Signature guitars......Why?

[veryhungrycaterpilla]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

It's not an exact science, but it does indeed work in the real world. Import guitars (save for certain models) lose value, MIA stuff raises.

But, the beauty of it is, if I go by my idea, and you yours, it leaves more of the desired product for each of us :beerchug:

Friendly debate over a beer or two or three :

EC new $1500. Like new model on ebay starting at $999 and no bids. Potential loss of $500.

JV new $650. Used model on ebay at $450 and no bids. Potential loss of $200

I'm not sure how you think a $500 loss is less than a $200 loss.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I don't like signature models. I prefer a custom guitar made with my specifications.

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

Well, I own a few Les Pauls, but I don't really try and sound like Les Paul.

I own a Clapton Strat. but I don't really sound like Eric Clapton when I play it.

A name on a headstock never bothered me. An axe that can't get the job done does though.

Les Paul the musician must be an acquired taste. I have an appreciation for Les Pauls contributions to the world of music, and the recording industry, but there're a lot of musicians from the '50s I'd rather listen to a record from.

I don't really think the Les Paul is a signature guitar though. More of a model name.

A lot of players love the Eric Clapton Strat, or the Eric Johnson Strat. If I was going to buy a Strat, one of the ones I'd consider would be the Jimmy Vaughn Strat.

The signature guitars that I can't even think about getting are the EVH Frankie knockoffs, or those Brian May signature guitars. Probably great guitars and all, but they're just too visually associated with a specific musician, so no thanks!

While with something like a Les Paul, it's associated with Peter Green, Mike Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Slash, Gary Moore, Duane Allman, Dickie Betts, Warren Haynes (dozens of others).

The thing that bothers me about most signature guitars is that it seems like the companies putting them out are trying to cash in on popular musicans. Like... John Mayer! Where's my 10 foot pole, because I hear they're pretty good actually. No way I'd own one though.

Pete

 

[Mincer]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

If the guitarist whos signature is on the headstock doesnt actually use that particular guitar, you have to wonder how many hundreds of $ they add to the 'budget' version just to sell guitars. Sounds kinda cheap.

Blackmore never really used even his custom shop model. Yngwie uses a private luthier to scallop his frets- he doesn't like Fender to touch them. Allan Holdsworth stopped using his signature Carvin years ago, and publicly stated he had problems with it, yet they still sell it. Steve Howe never used his signature Gibson live, or never mentioned recording with it.
You have to weigh the artist's endorsement, the obvious grab for cash, as well as the fact that it might not matter because it might have features you want.
Do people want 'SRV' on their strat? Isn't that kind of goofy?? Would Bob Marley ever play his tribute Epiphone?

BTW, I liked the Blackmore custom shop and love the Steve Morse EBMM.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I would never buy a signature guitar for the signature, though there are several I would buy for the feel. The Eric Johnson strat for example - I'm not the biggest fan, but it feels and sounds extremely good, and I would buy it in a second. That.. dude from Lamb of God has a signature Jackson.. I played one for a bit, it sounded great actually - 59 set, splitting, I was playing jazz and blues on it, while the metalheads next to me were giving me the "Why the hell arent you playing lamb of god it's a METAL GUITAR N00B!@!!!!" look....

 

[tone?]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I would but a sig guitar but it couldnt have too much visual to it as someone else stated.
I could definately buy a EBMM Axis and a EJ strat.

Other than that i dont really have problems with those guitars. But i wouldnt buy them solely because they are signature guitars. They have to sound a feel like something i want. So i dont care whos name is on it, it need to fulfill me.

 

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I usually don't but I bought a (Geddy Lee) jazz bass, I like the 70's look

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

...That happens anyway apparently :laugh2:

Anyway, if sig guitars can look like this:

then WOOO!!!

WoW! Those are badass! I'm not a Fender guy because of many factors, but those two (I love Dick Dale!!!!!) remind me of the days of independent bicycle shops loaded with Schwinn bicycles! The glitter finish of the most crazy colors could be found for the handlebar grips, and "banana" seats.

Those two are totally mid 1960's/early 1970's, Big Daddy Ed Roth (Rat Fink), George Barris/ ski boat "chunky flake" awesome!

 

[DepecheMoses]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I don't like sig guitars. I feel like I'm good enough at soldering to make my own sig guitar, and I don't have to pay for the name. I'm generally not interested in aesthetics (except with the J5LP, which can only be described as "righteous"), so as long as it doesn't look like total crap I don't see why it should have to look like the artist's.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

Like stated before, I don't care if they're this or that guy's signature axe.

