This doesn't really hold up. Fender knows damn well that if someone wants a Fender logo on their Warmoth neck, they will get it, one way or another. Also, people do all kinds of unspeakable things to real Fenders that make them hideous, all the while leaving the Fender name on them.
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Replica build, decals, and morality
- Thread starter Plectrum72
- Start date
This doesn't really hold up. Fender knows damn well that if someone wants a Fender logo on their Warmoth neck, they will get it, one way or another. Also, people do all kinds of unspeakable things to real Fenders that make them hideous, all the while leaving the Fender name on them.
Since the OP is making the instrument, the onus is on him to ensure no one ever misrepresents his creation as a genuine licensed product. He can do with this bass as he pleases, as he has said he intends to do. All I was saying in regards to your post is that the chain of honesty cannot be guaranteed by the OP. The only thing he can control is whether or not this bass says "Fender" on the headstock when it leaves his possession.
I can't imagine why Fender would endorse this. It would be adding their approval when they never see the end product.
Well, I can see that point, but then why does Fender license neck production out at all? The headstock is as much a trademark as the logo.
I'm guessing because Warmoth necks are designed to be replacements for Fender necks?
LOL! Seriously?
How many people are going to follow up every time their bass changes hands?
Exactly, sir. So, if Fender allows Warmoth to reproduce the only part of a Fender that is trademark protected with the idea being it's a replacement, then why no logo?
Of course, everyone knows that Warmoth necks are not just replacements. They make versions with exotic woods that Fender wouldn't dream of making. But still, Fender OK's the production of the headstock in wenge, or whatever. It just all seems very inconsistent.
I don't know. Maybe Fender specs don't include a neck made of bubinga, wenge, etc.?
I've already made up my mind that I'm doing this, but I'm curious (and a little bored), what is the TB community's take is on this?
I'm building a Warmoth shortscale (30") replica of an 80s MIJ Fender Jazz Bass Special. I'll be adding some wood to the headstock to get the correct Fender shape. My plan is to put the Warmoth water slide decal on the back of the headstock where a s/n would normally be and Fender JBS decal on the front of the headstock.
Thoughts?
By the time I'm done, it would probably have been cheaper to buy a Jazz Bass Special, but they don't come in 30" scale
*edited to correct spelling
Sounds like a very cool plan, go for it!
As an off-topic aside, apparently there are 32" scale MIJ Jazz Bass Specials out there. I'd *love* to get my hands on one of them!
We don't know EXACTLY what "licensed by Fender" really means. It could be that Warmoth, and Allparts, Mighty Mite...whoever, pay just to SAY that only to increase sales and to provide the appearance that these necks are the customers best options. I suspect this is the case, since their patent on their necks has run out (I assume) and they could make them anyway, without this label. In any event, I imagine that the ubiquitousness of Fender style basses and parts, and only serves to strengthen the Fender name, and as a result, it's good for business.
Warmoth has their license from Fender posted so you can see exactly what it says. It's a good read
The headstock design isn't patented. It is under trademark protection, which doesn't run out. No one is free to make Fender necks without a license.
It's not on the OP to ensure that the bass is *never* misrepresented. It's only his onus to ensure that the *next* sale does not misrepresent the facts. By your logic, Fender is liable for anything done with any Fender-made guitar. It should be their responsibility to ensure just and fair use of their instruments if it's OP's responsibility to do the same. Can we put the CEO of Fender in jail when someone slaps a Sadowsky sticker on one?
Again, why is this OP's responsibility? Have you ensured that everything you have ever sold in your life is still being used in a lawful manner regardless of the ownership chain?
This is about misrepresentation. The CEO of Fender is not responsible for changes someone makes to their instruments, the person who made the changes is. The OP is the one making changes to the instrument/parts he is buying/building. You're grasping at straws with that one. And before you even say it, he has already stated he's going to modify the headstock on the non-Fender-licensed 30" neck Warmoth offers to make it look like a Fender. He is manipulating it.
And at every step he has been completely honest about it. We have no doubt that what he is building is non-Fender. Problem solved.
So, Duder, would you be cool with it if I didn't modify the shape of the Warmoth Warhead headstock to look like a Fender headstock, but still put a Fender decal on it and then leave the Warmoth decal and my stamp off the back? Then in the extremely unlikely event I do sell it, the headstock shape can inform future buyers instead of the reverse side decal and stamp. Again, this would be in addition to the ability to check the base of the neck and neck pocket. Or would it still be too easy to fool ignorant buyers?
Lmao, many of you are having fun arguing hypotheticals when I have yet to build the bass. Let's go with the hypothetical assumption I will do as I've said in regards to the build. Or is that hypothetical too far out there?
Lmao, many of you are having fun arguing hypotheticals when I have yet to build the bass. Let's go with the hypothetical assumption I will do as I've said in regards to the build. Or is that hypothetical too far out there?
I kept thinking I was in a discussion, but it quickly devolved into ridiculous (assumed joking) hypotheticals (killing a person? Really?). That said, what any TB member may or may not be cool with doesnt matter. We're just a bunch of fools debating the morality of a sticker on a bass that doesn't exist. We'll probably do it again, too.
Regardless of what you decide to do, I hope you post the progress here so we can see your ideas come to life. I really love watching build threads.
Hah, that's what I thought too. I had 3 Warmoth basses and thought I would keep them all forever. Now I only have one, but it's definitely the best of the 3!
I've already made up my mind that I'm doing this, but I'm curious (and a little bored), what is the TB community's take is on this?
I'm building a Warmoth shortscale (30") replica of an 80s MIJ Fender Jazz Bass Special. I'll be adding some wood to the headstock to get the correct Fender shape. My plan is to put the Warmoth water slide decal on the back of the headstock where a s/n would normally be and Fender JBS decal on the front of the headstock.
Thoughts?
By the time I'm done, it would probably have been cheaper to buy a Jazz Bass Special, but they don't come in 30" scale
*edited to correct spelling
My thought is... why..? Why bother with all that? Who are you trying to impress? Are you so gear insecure that you think that actually means something? No offense.. It's like putting a Bently emblem on your Chrysler 300 ... why..?
Please see post #153 Replica build, decals, and morality
I have owned/own a Fender. It's not gear insecurity.
