Skip_dup1 Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 I`ve been wondering-does anyone own one of those signature (you know, the (name) model)? some of them seem nice, but I`ve never felt any particular desire to own one. It sure would be nice to have one named after me, but I`m interested to know if there`s one that stands out among the current crop... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 I've always looked at it like a cheap marketing ploy, or, on a more positive note, kinda like those special edition Winchester 30-30s with John Wayne engraved on the side...primarily for collectors. If my "idol" played a early 60s Tele, then I'd perhaps want an early 60s Tele, not a 2001 replica of an early 60s tele with said idol's name on it. But that's just me. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanner Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 well-this is my story-and i'm stickin to it: i have always(dont ask me why)loved the sound of lefty guitars played by righties and conversely righty guitars played by leftys and i have always had to buy lefty guitars that i strung right-handed(ya follow?)-then they came out w/ the street version(not the custom shop deal!) of the strat thang which was what i have always been after-so the neck and pick/ups are upside down but it is set up as a righty guitar and for me it is the best of both worlds. i know this wasnt why they made them guitars but they are usefull for my 'surf music stylings'! s AMPSSOUNDBETTERLOUDER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timrocker Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 Hi Pluckers; I think the Richie Sambora strat from Fender looks to be pretty useful. You get a good 'bucker in the bridge, a Floyd Rose, and a good choice of colors. Anybody get a chance to play on the Gary Moore Les Paul? Or the Joe Perry Les Paul? Curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 I think that "signature" guitars are usually an excuse for a company to make a small cosmetic change to a popular guitar and charge a WHOLE LOT more for it. I have a feeling that the people who are buying them are younger players who absolutely idolize a player and MUST have what they have, or older guys with cash to burn who always wanted an Epiphone Casino with the finish stripped off just like John Lennon's and now that they're available, will happily plunk down a couple of grand for one. The PRS Santana II guitar is an exception and it looks like a nice basic guitar for not too much moolah. I tried one out and it absolutely would not stay in tune. Gibson are the signature guitar whores of all time. They're making signature guitars for guys who have been washed up for years (Ace Frehley, Slash, Peter Frampton) and charging major bucks for them. Someone must be buying them. . . "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael saulnier Posted October 29, 2001 Share Posted October 29, 2001 I have a Jimmy Vaughn model and I consider it to be a great deal. In fact, I bought it because of the guitar and the deal, NOT because it was a Jimmy Vaughn model. Vintage strat setup, old style vibrato and bridge, chuncky "v" style neck. It has a nice vintage strat vibe... all for under $400. MIM of course. Ironically Fender has discontinued this model, so I guess it's a "collectors" model now... Anyway, Fender seems to have made "signature" models with certain features not available on any other guitars short of the custom shop. For example on the SRV, you get a Pau Ferro fretboard, on the Clapton... you get lace sensors and a mid-boost. Both of these are fairly nice features that would cost a lot more from the custom shop. guitplayer [ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: guitplayer ] I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
take5 Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 I have a Jimmy Page Les Paul...bought it because it has a compound radius neck that feels great and plays great. That would be a big buck mod on any Les Paul...if you could find a competant craftsman to do the job. The only drawback to the JP is the crappy Gibson ceramic magnet pups...496R & 500T...too bright and edgy...they are not the same as the pups on a Standard. I think I have finally decide on a SD Seth Lover neck and a Pearly Gates bridge as replacements. The JP also looks great and they are now selling for more on ebay than what I paid 3 years ago...but after the new pups I'll be a happy guy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Originally posted by Gabriel E.: Gibson are the signature guitar whores of all time. They're making signature guitars for guys who have been washed up for years (Ace Frehley, Slash, Peter Frampton) and charging major bucks for them. Someone must be buying them. . . Point 1: I see... Fender releases a signature model for close to, if not more than 20 players, but Gibson's the whore for offering less than half that... I knew taking new math would just confuse issues in the real world! Point 2: All the players you listed have passed the test of time, and like it or not, are still successful as performers. I guess washed up doesn't mean what it used to. With the exception of Slash (I don't know what he's up to), these guys are still playing to arenas. I should only be so washed up. There's no question that many signature models cost more due to the interest generated by the player connected with them. But the Jimmy Page had custom electronics, the Angus Young and Tony Iommi guitars have custom, signature pickups, the Gary Moore uses the Burstbucker pickups, otherwise available only on far more expensive historic reissues. As posted previously, Fender offers unique features on many of their signature models as well. If you don't like the instrument or the hype surrounding it, don't buy it. But don't blame manufacturers for giving a segment of the market exactly what they want and asking for compensation based on the demand. