Question about 4 x2 headstock

[IdleChater]

I understand that the headstock is trademark.

Does this apply to the 4 x 2 tuner configuration or can anyone use that as long as the the headstock shape is different?

 

[DrKev]

Hi! A quick google search suggests the answer to your question is "no". There are trademarks for BOTH the shape of the headstock AND the arrangement of the string posts and tuning keys.

Question - Trademark of tuners setup?

I am a musician for more than twenty years, due to the availability of information via the Internet, I decided to start making solid body electric guitar. Due to possible problems with the rights of original producers in connection with the shape of the guitar and headstock, I decided to make...

forums.ernieball.com

See also...

Trademark of Ernie Ball, Inc. - Registration Number 1632297 - Serial Number 74044289 :: Justia Trademarks

musical instruments, namely, guitars

trademarks.justia.com

Trademark of Ernie Ball, Inc. - Registration Number 3816107 - Serial Number 77407766 :: Justia Trademarks

Musical instruments, namely, guitars

trademarks.justia.com

 

[Sweat]

Wow did not know that, knew the head stock shape was trademarked, did not know the 4+2 was as well!

 

[IdleChater]

Hi! A quick google search suggests the answer to your question is "no". There are trademarks for BOTH the shape of the headstock AND the arrangement of the string posts and tuning keys.

Question - Trademark of tuners setup?

I am a musician for more than twenty years, due to the availability of information via the Internet, I decided to start making solid body electric guitar. Due to possible problems with the rights of original producers in connection with the shape of the guitar and headstock, I decided to make...

forums.ernieball.com

See also...

Trademark of Ernie Ball, Inc. - Registration Number 1632297 - Serial Number 74044289 :: Justia Trademarks

musical instruments, namely, guitars

trademarks.justia.com

Trademark of Ernie Ball, Inc. - Registration Number 3816107 - Serial Number 77407766 :: Justia Trademarks

Musical instruments, namely, guitars

trademarks.justia.com

I guess that settles that. I think it kinda blows - they take a Fender-style headstock, change it around a little and then trademark it? Words like "greedy" come to mind. But, whatever. Thanx for the info, Kev. BIG help!

 

[John C]

I guess that settles that. I think it kinda blows - they take a Fender-style headstock, change it around a little and then trademark it? Words like "greedy" come to mind. But, whatever. Thanx for the info, Kev. BIG help!

If I'm remembering correctly George Fullerton had come up with rough drawings of the 4+2 idea back in the original CLF Research/MM days; he was the guy who designed the 3+1 headstock on the basses. Leo Fender didn't go for the 4+2 design and the original MM guitars had a 6-in-line headstock. The current EBMM headstock was reworked from those drawings by Dudley Gimple and Sterling into the current version, which is trademarked, when they designed the first EBMM guitar model, the Silhouette.

 

[DrKev]

I guess that settles that. I think it kinda blows - they take a Fender-style headstock, change it around a little and then trademark it? Words like "greedy" come to mind. But, whatever. Thanx for the info, Kev. BIG help!

Millions of businesses all over the world have trademarks, it's part of the business world for over 150 years. It's not greedy, it's protection and it's normal across the guitar industry. Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Martin, PRS, Taylor all have trademarks on headstock shapes, as well as logos, product names, and fretboard and headstock inlay designs, pick guard shapes, etc.

You're allowed to be disappointed if you planned on copying it and selling it, but calling the company "greedy" for an absolutely normal business practice is not a good way to make yourself welcome on the forum. I'm sure you'll do better in future.

Closing this discussion. We don't need a pile on.