Signature models- to buy or not...

[subversion]

Greetings friends 8)

many of us here aspire to own a signature model because its attributes are often appealing enough that it is deemed by us as a 'super' guitar; one that surpasses many others. the fact that it's endorsed by a certain star player further bolster its desireability.

nevertheless, there are others here who would caution against buying such extravagant guitars, the sum of its parts are, at times, lesser than the inflation caused by the endorser's signature.

hope you can lay down some views here & help with the poll- thanks!

**PS: unknowingly, some of us here already own a signature model- it's the Les Paul...

 

[Everdying]

well, the one signature model i would like is the Elliot Easton SG.
cos so far its the only 2 pickup production SG Custom with a plek setup.
Elliot Easton himself requested Gibson to just have only the truss rod and that cover above the neck pickup with his name on it, so those who dont like his name can remove them.

 

[Scream_ed]

Actually to me it depends. Some models like Paul Gilbert's Ibanez signature axes do have some modifications that I like (except for the super low action that I'm not comfortable with). Or some of them JEMs. What I dun really understand are those Fender signatures, like John Mayer or Eric Johnson stuff. Looks much like standard Strats to me. Of course if I'm actually allowed to lay my hands on those expensive guitars, I prob can find some differences, but till then, I can only rely on visual observation. For the PGM though, I really got to play them. Got a friend who has one.

What's the rationale behind signature models, anyway, besides the marketing push given to these guitars?

 

[Everdying]

for the eric johnson strat, its got a thin satin finish, thats similar to the highway one, which johnson prefers cos he also says it allows to body to resonate and breate more, plus it has a 12" radius.
john mayer's i dont understand

 

[jony]

If you like the features buy it.
Thats what guitar buying is about no?

 

[metalella_eh]

it depends on what kind of music you are into really.

the endorser's guitar creates the kind of music you dig. most probably you will go into the genre. usually that's the case.

if the guitar's specification is to the endorser's needs, it may not be what you need. just take John5's telecaster for instance, it's out in the market although it's made to suit John5. alot of people may not like it.

Mick thompson's MTM1 is a great guitar but as shredcow says, the ugly 'SEVEN' inlay. but to me as a slipknot fan, it's all i need, dual EMG humbuckers, mahogany body. i personally don't think the 'SEVEN' inlay is ugly. i think it brings out the persona of the endorser and you get something that's very personal from the endorser.

but still, the price of it are sky high, due to the brand and the endorser's name. DRATS..

just some thoughts.

 

[ShredCow]

Features and price and my taste!

I would never buy a Jem7VWH despite it being a good guitar. Its gold hardware wears just too easily.

I would buy a Caparison Apple Horn just because it has 27 frets and features a cool apple horn carving - how cool is it? :lol:

I wouldn't get a Fender because I haven't reached the age where I would buy one... hahaha...

I would get a limited edition Jackson PC1 (i think thats the model number) because it has 27 frets and its cool because, heck its limited to... eh... 100 i think?

Then again. For the amount of dough one has to fork out for those things... I'll get a USACG body + neck then buy quality parts. At least I would know the wood is top notch, not some... 6 piece body or something inferior.

 

[subversion]

What I dun really understand are those Fender signatures, like John Mayer or Eric Johnson stuff. Looks much like standard Strats to me.

Fender endorsers add subtle differences to their sig models namely because they already like the standard/ vintage features. there rest of the cost goes to the quality in production which isn't tangible to many of us- the reason we whine...

 

[subversion]

I wouldn't get a Fender because I haven't reached the age where I would buy one... hahaha...

make me feel very old... especially when i own Fenders... artyman:

 

[gsonique]

i would build my own or at least get it to my own spec !!!

 

[Everdying]

I wouldn't get a Fender because I haven't reached the age where I would buy one... hahaha...

I would get a limited edition Jackson PC1 (i think thats the model number) because it has 27 frets and its cool because, heck its limited to... eh... 100 i think?

but you've reached the age where you can hang a phil collen signature on your wall?

 

[chimaera]

Interestingly enough am this close to buying the james burton telecaster. N well i dont really know who james burton is except that he is a pretty good tele-player and elvis presley main guitarist hehehe. And yeah am no tt old huehuehue
I like the guitar coz of its FEATURES and DESIGN yup2

 

[Everdying]

which james burton tele?
the one with 3 single coils like a strat?

 

[leecs]

Usually its like, eg: "Steve Vai is my fav guitarist & naturally i would love to own his sig guitar". But not everybody is like that. Some people just love their playing technique but does not like his sig guitar. For me, John Petrucci is my fav so i gotta have a piece of him.

 

[Crawldaddy]

Hmm.

I guess for me I lust for the Stevie ray Vaughn strat because it has a pretty functional feature: the lefty tremolo, which is not available on alot of guitars out there (unless of course you get a lefty guitar).

But I have tried it before, and the tones are just *orgas*

 

[NanoShred]

I have tried and played the eric johnson strat in the swee lee showroom. Its probably the best strat i have ever played and heard personally. It out plays and sounds better the working man strat that goes for 5k ( i think) in the show room. The working man itself already blew me away, but the eric johnson strat is something else.

As with all strats to sound good....you can't be a sloppy player and its possible to get good rock sounds out of the great single coils. They are not stacked, theres still hum, but still quieter then the normal single coils. Position 2 and 4 are hum cancelling.

 

[Phil]

I have always had this notion that they put in more effort into signature models.
But I'd never go for one of those overt signature models where they have aged finishes, mimicking all the wear and tear of the original.
Just doesn't make sense to me. Unless you are a collector, well, then it's a different story entirely.

 

[df]

A good guitar is definitely a good guitar regardless of the endorser...whether it's Billie Joe Armstrong or Johnny Depp...

 

[Scream_ed]

Hmm...But basically I dun see myself spending 3k on a guitar. It's just me and the lack of money.

 

[ShredCow]

Everdying

Wall?! What wall?! Dammit, on mah bodeeeee!!!!! :lol:

What i get, its meant to be played!