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 Slash backed up AC/DC on their tour last year (or was it the year before?) His band is called "Slash's Snakepit". "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted October 30, 2001 Share Posted October 30, 2001 QUOTE]Slash backed up AC/DC on their tour last year (or was it the year before?) His band is called "Slash's Snakepit".[ As I said, Slash is washed up. "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adz Posted October 31, 2001 Share Posted October 31, 2001 I think one of the unusual ones has to be the Peavey EVH Wolfgang. It was designed in conjunction with EVH himself and he actually plays the model himself so that says something about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted October 31, 2001 Author Share Posted October 31, 2001 That EVH model costs like a mofo... As far as the rulers of the signature guitar heap, I`d have to vote for Ibanez. Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Pat Metheny, George Benson...I can`t even remember most of them. Anyway, any of these makers could be nice guys and offer player-designed parts separately, without having to buy a particular guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrbreez Posted October 31, 2001 Share Posted October 31, 2001 I have a Clapton strat. I bought for the neck. The previous owner had replaced the pickups with Texas Specials. I left them on because I really like the sound. Buddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsmith Posted November 6, 2001 Share Posted November 6, 2001 I have a Yamaha Ty Tabor model guitar that I bought strictly for the sound and feel. Being an old fart, I had no idea who Ty Tabor was when I bought the instrument. Since then, I have checked out one King's X cd and think they are quite good. IMHO, guitars are to be played. If you like the sound, like the feel, and can live with the cost, it just doesn't matter who's name is or is not associated with it. But then, manufacturers spend major money on ads featuring this or that artist using their stuff so somebody must think it is a valid way to choose gear. Just a thought, Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_dup1 Posted November 7, 2001 Author Share Posted November 7, 2001 But then, manufacturers spend major money on ads featuring this or that artist using their stuff so somebody must think it is a valid way to choose gear. Just a thought, Glenn[/QB] You know, I wonder about that sometimes. I mean, the artist get the gear for nothing, the manufactuer gets advertising every time the player or group gigs, as well as endorsements in magazines. How much do they really need people to be banging the doors down to buy them? Most of the big manufacturers are into a dozen other things-having their name out there is the real point. Just another thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtrmac Posted November 7, 2001 Share Posted November 7, 2001 But then, manufacturers spend major money on ads featuring this or that artist using their stuff so somebody must think it is a valid way to choose gear. Maybe they can't come up with any better marketing ideas. It is pretty effective though. When I saw a picture of Jimi Hendrix playing a strat I sure wanted one. Come to think of it I want every guitar that I see a picture of. Mac Bowne G-Clef Acoustics Ltd. Osaka, Japan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsmith Posted November 7, 2001 Share Posted November 7, 2001 OK, this is going to prove I have no real life. The recent turn in this discussion to advertising peaked my curiosity. I took out a recent issue of GP and counted just the full page or larger ads. And, I didn't judge by whether I had a clue who the artist was, just whether the ad did any name dropping. Out of the 60 ads, 50 did not present an artist at all, just the product. Only 10 used an artist to push the product and many of those had the artist's image a relatively minor part of the ad. I was rather surprised. While the size of the ratio was what I expected, for some reason I was expecting the numbers to go the other way. Take care, Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy James Posted November 8, 2001 Share Posted November 8, 2001 I'm playing a Ernie Ball/Music Man Steve Morse Model. Yeah, I'm a huge fan but this guitar is incredible. I wish I had gotten one sooner. Tones all over the place. The Swiss Army Knife of guitars. Tele, Pauls, Strats, and stuff in between. It has a real blusey versatile Southern Rock vibe that cleans up extremely well. I'm even playing Jazz on it. It just sounds good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Soloway Posted November 8, 2001 Share Posted November 8, 2001 About 10 years ago I had a Gibson Herb Ellis (otherise known as the 165). It was one of the worst pieces of junk I've ever owned. I couldn't support its own weight on a wall hanger and a crack opened up in the back of the neck. The couldnever really stabalize it and I unloaded it for a serious loss. My favorite signature module is probably the Ibanez George Benson, a terrific guitar, a unique design, and well worth the money. I play 7 string jazz now and the only signiture guitar that I'm aware of in that market is a vintage George Van Eps Gretsch. I considered it, but they really weren't very good so I'm kind of hoping that Gene Baker will be me a guitar with my name on it some day instead. :-) www.jimsoloway.com www.solowayguitars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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