Cole Clark Horseshoe?

[aceonbass]

Although these are made in Australia, shouldn't RIC's trademarks and patents still apply? An excerpt from their website reads.....
"When you hear the new models of lap steel such as the Lap Dog (heavily influenced by such instruments as the Ricky Model ’59, but with modern techniques) and the Violap range which resonate visually (no pun intended) with the Weissenborns of the 1930’s, yet feature exact and advanced manufacturing techniques, you will understand why Lap Steel guitar is back to stay."

[ozover50]

I don't know the answer to that one, Dane. Fender pinged Cole Clark a few years back for making a copy of the Telecaster, so they have history.

[soundmasterg]

On the other hand the function of a Horseshoe pickup dictates a certain appearance, and you can't trademark functional aspects of a design from what I understand of the process.

Greg

[antipodean]

Hmmm, admitting the inspiration kind of leaves him open to some trademark enforcement.

[jingle_jangle]

ricky_ricardo.jpg (6.93 KiB) Viewed 2138 times

Fendy...Gibbsey...Eppy...Gretschy...er, Bigsby...

[aceonbass]

On the other hand the function of a Horseshoe pickup dictates a certain appearance, and you can't trademark functional aspects of a design from what I understand of the process.

Greg

That reasoning has been used before and it's always failed when RIC went after someone.

[grazioso]

On the other hand the function of a Horseshoe pickup dictates a certain appearance, and you can't trademark functional aspects of a design from what I understand of the process.

Greg

That reasoning has been used before and it's always failed when RIC went after someone.

perhaps this reasoning failed only because nobody took it to court for real - as far as i can tell everyone just changed their design after they got famed "rickenbacker letter" ....

[ricaddic]

Since Rickenbacker will no longer be makeing 4001C64's and 4001C64S's, wouldnt it be cool for them to start makeing them available to thier loyal customers via thier corperate site, refuse to pay the idiotic prices the blood sucking horses asses want for them on ebay.

[jingle_jangle]

Let yer feelings show, Angelo!

[ricaddic]

I think I just did !!!!!! LOL

[aceonbass]

If I thought I could get $800.00 for a Ricky bass horseshoe pickup on Ebay (as another forum member did quite recently) I would. That would not make me a horses ***. These things are not life essentials, they're something you want just because you do, and if someone out there is willing to pay big $$$ for one, then that's what they're worth. Are you saying that if you had one, you'd sell it to me for $150.00 before you'd sell it to someone else for $800.00? I didn't think so.

[ricaddic]

I tell you what you aint gonna belive me but those who really know me will know in not lieing, I would sell it for face value, if I paid 150.00 for it then thats what I would sell it for just interested in breaking even, I sold Ricks for what I paid for them and didnt put them on ebay to profit, just wanted what I paid for them, I know this is probibly hard for you to comprehend or understand, but that how I roll, so to answer your question, yes I would,

[aceonbass]

Then you are the only one. Off hand I can think of four long standing forum members, including myself, who have sold a RI horseshoe pickup for more than we paid for it. That might make us capitalists, but it does not make us blood sucking horses asses. Again, some perspective is needed here. These are guitar pickups, not food food, water or fuel sold at gauging prices after a natural disaster. Also remember that if you were able to sell a Rickenbacker for what you paid for it, then you were able to do so because Ricks are in high demand and don't depreciate at the usual rate of most guitars. The same principal applies to those pickups.

[ricaddic]

Exactly why the country and ecomy is the way it is, "GOOD JOB, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK"

[aceonbass]

If you think that's why OUR country and economy is the way it is, then you obviously have a VERY limited understanding of economics, coupled with a head that has apparently been in the sand for the past year. You should take your insults and condecending attitude someplace else. Perhaps to YOUR country.