Apparently Thomann decided to take legal action against Bud Cole's (Fender's CEO) cease and desist campaign.
Interested to see how the situation will evolve.

Below is the full transcript from YouTube but TLDR: CEO learned nothing from the backlash and is continuing to defend their actions.

What we've done is to reach out thoughtfully and respectively to a handful of companies whose guitars come extremely close to replicating the iconic Fender Stratacaster design.

That is an unmistakable body shape, signature curves, unmistakable spirit that Leo Fender from his own head and his own heart and his team poured into their souls more than seven years ago into this product. And let's also be very specific. We're talking specifically about the Stratacaster because that's what this is really about. Calling it simply the S style or the S shape is an attempt to diminish and whitewash the immeasurable gamechanging contribution that Leo and his team made to the entire industry that all of us have built so much of our success and careers around.

A contribution that has blessed every single one of us in this room and millions of players around the world. We are not going to let the legacy be erased, nor are we going to let it be diluted. Words matter, shapes matter, heritage matter, and protecting it matters. This is not about every double cutaway guitar on the market. It's not what we're talking about here. It's focused on products that closely copy the Stratacaster's distinctive look that they can create real confusion for players in the marketplace. And it's important to understand that this effort stems directly from the recent European Union's court ruling. So, our current conversations are centered on products being made, marketed, or sold in the European Union, not here in the Americas.

So, here's what this means for you, for our dealers, for the musicians you serve, and for every end user and collector out there. Nothing changes. Business continues exactly as usual. No impact on how we work together. No changes to our dealer network and Fender has no intention of going after artists, players, collectors, or anyone who simply loves to make music. To the contrary, we are protecting those players who play Fender, who buy Fender, who love Fender, who collect Fender, and who continue to invest in Fender. It has always been about protecting the designs that inspire them.

We are approaching it this way, the Fender way with collaboration. Our preference is practical, reasonable solutions. Design modifications were needed. Generous transition periods to sell through existing inventory. No inventory destruction. Those comments were unfortunate. We are not asking anyone to destroy inventory. No immediate financial demands. This is a work in progress and we want to work together with everyone because we believe that innovation is strongest when brands create their own distinctive voices rather than closely copied icons that have defined our industry for generations.

All of our dealers know this. You don't share the same sign in the front of the store. You all have different philosophies about customer services, product assortment, the customers that you're going after. These are refined over years and they define your store. And in my opinion, you own that. Okay? That is in the same spirit of how we want to operate.

At the core, it's about our stewardship. It's about honoring the originality, the creativity, and the pure passion that this man, Leo Fender, who did not play guitars, infused into every drawing board, every prototype, every guitar that left his shop. It's about making sure that the Stratacaster, the instrument that literally changed the sound, the tone of music forever, remains instantly recognizable as Fender for generations and generations to come. We do not just do this for ourselves, but for all of you, for every player, for every collector, and the future of this incredible industry that all of us love and choose to be in because it matters. As the number one electric guitar bass amp brand in the world, Fender will lead the market. We must lead the market.

On a different note, but a very related note, I've heard a lot of conversation and some unfortunate and inaccurate talk about the owners of Fender Music Corporation. Company's called Surfco Pacific and they're based out of Hawaii. A lot of loose talk about private equity, you know, that's the new swear word these days. And there's a lot of bad guys out there truly. But let me clarify this for you with a story that fills me with not fear but genuine pride and gratitude. Something that gets left out in all these conversations.

Surfco Pacific is one of Hawaii's largest and most respectful family-owned companies. It was founded 107 years ago in 1919 by a remarkable young 17-year-old Japanese immigrant named Peter Fukunaga. Gives me shivers to talk about it. With nothing but determination and a small $1,500 loan, he bought a humble two-car garage on the north shore of Oahu in Halawa. From those modest beginnings, through vision, hard work, and generations of dedication, it has grown into a thriving enterprise. Something hopefully we all still call the American dream.

The Fukunaga family has always had music in their hearts. Servco entered the musical instruments business in 1937. By the 1950s, they became an official regional dealer and distributor for Leo Fender himself. Early on in the exciting days of Fender, the Hawaiian connection runs deep for Fender and we are proud of it. Remember, one of Leo's most important collaborators was Freddie Tavares, the brilliant Hawaiian musician from Paia, Maui, who played in the orchestras at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel before joining Fender and helping shape the very Stratacaster we're talking about today.

