Signature series guitars. All major guitar manufacturers make them. Some people love them, and some people hate them. Personally, I fall into the “love them” camp. The ironic thing is that many of the people who claim that they hate them would not hesitate to play a Les Paul, which is perhaps the prototype for signature series guitars.
What I like about signature series guitars is that they either take inspiration or direct feedback from the artists that inspired the guitars, resulting in a guitar that is different from the standard fare. Additionally, most signature guitars have unique features not available on the standard production guitars. For example, taking cues from his famous “Number One” guitar, the Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster has the vibrato arm on the top of the bridge rather than the bottom. The newly released Rosewood Eric Johnson Stratocaster has unique colors and a bound fretboard, which no other current product model Stratocaster has.
One trend I’ve noticed in some signature series guitars is that the identifying marks, such as the artist’s signature, have been moved from obvious spots on the guitar to the back of the guitar or other hidden areas. For example, the Stevie Ray Vaughan model has the signature on the front of the instrument, whereas the recent John Mayer and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocasters have the signature on the back of the headstock. I think this is likely in response to the resistance that some players have to playing an instrument with another player’s name on it.
Even though I’m a fan of signature guitars, some guitar manufacturers have taken the signature guitar concept a little too far. For example, Dean Guitars have over 30 guitars inspired by or attributed to Dimebag Darrell. Fortunately, other manufacturer’s have taken a less is more approach to signature guitars.
That being said, I think signature series guitars provide a great way for fans to pay tribute to their guitar heroes. Additionally, I think signature series guitars provide an opportunity for guitar manufacturers to work directly with artists to create unique and innovative instruments. Gibson’s Les Paul is an example of a manufacturer working directly with an artist to create a unique instrument that has stood the test of time. And, it’s provided a platform for other artists to create their own unique guitar.
What do you think about signature series guitars?
I agree with you. Signature models can be pretty cool, but they can get out of hand really quickly.
I think signature guitars are great. An artist and a manufacturer working together to develop a practical instrument…what’s not to love about that? Especially when they do capture unique features and make them more widely available.
It’s the limited runs and the “relic” reproductions and such that don’t make any sense to me. Sell exactly what the artist ended up with for what it’s worth. Make a budget model with lower quality but similar features that I might be able to afford. Make it shiny so I can enjoy the new guitar feel and wear it in myself.
I wouldn’t mind a tastefully rendered signature on the front of the guitar. I wouldn’t want—e.g.—one of Zakk Wylde’s bulls-eye paint jobs…something that is so strongly a trademark of someone else’s.
Signature series guitars are nice. However, I believe it’s just another way for the manufacturers to charge an extra $1000
@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.
@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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.