Brent Mason's Guitar - A Gibson?

[markw51]

This guitar is a Gibson?

VA_Brent_Mason.jpg

Its obviously a mongrel Telecaster so why is it being marketed by Gibson as a Brent Mason signiture model?

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Division...n%20Signature/

I can't imagine Fender didn't sue them or perhaps work out some kind of agreement.

[garytelecastor]

This guitar has been on the market for 4-5 years. They get about 2K for it and it hasn't really been any threat to Fender or Gibson.

[gitarjoe]

Gibson owns Vally Arts. They made a signature series based on Brents 68 Fender telecaster. I guess Fender did not want to make a signature series for B.M.

[Gilamnstr]

Originally Posted by gitarjoe

...I guess Fender did not want to make a signature series for B.M.

Fender's loss. Considering some of the artists they've done signature models for recently, Brent would've been much more deserving.

[gitarjoe]

Originally Posted by Gilamnstr

Fender's loss. Considering some of the artists they've done signature models for recently, Brent would've been much more deserving.

+1

[odiemann]

Fender, Schmender their pockets ain't hutin'. Good for Mason, he probably gets a better deal from Valley Arts.

[Frank B]

Originally Posted by gitarjoe

Gibson owns Vally Arts. They made a signature series based on Brents 68 Fender telecaster. I guess Fender did not want to make a signature series for B.M.

Well it doesn't look very good... no wonder. Sorry BM fans out there, I love his playing I just don't like the guitar's look !
Still, kidding aside it's kind of odd seeing a telecaster based guitar sold through Gibson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaP97Z5bS_4

[kingalingus]

I've picked up two different BM Valley Arts guitars at two different guitar shows and neither one of them was a player. They both played worse than my first Carlo Robelli from Korea! They had "fret hang" and they buzzed...Thanks but no thanks. YMMV.

[Jellecaster]

Originally Posted by markw51

I can't imagine Fender didn't sue them or perhaps work out some kind of agreement.

On what grounds? There are a BUNCH of companies out there making Tele clones - some horrible, some waaay better than Fender. Valley Arts is no different.

Some of the best Tele players in the world don't play Fender Teles (at least most of the time): Brad Paisley (Crook), Albert Lee (Ernie Ball), Johnny Hiland (PRS), Brent (Valley Arts), The Hellecasters (G&L and Peavey), Redd (Glendale some of the time), etc...

[fenderguy]

thats a valid point ...

[McFly]

I remember reading that the Valley Arts model has a 12 or 14" radius fretboard. I found that interesting since Brent's main guitar is the 68' Tele which the VA is supposed to be modeled after.

I would not be surprised if the 68' has been re-radiused a bit (flattened from the original 7.25"), just surprised to hear it would be as far as 12-14". Of course I'm going on the assumption that they modeled the Valley Arts neck off the real 68'.

[eryque]

There's a difference between "modeled after" and a replica. It is indeed modeled after Brent's guitar, but that doesn't mean that every detail is exact. So, obviously, they changed a few items because they thought it would make it more desirable to the market.

For one, Brent's is finished in matte primer, while the signature is a gray paint that kind of mimics primer, but isn't quite. It also has a synthetic nut, locking tuners, and a 22 fret neck, and a modern style bridge.

[Colt W. Knight]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

On what grounds? There are a BUNCH of companies out there making Tele clones - some horrible, some waaay better than Fender. Valley Arts is no different.

Some of the best Tele players in the world don't play Fender Teles (at least most of the time): Brad Paisley (Crook), Albert Lee (Ernie Ball), Johnny Hiland (PRS), Brent (Valley Arts), The Hellecasters (G&L and Peavey), Redd (Glendale some of the time), etc...

I don't think Brent actually uses that guitar, I think he uses his modded Fender. Like I am sure Zak Wylde doesn't use his signature epiphone les paul.

[Mr. Sparkle]

I've played that model at American Guitar & Band in Maple grove, MN. I thought it rocked. fast neck, light body, lotsa tone variations. very workmanlike.

[Grin'n'pick]

I like it, gnarly headstock shape and all. There are quite a few threads about it (the whole guitar - not just the gnarly headstock) on here, with some insights from Blue Water Girl if I recall.

Just noticed this is my 1,600th post, only 8,400 to go an dye kin git ow tur heer!

[Jellecaster]

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

I don't think Brent actually uses that guitar, I think he uses his modded Fender. Like I am sure Zak Wylde doesn't use his signature epiphone les paul.

Not sure about Brent, but Zakk does play his signature Gibson Les Paul. Is it the same exact one you or I could buy? Probably not.

