dingus

Hi all. I've been lurking for quite awhile, never posted before. And I'm afraid this first one's a rant. Here's goes:

Fender guitars is a well known corporate bully. Any small guitar company that produces anything with strings and a pickup is likely to be threatened by them with legal action. I can't tell you how many stories of intimidation I've heard over the years. Now, apparently, they're trying to patent/tradmark the cutaway, for god's sake. You cannot build a modern electric guitar without one. [a cutaway is the part of a guitar body that is cut away to allow access to the highest frets on the guitar]

These bastards regularly threaten and intimidate individual guitar builders who are barely scratching out a living, and who certainly don't have the resources to fight a big corporation. Fender is going after builders producing their own original designs! You don't even have to copy them to subject yourself to the possibility of financial ruin.

I resolve to never buy another Fender product and to discourage others from doing the same. I hope you will join me in this effort. Spread it around.

edit: linky bad

ratbastid

Yeah, that's pretty evil.

On the other hand, if you'd produced the Stratocaster, probably the most iconic guitar in all of rock and roll, and then seen that designe mimicked and copied all over the place, totally diluting the look and appeal of the thing, I'll bet you'd get pretty litigious too.

Hell, I own a pretty decent Japanese strat look-alike. Doesn't really sound much like a strat or play much like a strat, but from across a dark room it sure LOOKS like a strat!

OFKU0

This is why God gave us Gibson guitars.

But seriously, if some guitar makers used their creativity rather than just providing Strat or Les Paul knock offs, this probably wouldn't be an issue.

But then again, if anyone seriously wants a quality instrument that will last more than a lifetime, they will go with the real deal. If Fender feels it's not making the profit they want, or feel that the copy cats are cutting to deeply into their profit, they should reevaluate their own protocal to make an even better guitar.

In an indirect context, many people feel they deserve to download free music and that since it is made available to them, that right is ensconched. Same with guitars. You can buy a Strat for 3 grand or get a knock off that is similar in quality for 1/2 or 1/3 the price. That's capitalism.

I certainly didn't notice Fender guitars complaining about the Japanese Squier series guitars (junk) that they endorsed and flooded the market with in the 80's for all those people who couldn't afford Fender Strats.

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

kl0pper

yeah just go gibson
theyre better guitars anyways...

thespian86

Yes, I am tired of the high prices and Corporate bullying. Fender does make a good guitar but there are better ones, even cheaper ones that are better. Stupid jerks <makes mean face>

__________________
EX: Whats new?
ME: I officially love coffee more then you now.
EX: uh...
ME: So, not much.

OFKU0

I also have to wonder if Fender is trying this tactic not only for the Strat and Tele copies, but also to cut into PRS (Paul Reed Smith) guitars which are becoming hugely popular.

PRS guitars have borrowed and slightly modified the general shape of the Strat but I feel the overall quality is 3 nights and 2 days better than the Strat. I like the thicker neck, somewhat reminisent of a Les Paul rather than the thin Strat neck. The only problem ( for me anyways) is the positioning of the 3 or 5 way toggle switch located below the pickups. This is where the Les Paul wins again with it's toggle switch above the pick ups( on most models)

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

moonstrucksoul

if i were a manufacturer, i would have been tired along time ago about all the knockoffs, but they should have done something before. if there weren't copyright infringements then, there shouldn't be any now.

they should develop something totally new, then they can copyright it all they want.

__________________
no signature required

Memnoch

If you want a quality fender-esque guitar, go with Jackson. They've got the thin necks, solid bodies and a great sound.

__________________
Doing my best not to end up like Kathleen Chang.

merkerguitars

Well they are trying to prevent people from making cheap duplicates. And they did create the "S" body style of guitar. And yes you can make a guitar with a cutaway, just a different design of cutaway.

__________________
Donate now! Ask me How!

Please use the search function it is your friend.

Look at my mustang please feel free to comment!

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

RoboBlaster

Bullying smaller companies is what business is all about. It sucks, but that's the way it is.

Smimpinj

Those rat bastards. Oh well it leaves the palns to save up for a Les Paul seeming even more desirable.

ratbastid

Watch it.

Stare At The Sun

^ Lol

I have a Fender Strat myself. Though, how they are really bullying other companies is not cool. Competition is good for all.