God forbid I want to talk about the actual situation at hand instead of hypothetical situations. So, steering it back to the OP; @Plectrum72 did you plan on buying a counterfeit decal or making your own?
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Replica build, decals, and morality
- Thread starter Plectrum72
- Start date
Hopkins
Commercial User
That does not look at all like a genuine Fender logo, as it is not filled in with metallic ink. Most of the fake Fender logos are black with a gold outline which is much more difficult to do
Hopkins
Commercial User
Welp, in my case, that was the point, to make someone chuckle. Me.
Cheesy? Man, you're gonna hate my Jazz bass then.
Invalid Link Removed...it used to day "Fakland". In Lakland font...boy, that'd drive you bonkers wouldn't it? But hey, I don't delude myself... It's an SX, it doesn't get gigged ever, infact, it isn't even currently wired. and besides, I could never pass it off as a Fender BECAUSE of the headstock shape, which makes the dumb logo even funnier (to me).
That's just it, again, in my case the bass WAS A FENDER. More of a Fender than what the OP is spinning. But, with the new neck, not *as* Fender, but still. Am I supposed to disavow its Made In El Meh-hee-Co provenance now?
Warmoth tips their hat in the form of licensing so they in turn get the sales BECAUSE so many people are hung up on that shape. Hell, so does Mighty Mite and their necks are a hundred bucks. Even so, people pop logos on those all day long when you can get a new MIM legit Fender neck, WITH decal, for a hundred or so more. Why? I dunno. Sadowsky and the like are where they are in spite of having a different headstock shape because 99% of the other design cues are retained, and they can only do THAT because Fender ONLY trademarked the headstock shape...or we'd have a total Rickenbacker scenario on our hands.
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Hopkins
Commercial User
Considering the counterfeit logos for both are being bought from the same counterfeiters there is a direct connection. Also, I am sure that everyone that puts a counterfeit logo on a Squier has no intentions on selling it and only do it for the sake of a tribute, yet they turn up on craigslist constantly. And people end up paying Fender prices for a Squire because they don't know what to look for.
The two facts that contravene this are abundantly clear. First, it is possible to create a decal at home and there are numerous threads on TB about that. Second is that there are multiple options to keep the bass off the market or render fraud a non-issue such as what the OP suggested. All I need is a clear path for one instance where it's not wrong to make my point. You are trying to say because something is sometimes wrong it should always be wrong, and that's not the way it works.
That was more or less my point in my first post in this thread. Fender licenses neck production to several companies, but a) doesn't allow them to put a Fender logo on them, and b) make it impossible to obtain a Fender logo from Fender. They are just asking for people to buy a third party logo to complete their build or restoration. Personally, I wouldn't bother, but it's perfectly reasonable for someone to want to have Fender logo on their Fender-approved headstock.
Hopkins
Commercial User
Counterfeiting is wrong regardless of the reasons behind it. You are claiming the reputation of someone else
Again easily contravened. When a high end builder not associated with Fender creates a replica instrument that has the Fender logo for a high profile musician, not only does Fender turn a blind eye, they actually appreciate the compliment and free advertising. Counterfeit is a term most commonly used to describe an industrial scale production or purposely commercial act of creating and the associated selling of an item. You are using the counterfeit label on a replica or tribute bass in order to stigmatize it. It appears the OP is not the only one who should be careful about misusing labels.
It's only a counterfeit if the decals are presented without disclaimers, or other logos to identify it as not original. The OP has indicated that he's including such disclaimers in easy, obvious ways -- therefore not a counterfeit.
OP chiming in here to answer some queries. I plan on crafting my own Fender waterslide since it doesn't seem anymore difficult than modifying the headstock. To those talking about selling it as fraudulent Fender, if I did it would be at $200 loss for me to a not-too-bright individual who believes Fender made 30" scale Jazz Bass Specials. For those curious about the why of it all, for me, it is precisely because Fender never built a 30" Jazz Bass Special (80s MIJ model) and I want a bass that looks like one of the heroes of my youth (Duff's bass). Those that think it's silly, all I can say is, no more so than any company selling signature series basses to those who admire and/or want to sound like a particular artist and think having their bass will be part of the sound formula. I do not plead ignorance to the controversy this thread has started; however, I admit I never thought it would generate enough interest or vitriol to last past 3 pages.
- Aug 3, 2007
- 1,678
- 2,146
- Disclosures
- Current: Blackstar, DR strings, Nady. Previous endorsements with: GK, Rotosound, Ernie Ball, Cleartone, EMG, Dean, Dava Picks, Rebel Straps, Dickies
I don't hate your jazz, and your logos don't, "drive me bonkers" in the least. There's a difference between something I see and don't care for, and being moved to a degree in which it irritates me or causes me some unrest. I doubt you put that logo on your bass seeking the approval of blubass from some bass forum. Seems you did it for yourself, you appreciate it, and rightly so, your opinion on your instrument is all that matters. Just as the OP already has their mind made up and was seeking opinions regardless. If you truly wanted my opinion on your decal, you could always ask. Had this topic never came up, you would have never known, and somehow i don't think it would have affected you at all.
- Aug 3, 2007
- 1,678
- 2,146
- Disclosures
- Current: Blackstar, DR strings, Nady. Previous endorsements with: GK, Rotosound, Ernie Ball, Cleartone, EMG, Dean, Dava Picks, Rebel Straps, Dickies
I attempted to convey the same light-hearted attitude but, I like typing and I'm long-winded so it doesn't show through.I get it, I was being flip my friend. Hence all the
Hopkins
Commercial User
Give me of an example of this happening. What high end builder would use anything but his own label on a bass he built? And Fender would damn sure have a problem with someone else profiting off of their trademark. Your entire scenario is ridiculous
Secondly, counterfeit is the appropriate term because it is an illegal reproduction of a trademark.
I love that Turtle! If/when I build a Warmoth, I'm putting the turtle on the headstock!
Ghost Builders - The True Story?
And your definition of counterfeit being because it uses a trademark is overly broad. The Miata with a Merceded emblem is clearly using a protected trademark and yet is clearly not a counterfeit anything.