[blue water girl]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

On what grounds? There are a BUNCH of companies out there making Tele clones - some horrible, some waaay better than Fender. Valley Arts is no different.

Some of the best Tele players in the world don't play Fender Teles (at least most of the time): Brad Paisley (Crook), Albert Lee (Ernie Ball), Johnny Hiland (PRS), Brent (Valley Arts), The Hellecasters (G&L and Peavey), Redd (Glendale some of the time), etc...

CORRECTION!!!!

Brent Mason DOES INDEED play a fender tele, his 1968 Fender which is the guitar thats copied for the Valley Arts signature artist model.

Brent never stopped playing his number one - that sig model is for other people to buy, not for HIM to play. He has the real thing.

[blue water girl]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

Not sure about Brent, but Zakk does play his signature Gibson Les Paul. Is it the same exact one you or I could buy? Probably not.

Artists play their signature models per their contract agreements. Usually it is agreed that they will be seen playing it at a couple events per year, and they are photographed with it for advertisement purposes. The signature models are copies of an artist's well known guitar and why in the world would they want to stop playing that to play a mere copy?

Like Brent, Zakk plays the guitar that was copied for the signature model. I am not sure if people understand what signature models are. The artist does not play them. They are copies of an artist's best known guitar, the one that people associate with them, for the type of buyer who would want a copy of the artist's guitar. It is impossible for those guitars to be exactly like the original. How could a Brent Mason signature model be anything like his original 68 with that almost 40 year old maple and swamp ash. And the artist's love those guitars and would never dream of giving them up. Brent never ever goes to a session, show, or out of town for work without his original 1968 fender telecaster, UNLESS he is doing something per his Valley Arts agreement, which is maybe once or twice a year. He will not be parted from that guitar and I don't know what he would do if anything happened to it. He is so protective of it you can't believe. He has refused to board a plane and rented cars to drive places when he has not been allowed to take that tele on board with him (that happened a few times after 9/11)

[mrbdxmpl]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the best argument I've heard for never buying an artist signature model. They wouldn't play it, so why should we.

Submitted with all due respect to Blue Water Girl and Brent....

[blue water girl]

Originally Posted by mrbdxmpl

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the best argument I've heard for never buying an artist signature model. They wouldn't play it, so why should we.

Submitted with all due respect to Blue Water Girl and Brent....

As I stated, it is for the buyer who WANTS a copy of an artist's well known guitar. And there are plenty of buyers who do for whatever reason. It is Valley Art's best selling artist model guitar. And although it isn't Brent's real guitar, it is the next best thing for those who don't know how to wire guitars with a middle pickup or who don't want the bother. I know several professional guitarists, two who are members of this forum, who love theirs and use them regularly and one of those guys even got a custom model in sunburst. But I can promise you it doesn't hurt my feelings, or Brent's feelings if someone doesnt like it. Supply and demand. When people stop buying it, Gibson/Valley Arts will discontinue it. So far so good. Brent only owns guitars he loves and uses often. So should everyone.

[Jellecaster]

I say this with total respect given that you are probably the world's second leading expert on all things Brent (Brent being number one) - some artists absolutely do play their signature models. I had a fairly long discussion about this with John Scofield. I also know for a fact that Zakk DOES play his own signature model at least some of the time (I've seen it in person).

Johnny Hiland, Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, all play their own signature models. Again, they may be custom made for them, but they ARE signature models rather than replicas of an old favorite. Obviously you know infinitely more about Brent than anyone here....

Just my $0.02

[CSS]

The Les Paul and BB's Lucille included?

Originally Posted by blue water girl

As I stated, it is for the buyer who WANTS a copy of an artist's well known guitar. And there are plenty of buyers who do for whatever reason. It is Gibson's best selling artist model guitar. And although it isn't Brent's real guitar, it is the next best thing for those who don't know how to wire guitars with a middle pickup or who don't want the bother. I know several professional guitarists, two who are members of this forum, who love theirs and use them regularly and one of those guys even got a custom model in sunburst. But I can promise you it doesn't hurt my feelings, or Brent's feelings if someone doesnt like it. Supply and demand. When people stop buying it, Gibson/Valley Arts will discontinue it. So far so good. Brent only owns guitars he loves and uses often. So should everyone.

[Wop Geronimo]

James Burton has played his Fender siggy for years now. It does in fact depend on the contract and they are not all written the same believe it or not. I am still a bit confused as to why Fender never wanted to cha ching on Brents name, but who knows and I doubt he really cares.