Re: signature guitars = poser or no??
It's all in how you wield it. For example, if you wear a T-shirt with the face of the artist or his band while playing his guitar and/or a set of mostly his songs.....that's better done in private for your own amusement or strictly in a tribute band. :dunce: It's like going to The Louvre in Paris wearing an American flag shirt and a baseball cap that says "Who Farted?". :laugh: Screams tourist, i.e., you don't belong here.
And I've said it before, but I'll sat it again: most people simply don't
look right holding JEMs, especially the '80s dayglow models or guitars with some other kind of flashy custom graphic. If you look like an average bloke who works in a convenience store when not tending to your rock star dream, about 70 lbs overweight, short hair, etc, just get a Les Paul Studio and call it day, eh?
I like numerous sig models, because they are killer guitars. I wouldn't buy them thinking "now I am Van Halen", etc. They can be a subtle tribute to that artist (especially when recording), but I would never want to make it about imitating someone else. I consider the famous red-black-white striped EVH guitar a bit too sacred and iconic to play on stage, because EVERYBODY knows who played that guitar. But a sig Fender Strat from anyone? Who would even know the difference except diehard guitar geeks?!
I dig the recent Jeff Beck strats in Surf Green w/rosewood, it's next on my list, actually.
Ultimately, it you want it, get it. But like someone said earlier, put a little thought into how your audience will perceive you if you are going to play on stage with it...
