Signature guitars: I'm not getting the appeal of them

[Bishop5150]

I have I guess what you would consider replicas. I do have a N4 I bought when they first came out. I wasn't even really a Nuno fan back then, I liked him but not huge fan. But I loved the guitar. The natural wood and the reverse style strat headstock. Then I played it and had to have it. That's really the only sig guitar I have. I also have a Zakk bullseye Epi and a Lynch Tiger stripe LTD. Each one I got for about $400 - $500 which I thought we're pretty good deals. I would never pay the price for the actual ZW Les Paul and the Lynch ESP. I put EMG's in the Epi, a nice setup new pickups for the LTD and a nice setup and both guitars are great. I also have a Lynch Skull and Bones replica pictured in my avatar and a 5150 Kramer replica. I loved all these guitars as a kid growing up. I dreamed of having them one day and now I do. But I would never pay some outrageous price for them.

 

[lolzgreg]

I could never use a signature guitar, except maybe http://www.ranguitars.com/artists/clawfinger.

With a neck pickup, it would be perfect

 

[axemeaquestion]

I guess the thing that makes me laugh is, at least for the most part, the cats who have 'signature models' in their names still use their original guitars and not the signature models. So, for instance, Page - WTF is the value in having it 'look' just like his fave No.2 or whatever when really, it's not the guitar at all - it's not the year, it's not the same wood, it's not the same level of wear...it's just a look alike, oooops, except for the signature on it that's not even on the original

Randy Rhoads... LOVE that cat!! I love that cat SO much that rather than BUY his latest Gibby signature release, I'd much prefer to shop around for a mint condition, used, early 80's, white-now-naturally-turned-cream/yellow Les Paul off eBay or some international retailer than a signature RR model. Why? Because the guitar I'm buying is actually closer to the same one Randy graced than some new ax that Gibby pumped out 30 years later. Get m'driff?

And don't even start me on the Pearly Gates Lesters... Serious facepalm on those Partially because I don't even hold in high regard anything that Gibbons has done with his music - ZZ Top is, well, ZZ Top and they haven't really changed the course of history in my books. Flame away if need be, I'm just being honest.

V.

Funny, I was just thinking about Gibbons. He's supposed to be awesome. However, many people posting here can play his songs and do. Does that mean they are also awesome? Of course, this same analogy could be used for most players.

Oh yes...if you can play an (insert name) riff and have an (insert name) type tone then you are as awesome as (insert name).

As I stated, the analogy could be used for most players. I appreciate your restatement of my thesis, Randy, but would much prefer if you answered my query about your Tele and Strat in a serious manner.

I'd be pretty dumb to take you seriously.

My question was serious in nature, Randy. You are not being baited in any way. I've always been a humbucker guy and therefore always equated strats and teles. I've played them both and couldn't tell any major differences. I know that many strats have whammies and most teles don't, but beyond that?

 

[jkdsteve]

I took a chance with the Suhr M2, I'd never seen any Suhr in person at that point, let alone get to try one. Fortunately, it fits me even better than I had hoped, and has become my #1.

The Copper One? Fantastic guitar!

 

[Meathead]

I guess the thing that makes me laugh is, at least for the most part, the cats who have 'signature models' in their names still use their original guitars and not the signature models. So, for instance, Page - WTF is the value in having it 'look' just like his fave No.2 or whatever when really, it's not the guitar at all - it's not the year, it's not the same wood, it's not the same level of wear...it's just a look alike, oooops, except for the signature on it that's not even on the original

Randy Rhoads... LOVE that cat!! I love that cat SO much that rather than BUY his latest Gibby signature release, I'd much prefer to shop around for a mint condition, used, early 80's, white-now-naturally-turned-cream/yellow Les Paul off eBay or some international retailer than a signature RR model. Why? Because the guitar I'm buying is actually closer to the same one Randy graced than some new ax that Gibby pumped out 30 years later. Get m'driff?

And don't even start me on the Pearly Gates Lesters... Serious facepalm on those Partially because I don't even hold in high regard anything that Gibbons has done with his music - ZZ Top is, well, ZZ Top and they haven't really changed the course of history in my books. Flame away if need be, I'm just being honest.

V.

Funny, I was just thinking about Gibbons. He's supposed to be awesome. However, many people posting here can play his songs and do. Does that mean they are also awesome? Of course, this same analogy could be used for most players.

Oh yes...if you can play an (insert name) riff and have an (insert name) type tone then you are as awesome as (insert name).

As I stated, the analogy could be used for most players. I appreciate your restatement of my thesis, Randy, but would much prefer if you answered my query about your Tele and Strat in a serious manner.

I'd be pretty dumb to take you seriously.

