Copying Famous Bass Shapes

[NJE]

Not too sure where I am going with this but I might find out while I am writing it.

I have just been flicking through the Fodera website thinking how much I love the Imperial 5 body shape. It has to be the only singlecut design I really 100% love and would love to own. I am not sure why really, I think its the the way the top of the bass kind of looks like a G&L Asat / telecatser. In my own very weird way I think it kind of looks like the kind of singlecut leo Fender would have designed.

I could never afford a fodera in a million years and to be honest as nice as they are (nice may be an understatement) the only thing that really appeals to me about the instrument is the aesthetic. So it got me asking the question "would another luthier be happy replicating the bass almost exactly?"

Now I know some people may say you buy a bass from a luthier because of the instruments they design, but everyone has a take on a J and P bass, so how would they feel about copying Fodera for example? They copy Fender so why not?

I do also understand that fender cannot copyright their designs which was brought to attention in the recent court battle, but do other manufacturers have copyright on their designs? I have seen so many singlecuts that looks so similar, or is it just headstock designs they copyright?

Sorry, my mind is just wondering everywhere today.

Cheers,

Nathan

[skankdelvar]

Fender failed to get the [i]body[/i] shapes copyrighted in US courts, but have reserved their right to sue in other jurisdictions. Some manufacturers are more aggressive than others in pursuing 'infringements' - Rickenbacker being famously litigious.

I'm sure you'd find a luthier somewhere who'd build you a Fodera replica - but probably not a 'name' luthier with a distinctive house-style of their own to promote. They might get a bit sniffy.

Mail a few and tell us what happens.

Edited September 24, 2009 by skankdelvar