Are luthiers allowed to make shortscale Warwick or Spector copies? But with a different headstock?

CocoaThumper

CocoaThumper

Aug 18, 2017
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#1
Ok, I see a ton of companies make copies of Fender bass bodies. Some well known companies too. And it seems like its expected and accepted in the market for companies and luthiers to do this.

What I don't really see is body copies of brands like Warwick, Spector, Rickenbacker, etc.

1. Are Warwick and Spector like Rickenbacker where they take legal action against people who make body copies?

2. I'm interested in contracting a luthier to make a shortscale bass with the bodystyle of an Spector NS/Warwick Streamer....but with my own specifications and a different headstock. Is this allowable? Just curious before I start asking a few different luthiers about this potential project.

If Spector and Warwick customs weren't over 5 and 6 thousand dollars I would contact them directly....but that's double what I've paid for a luthier to build me a bass from scratch in the past. Warwick has made custom shortscales for an artist or two....but its super expensive.
 
#2
I don't think a particular shape can be that closely guarded unless you use the exact same specs. Have them turn the horn a degree or two in the other direction and you should be good....

I really have no idea, though.
 
#3
Grumry said:
I don't think a particular shape can be that closely guarded unless you use the exact same specs. Have them turn the horn a degree or two in the other direction and you should be good....

I really have no idea, though.
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Interesting you say that....because I did want to point the shorter horn a little more toward the body.
 
#5
CocoaThumper said:
Ok, I see a ton of companies make copies of Fender bass bodies. Some well known companies too. And it seems like its expected and accepted in the market for companies and luthiers to do this.

What I don't really see is body copies of brands like Warwick, Spector, Rickenbacker, etc.

1. Are Warwick and Spector like Rickenbacker where they take legal action against people who make body copies?

2. I'm interested in contracting a luthier to make a shortscale bass with the bodystyle of an Spector NS/Warwick Streamer....but with my own specifications and a different headstock. Is this allowable? Just curious before I start asking a few different luthiers about this potential project.

If Spector and Warwick customs weren't over 5 and 6 thousand dollars I would contact them directly....but that's double what I've paid for a luthier to build me a bass from scratch in the past. Warwick has made custom shortscales for an artist or two....but its super expensive.
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That's because Fender licenses everyone and his brother to make "official" versions.
 
#6
A few questions, is the design still under patent protection? Are the design names under trade mark protection? I believe you can make a copy of the 51 pbass with out a problem. Not sure about some other names
 
#8
I can't imagine this being a problem for the luthier who builds it, unless it's identical to their body style and basically looks like a counterfeit. As soon as you change things in the design, it arguably becomes unique - it doesn't take too much. If they have never trademarked/patented/secured their body design, then you're really open. I'd just talk to a few luthiers to see if they will take this one for you. With a few changes, it should not be too much of a bother. I can tell you though that I'd be unlikely to duplicate another person's work exactly, but that's perhaps just me! :D
 
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#10
Jazz Ad said:
Warwick has been getting away with copying the NS design for 30 years and counting. I don't see a one shot being an issue.
However, I don't understand why you'd turn toward a luthier to get an instrument that already exists somewhere else.
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Find me a short scale streamer/NS body guitar for under $6,000. Because that's the minimum I'm looking at if I go through Warwick or Spector's custom shop and get them to build something to my specifications (me picking out everything).
 
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#11
guy n. cognito said:
Play one, standing, before you try this with a non-returnable custom bass. You'll probably regret that decision.
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If you look the the streamer body, the shorter lower horn points away from the body. If I were to ever change anything, Id have it point in the same direction as the taller horn (that means both horn are pointing more up toward the headstock.)

 
#13
I, in the privacy of my own workshop, can build whatever my mind can dream up.
I would feel very comfortable in gigging that instrument, and not having the heavy hand of the copyright Nazi's come down on me.
I would do a lot of studying, and probably hire out a lawyer if I were put said design into production.

There are shades of gray between the second and third sentences, like a limited production run, or build for a famous artist, in which I would do my due diligence before proceeding
 
#16
Other than headstock shape, none of the classic Fender profiles are protected IP. I know Ric zealously protects their property.

Rather than a cosmetic copy, what about those basses do you like? Why not bring those desires to a luthier, and have them make you an instrument unique to YOU?
 
#19
Warwick originally had a license deal with Spector.
When Spector went to Kramer, Warwick stopped honoring it.
Stuart has not gone after Warwick since re-acquiring the Spector name in the late '90s.

Warwick's early "Streamers" were actually almost identical to NS2's, right down to the "Gumby" headstocks. Not sure when exactly they changed to the Warwick headstocks on them.
 
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#20
Jazz Ad said:
The Spector Shorty goes for 3500.
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To MY specifications. I specifically said that. I don't want a stock model.

For them to build it with the wood, style, and pickups of my choice, its not costing less than 5 or 6 grand. Check out the spec sheet on their website for detail. Or better yet, email for a quote like I have.
buldog5151bass said:
Other than headstock shape, none of the classic Fender profiles are protected IP. I know Ric zealously protects their property.

Rather than a cosmetic copy, what about those basses do you like? Why not bring those desires to a luthier, and have them make you an instrument unique to YOU?
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It is the cosmetic. That's like asking why so many on this forum and others have had luthiers build basses/guitars that copied the Strat/P body or the Jazz body.

I know what I like. And what will make the bass unique to me is the features, color, wood choice, and small body changes (though it would still look like an NS/Streamer)

Thanks for the reply though.
 
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