Are guitar headstock shapes copyrighted?

No, it’s trademark that’s at issue, not copyright (not “copywrite”, either) or patent. A patent is a limited duration property right relating to an invention (not a guitar body shape).

Why is the Fender headstock that shape?

The Stratocaster’s headstock was enlarged and slightly re-shaped. “The rationale was simple,” noted author Richard Smith in Fender: The Sound Heard ‘Round the World. “The new design allowed a bigger decal.” A bigger headstock had more room for a bigger Fender-logo decal.

What is a peghead on a guitar?

A headstock or peghead is part of a guitar or similar stringed instruments such as a lute, mandolin, banjo, ukulele and others of the lute lineage. The main function of a headstock is to house the pegs or mechanism that holds the strings at the “head” of the instrument.

Who owns the Stratocaster shape?

The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has continuously manufactured the Stratocaster since 1954. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top “horn” shape for balance. Along with the Gibson Les Paul, Gibson SG, and Fender Telecaster, it is one of the most-often emulated electric guitar shapes.

Is the Telecaster shape trademarked?

Guitar makers Fender have lost an application to make its Stratocaster, Telecaster and Precision guitar body shapes a trademark in the USA. Similar applications have previously been rejected, both in the UK and the rest of Europe.

Does headstock shape matter?

In terms of sound, the shape of the headstock will have very little impact. A huge headstock would result in more sustain than a tiny headstock, but most headstocks are too similar to hear any real difference. One thing that the headstock shape does affect though, is the tuning stability.

Is Fender still owned by CBS?

CBS owned Fender for a total of 19 years, leading to the unofficial designation of Fender guitars built during that time as “CBS-era” instruments. Guitarists and collectors have long debated the merits of the instruments built during this era.