I only see the axe, if it's good then I look how much extra I have to pay in royalties, if it's THAT good then I'd buy it.
Hasn't happened yet, I'm just saying it could happen...

(good meaning what I'm looking for as in specs, not just in terms of quality)

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

The Hunter Signature Strat is going to be / have:
Ash strat body with clearcoat finish
white/black/white Strat guard
24 3/4 scale
Bridge humbucker, neck single coil
Telecaster neck
Rotary knob wired bridge / both / neck, volume with push-pull coil split for bucker, master tone
Hardtail

I think we'll sell a million of em!

 

[millsart]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I bought a "Dean From Hell" just as sort of a tribute to Dime a few years ago.

Is that a signature model ? Hard to say, its certainly an iconic guitar associated with him, and while its not "the" DFH, it still looked awesome on the wall display hook (only guitar I had one for) and it was always lots of fun to jam on some Pantera riffs on the thing.

The pronounced V neck wasn't to my liking but the double locking floyd and XL500 in the bridge kept me entertained for weeks doing harmonic squeals lol



I'll tell you what else, I'm sure not going to buy one, but I'd gladly accept a fender custom shop Strummer tele any day of the week.

When a man's just larger than life any little thing to serve as a tribute to a legend and idol of mine would sure be nice to have

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I don't think much of most, but some models like the Ywgwie Strat really offer something unique and not just a name on a headstock.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

Les Paul the musician must be an acquired taste. I have an appreciation for Les Pauls contributions to the world of music, and the recording industry, but there're a lot of musicians from the '50s I'd rather listen to a record from.

I don't really think the Les Paul is a signature guitar though. More of a model name.

Well, that's kind of the idea. Folks innovate and then others adopt it and make their own thing out of it or use it in their own way.

Les Paul Signature instruments have had the benefit of over fifty years of players getting ahold of them and doing their thing. Everything from Blues with Muddy Waters and Nu Metal with Korn was recorded with a Les Paul.

The thing that bothers me about most signature guitars is that it seems like the companies putting them out are trying to cash in on popular musicans. Like... John Mayer! Where's my 10 foot pole, because I hear they're pretty good actually. No way I'd own one though.

They don't put out axes because they think the player is great or not.

I know this may come as a shock...but guitar companies are in it to make money and Marketing is all about figuring out how to sell those guitars.

The words "talent" "skill" and integrity never ever enter into the conversation.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I still want an SRV Strat. The only thing I'd change is the pickguard for one without the SRV on it. That's his thing, not mine. I love everything else about the guitar.

And yes, SRV was involved in the design of it. #1 became too fragile to keep on the road and he needed a replacement.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I have a Page model L.P though you wouldn't know by looking at it. I took all the horrible switching out and the gold hardware and replaced it with nickle, so it looks more '59! My other one is a Peavey Wolf, only got this 'coz it's probably THE easiest guitar I've ever played, though it's not my favorite... sounds great with a S.D Custom in the bridge.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

i own a signature guitar and dont listen to the guy's music whatsoever. its all about the features (and in this case, a really really good deal)

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I've never bought one...for 2 reasons. First, none of them matched my exact specs.
Second, baby Jesus broke the mold when he made me, and GJ doesn't cop teh stylings of others. LOL

My signature Fender is basically the rarest pearl dust finishes I can find, then I seek out a Fender American rosewood/maple neck that's as good as a Suhr, and top it off with the best handwound A5 6.3-9K vintage strat pickups I can find. Rewired to EJ wiring specs.

 

[Top Jimmy]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I wouldn't buy it because so and so uses, it would obviously be the style and features I'd want. I just bought the EBMM Petrucci and couldn't be happier. I wanted two humbuckers, check. No locking nuts, check. No floyd, check. Unfinished oil neck, check.

It's just a bonus I love Petrucci too that his guitar is what I wanted.

Otherwise always wanted the Jem Floral pattern guitar though not technically a sig guitar i think. Then of course any EVH guitar made, they I don't like the Axis neck.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Signature guitars......Why?

I think most signature guitars are not actually close to the artists' axes.

Examples:

Ritchie Blackmore Stratocasters usually have fully scalloped necks, but Ritchie has them scalloped mainly under the high strings.

Blackmore's tone comes from several gizmos around his gear (tone circuit, his tape etc.) of which there is no trace in these guitars. Blackmore according to his roadie also has the neck glued.

Jim Root Telecaster: the guy actually uses a neck-through, or at least that's what a quick forum search suggests.

Doesn't change the fact that most signature guitars are nice guitars.