Guitar players who display their names on their guitars or straps - ?

[Blue Bill]

How 'bout a guitar player with his name on the drum?

 

[Jakedog]

Part of me can rationalize the desire to do this in the early days of television (mostly country and western players), but I just can't see it as anything other than vanity in this day and age. You might as well refer to yourself in the third person.

Hard disagree. If it’s done well, it’s pretty cool. Although it’s far more a country tradition than any other genre. I acknowledge I’ve never seen it from a punk or metal band.

I have three custom straps that were made for me as gifts. Two have my initials, which is my professional name, one has my last name. Two came from a strap maker who likes my music, one from a very cool fan. I wear them proudly. They look great and are a lot of fun. I always get compliments on them.

 

[Blue Bill]

Little Charlie Baty had a cool Tele:

 

[robt57]

This is show biz thing I always thought. Along with TV yellow on camera stuff. And certainly for county with fancy embroidered floral stage clothes etc etc. Tooled leather Tele body sleeve, etc etc...

Of course this guy had to sell his rodeo buckle to afford the shirt apparently...

 

[Blue Bill]

This guy put his name on all of them:

 

[Recce]

Part of me can rationalize the desire to do this in the early days of television (mostly country and western players), but I just can't see it as anything other than vanity in this day and age. You might as well refer to yourself in the third person.

I think in the right context it looks good. I think personalizing the strap is a good thing.

 

[Randy07ACV6]

Don't forget this practice started probably 100 years ago, pre-TV when players drove around the county playing the little dive gig circuit and self-promotion was about the only way to get your name out.
If the crowd liked you hopefully they would remember your name for the next time around.

I ran sound for a bar band in the '80s and we had a logo (designed by one of the art-student guitarists) on a 6 feet by 4 feet banner we hung up behind the band. Brilliant idea, lots of bands still use it.

 

[Skyhook]

There was a recent tdpri discussion of drummers who display their name or initials on their front kick drum heads. Much more of a drummer tradition than a guitar player thing.

Who are the guitarists who display their names on their guitars, or their straps? Thanks for any replies or pictures.

Per Gessle of Roxette.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

harder to steal.

Someone once told me something like this. Apparently a lot of less wealthy folk, who depended on their only instrument to make money, scratched or painted their names or initials on as a deterrent. Dunno if true, but sounds plausible.

Also, I imagine that in ye oldden tymes, before the internet, or even tv, it was good advertising. People went out for entertainment a lot, to dances and the like. If a performer wanted to be remembered (& have folk asking for them back, or even band leaders trying to poach them) it would be a good idea.

Personally, not into it.

Pax/
Dean

 

[Midgetje94]

A lot of country guys have their names on the straps. At least acoustic players. Usually the vocalist. It can vary from initials to name.

 

[Fiesta Red]

Billy Gibbons had an all black Tele neck with an ebony fretboard. He requested us to send the neck to a specific guy, and it came back with this inlaid pearl in large script letters.

"Think Buck Owens"

That neck was around for quite a while. I don't think it ever got built out, though.

Actually, it did get built…

He had an Esquire that had “Think Buck Owens…” inlaid and Dusty had a matching bass that had the inlay, “…and Chanel No. 5”

I aant to say it was during the “Rhythmeen” era, or perhaps the “XXX” tour.

Think Buck Owens and Chanel No. 5

That’s deep.

 

[The Blach Cat]

Dickeys boy has the last name on his strap.

 

[robt57]

Think Buck Owens and Chanel No. 5

That’s deep.

yeah, easy to put those together for me... Not!

LOL

 

[robt57]

I saw George Benson in a music store when I was a teen. He had a hundred metal 1/2 spheres all over the strap. It must have weighed +5 lbs. Nothing wrong with bling I say.

 

[johnny k]

Custom Words on Maple

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neckillusions.com

 

[Vibroluxer]

 

[moosie]

I played acoustic and electric guitar backing my buddy Billy, this real-deal Country singer ( all old stuff, he grew up with and he has the clothes too!) for many years.

He has this hand-tooled, leather strap on his J-200. He made it himself- a hobby of his. ( zoom in)

He made a very nice similar one for me- a lot of work, and not cheap, I know... But I never used it. Sorry, Billy!

It's just not my thing!
( i liked playing Country guitar, but I'm a D.C. suburbs guy) plus I have a really nice 'Starry Night' strap on my Martin, which I just love.

Edit: that's a real Roy Rogers model felt Cowboy hat. - this guy met everyone in his younger days - autographs & photos

Strap, meh. I was distracted by the guitar. I'd wear whatever necessary to have one of those...

 

[Oxidao]

Apart from Jimmie Rodgers on the fretboard (pre-Tv times), IMO this is the proper way to let it be done.

 

[Peegoo]

Guilty...and unrepentent!

 

[UPtele]

Only the great one matters

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