Signature Model Guitars...Yay or Nay?

[Bogner]

Are you fans of signature model guitars? I know some are and some aren't. I think I would probably NOT buy a signature guitar if I wasn't a fan of the artist.

If you are a fan of signature model guitars, which ones do you like?

I really like the Knaggs Steve Stevens SS2 models although the SSC models are ok. I am also a fan of anything ESP and James Hetfield. The PRS Tremonti's (old versions with fat necks and fixed bridges) are awesome as well.

 

[metlking]

I'm a big fan of the Les Paul!

 

[Hsb]

If the only difference between the signature model of guitar and one that is not signature but they are the same minus the signature, I see no need to purchase the signature model. I have an Iceman that was a reissue back in 94, I would never spend the money on the PS model of that guitar when for far less the difference between those two guitars, I could build my Iceman into the PS model.

For $160 I could make my Iceman a PS model minus his name, not worth the cost of the Sig model difference of about $400. I think I paid approx $800 for it new, think the PS models were going for $1200, so for the cost of 2 pickups and his name on it, naw, not gonna happen.

 

[idsnowdog]

I'm not a fan. A lot of times the differences between regular production and signature models are more cosmetic than functional.

 

[GuitarStv]

I'd buy a signature model if the features on it closely match what I'm looking for. I don't care at all about whether or not it has someone's sig on the headstock.

 

[ICTGoober]

It's not critical for me to have the true signature model. But I have one or two.

 

[Masta' C]

There's NO shame in getting a signature model. In many cases, you get finishes and features not available on standard production guitars of the same model for not a lot of money. In my experience, they also tend to have solid QC, as well.

Every guitarist dreams of playing their own "signature" model, but that's not realistic for 99% of us.

 

[Masta' C]

I'm a big fan of the Les Paul!

:smack:

There's always someone pulling out the "Les Paul" in threads about "signature" guitars

Gee, I have a Paul Reed Smith...does that mean I have a "signature" guitar? I mean, it literally has his "signature" on the headstock, so must be...right? :lmao:

 

[Mincer]

They allow quirky differences in design that you can't get from a standard model. I don't like them when they are just the same model in a different color or a different pickup option. I really want to see the artist in the design. Like the St Vincent Music Man, the Belew Parker Fly or the 1st Blackmore Strat from Japan with 2 pickups and a set neck.

 

[PFDarkside]

I'd buy a signature model if the features on it closely match what I'm looking for. I don't care at all about whether or not it has someone's sig on the headstock.

This exactly. I have one signature guitar, a John Mayer Strat. It’s basically the SRV V2, with more vintage style pickups a different neck carve and most importantly for me, a small signature on the back of the headstock so it really just looks like a Strat.

I do have an interest in the Clapton Strat, that’s got a pretty unique setup. Also the Slash AFD Les Paul is just an iconic look I want someday. It doesn’t have to be the AFD, but that distressed lemon burst is awesome.

 

[nexion218]

Usually it's a no from me. But for example the only 7string Jackson with Warrior shape was the Dave Davidson sig model. And since like the guy's playing a lot and his sig model offered something I could only get from the Custom Shop otherwise it was a no brainer.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

I'm all about unique gear, I have owned a few sig model stuff and it's always been great, but I've never bought a signature model just because I was a fan of that player.... Only because it either looked super, or had all the features I am looking for.

 

[beaubrummels]

I will use a sig model if it has features I want/need. For example, the Pete Townshend SJ200 was the only production J-200 with a solid bridge when it came out, and it had an incredibly thin easy neck to play.

 

[Artie]

I'm pretty much in the same boat with everyone else. It's the guitar, not the sig, that I care about. For example, I love the Robert Cray Stratocaster. But it's because it's a hardtail. Not because of RC.

 

[Adieu]

:smack:

There's always someone pulling out the "Les Paul" in threads about "signature" guitars

Gee, I have a Paul Reed Smith...does that mean I have a "signature" guitar? I mean, it literally has his "signature" on the headstock, so must be...right? :lmao:

not really

It was literally made as a signature model. Which is why they even tried to call the SG a Les Paul when their marketing department decided to get Les to play SGs and discontinue the "real" LPs.

Which, as we know, didn't exactly work out

 

[JB_From_Hell]

There are a bunch of sig guitars I'd like to own... PRS DGT, J Mascis Jazzmaster, a JEM, the og black/green Universe, Geddy Lee J bass, Clapton Strat, Solar At The Gates baritone, Reverend Grag Koch and Reeves Gabrels... probably more.

 

[CaptainWhizz]

As others have said, I’d get a signature guitar for the specs, not for the artist’s name. Like the Epiphone Jason Hook Explorer that came with Duncans looked good spec for the money, but I don’t know his work.

 

[PFDarkside]

Oh, another one that looks awesome is the Lizzy Hale. I’ve never head Halestorm, but those explorers are killer!

 

[3'scompany]

Not my thing, generally. Seems most are about slapping the artist's name on the guitar, which is the thing I hate most about signature guitars. If I ever had a signature guitar (will never happen), it wouldn't have my name on it. Just have them build it to your unique specs. People will still know its your signature guitar without a cheesy signature. That being said, I wouldn't let a signature stop me from buying one. However, I've yet to find a signature model guitar that I wanted to buy and couldn't get the desired results from elsewhere and at a cheaper price, but my tastes are pretty standard.

 

[Liam1963]

I own two Jimmie Vaughan Strats, not a lot of money spent, both great axes!