Gibson sends cease and desist to maker of Trump Guitars over ‘iconic Les Paul body shape’

Guitar manufacturer Gibson has hit the company that makes Donald Trump’s guitars with a cease and desist order, claiming they are a copy of its iconic shape.

The manufacturer confirmed it is threatening legal action against 16 Creative, the company behind Trump’s guitars, claiming it has infringed its copyright.

Gibson said in a statement against Guitarworld that their claim mainly concerns ‘the iconic Les Paul body shape.’

It comes a week after Trump raised eyebrows in the wake of his presidential election victory by launching a new line of guitars – with signed versions selling for as much as $11,500.

The president-elect shared a photo of himself holding one of the eagle-adorned versions of the guitars, which many said appeared to be the same size, shape and design as a Les Paul.

Trump’s message took fans to a GetTrumpGuitars website, where they could also buy an acoustic guitar for $1,250.

The guitars are the latest in a series of surprising Trump-approved items he has released this election season, including Trump Bibles, watches, sneakers and cryptocurrencies.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The manufacturer of the Trump guitars, 16Creative, has been hit with a cease and desist order from Gibson over claims that they are infringing the trademark on the iconic Les Paul design

Observers were quick to point out similarities between the Trump guitars (left) and the original Les Paul design (right)

Trump shared his guitar project on Truth Social on November 20 and was apparently at Mar-a-Lago when he straddled the eagle guitar.

He said in the caption that only 1,300 of each acoustic and electric version were made, and that the electric guitars seemed to be a big hit.

Just a few weeks after the guitars launched, all electric versions – including pricey $11,500 sets – sold out.

Acoustic guitars were still available, with regular, unsigned versions selling for $1,250, while the president-elect’s signature brings the price to $10,250.

In different designs, the guitars are divided into the American Eagle Series, the Presidential Series and God Bless the USA Guitars.

Trump guitars also have an additional patriotic feature, with the words “Presidential” and “God Bless the USA” written on the fretboard, and a 45 with stars surrounding it.

Shortly after Gibson confirmed they had sent a cease and desist letter, Trump’s guitar website added a disclaimer claiming it had no ties to the iconic guitar manufacturer.

“GetTrumpGuitars.com is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Gibson Brands Inc.,” the statement said.

The claim involved the company’s electric guitars, which sold for $1,500 unsigned or $12,500 signed, and have since sold out.

The acoustic range retails for $1,250 unsigned or $10,250 signed, and features an eagle on the front and ‘Make America Great Again’ on the neck

Shortly after Gibson confirmed they had sent a cease and desist letter, Trump’s guitar website added a disclaimer claiming it has no ties to the iconic guitar manufacturer.

16Creative is reportedly not owned by Trump, and its website states that the guitars are “custom designed and engineered by a veteran-owned company, with the help of a master luthier.”

Like many Trump products, they are not made entirely in the USA.

The website states that the guitars are “manufactured by multiple suppliers and contain parts/features that are both domestic and international.”

It adds that this is “standard across most guitar manufacturers.”