That makes sense.

I for one wouldn't want a Fender logo on my home built guitar because it isn't a Fender, plain and simple. If you look at my thread I spent an hour or so making a Bender logo but now I'm told there is a make of guitar called Bender. My latest idea is Mender as in 'mend a guitar'.

I'm aslo planning MAD in Dorset on the back of the headstock. Perhaps a certificate on non-authenticity, hell why not a spec sheet?

All I'm saying is why would Paris put his guitars on here making everyone aware if he was trying to pull a fast one. Just my 5 cents.

Sure there will be a problem later in the World's history when some dude is posting on here asking 'is this fake - what's a Paris guitar' - which is what needs to be addressed.

hostility here is not towards home built guitars - it's when a guitar that is clearly not a Fender gets a Fender logo slapped on it.

Partscasters are fine as long as it is disclosed to potential buyers that the guitar is not STOCK. In the case of a partscaster, if it's got a Fender neck that already had the logo, fine. But if you change the neck to a non-fender neck - you should not slap that logo on it.

At the same time, if you chose to buy a Partscaster it's buyer beware...unless you know your stuff you have no way of knowing exactly what you're getting. It could be a genuine strat that's gone through a lot of upgrades. It could be like Clapton's Blackie - a strat assembled from the best parts of multiple genuine strats (still a stock strat but taking advanatage of the differences between models or inconsistancies) ...or it could be a guitar built from multiple brands - if you know your stuff you can identify the brands to determine if the quality of it's parts are worth the seller's asking price.

Exception to this might be if you've got the Fender body and swapped a neck that is licensed by Fender like the ones made by Warmoth, but even then I feel that's pushing it. On the other hand, I hear the reason they have the "licensed by Fender" designation is that Fender is outsourcing production of their necks to keep up with demand...but I believe there is a process before you can get a real Fender logo to slap on a replacement neck from Warmoth. If I remember correctly, I think there needs to be proof that you own a genuine Fender before a logo gets provided.

If it's a copy that clearly isn't labeled a Fender--no issue with me here.
There are fenders I like and I also like G&L's and also the Godin Progression is a great Strat style guitar.

But those who make a copy & put a Fender label on it & sell it as Fender--that's illegal and unethical.
It's lying and stealing.
It's wrong.

I have a Les Paul copy and an EB-3 copy (Gibson SG shaped bass)
Neither one is a Gibson, and neither says it's a Gibson.
SO, yes I would own a copy, but I would never knowingly buy a fake/counterfeit

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

I agree with some of the lads on here, fake fenders being passed off for real ones is wrong. in saying that i own 3 fender copys, 2 strats and a tele, and i have gutted them all and replaced them all with legit hardware, pickups etc and they absoloutely freaking pump, especially one of my strats with 2 texas specials and a sh-4 jb i did this for my own personal gain and even though it says MADE IN USA its not , these guitars will never be sold they are my sentimental valued guitars, people often say to me oh my god that fender strat signature is nuts and ill reply saying its a chinese copy mate, i leave people gob smacked all the time even most dicriminative " i hate fender copys" kind of people.
obviously there is a difference in the fake fender to a real usa made one, as in the body and the neck features but when it comes to sound the fake fenders hold their own, i cant seem to hear much of a difference in them when they have upgraded hardware, and as long as its comfortable for you to play, you definetly get the bang for your buck i bought a copy strat for $320, spent $600 on it and nows it an axe. mind you if i went and bought the real fender (in which i cant its a discontinued guitar now) it would cost me $3000-$5000, theyre good guitars for the price.

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"Just because a guitarist's fingers move quick, it does not make them have all the talent and skill"

"Melodic is the key"
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Richie Sambora Fender Strat
Parts-o-Caster
Floyd Rose DST3
Crate 120w stack amp

It must be down to intent: whether the idea is to rip someone off or just for personal use and enjoyment.

I started working on guitars to see why my masterbuilt is the best guitar on the planet~!!!

So I bought a Mexican strat (good starting point) and went to work on it. It is excellent, but it still isn't a master-built of course. Spookily I and have had 2 guys who have played it and want to buy it but it is my office guitar.

