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

[axemeaquestion]

We all have our git heroes. Mine's Holdsworth. But that doesn't mean I'm going to buy the Carvin Fatboy siggy model. Bottom line is, it won't make me sound like Holdsworth, no matter what. (Truth be told, that axe is a tad on the ugly side.)

You like Jeff Beck? Buying his signature git with the frets set exactly like ole Jeff's may impede your own playing. Your hands may be a different size.

Then factor in that you're paying somewhere in the range of double for the equivalent non-siggy git, and I don't see what the appeal of the siggy is.

Sure, there's a few siggy models by less well-known players that can be had for less than a g-note. And yes, I could always do some extra odd jobs around the house for my mother, so paying the extra cash isn't a problem.

It's the principle. I refuse to pay extra just bc it's got some guy's name on it whose git playing I like.

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

I would think it would depend on the brand in some situations, You might be getting closer to options or features that might cost more with a custom shop guitar compared to settling with the sig model..

Whether it be just a finish,wood, pick up selection,ect,ect not available on standard models or ect...

The sig model might be cheaper due to an already calculated production run vs a one off custom

 

[Spaceboy]

I owned a Joe Satriani signature for awhile that I really enjoyed. I can't get into most other signatures though. It seems like you're paying for a name instead of a quality guitar, and I would rather get the guitar without the stupid designs and signatures that are normally on signature guitars, especially ones for metal guitarists.

 

[axemeaquestion]

I would think it would depend on the brand in some situations, You might be getting closer to options or features that might cost more with a custom shop guitar compared to settling with the sig model..

Whether it be just a finish,wood, pick up selection not available on standard models or ect...

True, and I'm sure that's factored in to the pricing, but then you've got the extra premium on top of that for it having some human's name on it.

I refuse to pay that extra premium.

 

[axemeaquestion]

I owned a Joe Satriani signature for awhile that I really enjoyed. I can't get into most other signatures though. It seems like you're paying for a name instead of a quality guitar, and I would rather get the guitar without the stupid designs and signatures that are normally on signature guitars, especially ones for metal guitarists.

Bro, I don't really play metal, mostly hard rock, but what makes a metal guitar a metal guitar?

What's a good metal git for around a grand?

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

I would think it would depend on the brand in some situations, You might be getting closer to options or features that might cost more with a custom shop guitar compared to settling with the sig model..

Whether it be just a finish,wood, pick up selection not available on standard models or ect...

True, and I'm sure that's factored in to the pricing, but then you've got the extra premium on top of that for it having some human's name on it.

I refuse to pay that extra premium.

Never owned a signature model, But for me it would depend on the options I am getting with the sig vs the price of a custom so I would just go with the cheaper of the 2 that would suit me better and be cheaper..

 

[Code001]

What's a good metal git for around a grand?

Used Epiphone Elitist Casino

 

[King Guitar]

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

 

[rottingcorpse]

i have some dime signature usa washburns. i loved the southern cross when it came out, but could not afford it. he helped me score a blackjack i played into the ground, snapped the headstock off twice. washburn dime guitar+randall x2 rig=dime sound? only if you spent years watching and learning as he developed his rhythm technique.

lets just say i do a really good "drunken dime" impersonation.

signature guitars are a good place to start, especially if your really into someone. but eventually you kinda grow into yourself. and eventually you might wind up modding a design to fit your playing style. the guitars i have had built since '08 have all been to my specs instead of off the rack stuff. of course, no matter what you do to an ml, it will always be considered a dime guitar.

 

[axemeaquestion]

i have some dime signature usa washburns. i loved the southern cross when it came out, but could not afford it. he helped me score a blackjack i played into the ground, snapped the headstock off twice. washburn dime guitar+randall x2 rig=dime sound? only if you spent years watching and learning as he developed his rhythm technique.

lets just say i do a really good "drunken dime" impersonation.

signature guitars are a good place to start, especially if your really into someone. but eventually you kinda grow into yourself. and eventually you might wind up modding a design to fit your playing style. the guitars i have had built since '08 have all been to my specs instead of off the rack stuff. of course, no matter what you do to an ml, it will always be considered a dime guitar.

So, are you playing Carvins now or having someone build a git for you from the ground up?

I've got a Carvin Bolt hardtail HSS that I use for clean stuff and alternate tunings. Nice git.

 

[philb]

I have a EBMM Petrucci and regardless of the name on the headstock, it's still the best guitar I've ever played.

 

[Ventura]

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

That's the exception to the rule Brad, c'mon...we've been down that conversational road before I guess any FENDER is a signature model of Leo Fender too, but this aside. We were talking about this in another thread from the other day, just not sure what the thread's title was... But ya, c'mon, the Pearly Gates at $10K...?? Page #1 and #2?? Buckethead?? Slash?? Joe Perry?? Kroeger ??

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I steer clear of 'signature' model guitars only because I don't want to 'be' anybody other than 'me' when I'm playing, and I can certainly see the money grab a mile away with these sig models. The emulation turns me off. Fact is, if it's got someone else's name on it (other than Les' name, granted) it's worth 50% less than sticker price.

Just me.
V.

