the neck (lets say it's because I just had to have Wenge involved with my neck) because then I'm putting aftermarket stuff on that modifies the product. TO ME that is a stark difference from replacing something to fix a product.
These aren't any concrete principles it's just the logic I follow. As far as defrauding goes, do you guys really think if we stopped putting Fender logos on replacement necks that scumbags would stop trying to rip people off? If I sold the instrument I'd sell it as a Fender bass with a Warmoth Licensed by Fender replacement neck with a decal on it. To me it's still a Fender as it is 100% licensed and isn't defrauding anybody as long as it's disclosed that it is a replacement.
But I thought once you hit the secondary (aka used) market, any claims of infringement are gone? Unless you claim the item is genuine, and it isn't. I could put a rick sticker on a fender and sell it. Just as long as I call it a parts build. And never use the words rick or fender in the ad.
I'm doing a build now, based on a Squier standard Jazz body. It will have a Warmoth neck, Hipshot Ultralite tuners, Babicz Full Contact bridge, and Dimarzio Model J pickups - all of which are either in hand or en route. I won't put any decal on the headstock, and I plan to reuse the Squier neck mounting plate that came with the body. Total on the project will be about $800.
No fender expert by any means, but I have quite a bit of experience with water slide decals and I've seen more than a few examples of very poor decal jobs on fender headstocks. Not saying I've seen a lot of wankers trying to scam, most folks have been up front about it, but I've also run into a few people looking to straight up scam someone by claiming their fender bass was an original fender bass when the decal looked like a five year old put it on.
I've often wondered since fender started selling replacement necks, they come with both a decal and a serial number. Are they serializing the decals? A genuine neck with a genuine decal and a genuine serial number would make it easy to pass off a franken bass as something it most surely is not.
I've often wondered since fender started selling replacement necks, they come with both a decal and a serial number. Are they serializing the decals? A genuine neck with a genuine decal and a genuine serial number would make it easy to pass off a franken bass as something it most surely is not.
Wow...I am going to add a Fender logo on my headstock...because it's mine...I am also going to leave the Indo-Chinese serial number...I have a parts bass....fender body, licensed neck with a custom logo....looks like Fender from a distance...actually says F*cker Jazz Bass. I am a fan of doing whatever you are personally comfortable with but I vote mark the neck or instrument as a nonfender...The sharpie will work!
You can't put a sticker on the headstock.
If it isn't original, you need to pull everything off.
Period.
If it isn't original, you need to pull everything off.
Period.
I don't see why anyone would care at all unless you're selling it, then return it to original or disclose the changes
The problem with the "it's your bass, do what you want" line of thinking is simple: It's your bass, but it's not your trademark. It's not your company, it's not your logo. You own the physical object that is the bass, but Fender owns the right to put their name on something, and to decide when it is and isn't a Fender product.
Personally, I can't see the allure in putting a fake logo on anything. Be it a bass or a toaster or a car, I'd feel like an idiot putting a name on it that isn't accurate. It wouldn't make me feel proud or cool or anything positive.
Personally, I can't see the allure in putting a fake logo on anything. Be it a bass or a toaster or a car, I'd feel like an idiot putting a name on it that isn't accurate. It wouldn't make me feel proud or cool or anything positive.
I say put one on if you want. What the difference if somebody builds a partscaster and paints it "fiesta red"? Isn't it possible that someday somebody might disassemble that guitar and that body could possibly be mistaken for a fender?
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
The biggest issue on the secondary market is customer confusion. As I have said, how often do we have a "is this a real Fender" thread (probably 2x/week at least). Then everyone is up in arms about how someone is selling a possibly phony Fender - either intentionally or not.
Can't have it both ways folks.
Can't have it both ways folks.
How are all these Squier necks being sold on eBay with Fender decals? Is it possible that Fender is turning a blind eye, knowing that it sells more guitars by allowing it?
I had a '83 Fender p bass that had a Carruthers (L.A. Luthier) custom maple Jazz neck with no logo on it that I played a million shows and toured with for almost 10 years, and never once did some one say "hey dude, where's your logo?"
a lot of confessions in this one! lol,.. i'm going to Book Mark this thread for review the next time i shop for a Fender on TB. 