In 1985, when CBS was ready to walk from Fender, we all remember that. Surfco stepped in in a big way. They led and they joined a small investor group, mainly Japanese dealers and manufacturers, to back industry legend Bill Schultz with a $12.5 million management buyout. They did not just invest in the company. They helped save and revive an American icon. They believed in Fender's soul when others did not.

That's what the Fukunaga family and Servco did long before any of us were born. They were there giving everything. So today, Servco remains a family-run company and the majority owner of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Many members of the Fukunaga family play guitar themselves, including their executive chairman, Mr. Mark Fukunaga, and their current CEO, Peter Dames. This isn't detached or distant ownership. This is a multi-generational stewardship built on respect, love for music, and deep commitment to protecting Leo Fender's legacy while making sure Fender continues to innovate and to inspire the world. They do this because music matters and guitars matter and Fender matters.

So, that my friends brings us to the real reason that we're here in our own way. We all have our own stories, right? Music has the power to mend a broken heart, to bring strangers together in harmony, to give voice to voiceless people, and to soundtrack the most important moments of our lives. From the moment we're inside our mothers and hear the heartbeat to the moment we go on to whatever's out there, music is with us always and it matters.

A single Fender guitar in the hands of a young boy in a garage, a teenage girl dreaming of the stage, or a seasoned player pouring out their soul live in concert — that is pure magic. We know it. It changes lives.

In 1996, when my life was not working out particularly well, it was a Fender guitar that changed my life. When I was a young man trying to find meaning, I know what that means and how important his guitars are. I've been playing music my whole life. I'm not an exceptional player by any stretch. I'm a songwriter. I'm a strummer. My first guitar was a 1969 made-in-Japan reissue thin liner that I bought here in the US. I still have that guitar today and I love that guitar. I play that guitar for my little daughters.

I know what it means and it matters. Fender guitars are not just instruments. They are gateways of expression, to community, to joy. From the stages of the world's greatest arenas to living rooms, campfires, homes, street corners, and beyond. Fender is there giving a voice to the dreams.

So you, our dealers, are the vital bridge. You put the guitars into the players' hands. You all have your fingerprint, your unique style — I would say your unique proprietary shape. Each one of you is different. Each one of you is out there making a difference. You nurture the next generation of musicians. You keep the spirit of Leo Fender alive in your communities every single day. And what you do matters more than you know.

So over these next two days, let's celebrate that. Let's celebrate that we're not selling vacuum cleaners or computer chips, okay? It ain't an easy business, but nothing's easy. This is what we chose to do, and this is what we love, and this is what makes a freaking difference. That's what all of us stand up for every day and believe in every day, all in our own ways. Okay, let's learn from each other. Let's get connected. Let's share. Let's get inspired and recharge our collective passion.

Fender team, specialty team, this crew here has poured their hearts into creating an incredible experience. I've never been more honored to work for these people in my life. That's part of the reason for the fight. They put their hearts and everything into this incredible experience. And this is who we are at Fender and this is what we love to do. I want to wish everyone here an absolute epic Fender dealer meeting.

Please make new friendships, spark new ideas, laugh, learn, have a smoke — do it outside, please — and leave here even more fired up about the incredible work we do together.

Music has always had controversy. It's always bumped shoulders. There's always been discussion. We won't run away from it. We'll embrace it. That's who we are.

So, I hope everybody walks away super stoked, super excited about this because when we play music, when we pick up a guitar, when we go out there and kick the ass out of an audience live in a show or play for our one-year-old daughter a song, the world gets a little brighter. So, when Fender guitars ring out, legends are truly born. And when we stand together — dealers, teams, our partners — the future of music is unstoppable.

Thank you so much. Let's make some meaningful music together because music matters. And never forget, play guitar, play Fender. Thank you.

This is my main driver these days with my band.

Chain of effects:

• Tuner Kokko
• Vol/Wah Sonicake
• Tube Screamer (overdrive)
• Joyo Uzi (disto)
• Grumbly Wolf Fredric Effects (fuzz with octaver switch)
• Small Tone Electro Harmonics (phaser with a little boost)
• Twister T. Rex (Flanger/Chorus with pretty nice settings)
• Anamnesis Echo SubDecay (delay)
• Ultra Tremolo Behringer (very efficient)
• Heavenly Lake ToneCity (reverb+delay)
• Ditto X2 (looper with Half speed and Reverse settings)

I had a chance to play one at a friends place other side of the country a while back and been trying to hunt down one for myself ever since. But they never show up for a decent price in the UK.

