Signature Guitars

[bwanasonic]

I have a couple signature models, but it's because they are inexpensive and good playing models. One is a blue Epiphone Noel Gallagher 335 style, and the other is a Schecter Robert DeLeo bass. I can't think of a case where I'd buy a guitar because it was a sig model, or a case where I wouldn't buy a guitar I liked, because of the signature on it.

Kerry M

[Pete Galati]

Originally Posted by Rich@wildriceband.com

Just seems a bit tacky to me. My brother in law was insulted when I refused his offer to have one of my guitars signed by his friend, Dave Mason.. Dave is great, I have enjoyed his music for years, but he never played my guitars- I'd rather jam with him than have him deface my instrument...

That situation wouldn't work for me, where your brother in law has Dave Mason sign your guitar. It's just way too impersonal.

To be honest, I'd rather have a guitar covered with TDPRI signatures, than one with a Dave Mason signature where someone asked him to sign it. The TDPRI signatures would be cool IMO, but the Dave Mason sig situation is very questionable. No disrecpect to anyone intended.

Pete

[Big Mike Simpson]

Originally Posted by TG

I'd get a Muddy Waters tele, but only because it has the specs I like. Nothin' to do with any signature.
I'd probably put normal tele knobs on it anyway to make it look more 'normal'.

+1 on that... and if it was Lake Placid Blue or Black...

I have been more interested in a 62 reissue but have not found "the right one at the right price" ...not sure how I feel about the "custom" with the binding either... somehow binding just seems out of place on a Tele..

I have less of a problem with a guitar that is made in the style of a famous players guitar than I do with a guitar that has someone's name painted or inlaid on it.

[Duncan]

I have a Robben Ford Signature model (it's a highly customized version) because it's a great guitar, and not because it's a Robben Ford.

I don't dislike him, but I am not a Robben Ford fan at all.

[sax4blues]

I generally agree with the sentiment that they aren't something a gigging professional should be seen with but I do want an Eric Johnson Strat for several features I really like. If I get one, I'll probably use it but I won't advertise the fact that it's an EJ sig model.

I just can't see this at all, but then again I'm a rank amateur. If someone rubs off the EJ decal it's ok for a "Pro"? I have read nothing but stellar reviews of this guitar, yet it would undermine a "Pro's" cred if he was caught gigging it? Maybe Fender should have a "Pro" line that would advertise the Eric Johnson Non-Signature model. The main selling point would be you could have one of the nicest instruments Fender makes and nobody would know. Maybe they could even serialize it MIM. I bet every "Gigging Pro" that buys a Custom Shop model tells his buddies that it's CS.

[Pete Galati]

Originally Posted by sax4blues

I just can't see this at all, but then again I'm a rank amateur. If someone rubs off the EJ decal it's ok for a "Pro"?

I'm only guessing, but I'd imagine that all the parts on an EJ Strat can be bought separately. A gigging professional could easilly pick and choose the features he wants from the EJ Strat, and have one built to his own specs.

The staggered tuners on the EJ Strat are a cool idea. Same with the quarter sawn neck. There're probably a few other things that're good idea that I don't know about.

I hear a lot of good things about the EJ Strat, but something would stop me from buying it. I mean, other than being out of money.

Pete

[Blazer]

My main stage guitar so happens to be a signature model.

One of those...



People tend to forget that the Gibson Les Paul is the Signature model of Les Paul.

[Slim]

I think Pete Townsend playing Clapton's Strat is great. Someone that tempermental and accomplished checking his ego at the door to play an instrument he, I assume, enjoys displays character in my opinion.

[Ed Bickert]

I would say a "signature edition" is a guitar that is crafted in such a way that has very specific features not found on current production models of the same guitar. Maybe it's a special pickup configuration, or neck profile, or something along those lines.

The Les Paul has been made with hundreds of different configurations and even body styles through the years. Les Paul probably hasn't even played 95% of the models that came out with his name on it. How can you have a Joe Perry Les Paul if it's a Les Paul?

Calling a Les Paul a signature edition guitar is like calling a Ford a signature edition car. Or "Dunlop" a signature edition pick. But hey, whatever floats that boat for ya! Lol!

[dpote]

Because I want a Will Ray model ASAT. It has all the upgrades I am looking for. As for other signature models, I don't see many extras offered on them. For example; the Mayer Strat is just a strat with the trem spring cover removed, and two springs added.

Dave

[Ed Bickert]

Originally Posted by dpote

Because I want a Will Ray model ASAT. It has all the upgrades I am looking for. As for other signature models, I don't see many extras offered on them. For example; the Mayer Strat is just a strat with the trem spring cover removed, and two springs added.

Dave

It also has one version with a special paint scheme. And I'm pretty certain it has a special neck profile like the other signature editons. Wich is all a signature edition really ever seems to be anyway.

[Blazer]

Originally Posted by Ed Bickert

I would say a "signature edition" is a guitar that is crafted in such a way that has very specific features not found on current production models of the same guitar. Maybe it's a special pickup configuration, or neck profile, or something along those lines.