 

[yngzaklynch]

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

That's the exception to the rule Brad, c'mon...we've been down that conversational road before I guess any FENDER is a signature model of Leo Fender too, but this aside. We were talking about this in another thread from the other day, just not sure what the thread's title was... But ya, c'mon, the Pearly Gates at $10K...?? Page #1 and #2?? Buckethead?? Slash?? Joe Perry?? Kroeger ??

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I steer clear of 'signature' model guitars only because I don't want to 'be' anybody other than 'me' when I'm playing, and I can certainly see the money grab a mile away with these sig models. The emulation turns me off. Fact is, if it's got someone else's name on it (other than Les' name, granted) it's worth 50% less than sticker price.

Just me.
V.

I see your point of view. I keep it simple. If I like the guitar, I like the guitar. Whether or not it's a Nuno Bettencourt model or a John Petrucci model really means nothing to me. I either enjoy playing or I don't. Unless you are building your own guitar you're playing someone elses idea. It either works for you or it doesn't. Maybe I'm wrong but thats how I see it.

Jim

 

[Tone Zone]

I see your point of view. I keep it simple. If I like the guitar, I like the guitar. Whether or not it's a Nuno Bettencourt model or a John Petrucci model really means nothing to me. I either enjoy playing or I don't. Unless you are building your own guitar you're playing someone elses idea. It either works for you or it doesn't. Maybe I'm wrong but thats how I see it.

Jim

This is a good point. The original poster can rail against signature guitars all he wants. (while I do agree with him to an extent) Fact is, some people don't even buy a signature guitar because they are a fan of that player. Some actually buy them, because they like the features of the guitar. The John Petrucci model is a good example. I've known many people to buy it and not have a clue (or a care) who John Petrucci is.....but, because they just love the design. Also, if some people just want to buy a signature model, because they're a big fan of that particular artist....good for them as well. What is it hurting?

 

[jet66]

I won't pay the premium for a signature, for the sake of the player, either. The only one I've ever owned was an SRV Strat, but I got it at a really used good price. Same as above: It wasn't the name, I liked the feel of the guitar. (Although I do like SRV.) The first thing I did was put a new pickguard on it, so it just looked like a sunburst/rosewood Strat with gold hardware at first glance. (the lefty trem gave it away, with a closer look) I rarely ever buy guitars new. Too many good deals on used ones, finding something I like has never been a problem.

 

[rottingcorpse]

i have some dime signature usa washburns. i loved the southern cross when it came out, but could not afford it. he helped me score a blackjack i played into the ground, snapped the headstock off twice. washburn dime guitar+randall x2 rig=dime sound? only if you spent years watching and learning as he developed his rhythm technique.

lets just say i do a really good "drunken dime" impersonation.

signature guitars are a good place to start, especially if your really into someone. but eventually you kinda grow into yourself. and eventually you might wind up modding a design to fit your playing style. the guitars i have had built since '08 have all been to my specs instead of off the rack stuff. of course, no matter what you do to an ml, it will always be considered a dime guitar.

So, are you playing Carvins now or having someone build a git for you from the ground up?

I've got a Carvin Bolt hardtail HSS that I use for clean stuff and alternate tunings. Nice git.

i was tight enough with the owner of dean to get a bunch of custom jobs made. it got to the point that the wood shop told elliott(dean ceo) "fuck it, give him his own cad program. we are sick of all this custom carving we're having to do." i spent a whole day with jon hill when he was running the custom shop doing cad mods. they made me some really nice stuff.

eventually i changed to brent gutierrez because i wanted neck-though stuff. then brent blew my mind by adding the carbon fiber rods down the neck, stainless steel frets, and other stuff i didn't really know anything about. he nailed the neck profile of my favorite dean too. this was the evolution of my favorite guitar. inevitable for an o.c.d. guy like me, i guess. thought the washburns and deans are really pretty and great players, nothing is as bullet proof or screams like the gutierrez he built for me.

 

[Spaceboy]

I had enough money for a deposit on a custom Ran this summer and decided to wreck my car instead.

 

[leib10]

I own a Schecter Syn Custom and could honestly care less about the inlays or the design. It's just a well built guitar that I play well and sounds good to me. That's why I have it. I wouldn't be caught dead playing it live, but I love it for banging around the house.

 

[glassjaw7]

Some sig guitars are cool like some of the sig LP's that are pretty traditional with maybe just a few specific cosmetics/controls etc...(although I do find it strange that there are so many signature LP's ...a signature, signature guitar. Weird.

Anyway, I'm more into playing as many different guitars as I can with different wood types for the body and neck and different electronics to find what makes my signature guitar. Sure I bought a Washburn Dime model back in the day, but that's more of a collector's type of thing. I'd rather spec out my own Carvin, Suhr or Anderson, or just grab an old LP Custom than spend extra money on a guitar just for a name, and one that may not fit my playing style.

For once I agree with the OP.

 

[axemeaquestion]

Anyway, I'm more into playing as many different guitars as I can with different wood types for the body and neck and different electronics to find what makes my signature guitar.

For once I agree with the OP.

You're the prototype player for the new JT Variax, bro.