Thoughts on Signature Guitars?

[ArpeggiateTHIS]

SIGNATURE GUITARS

 

They're often a good way of getting something unusual out of a production-line brand, and you can own a symbol of your favourite artist, but does it not reveal a lack of character and individuality when playing one? Would you not feel "fixed" the the artist's style and out of place if you played, for instance, funk on a JS1000?

 

 

I say this because the new JEM505 looks pretty tasty:

 

Discuss.

 

EDIT: And with this thread, I ascend into the world of memberdom.

[guitarman3001]

I have no problem with signature guitars other than you're paying extra $$$ for nothing other than the artist's name associated with it. That said, I'm pissed that I didn't buy one of the epi slash models before they were discontinued.

[metalheadUK]

The only guitars I have that are Artist related are my Patrick Eggle Iommi, and my non official Joe Strummer replica Tele.

I've thought about it, and dont really care whether a guitar is a sig model or not, only if I like it.

[captainzoli]

I'll buy one if I get a great deal on it, otherwise, probably not.

[Grantus]

Seems to me you're often paying hundreds of dollars for a name and nothing else.

[csm]

I've thought about it, and dont really care whether a guitar is a sig model or not, only if I like it.

 

I own three sigs -- a Jeff Beck Strat, a Jerry Donahue Tele and a PRS Santana SE. Jeff Beck has been one of my all-time faves since I was a kid; JD and Carlos are players I tend to admire from a distance. In each case, I got the instrument on its own merits -- not because I try to play like its endorser or specifically want to cop their mojo.

[RaVenCAD]

An Ibanez Jem is about 10% different than an RG, but about 300% of the price.. On the other hand, the JS is pretty unique for Ibanez and a great guitar. Bad thing is the price sucks. So you gotta decide if the unique aspect is worth the obnoxious price tag. In most cases, it ain't.

[Osiris Risen]

I've got a Cort Hiram Bullock signature strat, I was looking for something else that the shop didn't have but tried out some other stuff anyway. The guitar felt and sounded perfect, and I was kind of irritated that I liked it so much because it was a signature guitar by someone I didn't know and I thought it looked kind of weird.

 

 

It took me a little while to appreciate that it doesn't look like every other strat out there, and I've been extremely happy with it ever since.

[Jkater]

I tend to think (or I like to think) that a signature model gets at least some sufficient attention at the factory. My Gary Moore sig Les Paul doesn't suffer from the usual complaints I hear about Gibson's lack of quality control. It's clearly a fine Les Paul with good materials (dark rosewood fretboard, one-piece mahogany back, etc.). It's a keeper for me.

[primemover12]

Most people are playing signature guitars.

I know a lot of guys who play the guitar endorsed and named after Les Paul. It doesn't seem to stop them from playing other styles of music.

95% of the people in your audiences won't know if you're playing a Satriani or Rhodes model. All they'll care about is whether they like what they hear.

Personally, I love the Jem--a slightly fuller neck profile than an RG, nicer electronics, and quirky looks.

Go for what you like.

[svai]

I think signature models are good as long as the instrument is built well, has great playability and tone. Price can be a bit ridiculous, but it can be worth it if the guitar is unique.

In theory we have all played the ultimate signature model for decades...
Les Paul........

[ido1957]

I bought a Eric Clapton Stratocaster way back in the late 80's. I bought it for the name and wanted to play like Clapton - I admit it. I thought the guitar would facilitate that. Practicing the instrument is by far the best way to sound like your idol, but the signature guitar can help give you the tone you're trying to copy. My Stratocaster does all that and more, it's one of the best guitars I've ever played and is very versatile. I think this particular model was well designed - especially the soft-v neck and the TBX/boost.
BTW - I'm know I'm no EC....even with a sig guitar...

[prolog]

One of my two electrics is a signature model - the Yamaha SA-503 TVL (Troy van Leeuwen). I could maybe name three Queens of the Stone Age songs. Maybe. I bought the guitar because it played well, sounded great, and stood out from the rest, feature-wise (3x soapbar pickups, 7-way switching, Bigsby).

 

I'm well past the honeymoon period, having bought the guitar in late 2008, and I love this guitar. Easily my #1. It's too bad that it was discontinued; if it had "Gibson" or "Fender" on the headstock, it probably would have sold really well.

[Josh S]

I bought a Eric Clapton Stratocaster way back in the late 80's. I bought it for the name and wanted to play like Clapton - I admit it. I thought the guitar would facilitate that. Practicing the instrument is by far the best way to sound like your idol, but the signature guitar can help give you the tone you're trying to copy. My Stratocaster does all that and more, it's one of the best guitars I've ever played and is very versatile. I think this particular model was well designed - especially the soft-v neck and the TBX/boost. BTW - I'm know I'm no EC....even with a sig guitar...

