Product descriptions

[TwilightOdyssey]

Direct comparisons are not a good idea; that's how you get your ass sued off.

[Ratrod]

I think it's a good idea to say what the inspirations were behind the pickup and wich goal was set. But you can't use direct comparison (unless it's purely scientiffic).

[Kilby]

Direct comparisons are not a good idea; that's how you get your ass sued off.

Hmmm,

I understand your concern but,

firstly

It's only a 'something like this' kind of suggestion, nothing has to be mentioned by name.

secondly

It's as a reference point only which is permissible

For example SD don't can say "Extra output and fuller tonal response than stock JaguarŪ pickups" because it is the only that a potential buyer can actually know what the product is supposed to do.

As far as I remember in the UK (and the US) you are allowed to name a product if its for purely illustrative purposes, as you are not actually stating finding any product worse or better, but simply different to with the 'stock' being used as the reference point.

Thats why magazines are allowed to do reviews and the words apparent and opinion appear in print so often.

Kilby...

[38thBeatle]

There is a lot of useful stuff here.I would say that TO's excellent graphics could be generated by some real measurements with a narrative of the aim of that particular model ( I am drawing froms other's suggestions here) .I liked the idea of including the effect of different woods. It is, after all, to provide a guide. The graphics would be useful if they also included other manufacturers products but that would be a massive undertaking perhaps best left to someone not busily making pickups for us lot. At the end of the day, facts and figures cannot describe tone but at the same time, someone looking for pickups would at least have a guide. Another point I would make is that we need to think about how we arrived at our own choices. Why are we all on this forum- because we have heard the buzz, read the reviews, read the blurb. Sorry for the waffle- I am too excited about getting my Strat back from Ron with the Apaches fitted in a couple of days.

[TwilightOdyssey]

As far as I remember in the UK (and the US) you are allowed to name a product if its for purely illustrative purposes, as you are not actually stating finding any product worse or better, but simply different to with the 'stock' being used as the reference point.

2 dangers with that line of thought, Kilby:

ONE - it's just bad form, and sounds tacky, imho
TWO - you're skirting dangerously close to being sued for misrepresentation, libel, restraint of trade, or any of a number of other things.  All a big company, like DiMarzio, has to do if they want to shut down a small compnay like Tim's is keep him tied up with court costs until he can't fight em any more. They've done it before, and won. Monster Cable has done the same.

Sorry, not only do I work for an attorney during my day gig, but the singer in my band works in intellectual properties; I have a very suspicious legal mind.

[Tim]

Good point and I'm not into advertising other manufacturers either directly or indirectly.
I'm more keen on  descriptive methods and the areas of tone that people want described.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Good point and I'm not into advertising other manufacturers either directly or indirectly.
I'm more keen on  descriptive methods and the areas of tone that people want described.

Whatever I can do to help, Tim!
I live to serve. :)

[Tim]

Sounds like a lyric to me :lol:

[Kilby]

Good point and I'm not into advertising other manufacturers either directly or indirectly.
I'm more keen on  descriptive methods and the areas of tone that people want described.

As I said it was only a suggestion to allow some form of visualising (how can you visualise a sound) the tone of the pickup.

The intent was not other pickup mfgrs but more to give a reference to a standard guitar straight off the shelf.

Most of us think that they know what a stock guitar of a particular model will sound like. Thats also why we always end up spending money on the damn things buying replacement pickups.

Anyway it was only one thought of several, and nothing to get precious about :)

At this point in time I am surprised that DiMazio & SD havn't started suing people for using particular gauges of copper wireor that Gibson will start suing people for using Mahogany.

Hmmm europe give the Americas VD and they give us litigation, surely that was an over reaction ;)

Kilby...

[Ratrod]

Does anybody remember the Gibson lawsuit against PRS?

I rest my case. 8)

[HJM]

Does anybody remember the Gibson lawsuit against PRS?

I rest my case. 8)

Is that still ongoing?

[Ratrod]

Gibson won the first. PRS isn't allowed to make the Single Cut anymore. I believe they're taking it to the Supreme Court.

[HJM]

That's what I heard too....guess it'll be a long time!

[Skybone]

Gibson completely overreacted IMO, the PRS Singlecut was more of a threat to their sales than copyright infringement. Plus the fact that PRS's Quality Control actually control's the quality of their products, Gibson's QC is more like Questionable Care. Again, IMO. ;)

Back to the topic...

The SD graph thing, I find it totally confusing basing a tonal judgement on subjective data (IMO). I find the current descriptions to be really halpful, they were right on the nail with the Black Dog set I bought a while back. The body wood info should help (and maybe avoid any brand name copyright issues, ie well suited to a mahogany body with maple top, or would suit an ash/alder/basswood body with rosewood 'board, etc).

The current descriptions and resistance figures are pretty spot on IMO.  :?

[HJM]

Is that cat alive or dead?