Controversial gear opinions…….lets hear them.

[rsm]

I honestly just don't care that much about it - I have no problems buying or owning a fender, and no problems buying or owning a suhr

I care....because...reasons.


However, this thread is about controversial gear opinions, which is why I posted it here; again.


This is a Fender:

This is not:

Not a Fender

not a Fender:

not a Fender:

 

[MadAsAHatter]

I care....because...reasons.


However, this thread is about controversial gear opinions, which is why I posted it here; again.


This is a Fender:

View attachment 452310


This is not:

View attachment 452309


Not a Fender


View attachment 452311


not a Fender:

View attachment 452312

not a Fender:

View attachment 452320

Obvious Strat copies, no argument from me there; other than the PRS headstcock looks ass end ugly on a Strat body.

Would you consider this a Strat copy? Or would it be different enough to fall under the inspired by category and not be subject to copyright?

 

[Findthetone1]

Unfortunately the real fix is a 12ax7 suppository, but for the best results it needs to go in, pins first.

My dentist keeps suggesting this.....

 

[rsm]

Obvious Strat copies, no argument from me there; other than the PRS headstcock looks ass end ugly on a Strat body.

Would you consider this a Strat copy? Or would it be different enough to fall under the inspired by category and not be subject to copyright?

View attachment 452321

just my opinion, it's close but different enough in the body shape; most super strats are different enough; they're not so close that without seeing the headstock or in some cases inlays it's difficult to tell them apart.


Find someone who doesn't play guitar, show them only pics of the body of the guitars I posted, see if they think they look the same: forms, shapes, design and proportions. I know I couldn't tell them apart without seeing the headstock, name or in some cases inlays.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

just my opinion, it's close but different enough in the body shape; most super strats are different enough; they're not so close that without seeing the headstock or in some cases inlays it's difficult to tell them apart.


Find someone who doesn't play guitar, show them only pics of the body of the guitars I posted, see if they think they look the same: forms, shapes, design and proportions. I know I couldn't tell them apart without seeing the headstock, name or in some cases inlays.

As long as it's only direct copies being subject to copyright we're talking about and excluding modified/inspired by then I'm on board with your argument of Fender having a right to defend that specific shape. I think there's enough room for companies to a Strat-ish shape that has the same vibe without being a 1:1 copy that no one could tell the difference without some other identifier. For instance PRS could easily do 3 single coils on the body below and to me it'd give the same Strat vibe without being a Strat.

 

[JackBootedThug]

All modded Marshalls sound like boogies.

 

[skoora]

My dentist keeps suggesting this.....

4 out 5 I believe.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

4 out 5 I believe.

What happened to that 5th one???

 

[Music&Chaos]

we can most certainly prove Leo sold his original Fender designs to CBS, and onward from there to FMIC today.

you might want to do the research yourself since you continue to doubt what I post. FMIC owns Leo's original designs, more recently Fender purchased G&L’s intellectual property rights, which primarily include the trademarks to Leo Fender's name, his likeness, and his signature.

CBS acquired the absolute legal rights to manufacture and sell Leo Fender’s iconic guitar designs. This was a comprehensive buyout of the company's entire intellectual property portfolio. All of which passed to FMIC in the 1985 buyout, and to Servco Pacific who owns FMIC today. FMIC did not buy the Fullerton, CA factory which is why it was moved to Corona, CA.

There are no questions, concerns, doubts or ambiguity about who owns Leo's original Fender designs, name, signature, etc., except for you and few others...I didn't realize people still had difficulty searching the internet in 2026, but here we are...deny away...


View attachment 452304

If they own the designs then they can produce the documents that say so. Not much to go on about.