My question was serious in nature, Randy. You are not being baited in any way. I've always been a humbucker guy and therefore always equated strats and teles. I've played them both and couldn't tell any major differences. I know that many strats have whammies and most teles don't, but beyond that?

Come on, I just want to cuddle naked, I promise, I won't make a move on you...seriously.

 

[axemeaquestion]

I guess the thing that makes me laugh is, at least for the most part, the cats who have 'signature models' in their names still use their original guitars and not the signature models. So, for instance, Page - WTF is the value in having it 'look' just like his fave No.2 or whatever when really, it's not the guitar at all - it's not the year, it's not the same wood, it's not the same level of wear...it's just a look alike, oooops, except for the signature on it that's not even on the original

Randy Rhoads... LOVE that cat!! I love that cat SO much that rather than BUY his latest Gibby signature release, I'd much prefer to shop around for a mint condition, used, early 80's, white-now-naturally-turned-cream/yellow Les Paul off eBay or some international retailer than a signature RR model. Why? Because the guitar I'm buying is actually closer to the same one Randy graced than some new ax that Gibby pumped out 30 years later. Get m'driff?

And don't even start me on the Pearly Gates Lesters... Serious facepalm on those Partially because I don't even hold in high regard anything that Gibbons has done with his music - ZZ Top is, well, ZZ Top and they haven't really changed the course of history in my books. Flame away if need be, I'm just being honest.

V.

Funny, I was just thinking about Gibbons. He's supposed to be awesome. However, many people posting here can play his songs and do. Does that mean they are also awesome? Of course, this same analogy could be used for most players.

Oh yes...if you can play an (insert name) riff and have an (insert name) type tone then you are as awesome as (insert name).

As I stated, the analogy could be used for most players. I appreciate your restatement of my thesis, Randy, but would much prefer if you answered my query about your Tele and Strat in a serious manner.

I'd be pretty dumb to take you seriously.

My question was serious in nature, Randy. You are not being baited in any way. I've always been a humbucker guy and therefore always equated strats and teles. I've played them both and couldn't tell any major differences. I know that many strats have whammies and most teles don't, but beyond that?

Come on, I just want to cuddle naked, I promise, I won't make a move on you...seriously.

Randy, as you know, I have the least knowledge of animation of anyone at Rig Talk. I have freely admitted that without fear of reprisal. Based on that, I can offer you my assurances that this is NOT a case of Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown, like in those old animated sequences we used to love so much as kids.

This is totally different.

 

[jet66]

I took a chance with the Suhr M2, I'd never seen any Suhr in person at that point, let alone get to try one. Fortunately, it fits me even better than I had hoped, and has become my #1.

The Copper One? Fantastic guitar!

Yep! The action is so sweet and able to go so low without serious buzzing, I was able to go back to 10's on it, without agitating my tendinitis problems. I had heard from some people that they didn't like the nut width being more narrow than the 1-11/16" 'shredders,' but it is actually more comfortable, it appears it is the 'perfect' width for me.

I also believe I am being converted to the Elixir Nanowebs... I tried Elixirs a long time ago, and didn't care for them: The plain strings still got just as rusty as any other brand just as quickly. These newer ones, the plain strings hold up really well.

 

[Ventura]

I took a chance with the Suhr M2, I'd never seen any Suhr in person at that point, let alone get to try one. Fortunately, it fits me even better than I had hoped, and has become my #1.

The Copper One? Fantastic guitar!

Yep! The action is so sweet and able to go so low without serious buzzing, I was able to go back to 10's on it, without agitating my tendinitis problems. I had heard from some people that they didn't like the nut width being more narrow than the 1-11/16" 'shredders,' but it is actually more comfortable, it appears it is the 'perfect' width for me.

I also believe I am being converted to the Elixir Nanowebs... I tried Elixirs a long time ago, and didn't care for them: The plain strings still got just as rusty as any other brand just as quickly. These newer ones, the plain strings hold up really well.

FWIW, my dealer sent me a Suhr S4 with curled top, black, unseen for me - to try out and see if it was what I was looking for in my single-coil strat tone search. I was pretty surprised when it showed up as he sent it without telling me - just said try it, and if I didn't like it, send it back. Man, it's a SWEET guitar. Not sure if all Suhrs are like that, but pretty lucky to just get one that played ace straight outta the case. No wrestling, perfect action (using 10's like you), awesome electronics, and sweet tone.

A little off topic, but I had to add my 2 cents as I am super impressed with Suhr

V.

 

[Zachman]

I liked the EJ strat-- not because I am a huge fan of EJ-- but because I like the way the guitar sounds and plays.

Some great guitarists deciding what they feel is best on a guitar and it works great for them; then it may work perfectly for you, or it may not.
EVH has been a merchandising kook lately, but he does design a great sounding and playing guitar.

