Gibson 'style' shapes?

[Mr.Drifter]

So, you know how gibson les pauls, and what not are shapes lots of people want, but are off limits, because of well, the lawsuit.
Could you possibly modify them slightly to replicate esp eclipses or something? I imagine esp/ ltd wouldn't be as anal about that.
So like, marginally thinner (though esp does do a full thickness version), slightly different horn, tummy cut, etc.

Cause I imagine the lp shapes would be in fairly high demand, but because of the lawsuit, it's still questionable whether you can use them. Though that might be a workaround, and in theory wouldn't require too much extra design work for the stencils or what not

[Simon Barden]

It's an idea, though as the old kits used a paddle headstock to avoid the only really trademarked bits of a LP, it's debatable whether it would stop G's lawyers from still trying it on if they wanted to. It is something clearly beatable in the courts, as others have done it, but it's more all the cost and hassle involved in defending yourself. Yet G seem far less fussed about all the other G-based shapes like the AG and ES-1. So why just the single-cut fixation? I don't profess to even to start to understand G's mindset.

[blinddrew]

I don't profess to even to start to understand G's mindset.

I think the erratic thinking of the last few years has been more than borne out by the chapter 11 proceedings!

[Fretworn]

Based on the Fender case, if the headstock is a different shape and there is enough difference to make it clear that it isn't a G then perhaps it would be ok. (This is what Warmoth ended up doing). The difference is Fender didn't try and trademark the shape of their guitars until 50 years after releasing the Telecaster, G probably had been around longer and probably remembered to do this.

[Sonic Mountain]

Theoretically a 10% change in the shape is enough to avoid any patent/copyright infringement. The problem is that there is also a caveat that the new product could not be mistaken for the genuine item by a 'reasonable' person. I suspect that this is where G's lawyers make it difficult and not worth pursuing - especially for a business like Pitbull. I think they could successfully argue there is no chance of the LP copies being mistaken for the real thing by someone who knows what they are looking at, but the time, money and effort to do that against a large multi national would be somewhat daunting. I know Hagstrom got away with it for a very long time with the Swedes - These were pretty clearly copies and in my opinion far superior in terms of overall quality. But even they have made some significant moves away from those shapes to avoid any further hassles.

It's a shame that this is their approach, especially for what amounts to a hobby market - It's not like I'm going to throw down for a genuine G guitar if I can't build the kit. At any rate, I've discovered I actually prefer playing the F style guitars I have, despite wanting an LP for ages. I have a couple of pretty decent substitutes now, but they just don't speak to me as much when I'm playing for whatever reason.

[wazkelly]

Longed for a LP for ages, bought an Epi Slash AFD a few years ago and moved it on around November last year. Great classic look and sound but they are not quite the must have axe for me anymore, and rather uncomfortable to play for any length of time. Bought my first P90 equipped axe last year (F style) and a LP with them fitted would get me interested as they would give a slightly different voice rather than the same, same sound from nearly every LP with HB's. I must admit that if you only want to sound like Slash or Garry Moore then it must be an LP or nothing.

[Fretworn]

Because of the era I started listening to him, the iconic Gary Moore guitar for me is a white Strat.......... (I had Emerald Aisles on VHS when I was a teenager)

[wazkelly]

Because of the era I started listening to him, the iconic Gary Moore guitar for me is a white Strat.......... (I had Emerald Aisles on VHS when I was a teenager)

Presume that pre dates his time at Thin Lizzy?

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[dave.king1]

Presume that pre dates his time at Thin Lizzy?

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1984 so probably post Lizzie

Here ya go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bsT7MxsdEE

[Mr.Drifter]

Yeah, the classic lp's are just too chunky for my liking. Had a play of the ec series ones mentioned above, and they felt so much nicer. Just nicer neck cutaway (not that funky step, bar cheap level), nice weight, etc etc.
Would definitely be interesting to see how it'd go. As said above, 10% is in theory all that is needed, so a thinner body, pointier horn and a different headstock would in theory get you well out of trouble.
Make it inlay-less for that extra touch of 'it doesn't have trapezoids, it's definitely not a g'