This is interesting... Sire MM Bass???

[XLunacy]

This is ridiculous.
Someone needs to trademark the 19mm bridge spacing and mess with EBMM

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I'm not saying they should abandon their more affordable business model. I just wish they made an additional higher tier of their product lines that sat somewhere around Lakeland Skyline quality.

They do make higher tier instruments. The V10 is $1,499.

 

[DWBass]

Is it just me, or is it a huge turnoff when a company like this blatantly copies? I have zero dire to purchase this

So Music Man is off limits but there are hundreds of companies making jazz style basses and everyone is ok with it? SX got lots of love. Glarry is up next. MM and Fender are out of control with their prices. The average weekend warrior who's barely getting by can't afford them. This a great alternative. Even the SBMM instruments are a great and affordable alternative. Licensed but NOT built by MM. You may be in small company. It's all good.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

They do make higher tier instruments. The V10 is $1,499.

They also got a bangin’ looking single cut now the F10! Comes in a 5 and 6 string

 

[TrustRod]

Is it just me, or is it a huge turnoff when a company like this blatantly copies? I have zero dire to purchase this

Totally!

And cool Ric clone in your avatar.

 

[Lammchop93]

Totally!

And cool Ric clone in your avatar.

I built that for myself. Not to sell and profit. Totally different scenarios here.

 

[TrustRod]

I agree but only partly. The "original" violin is, as far as I know, nobody's creation. The well known design resulted after centuries of slow and diffuse evolution and today, every manufacturer who makes violins, follows pretty much the same design.

Current makes often use a specific builders model and shape and not a generic design. Strad = Strat in this regard.

 

[TrustRod]

Looking at this picture, EBMM could sue Sire for copying their G string placement since it appears to be very close to the edge of the fingerboard.

Oh snap!!!

To my eyes it looks like they changed the shape of all the parts, and none of them to my liking. That said I still think it will sell tons.

 

[jimmydean]

Don't worry about litigation , how you going to explain that big box from Sweetwater at your door........again ?

 

[TrustRod]

I don't think anyone is commenting on the clone status just the fact that they went with a 3+1 tuner combo that EBMM has a legal right too.

If it's a patent it's expired. From previous though very obtuse discussions this seems to be a trademark of the text 3+1, not an ownership of any headstock with a 3+1 layout as there are others out there. Even reading Sterling's post it seems worded to suggest more than it is.

 

[TrustRod]

I actually am not totally positive how it all breaks down. I always thought they had legal rights to the 3+1 and 4+2 layout. I have not seen anyone else ever do it

 

[TrustRod]

I built that for myself. Not to sell and profit. Totally different scenarios here.

Of course. But there are also similarities.

 

[TrustRod]

Was just looking at a past thread here on the topic and it's seems that it's a package deal; shape, tuner layout and the term "3+1".

That's what I remember. Did they use the term Trade Dress? That allows a looser interpretation restricting not just copies but similar items meant to be confused as another. Which I think Sire could fall under. If they have 10 years and lawyer money to waste on it.

 

[Johnny Alien]

View attachment 5330995

I know nothing about Alembic but I do know that Yamaha went to a 2X2 variation of that headstock because EBMM went after them. But honestly what does it matter. They either do have a trademark at this point or they don't. If they do then Sire will have to go to the normal headstock (which they should have just done in the first place IMO)

 

[TrustRod]

I'm not a lawyer but here's an interesting link regarding the EBM trademark:

Link Removed

Thanks for posting that, I think we'll all interpret what it means differently. This seems to be only for the illustration. Not any actual instruments.

 

[TrustRod]

Invalid Link Removed

Interesting they list the Prosecution History.

 

[TrustRod]

They either do have a trademark at this point or they don't. If they do then Sire will have to go to the normal headstock (which they should have just done in the first place IMO)

An interesting question. I can't imagine Sire didn't know what MM looks like or that they sue a lot. That suggests an agreement is in place, or Sire is going Rogue. Pun intended.

 

[IotaNet]

… Sire is going Rogue ...

(Dad joke alert … from a Grandpa)

 

[factory presets]

I highly doubt they would release these basses without advise from their lawyers.

Maybe EBMM is happy to send a message to SBMM that decent quality at that price is entirely doable.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

3+1 headstock too? There's some lawyers suiting up...

There are numerous copies (not OLP) with 3+1. I suspect that ship has sailed.