it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

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phantom214

New member
I have been using those signature pickup set on my R9.
Oneday, I was curious about whether Joe really uses them. So I did little research and it seems that he never uses his custom pickup set on any of his main guitars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DD0Yn1XJjE&channel=premierguitar
This is 2013 rig rundown and none of his guitars had his SD pickup set.
(the tech guy did mention the custom "bonamassa bucker" on one guitar however, he was not sure whether they were burst bucker or bonamassa bucker.)
And I checked 2014 rig rundown, also.
Seymour Duncan Bonamassa set was produced 2012, so if Joe really liked his pickup
set, he should use those pickups at least on one or two of his guitars.
However, as you can see from the video clip, even if he uses some Italian made paf replica, he doesn't use his signature pickup set. Irony, isn't it?
The only reason I bought those pickups was that I thought Joe 'proved' that his signature pickups are nice replica of his paf. (you know they are not cheap and with that much money you can buy 'the pickup made by vintage correct material' such as Throbak etc. )
So, I am a bit disappointed that he doesn't use his signature pickup because it means that it is not good enough for him to use them. Think about it. if you were so satisfied with one particular pickup, wouldn't it be normal to install the same pickups at least on some guitars? Regardless of tone or quality, what is the point of selling signature model if the artist never uses his own signature model?
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

I can see your point, but that doesn't mean his own sig "isn't good enough for him to use". It means that he's already got the prototype.
Look at it this way -- Brian May doesn't have the sig model of his guitar, he's got the original one that he and his dad made.

In most cases the sig pickup is a copy of an existing hot-rodded model already in the artist's guitar.
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

Signature stuff is always questionable. It is just a ridiculous marketing scheme.

The only reason why I tolerate this nonsense is that it provides income to musicians, and in the case of guitar gear these musicians are usually not rich yet and still get ripped off by the record companies.

Even if they use it on stage, in the studio the vintage gear comes out.
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

Well I mean do YOU like the way they sound?:31:

Joe Bonamassa be damned if you like them.
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

Well, does the Rev. Gibbons always use a Pearly gates? Does JP have WLH's in each LP? I love my Fuglys but I don't want them in every guitar.
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

Brian May does use his signature guitars in concert.
I think Joe is an endorsement slut. I like sluts, but I am not complimenting him in this case. Johnny Hiland used to do that.
 
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Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

Joe takes his real 59's (and 57's etc) on the road with him usually. Are you really telling me if you had the choice between a real burst and a new guitar with a attempt to copy a PAF that you'd play the latter???

Secondly, the whole purpose of creating this pickup isn't so Joe can have one, but people like you can have them......Otherwise there would have only been ONE set made. Joe already has many PAF's - he doesn't really need another....which by the way is based on a set in a guitar he actually owns!!!
 
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Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

If the Seymour Duncan company makes a custom shop set with my name on them, I will play them everywhere, everytime. The big video screen will be advertising that I am playing my signature set. And I will thank my pickup company numerous times during the show and in interviews, Youtube, and my website and everywhere.
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

The neck profile on Phil Collen's Jacksons is like a '49 Buick front bumper. The retail version is considerably more playable.

If a guitar tech doesn't know what pickups are in the guitars of his employer, he's merely a glorified string-changer IMO.

Additionally, maybe the guitar he tested his signature pickups in is the only in which they sound good to him? Doesn't matter how many LPCs he has, they're all going to sound different with the same pickup in them. Maybe he likes how the stock Gibsons sound? Maybe he has that little Italian boutique shop custom-voice each pickup for the guitar its in, and those pickups will only sound good in that guitar?
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

Joes is a gear slut. he loves this one day , and then something else tomorrow. he is a complete gear nerd and actually has the money/resources to buy what he wants. The Signature PUP thing was probably just a fun thing for him to do that afternoon. I wouldn't look that far into it. If you dig them then play'em.
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

atreidesheir said:
Brian May does use his signature guitars in concert.
Click to expand...

No. He doesn't.

 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

So, it seems our op is indeed a phantom.

or a sock
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

I've talked with him about this. He loves the pickups and uses them in several guitars but he also feels that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If there's a guitar that would benefit from those pickups, they go in. If it's fine already, it's fine already. I was talking to him on the phone once and he said that while he was talking he was looking at a 335 and a box of the Seymour Duncan pickups that were going to go in there right after hanging up.
 
Re: it seems like Joe Bonamassa doesn't use his own signature pickups.

DrNewcenstein said:
The neck profile on Phil Collen's Jacksons is like a '49 Buick front bumper. The retail version is considerably more playable.
Click to expand...

Oh man, have you seen those things close up? They're insane! I like 'em but that kinda neck is definitely not for everyone. If I recall correctly they even make the original Jeff Beck Strat neck look like an Ibanez Wizard.
 
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