Max steel guitars Resobird

[Bill McCloskey]

Good luck with the resobird.

[Bill Fisher]

My research says it can, BUT, it can also be withdrawn. Perhaps this is saying the basic same thing, two different ways. In my opinion, what led to all of this, is the fact that the original has not been manufactured in quite a spell, and, though not sure, I don't think too many originals were made. I suppose this is something that could be capitalized on.

Bill

[Jimmie Hudson]

Resobird

[Ross Shafer]

I've nothing to do with this situation, but am keenly interested as I had a major trademark kerfuffle with my bicycle company Salsa Cycles long ago. I'd applied for a trademark though an attorney and somehow never got or lost the final registration paperwork. I didn't realize this until years later when I checked in on it for one reason or another and found that mine had never gone into effect. Worse, GM motors had trademarked the word "Salsa" for use under the Transportation classification in the interim.

I pretty much freaked out and after consulting an attorney, crafted a letter to GM with all the evidence including my initial Trademark application ("void due to getting lost") to prove I'd been using the name for man years ahead of their app. Very shortly after sending my letter to GM, I got a response explaining that they had planned to use the name on a Pontiac, had not, but did not want to abandon the name yet even though they had yet to use it in commerce. They very kindly offered to share the mark since the diff between bicycles and automobiles is pretty obvious and that the chances of any kind of dispute were extremely low. You mean a big faceless corporation treated a little piss ant company like mine with respect? They sure did and I was impressed, pleased and hugely relieved!

Another kerfuffle came I received a cease and desist letter over a supposed Trademark infringement from Frito-Lay. Their claim was extremely and obviously bogus...as it was over something a magazine had written about my products in a review. I let them know without consulting an attorney they were fulla bulla and a little thing called the first amendment made it OK for the term to be used by the magazine. I also sent them copies of every brochure, promotional blurb and advertisement I'd ever produced to show I had never used their term ("Fresh Mex" used by Chili's restaurants, owned by Frito Lay) in relation to my company. I so wish I had framed the drippingly sincere apology letter I got from Frito Lay's legal dept. My mom, who always wanted me to be lawyer would've been so proud!


Anyway, proper Trademark creation and maintenance isn't as simple as making/selling a few things under an assigned name and assuming its yours forever. The main questions to me are: Did Paul Franklin Sr. ever apply for the mark? Is it still "live"? If not, live when was it last used in commerce (last Franklin Pedabro sold by Paul Sr.)?

Just my 5 cents (2 cents will no longer be possible once pennies are out of circulation so I'm moving ahead now). I'll watch this thread with interest.

[Bill Fisher]

Thanks, Ross. This is what I said in an earlier post: "this would indicate a TM Registered was never applied for in the past." I think most everybody, here, disagreed with me, but you. I don't know either of these gentlemen. But reading of, and applying common sense to, brought me to this conclusion. Am I right? I have to assume I was, as Mr. Hudson indicates he has a TM Registered for the item he is manufacturing. Thanks, again, Ross.

Bill

[Bill McCloskey]

resobird

[Chris Templeton]

Sometime in the late 80's, I was with Mike Cass at Buddy's and he unrolled a bunch of blueprints of his pedal Dobro, and he was to told, by someone in the Franklin camp, to cease and desist any move for production.
I've ordered a blue one from Jimmie and excited to get it.
I had a Beard 7 string dobro, but even with an extra string there's noticeable damping of the plate.
I like that it has a mic and pickup.
I was so thrilled to see/hear Paul playing with Dire Straits and is the reason I'm getting one,
Here is Paul playing the Red-A-Bro with Dire Straits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnc4M6Q ... rt_radio=1
Is the name "Pedal Dobro" used?

[Jimmie Hudson]

Sing like a Resobird.

[Will Houston]

I like that name much better, good choice.

[Jimmie Hudson]

Resobird

[Will Brown]

I Think this is pretty stand-up for Jimmie to do this it shows he is willing to make amends and do the right thing we all ought to give him a big thank you.I will Thank you Jimmie

[Jimmie Hudson]

Resobird

[John McClung]

Super cool!!!

[Dave Dube]

It looked like it was used as a generic term much like many people call resonator guitars "dobros."
The makers of those products certainly deserve to have their unique names.
Resobird is a good name Jimmy.

[Jeremy JT Young]

In my opinion they are very nice looking instruments. I also believe Jimmie has done the right thing in the end by offering the trademark to the Franklin's. I'm hoping they reach out to him and take him up on the offer. Thos would give any type confusion on the subject clarity for the future.

[Jimmie Hudson]

new photos added

[Bill Fisher]

BOTH, the Red, and the Blue Ped A Bro, really look nice. Good work, Jimmie.

Bill

[Jerry Horch]

I think Paul is playing The Box on the clip…

[Rick Hearne]

Hey Guys, I'm the proud owner of the 10 string pomelled sapele unit pictured below (or above). The images don't do it justice. Jimmie couldn't have been easier to work with and the craftsmanship is superb! Now getting together with acoustic friends without having to bring an amp, volume pedal, etc opens up a whole new level of sounds. Thanks Jimmie outloud. Rick

[James P Mitchell]

Here is Paul playing the Red-A-Bro with Dire Straits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnc4M6Q ... rt_radio=1

Man that's just so great at every level. Songwriting, playing, singing - all amazing.

I don't think Paul is playing a Pedabro here though. I see two other steels in front of him, and what he's playing here seems to be on his lap. I'm also not hearing any string bending. It seems to me that that's "just" a 10 string dobro in that clip, although the instrument is rectangular. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but that's how it appears to me.

[Bill McCloskey]

Hey Rick. Congratulations. Can you talk more about the volume level playing unplugged? How loud is it acoustically

[Tony Dingus]

Here's a video I did of my 8 string Resobird. I'm using my iPhone and it picked it up pretty good. I do use the neck pickup live with a Fishman Douglas Aura pedal.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1407472947204039/

Tony

[Rick Hearne]

Hey Bill, you're welcome here anytime to play it! It is more than loud enough to play with acoustic players without being obnoxious. I have it here in our office and people can't walk by without picking it. I haven't tried it out yet with my Little Walter, that will have to wait until we're closed and I'm not too tired to hang around after work. We are having an open house fundraiser for Habitat For Humanity the last Friday and Saturday of September and it will be set up with along with my Jackson Pro V in the music area. It'll be a blast. Come on by if you get a chance. Rick

[Chris Templeton]

Looking forward to mine arriving mañana!

[Bill McCloskey]

A little Reso art.