I know Behringer made a copy of it with the WD300. Here's a video comparing the two, But those are also discontinued and overpriced on the 2nd hand market, if they even show up at all for sale over here.

Anyone here know of any other clones out there? Or anything that comes close?

Just finishing moving so I figured it's a good time to take a couple pictures of my guitars.

Yamaha fg800 and Ibanez s521:

The Yamaha helped me get back into it after years of not playing. After that I picked up the Ibanez I played for about a year mostly exercises and learning songs. The Yamaha is a lot of fun especially to belt out some chords and the Ibanez feels extraordinarily light and fast.

Ibanez tod10n and Solar AC1.7VC+:

I love the wider width on the neck on both of these 1.8" (46 and 48mm) at the nut, my left hand gets a little stiff after awhile and the little wider neck for the classical hybrid Ibanez or the 7 string Solar makes a pretty big difference. I like to keep the 7 in standard A tuning and the classical is a lot of fun for finger picking on the nylons. If I were to add another I'd like to try one of the carbon fiber ones or maybe a non hybrid classical 7 string.

Played guitar and bass when I was a teenager, but got rid of my stuff in my 20s when money was tight and I wasn't playing much. Been feeling the need for a creative outlet recently so I went a few towns over to a used music shop and grabbed this beauty. I've always loved Ovation guitars, the round back profile feels more natural to play than a standard dreadnought style. Spent a bit more than I was hoping when I walked in but I'm very happy to have something to play again.

I do have a question for the community here; where do you buy strings and whatnots online, that's not amazon or guitarcenter? I live in rural BFE and there are no music stores within 50 miles of me or else I'd go to one of those.

Please send me messages/comments for good tuning apps/websites.

The company is framing its legal efforts to target Stratocaster copies as supporting creativity and innovation in the guitar industry, while protecting the designs with which it made its name.

“Fender has tremendous respect for the guitar community, independent builders, and the creativity that continues to shape this industry,” says Fender CEO Edward “Bud” Cole. “At the same time, Fender has a responsibility to protect the iconic designs and brand identity associated with its instruments around the world.

“Protecting these iconic designs is part of Fender’s obligation as a steward of the brand, its legacy, and the authenticity musicians associate with Fender instruments.

“We remain open to engaging constructively with partners and companies across the industry as we navigate this process. Our goal is to protect that legacy while supporting a vibrant future for guitar makers, builders, and musicians alike.”

Headstock decal

Wiring

I was very happy with the guitar, but I still wanted to give it some upgrades, next to the visual upgrades, it now also has the Gilmour mod (neck pickup always on) and the fastlane mod (bridge pickup directly to output, overriding the switch and knobs). Both are wired via push-push knobs for easy (dis)engaging. It took a couple of tries before everything worked as expected, but it was definitely worth it. Below the schematics, in case anyone wants to do the same.

“Subject of this letter is your offer of products which infringe the copyright of our client’s Fender Stratocaster guitar,” an example of the Bird & Bird cease and desist letter, as shown by McKnight, reads.

“We insist that you immediately stop manufacturing, selling, marketing, or producing such infringing products.”

According to McKnight, who was given copies from different sources, the letter also demands the recipient recall all the guitars it has sold in the EU and destroy them.

This post calls back to this post covering Fender's default judgement in German court granting a copyright on the Stratocaster shape.

Fender / FMIC have sent multiple cease and desist letters threatening to commence lawsuits for copyright infringement of their Stratocaster body shape. A shape that up until 2 months ago was public domain.

A couple of other videos on the matter:

• Know Your Gear
• Tim Pierce Guitar
• John Nathan Cordy

This is the first prototype photonic guitar. A photonic guitar works like an acoustic instrument but instead of the resonance of wood and acoustic vibrations it uses the resonance of electricity and electromagnetic waves (light). I first created this guitar as a design tool for electric guitars before I fully recognized the significance of the underlying physics. It wasn't just like a guitar, it is a guitar. I suspect some people reading this don't believe me but that's ok, neither did my old physics grad school at first. Same with the patent office. I've linked an article about me from the Dallas Morning News.

