Comments on: Signature Series Guitars

By: Ghost

Ghost — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:18:11 +0000

I can’t stand them. I mean, I just couldn’t care less that they exist. As soon as I see someone playing someone else’s guitar then I am automatically turned off by that player because I know he/she wants to emulate someone instead of forging your own way and creating something that is totally theirs. Not a knock-off of their favorite artist’s music. Which is fine if that’s what you want to do, go nuts. I get that there are some minor innovations there but to quote Joe Satriani, “tone is in the fingers”. Find a guitar that sounds good to you, don’t just pick it because it has a stupid bulls-eye paint job. If it does and you’re happy with it, then good for you.

But the truth is, you can get a guitar that is built just like your favorite artist’s without his name on it. Minus the extra $1000. And then you are never branded as a zakk wylde emulator, or Malmsteen wannabe before you even start playing. Inspiration is great, and learning your favorite songs is the way we all begin. But at some point you’re going to grow out of that band or that style and you’re still going to be stuck with a sig series guitar that nobody cares about anymore, and yet you’re still running around with that artist’s name on your gear. Some day you’ll want to forge your own sound and you’ll probably regret your decision. My 2 cents.

By: Kenrick

Kenrick — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:18:26 +0000

I just recently got the Andy Timmons Ibanez signature model, and its just flat out awesome. I got it without even trying it out first (gulp!), but luckily its pretty awesome. I think if you are going for a certain style, player sound etc, it helps having the instrument they play for sure. I hate it when players get a sig guitar, but then actually play a modified version of it, uh, what’s the point of that?

Nice site, just found you today, subscribed!

By: Pappy

Pappy — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:17:48 +0000

I’ve seen a lot of folks spend thousands of dollars on signature guitars only to spend hundreds more getting parts to replace everything that creates any indication of it BEING a signature guitar. This is especially prevalent with Brian Setzer models (and the SSLVO in particular). People like the options that come with it but don’t want anyone to see Setzer’s name and I get confused.

Honestly, if you’re playing a big orange Gretsch, someone will think you’re going to play a Stray Cats or Brian Setzer song anyway, or they won’t know who Brian Setzer is and it’ll fall out of their head within five minutes.

And if there IS someone who sees it’s actually a signature model does anyone REALLY think they are going to hold you to the artist’s standards?

If I were to play an Yngwie Malmsteen strat would everyone expect me to shred so fast I light the fretboard on fire? If I were to come out on stage with a Kerry King V would people expect me to give them a one way ticket straight to hell?

Probably not.

They’ll probably look at it and say that guitar looks cool/doesn’t look cool and drop it. If someone knows what guitar it is they’ll probably comment on it to you if they’re THAT interested and it’ll probably (hopefully) be a compliment on how it is used.

By: Stu

Stu — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:06:05 +0000

It can go either way -Yes, Dean really did overkill the Dime tribute -(Im not accusing Dean of cashing in on the man’s memory), but if the artist has had a hand in creating the guitar, you can get something really decent.

Though you’ve got to keep in mind its to that artists specifications, so what works for them might not work for you.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:42:21 +0000

Hey Vinnie – thanks for visiting my site! Yeah, I agree that some signature guitars are probably not worth the money. However, I think that working with the artist or creating an “inspired by” guitar can yield an interesting and unique guitar.

By: Vinny

Vinny — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:58:26 +0000

Josh,

First, very nice site – my first visit here.

Second, I don’t find anything wrong with signature series guitars. Frankly, I don’t see any downside. But those I have met that are on the “don’t like” side, I have found they are self-styled “purists” – which is fine (to each their own).

I do also agree with the comment that MANY of the signature series guitars are simply ways to bump up the price. So it’s important to shop around and research a bit before making a purchase decision.

I don’t play a signature anything right now…yet. But I have something in mind – once I save enough money

Vinny

By: Kenny

Kenny — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:41:25 +0000

I think it depends on the guitar. There are some, like the Slash Les Pauls from Epiphone and Gibson, that are really well done. And others like the Tom DeLonge signature series which aren’t. If all you’re paying for is the name and styling, it’s poor value. But if the player themself has had a hand in the specs and look and feel, that’s more valuable.

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:48:32 +0000

@Jay – In some cases I think you’re right. However, I just recently bought a Jimmie Vaughan signature strat that was a couple of hundred dollars more than a standard Mexican-made strat. And, the features of the guitar are definitely worth the premium, IMO.

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:46:56 +0000

@Robert – Yeah, I mostly agree with you about guitars that are so identifiable as another players, like Wylde’s bulls-eye guitar. That being said, I have the SRV sig strat, which is pretty identifiable with his initials in the pick guard. Although it’s easy enough to replace the pick guard with a different one.

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:33:12 +0000

Signature series guitars are nice. However, I believe it’s just another way for the manufacturers to charge an extra $1000