imported_Paul

First off. I have a Wesley guitar that looks exactly like a Fender Stratocaster, so i'm allowed to say this.

I've always wondered, the guitar companies who make guitars EXACTLY like the Fender Stratocaster - do they ever face legal action or that from Fender? Did Fender ever patent the design? Was Fender the original makers of the Stratocaster design?

I always wonder this, as Wesley is a tiny UK-Make. So if these companies are making guitars exactly like Fenders, then there must be millions of others.

(I know that these guitars will never be as good as a Fender Stratocaster quality-wise. Rest assured.)

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h22s

It's a popular style. You see the same thing with Les Pauls and SGs. I myself have a couple Strat look-alikes because that's just what was available to me when I wanted to buy a guitar. I never really cared much for Fender Strats in the first place, though.

Bucklberry

Yeah, all the major guitar designs are patented, Strat, Tele, Les Paul, Rickenbacher (however it's spelt) etc. etc.

There was a case a while back brought by Gibson on Paul Reed Smith guitars, saying that the single cutaway PRS was a complete ripoff of the Les Paul. Suprisingly enough Gibson won.

Why didn't they go after all the little companies that constantly copy the style is what I'd like to know, but then I already know the answer. PRS are quality, and they make money, big money. Gibson didn't like it. They didn't take the thousands of companies making shi**y Les Pauls to court as they were simply no competition.

Artee

Fender have a cheek by prosecuting other companies over design copies. Especially when they make more 'affordable' copies (with poorer build materials) of their own guitars in Mexico.
I've had a go on both U.S. and Mexican manufactured versions and the difference is notable.
The best copied strat I've played is the Yamaha Pacifica.
In fact I've not seen a bad Japanese guitar yet.

Kingmob

Mexican fenders are garbage, your better off with an ibanez or a Yammaha, particularly old ones. There were a lot of really good Les Paul copies out of Japan in the seventies, many of which are arguably just as good as the gibsons they copied. There was a pre-and post law suit headstock on a lot of these models. I have a Antoria Les Paul copy in the post at the moment, was built in Japan in the 70's and imported to the UK under that name.

Elephantman

I don't thnk fender really care to much about lookalikes...they are more worried about sound alikes, squire used to make strats that we're in some reguard as good as the fenders & half the price, then fender bought them out & put an end to the competition now the squires are like otoy guitars.

HaoXiaoXi

I have a nice little collection of MIJ Fender guitars & basses. Most of them the only original parts are the neck & body I like to improve things.

The Mexican Fender's main short-coming are the pickups & electronics. These are things which can easily be upgraded.

rockitmarty

Yeah I'm not a big strat or tele fan, i dont even like fender that much besides the tone from their clean amps. but I ALWAYS see rip offs from these and les pauls, not so much sg's though. but i guess you get what you pay for right?