Ya... For me gear is about utility... and I've hardly ever bought any guitars sight unseen--

I've had really bad luck at buying guitars without trying them first...ended up selling every one of them.

I think the really good sig guitars are made to work with all the parts as a whole. They've gone through a lot of R&D with the guitarist to find out what works well for him and what doesn't.

When people buy off the shelf Fenders, Gibsons, Charvels...a lot of times (right off the bat) they're talking about changing the pickups, changing the bridge, putting on better tuners...with the EJ strat, EVH Wolfgang, Andy Timmons model, Petrucci and Luke models, it's all been done, the parts go together as a whole to work well together, grab it off the shelf and just play it.

Ya, but that is the current culture of modern players, taken to a more widespread level than those who came before-- who think they need to mod everything from guitars to paint jobs, knob types and colors on their pedals.

Even with the EJ-- When I got it, I personalized it a bit. Took it apart, shimmed the neck, took off 2 springs adjusted the trem so it would float, and buffed the hell out of the neck (which still had a freshly sprayed tackiness to it). It still looked stock-- and was-- but my adjustments were very much about the utility I wanted from the guitar.

 

[rottingcorpse]

I loved all these guitars as a kid growing up. I dreamed of having them one day and now I do.

this would be most peoples answer to the original question.

most of us here started playing on junk stuff. we looked at the pictures of our guitar heroes as we grew up, dreaming that one day we would be able to afford a guitar like (insert name) was playing.

that's not to say that as time progresses, as does our playing ability and possibly the genre of music we enjoy, that the guitar quest would not lead you down a different path.

i love the ml shape. i could care less the manufacturers name on the headstock. but even though it's not a dime model per se, it is always considered a dime guitar. is it still a sig model if it looks like this?

 

[van hellion]

I play a Gibson Les Paul model and have no problems with his name and signature on my guitar.

win.

A Wood

 

[the rossness]

Wolfgang's are great sig guitars

 

[Meathead]

I play a Gibson Les Paul model and have no problems with his name and signature on my guitar.

win.

A Wood

The The first sig guitar!

 

[Les Zombie]

I like some sig models, i dont have a problem owning them.
Some sig models cost the same price as the regular models and have some cool colors and features or some arent much more money. I owned a few sig models over the years and didnt like the player but the guitar had cool specs and i bought it, that doesnt mean i liked that persons music or wanted to be them or even sound like them, maybe i liked the neck shape and thickness or the look, or maybe it was a great sounding guitar and i didnt care whos name was on the headstock. I also have seen times where it would cost more to mod a regular model to the specs of certain sig models, some limited sig models i have owned has went up in price over the years or held their value better than the regular models. Steve_k is selling a relic kh2 that i wouldnt mind owning.

 

[Ventura]

[to rottingcorpse]

Those are actually pretty sick. I like the shattered glass one.

2 questions:

What's the purpose of the toggle switch?
Where can I get a pair of Pizza Gut pajama pants?

Peace,
V.

 

[guitarmike]

If you like the guitar, own it. If you worship the person who's guitar it is, that's bad. I have 2 Richie Sambora Kramers from the day, they are the best playing guitars I have ever played. I am not a Bon Jovi fan.

 

[Ventura]

I play a Gibson Les Paul model and have no problems with his name and signature on my guitar.

win.

A Wood

Ya ya, that's cuz you'll be getting your Suhr sig model in no time flat

V.

 

[Ventura]

I loved all these guitars as a kid growing up. I dreamed of having them one day and now I do.

this would be most peoples answer to the original question.

most of us here started playing on junk stuff. we looked at the pictures of our guitar heroes as we grew up, dreaming that one day we would be able to afford a guitar like (insert name) was playing.

that's not to say that as time progresses, as does our playing ability and possibly the genre of music we enjoy, that the guitar quest would not lead you down a different path.

i love the ml shape. i could care less the manufacturers name on the headstock. but even though it's not a dime model per se, it is always considered a dime guitar. is it still a sig model if it looks like this?

Not to be a pest to bring these back up, but this is seriously making me

What ARE the toggles for on those two guitars? I mean - they're single pup, right? Is it for split coil or active/passive??

It's been bugging me since I saw them... Please diffuse my ignorace

Thanks!
V.

 

[Tone Zone]

I had heard from some people that they didn't like the nut width being more narrow than the 1-11/16" 'shredders,' but it is actually more comfortable, it appears it is the 'perfect' width for me.

I also believe I am being converted to the Elixir Nanowebs... I tried Elixirs a long time ago, and didn't care for them: The plain strings still got just as rusty as any other brand just as quickly. These newer ones, the plain strings hold up really well.

Agreed on both accounts. I find the 1.650 width to be perfect for me, and it does not limit me whatsoever. I've also come to like Elixir nanowebs quite well.