Annoying Twit Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 This was just reported in a legal form I frequent..... A new European act on product description has created a formal Europe-wide definition of a "bass guitar" for marketing purposes. The new definition states that to be a "bass guitar", the instrument must have four strings tuned EADG, be fretted, be typically worn supported by a strap, and several other defined characteristics. Instruments not meeting the specification may be sold, but may not be described as "bass guitars". After a previous, similar, act where the naming of "Soya Milk" and other vegetable "milks" as "milk" was banned, soya milk manufacturers renamed their product as "soya alternative to milk". Several bass guitar manufacturers, including Yamaha, have announced that they will be similarly marketing their non-conforming instruments as "5 string alternative to a bass guitar" or "fretless alternative to a bass guitar". Lawyers have given opinion that the restriction on naming extends to CD liner notes and other descriptive material. And hence track listings must not reference a "bass guitar" unless the bass in question is a four string fretted bass in standard EADG tuning. The consequences of the actions are far reaching, and it is not yet known whether instrumentalists such as Pino Palladino who specialise in playing fretless basses will still be able to describe themselves as a "bass guitarist". Lawyers have given their opinion that this is not clear, and the legality of such instrumentalists continuing to call themselves bass guitarists will not be settled until someone is sued for describing himself as a bass guitarist, and a legal precedent is created. Quote
EBS_freak Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 [quote name='Annoying Twit' post='1184344' date='Apr 1 2011, 10:20 AM']This was just reported in a legal form I frequent..... A new European act on product description has created a formal Europe-wide definition of a "bass guitar" for marketing purposes. The new definition states that to be a "bass guitar", the instrument must have four strings tuned EADG, be fretted, be typically worn supported by a strap, and several other defined characteristics. Instruments not meeting the specification may be sold, but may not be described as "bass guitars". After a previous, similar, act where the naming of "Soya Milk" and other vegetable "milks" as "milk" was banned, soya milk manufacturers renamed their product as "soya alternative to milk". Several bass guitar manufacturers, including Yamaha, have announced that they will be similarly marketing their non-conforming instruments as "5 string alternative to a bass guitar" or "fretless alternative to a bass guitar". Lawyers have given opinion that the restriction on naming extends to CD liner notes and other descriptive material. And hence track listings must not reference a "bass guitar" unless the bass in question is a four string fretted bass in standard EADG tuning. The consequences of the actions are far reaching, and it is not yet known whether instrumentalists such as Pino Palladino who specialise in playing fretless basses will still be able to describe themselves as a "bass guitarist". Lawyers have given their opinion that this is not clear, and the legality of such instrumentalists continuing to call themselves bass guitarists will not be settled until someone is sued for describing himself as a bass guitarist, and a legal precedent is created.[/quote] Lame effort. Quote
Mykesbass Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 Anyway, it should be Bass Player or Bassist Quote
barneyg42 Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 Wow, shocking news! It was around about this time last year that it was reported that Basschat was being sold off, what is it about this time of year for news like this? Quote
Doctor J Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 Aren't ERBs of 7 strings or more being called "fretted piano"? Quote
Fat Rich Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 Does this mean the story about the Ark Royal having 11 large cables stretched along the runway tuned low F# to high E isn't true either? Quote
chrismuzz Posted April 1, 2011 Posted April 1, 2011 [quote name='voxpop' post='1184566' date='Apr 1 2011, 12:24 PM']Has this anything to do with the date... [/quote] My thoughts exactly Quote
dmccombe7 Posted April 2, 2011 Posted April 2, 2011 (edited) It didn't surprise me at all. This is the kinda thing i expect from Brussels these days. Still I think the date is a dead give away although I was fooled for a bit. Nice one. Dave Edited April 2, 2011 by dmccombe7 Quote
Dood Posted April 2, 2011 Posted April 2, 2011 [quote name='Fat Rich' post='1184555' date='Apr 1 2011, 12:21 PM']Does this mean the story about the Ark Royal having 11 large cables stretched along the runway tuned low F# to high E isn't true either?[/quote] Wow, just got a new name for my 7 string!! "Ark Royal" Quote
ead Posted April 4, 2011 Posted April 4, 2011 Can I still be called "an alternative to a bass guitarist" even if I play a 4-string tuned to EADG Quote
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