I guess the bottom line is don't put a Fender logo on anything that isn't a Fender, then there can't be a problem down the road.

Love your comment. You might have something there. Why is that logo so important? I know for myself I left the head stock blank for a about five years and it really bothered me have this big empty spot where a logo should be.

Thanks for your input.

Thanks! I appreciate that. Thanks for your input. I don't mind the criticism. If I didn't want to the truth from people, I wouldn't have asked. I'm a big boy with thinker skin than others.

You did the right thing. Thanks for your input.

Awesome response about the future. It is something I hadn't thought about when I build my guitars.

And about posting my guitars: If I were a bank robber (which I'm not. I'm just going to put htat out there right now. I know some body get the wrong idea), why would I do something so foolish like telling the world I was going to rob a bank the day before I did it? That's right, I'm not robbing a bank.

Thanks for your input.

Thanks, for everyone's input. There are so many different points of view and sides to this.

Let me put forth another question that might bake your noodle or at the least warm it a little.

What about licensed Fender copy necks and bodies? A person who's trying to rip someone off could make a very good copy of a vintage Fender guitar and then say, "The logo has worn away, but trust me it's legit."
Isn't just building a guitar in the Shape of a Strat and Fender shaped head stock a fraud in itself? Why did we (for those who a have built them) chose this head stock or body shape? Because we thought it looked pretty. That's why, because we liked the shape.

What if you had an actual Fender guitar and the logo did get warn away? What do you do then?

What if you had a Fender CS guitar and you lost the paperwork? My general rule of thumb is question anything that claims to be Fender CS, but is missing the paper work or has been modified.

What happens when you swap out some parts on your real deal Fender guitar? I'd still buy it if I liked it.

What if...

The truth is that people need to educate themselves (buyer and sellers), sellers need to be honest and people who spot fakes need to let a potential buyer or seller know that the deal is.

Buying and selling guitars is a matter of trust. If I ever (and I doubt I will) sell my fake Fenders I'm planning on taking off the logos. It's the right thing to do.

Shaky I read that thread and you have done such a great job on that I wouldn't put any other brand name on that. I like the Bender name but I suffer from a similar issue. I recently refinished a guitar that was a step away from the burn pile. It looks like a Jackson but with its custom yellow and black look I wouldn't want to give them credit.
But, the headstock looks pretty empty.

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TOO MANY GUITARS, TOO LITTLE TIME!

Current Stable:
Fender Stratocaster MIM 07
Squire II Stratocaster MIK 89?
ESP LTD MH-100QM
Jackson KE3 Kelly MIJ

Nice guitar. Since the head stock is empty, do you feel that you should put something on it?

Yes, I have been thinking a nice black decal with an original name would be nice. I have what I need to make it, just not the name to print. I have racked my brain with things like Stinger, and Bumble. The bee references seem trite but if it fits.

_________________
TOO MANY GUITARS, TOO LITTLE TIME!

Current Stable:
Fender Stratocaster MIM 07
Squire II Stratocaster MIK 89?
ESP LTD MH-100QM
Jackson KE3 Kelly MIJ

This might not be your cup of tea, but what about the following:
Yellow Jacket
Use the Plymouth/Dodge Super Bee logo.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=dodge+su ... 29,r:4,s:0

Here are some photos of the car. It might inspire you.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=dodge+su ... 29,r:1,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=yellow+p ... =124&ty=64

http://www.netcarshow.com/dodge/2012-ch ... super_bee/

Also your guitar reminds me of razor sharp objects. Like a really sharp knife, a razor blade preditor. Names like:

Raptor
Jaguar
Puma

I also thought of old school bobbers and cafe' racers when I saw you guitar.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Those are all super Ideas. Thanks a bunch. I had thought about asking the general forum for ideas but since it isn't a Fender I didn't figure it would fit.

_________________
TOO MANY GUITARS, TOO LITTLE TIME!

Current Stable:
Fender Stratocaster MIM 07
Squire II Stratocaster MIK 89?
ESP LTD MH-100QM
Jackson KE3 Kelly MIJ