The Les Paul has been made with hundreds of different configurations and even body styles through the years. Les Paul probably hasn't even played 95% of the models that came out with his name on it. How can you have a Joe Perry Les Paul if it's a Les Paul?

Calling a Les Paul a signature edition guitar is like calling a Ford a signature edition car. Or "Dunlop" a signature edition pick. But hey, whatever floats that boat for ya! Lol!

Well it carries the signature of the good man, it was made at the recommandations of the good man, they at one time even came with the quircky pickups designed by the good man. And they always have been played and proudly endorsed by the good man.

The Gibson Les Paul is Les Paul's signature model.

Just as much as the Trini Lopez, the Tal Farlow, the Chet Atkins and the BirdLand are Gibson Signature models.

Can you imagine, Les Paul INSISTED on having two pickups in his signature guitar, the CEO of Gibson Ted Maccarthy wouldn't have it, he did not understood why people would need a bridge pickup but he very reluctantly agreed. That shows how far ahead Les Paul was looking when he and Gibson started working on his new signature guitar.


Les Paul with the original prototype of his signature model, note the added Kauffman vibrato.

The reason why Les Paul is fine about Gibson modifying his signature instrument to meet other's needs is simply because he himself loves to modify his guitars. Take the Signature Les Paul of Neil Shon forexample, it has a Floyd Rose vibrato and a sustaining feature. I'm sure that if Les Paul would get one of those in his hands he'd be delighted to see that somebody has discovered yet another use for his guitar and I'm pretty sure that he would love to have a go at it seeing what he can do with it.

[5digits6strings]

I'd rather save up and get a guitar built from scratch from the Fender Custom Shop. That'd be my signature model.

[The String King]

I like some signature guitars. If they have what i'm looking for, why not? "Blackie" has just the right neck for me, but I cannot stand the pick ups. I have no idea what they are but they arent nice!

[Honga Man]

With the obvious exception of a SRV Strat or an Eddie Van Halen Charvel with stripes, I doubt if any non-guitar players would know what's a signature guitar and what isn't.

Back in Charlotte, I took this Tele to jams alot, passed it around to other guitarists, etc. and no one ever asked me why there were JD initials on the neck.

[jacksonmoon]

2 of my guitars are signature guitars, however the name wasn't a factor when buying them. One is a Tommy Tele and the other a Brian Setzer Black Phoenix, both purchased for their own personalities rather than the name on them.

Personally, I'd like signature guitars to have the artists name in a non visible area but that's just a minor point..

[Crotalus Atrox]

I have a Robert Cray strat, which I love. Nice big neck, great pickups, well made and $360 on ebay. I wouldn't want an SRV with the big letters, but the Cray sig isn't even legible-even most guitar players don't know what it is. Of course, if Robert ever heard me play it, he might sue me for ruining his good name.

[Pete Galati]

Originally Posted by Blazer

My main stage guitar so happens to be a signature model.

One of those...



People tend to forget that the Gibson Les Paul is the Signature model of Les Paul.

Crap!

I own a signature guitar then. I think I said I didn't too. This's my most recent one:

http://lasttelecaster.home.comcast.n...cialAndBob.jpg

It was my main guitar for a few years too.

BTW, here's Les Paul on one of those days when he needed to be holding a Tele:

Waylon Jennings & Les Paul - I Really Don't Want To Know:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8E5R...rch=Les%20Paul

Pete

[Wild Rice Chris]

Originally Posted by Slim

I think Pete Townsend playing Clapton's Strat is great. Someone that tempermental and accomplished checking his ego at the door to play an instrument he, I assume, enjoys displays character in my opinion.

George Harrison was playing a Clapton Strat as well.

[Tele84-86]

I wouldn´t play with some famous player´s Signature Guitar because I´d like to think of it as custom made suit or whatever that it´s built specifically for that particular persons needs. Instead I would spend that money on ordering my own custom guitar. With about the same price you´d have to pay for artist Signature Guitar you´d get your own custom guitar.

[byrdbrain]

Nah, no signature tele, anyway.
But I wouldn't mind a Gibson Johnny Smith ...

[Tele84-86]

Originally Posted by Blazer

The Gibson Les Paul is Les Paul's signature model.

I disagree. It´s true Les Paul´s name is on the every guitar of that model but I think the matter is still a little different than in case of those artist Signature guitars like Eric Clapton Strat or Jimmy Page Les Paul etc.

Gibson Les Paul is a concept of the whole range of that particular Gibson Les Paul model which all look quite similar and sound quite similar - though differences in looks and sounds are between the Les Paul models. Those artist Signature Guitars - Eric Clapton Strat for example - are basically one of the kind with some features that makes them different from the basic models of Stratocasters for example.

It´s true that in the early days you could call Gibson Les Paul as Les paul´s Signature guitar when the first model was made for him. But these days when the Gibson Les Paul has become a name of the whole guitar model, I don´t think it´s Les Paul´s signature guitar anymore.

[stevieboy]

The Les Paul is a signature model, actually the only signature model I can think of off hand unless you count the Merle Travis Bigsby.

All of the others are signature editions of existing models (including Les Pauls.)

That oughta clear that up!