Gibson Loses Its Firebird Guitar Body Shape Trademark in The EU

[FirebrandUSA]

This has got to be the Ugliest Gibson shape, anyway.

Frankly, I think its good if Guitar Makers lose their shape patents -- they seem to be completely full of themselves, in how they continuously recycle the same shape every single year, and how it becomes this great thing to emulate, when its a bunch of tired designs for Boomers who vaguely remember a good time in the 50s or 60s -- and we all wonder why guitars have gone way downhill.

Maybe Gibson and whatever that other major brand is called, whose shape I despise so much I refuse to play it, should start being a little creative again and figure out if there's anything that Gen Z might be into.

This definitely feels like a no big loss to me. With the decline in guitar playing, it should be all hands on deck to make thiings that the next generation will remember as 2020 and 2021 stock fondly until they are greybeards, instead of just hanging on to designs that are total failures today.

Im really amazed at how much innovation is in Digital Pianos and how forward thinking companies like Yamaha's Piano Division is, and yet how Guitar divisions seem only to always look backwards to nostalgia.

 

[RedSkwirrell]

You are all now qualified in "BREXIT".
Your certification is awaiting collection in Brussels.
...Or Strasbourg!
Really depends where the French want to hold the meet that week.

 

[Oranjeaap]

Good. No one should have the rights to the shape of a piece of wood. Or on the color of an object for that matter (cream bobbins anyone?)

 

[Robus]

Nothing like building something stupid and saying down the road "Well so & so patented the damn thing, tweren't us...

When you look at it, it really is a dumb shape. The smaller top bout and larger bottom bout look like they were designed for neck dive and poor upper fret access.

 

[ballou48]

This is typical of the EU and Europe in general. They have no innovative or progressive corporations of their own because they either regulate or tax them to the point where they can't compete or get funding. Think about it. Ever heard of a Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, or Elan Musk type in Europe. You won't for the above reasons. They can't produce anything themselves so they go after successful corporations (like Gibson, Apple etc.) and try to either tax them, fine them or in Gibson's case steal them to get funding for their socialist dreams. Sorry for the rant.

 

[RAG7890]

This is typical of the EU and Europe in general. They have no innovative or This is such a funny post.progressive corporations of their own because they either regulate or tax them to the point where they can't compete or get funding. Think about it. Ever heard of a Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, or Elan Musk type in Europe. You won't for the above reasons. They can't produce anything themselves so they go after successful corporations (like Gibson, Apple etc.) and try to either tax them, fine them or in Gibson's case steal them to get funding for their socialist dreams. Sorry for the rant.

This is such a funny post. I mean "successful corporations" & Gibson just for starters..............now that is freaking hilarious.

I think you need to read more.

 

[efstop]

This is such a funny post. I mean "successful corporations" & Gibson just for starters..............now that is freaking hilarious.

I think you need to read more.

Gibson doesn't make money on its guitar business!? Where'd you get your BSc?

 

[Bill Hicklin]

This is such a funny post. I mean "successful corporations" & Gibson just for starters..............now that is freaking hilarious.

I think you need to read more.

Back in '63 when the Firebird was designed, Gibson was a very successful company.

 

[RAG7890]

Back in '63 when the Firebird was designed, Gibson was a very successful company.

1963 was a long freaking time ago.

Those days are way long gone.

As a matter of fact they were so successful back then, they even covered protecting their IP.

Oops they didn’t. Oh well.

 

[RAG7890]

Gibson doesn't make money on its guitar business!? Where'd you get your BSc?

Have a close look at Gibson history. Gibson was stuffed, Henry saved Gibson & then déjà vu, here we go again.

Guitars may be profitable but it’s Gibson so you have to include all facets of the then Gibson business.

My comment is based on the post saying the EU has no innovative or progressive Corporations and mentioning Gibson.

I mean that is just beyond laughable.

 

[Bluesky]

To me the Firebird is the coolest looking guitar on the planet.

Gibsons design is too neck heavy....doesnt play well for me.

I'd like to try a redesigned Firebird from a boutique builder

 

[nauc]

i thought...

nevermind

 

[nigelthebald]

This is typical of the EU and Europe in general. They have no innovative or progressive corporations of their own because they either regulate or tax them to the point where they can't compete or get funding...They can't produce anything themselves so they go after successful corporations (like Gibson, Apple etc.) and try to either tax them, fine them or in Gibson's case steal them to get funding for their socialist dreams...

What was that about "no politics"?

 

[ballou48]

This is such a funny post. I mean "successful corporations" & Gibson just for starters..............now that is freaking hilarious.

I think you need to read more.

OK, Gibson has it's problems. What else do find funny?

 

[ballou48]

What was that about "no politics"?

Thank you, you can go back to sleep now.

 

[nigelthebald]

Such mordant wit.

 

[MikeyTheCat]

To me the Firebird is the coolest looking guitar on the planet.

Gibsons design is too neck heavy....doesnt play well for me.

I'd like to try a redesigned Firebird from a boutique builder

For me it was like playing a coffee table.

 

[Bluesky]

For me it was like playing a coffee table.

I've been suckered into buying several only to sell them because they are almost unplayable. I'd love to get a great builder redesign it with a better neck angle. Maybe make it a set neck instead of neck thru. I think that compromises set up. Reverse headstock is a must though.

 

[efstop]

For me it was like playing a coffee table.

Nah, put three legs on the sides of an Explorer and flip it upside down and you got yourself a coffee table.

 

[MikeyTheCat]

Nah, put three legs on the sides of an Explorer and flip it upside down and you got yourself a coffee table.

Those were also like playing a coffee table. But sometimes even a Strat feels like an end table until I get used to it and then it’s super comfortable compared to a Les Paul. I think only my Starla body shape felt right out of the box.