A bit of infringement going on?

[marc61]

What do you think?



http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-Schecter-Starg ... 286.c0.m14

[blueflamerick]

No. Definitely inspired by a Rickenbacker bass, but not infringing on one. Headstock is a completely different shape, horns are shaped differently enough to be safe. Different pickup configuration, pickguard, bridge, bolt-on neck, etc.

By the by, I played one of these basses, and it felt great. Really low action and a fast, flat neck.

[woodyng]

i really like the headstock shape,and it does indeed look like it would be a good player.....the bridge/string through body,and rear pickup position are all nice features,but the body and neck binding makes me lose interest.... i see it as more of a "tribute" than an infringement,esp,since it's a bolt-on.....i don't think anyone would mistake it for a 4001/3.....

[bassassin]

I do like these - another bass going for a Rick feel without being a rip off. There's a version with maple board & black blocks that I find strangely attractive...



Not quite so blatantly influenced, either.

Jon.

[beatlefreak]

I concur - There's no infringement with this one.

[rickenbrother]

...horns are shaped differently enough to be safe.

Schecter has made this model for several years. But if I was the guy that was deciding whether or not it was too close the the 4000 series body shape, Schecter wouldn't have been able to make many of them.

[marc61]

The only reason I even brought it up was because the seller did, by using Rickenbacker in his heading. Over all it's no Ric, and it certainly has a Schecter headstock, but the body(shape and WEAK fg attempt) imo is borderline infringing.

[cassius987]

If I were in the market for a Schecter there appear to be some much nicer basses in their lineup than this one... while this may be a decent player the fact that it borrows so much from RIC makes me think that the whole appeal behind it is just in the looks. The Stilletto series look a lot more solid to me.

I believe I've heard previously that these are decent basses, just not SUPERB. Which is kind of what I expected, the "vintage look" is probably what they're trying to emphasis with this model (I think that says something kind of insulting about what they think about Ric users too though). On the other hand their demographic with the Stilletto line and others is obviously boutique players--look at the ads they take out in BPM. And heck, they really do intrigue me, so they're doing something right...

[Tarrbot]

I played one of these for about 2 minutes the other day in a store. I was bored at lunch and was wanting to waste some time.

I didn't really pay attention to the bass as I did the amp that kept trying to blow up on me while I was playing. Then I just got up and left without spending a lot of time with it.

Anyway, Schecter makes a lot of instruments that have a similar feel and look to others. Les Paul looking guitars, Flying Vs, Jazz basses, etc.

Other manufacturers make "tip of the hat" instruments that also mimic but not infringe upon stylistic features. One example I've seen recently was the Luna Gazelle. Note the bridge and inlays in particular. While they aren't copies, they are very similar in design and concept to specific Rics.

Obviously, it's in a hollow body so it's not even a close copy of a specific guitar--just that certain stylistic designs have been used that are very similar.

[YukonCor55]

A friend of mine has this same bass in black w/maple board. I palyed it a few weeks ago and I liked it alot. Great feeling neck but I generally go for maple boards anyway. I would have to say though that it hit me right away how much it attempted to look like a Ric. I guess you'd have to give kudos to Schecter's legal team for getting as close as possible without "crossing the line."

[FretlessOnly]

I do like these - another bass going for a Rick feel without being a rip off. There's a version with maple board & black blocks that I find strangely attractive...



Not quite so blatantly influenced, either.

Jon.

That looks to me like a Rickenfender Geddyglen Frey-Lee Jazz 2003.

[SamBailler]

Looks more like a Fender P to me, so you you could say it looks kinda like just about any other bass out there (including a Rick).

[jdogric12]

I'd be curious to know what components of the RIC designs, specifically, are the actual "protected" trademarks/tradedress. While I don't have any interest in it for myself, I think the Schecter is brilliant. They finally got away with what others tried and failed to do for 30+ years!

[wj350]

There are some similarities, but I don't think Schecter should sue.

[jingle_jangle]

Looks more like a Fender P to me, so you you could say it looks kinda like just about any other bass out there (including a Rick).

Yep, no question they all look alike...