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Rate My Custom Headstock Logo!

#41
I like it. The font and swash have a nice classic look to them. I do hope you can find the font "unworn" since the aging doesn't add to the integrity of the logo. Try myfonts.com. Keep that white outline! It pops the black lettering. The weight looks fine to me.

I have no trouble with the font for "custom basses." Sans serif is a good choice. The only problem with the font is the worn logo against the clean subtitle. The curve in "custom basses" starts a bit too soon though and drops it onto the curve on the headstock. Changing that to a shorter term would get rid of the need to curve it at all!

I too thought the S and O should be tracked (kerned) tighter, but on closer inspection they are where they should be. Connect them and the floating "on" will be taken care of.

I see you've used the natural shortness of the T to fit the curve in ATK to the string holder. At first I thought the logo and swash looked cramped but on living with it for a while it looks fine.

Copyright symbol?

Very nice. Now I have to go look at your basses. Yikes!
--c.
 
#47
Doesn't Fender have a history of sending C&D letters to people who build/produce instruments using the Fender headstock shape + their own logo in that spot (on the headstock)? As I recall, Nash had to stop putting his logo on the headstock of his instruments if he wanted to continue using the Fender headstock shape because of a trademark infringement lawsuit.
 
#51
Dave Muscato said:
Doesn't Fender have a history of sending C&D letters to people who build/produce instruments using the Fender headstock shape + their own logo in that spot (on the headstock)? As I recall, Nash had to stop putting his logo on the headstock of his instruments if he wanted to continue using the Fender headstock shape because of a trademark infringement lawsuit.
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Really? That's discouraging. I didn't know Nash had a logo at one time.

Ugh. Well, I guess it's either have a logo and tweak the headstock shape (like Valenti), or have no logo.

Decisions!
 
#53
-=DanAtkinson=- said:
Really? That's discouraging. I didn't know Nash had a logo at one time.

Ugh. Well, I guess it's either have a logo and tweak the headstock shape (like Valenti), or have no logo.

Decisions!
Click to expand...

Yep, I was gonna mention this, but someone beat me to it. Fender headstock shape, no logo allowed on the front. You can put your logo on the back, however...or just modify the shape a little (like USA Custom Guitars or Guitar Mill does)
 
#55
I like the logo quite a bit, and like others would like it more in "non distressed" form. Yup, a bump to the right, and ditch the "custom basses" thing.

I tend to think that it's just kind of uneeded. Wouldn't expect to see Gibson Expensive Guitar on the headstock of an L-5.

I do very much like the baseball pennant style of logo though. Pretty cool.



I believe that some companies will produce a run of necks with a headstock of your own design.

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#57
-=DanAtkinson=- said:
How drastic does the modification need to be?
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more than 10% different without reusing any of their key design elements (whatever that means) ... shoot for at least 30% different and you'll most likely avoid the C&D leffter from Fender's legal team ;)

essentially it's got to be different enough that the average person looking at the two won't get confused over which is which. and when you finally succeed to dodge the Fender design bullet, you also need to research that you haven't tripped onto somebody else's headstock design in the process.

IMO/IME a usable headstock design is the toughest thing to get right in a design. 'anybody' can design a useable body shape, but getting a headstock right takes some real thought and design (or a total stroke of luck)


I also noticed you have a website for your basses. if you're not already familiar with the Commercial User Policy (CUP) you might just want to go study it to be sure you don't accidentally cross the line and find yourself on an "involuntary suspension." I offer this suggestion because of your comment in the original post re whether it was OK to post this topic or not. You should also update your profile to divulge that you are the builder of your basses

all the best,

R
 
#58
Rodent said:
more than 10% different without reusing any of their key design elements (whatever that means) ... shoot for at least 30% different and you'll most likely avoid the C&D leffter from Fender's legal team ;)

essentially it's got to be different enough that the average person looking at the two won't get confused over which is which. and when you finally succeed to dodge the Fender design bullet, you also need to research that you haven't tripped onto somebody else's headstock design in the process.

IMO/IME a usable headstock design is the toughest thing to get right in a design. 'anybody' can design a useable body shape, but getting a headstock right takes some real thought and design (or a total stroke of luck)


I also noticed you have a website for your basses. if you're not already familiar with the Commercial User Policy (CUP) you might just want to go study it to be sure you don't accidentally cross the line and find yourself on an "involuntary suspension." I offer this suggestion because of your comment in the original post re whether it was OK to post this topic or not. You should also update your profile to divulge that you are the builder of your basses

all the best,

R
Click to expand...

This.
 
#59
I don't mean to be the sole " I don't like this" person, but I just don't. It looks too much like the Oakland Athletics logo to me, as well as just a bit overwhelming. I too would encourage putting a spin on the head stock to truly make it your own, especially if you're wanting to put your name on it. I love the work you do, but I thought I would put in my critique.
 

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