While the photonic guitar produces music it doesn't produce sounds. The waves it creates are electromagnetic (light). While electric guitars match the same frequency as an acoustic guitar, the photonic guitar matches the same physical wave size. So the 20 Hz - 20 kHz audible range is equivalent to 20 MHz - 20 GHz. We can't see those waves either. So I created a guitar plugin, a physics based model for the photonic guitar driven by measurements, to recreate and apply the photonic musical effect to electric guitars.

For years I could only wonder what the photonic guitar was going to sound like. From physics I would argue it would have properties of an acoustic guitar. Both systems satisfy the wave equation and have the same boundary conditions. In practice I'm most surprised by the impact it has on distortion, noise, and feed forward. Feed forward is analogous to feedback but doesn't require holding the guitar up to the amp speaker. That and the fact that the guitar itself can produce a delay effect. I've linked to one of my favorite demos so far.

Demo 8 - ElectroIndy

Dallas Morning News or Archive Link

What is the best home practice guitar amp with a 150-200EUR price cap, roughly 5W output, no app dependence (I don't want to go for app diving in the few minutes I can practice and also want to probably use the thing after the company decides that the model is outdated and not supported any more)? There is no real size requirement (I don't want to put it in my pocket or anything), but battery operation would be a nice plus, and good sound quality (even in quiet operation) is a must.

Currently I have an old Nux Mighty 15, but at the low volume level I'd need it's output is really poor, you can't increase the gain, and the sound is generally muffled in the lower quarter of the volume.

I came across Boss Katana Mini X, Yamaha THR5, Blackstar Fly 3, Nux Mighty Light BT, Vox Mini Go 10 , Mooer SD10... online tests rank all these as the single best one in the category, so it seems like an impossible choice. What's your take?

I inherited it from my grandparents when I was twelve(?) and it was the guitar I learned on. If I had known how nice it actually was I may have treated it better.

I know the some do, but in general they don't. If you look here 5 of the 6 models have a compensated wrap-around bridge, and only 1 has the separate tune-o-matic bridge and stoptail. Then if you just look at all the SG listings the humbucker models pretty consistently have the two piece system.

But then when you look at P90 Les Pauls, it's much more mixed with both bridge styles.

I want to share with you my favourite setup that I ever had: my couch rig.
This few things create the perfect comfort and focus zone, allowing me to practice and write pieces for my band without distraction but still being able to play a nice variety of sounds.

My guitar is a modded Ibanez RC320, the pickups are Bare Knuckle True Grit Humbuckers with coil split.
The star of the show is my Boss Dual Cube LX: great sound, fooswitchable channels and loop, can be connected via cable to any USB-C device (I use my phone or tablet) so I can play backing tracks or record what I'm playing if I need to share it with the other guys.
And since BOSS still refuses to make amps with a tuner, I use the direct input with a tuning app, Michael Moessner's Tuner, it's on F-Droid and it's great.

The best rig is the one that makes you want it to play all the time, and this is it for me.
Let's see yours.

P.S.
I never understood the need for a wireless system until I got a cat.

Hard to say for me, but I always feel safe with a Jazz III lol.

I created a new kind of guitar that y'all may be interested in. The photonic guitar uses the resonance of electricity and light to create music in the same way an acoustic guitar uses the resonance of vibration and acoustic waves. I started research on this instrument as a physics undergrad and focused on the topic for my Ph.D. After graduating, I spent time doing space science research for government agencies like NASA and the DoD. I quit being a professor a few years ago so I could resume research on my photonic guitar. We can't hear this instrument directly, for a variety of reasons, so I've created a plugin that utilizes measurements of these instruments to recreate their musical output as an effect for electric guitars. While the photonic guitar shares the same kind of physical foundation as an acoustic guitar, the photonic guitar is capable of a broader array of musical effects. I've linked to a demo of an electric guitar, played through the photonic guitar plugin, and connected to the drive channel on a fender amp. The photonic guitar pushes the existing distortion into a new regime. https://cosmicstudio.io/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Demo-2-Master_1.mp3

It'd be nice to not be pushed into subscriptions or downloading an app to make a mobile website readable.

And these usually take up the first page of results, so I can't help but feel that the plain, actually usable websites are buried. What else do you guys use?