I adore my Clapton sig!

And of course, I play my Gilmour sig every show (for obvious reasons)...

I've had many sig guitars - most of the time, I get them because I like the features they have.

[Dougie.Douglas]

I, personally, would not own a signature guitar. Sure, some of them are real nice (the Santana SE comes to mind - as CSM mentioned), but I don't really see the point in owning a guitar that is a replica of someone elses... its better to find your own look/style in my opinion.

[prolog]

I, personally, would not own a signature guitar. Sure, some of them are real nice (the Santana SE comes to mind - as CSM mentioned), but I don't really see the point in owning a guitar that is a replica of someone elses... its better to find your own look/style in my opinion.

 

 

The thing is:

 

- How many people play red/black/burst Strats (and Teles - I'm looking at you, Dougie!)

- Burst Les Pauls?

- Cherry-red SGs?

- Pointy guitars with EMGs?

 

Better to differentiate yourself by your music than your exact make and model of guitar, IMHO.

[ffemt596]

Often times the signature models offer extras or a particular combination of features that the regular models don't. I have one signature model and want another because of those reasons. It really has nothing to do with the artist, although I listen to the bands they play in.

[ArpeggiateTHIS]

I, personally, would not own a signature guitar. Sure, some of them are real nice (the Santana SE comes to mind - as CSM mentioned), but I don't really see the point in owning a guitar that is a replica of someone elses... its better to find your own look/style in my opinion.

 

 

That's what I'm battling with, the idea that no matter how many mods I made to it, it just wouldn't be "mine".

 

On the other hand, you can get some really decent, out-of-the-ordinary stuff (such as the monkey grip seen on Stevie's JEM) on them that you just wouldn't see otherwise.

[chaos2767]

I love my signature Schecter Jeff Loomis, one of the most comfortable guitars that I have played to date!

[Dougie.Douglas]

The thing is: - How many people play red/black/burst Strats (and Teles - I'm looking at you, Dougie!) - Burst Les Pauls? - Cherry-red SGs? - Pointy guitars with EMGs? Better to differentiate yourself by your music than your exact make and model of guitar, IMHO.

I, have actually never seen anyone else playing a Red/Black burst tele

But I see where you are coming from but I like a guitar to be mine, not Steve Vai's or Eric Clapton's.

[prolog]

I, have actually never seen anyone else playing a Red/Black burst tele But I see where you are coming from but I like a guitar to be mine, not Steve Vai's or Eric Clapton's.

I suppose that's your preference. I personally don't care that I'm playing a TVL signature guitar. To me, it's just a big semi-hollowbody, a "thing". It sounds great, and that's what I care about.

[the_gunslinger]

This is a complicated subject for me. I like the individuality of taking a guitar, and making it yours by playing the hell out of it and through whatever mods you want to do to it. Some people may identify that guitar to you, for instance many friends associate me with my hot rodded Fender strat because I play that one the most and I'm rarely seen without it. Also I love the thing to death, it truly is 'my' guitar.

 

At the same time I don't consider guitars like the Les Paul and Rhoads models signature guitars, because there are many different models, and there is enough variation between models to make them distinct.

 

Also, I believe that if you want to buy a signature guitar, like that Jem above, that meets all your specifications and such you should do it. Personally I'd rather not pay extra just to have a name attached to an instrument.

I have been GASin bad for one of those Jackson Adrian Smith models(see pic below), I love the look, and has everything I want in a strat right there, but I don't want the name. I don't want to come off as a fanboy or anything. I would love it if Jackson made this a regular production guitar and called it something different, I would buy it then in a heartbeat. But otherwise, I'll lean towards the Soloist until that happens. As stated somewhere above, the audience doesn't care what you play, but it matters to me.

 

My advice is do what you need to do. If you want to buy that guitar, go for it, its all what you like anyway. I'm not knocking signature guitars here or anything.

 

[Kap'n]

If a signature model brings something new to the party, it's cool.

 

Like a Les Paul. Nothing like it existed until 'ol Lester put his name on the peghead. Or a nice Chet Atikins Gretsch.

 

If you like nasal mid boost and lace sensors, pick up an old Clapton Strat. That sound wasn't available anywhere else.

 

Most of the others, I'd probably pay less because they have somebody else's name on it. They seem to be differentiated by the number of points and location on the body. And signature model Les Pauls...

[sdgails]

Iv'e never seen anyone get any {censored} for playing A Chet Atkins, Les Paul, or Trini Lopez......

[Slave2TheAudio]

I have my G&L Jerry Cantrell Signature rampage in the mail as we speek :)