Signature guitars.

[sabasgr68]

Ignorant here.

What´s the real reason for guitar makers to make signature models? First answer that comes to mind is: to make more money out of the fans of XX guitarist, or collectionists. If that´s the real answer, I´m ok with that. In the end, is almost the same as selling any other merchandise of XX artist, band, etc. It´s ok to make money - I´d love to be able to make it -.

But other than that, do you think/know there are reasons other than money? The person whose name is on the guitar, does get a benefit for "creating or inspiring" the particular instrument? The "new idea" behind the instrument will translate into build better guitars for everyone?

This question came to me when I read that there´s a Kiefer Sutherland signature guitar (link below). I had to read it again. A Kiefer Sutherland signature guitar - five grand, btw -? I know there are many artists that play guitar and other instruments, and that there are some that are actually good enough at playing them, even though they aren´t particularly famous because of that in the artistic world.

I haven´t searched already about the skills on guitar of Sutherland - I´ll do it later -, but to be honest, I don´t remember reading anything about him. I´ve read about Keanu Reeves, Johnny Deep, Richard Gere, Steven Segal, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Costner, Adam Sandler... Right now they are that come to my mind, but really, I don´t think I´d ever heard about Kiefer (now I have).

Nothing wrong with him, for the record, it´s great that he plays guitar, but the question just came to my mind. Maybe, after all, the answer is just to make money, and I think that´s ok. Don´t have to over think much about this.

Thoughts, anybody?

And, who knows, maybe there´s a Sabas signature DC LP guitar out there someday, lol... I could use the money, for sure.

Link: https://reverb.com/news/the-most-unexpe ... rNjAS3LkJY

[BatUtilityBelt]

To the first question, I think most manufacturers make signature guitars so they can make more money selling guitars to fans. I think it has been around a very long time. The Les Paul is technically a signature guitar, although his preferences went into a fairly different model (iteratively). These days, many manufacturers give the artist being honored a pretty big role in design considerations for the guitar. That helps ensure the artist will help actively promote it. And yes, I think most artists get a significant amount of money from their signature guitars - a good reason beyond ego to engage in designing one.

[tonebender]

Of course it is to sell more guitars. It often even sells more not because a player is a fan of the artist but the specs match them better. For example, I am a fan of 335 style guitars. I could never bond with any of the offerings by Epiphone primarily because of the neck profiles on the different models. I owned a few but got rid of them all. Along comes the Emily Wolf Sheraton. I pick one up at guitar center mostly because of the finish and cool shaped F holes and found that the neck profile was perfect for me. Back in the day I would have purchased that guitar on the spot having no clue who Emily Wolfe was. These days I have all the guitars I will ever need so no new NGD for me unless I come across an acoustic I cannot live without.

I guess it works both ways, sometimes an up and coming artist contacts the maker of their favorite guitar and orders a custom with specs that suit them. If they go on to stardom, a signature guitar will probably happen. Certainly brands notice when a successful artist uses their gear and they seek to capitalize on it.

For the record I may break down and buy a Sabas custom (please get Gibson to do it).

[toomanycats]

Personally, I'd rather have a Frog Brothers signature model guitar that has a saint's bone headstock inlay and shoots holy water.

[sabasgr68]

@BatUtilityBelt @tonebender

On second thoughts, it´s clear that it is for money. It should also work for the artist in some way, even as weird as a Kiefer Sutherland signature guitar sounds. There´s a market for everything. You guys put it in a good perspective.

Well, Jeff, I´ll be sure to let you know about my signature guitar. First, I have to start playing again and get back in shape!

[honyock]

Keifer is a least a touring musician so why not.

https://kiefersutherland.net/?v=79cba1185463

Even if no one else bought it, I'm sure the folks in charge were happy to meet with Keifer to design it...

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

[nomadh]

I almost entirely ignore sig models. Mostly because of the price. I did play a dean std model schenker flying v that was reasonably priced ad I don't know how much it messed with me subconsciously but I did seem to play rock bottom better than I ever have.

[nomadh]

Actually the first time in a long time I have some interest in a new guitar and it's a sig model. The rick beato model. The name grabs my attention but it's the guitar that has to b something I want. I like this model. Don't have one. I like this color. I don't have a blue. I love thin finish grain showing. I only have a few.

If it were to cost 4 or $600 I'd be in real trouble.

[tonebender]

Great now I am gassing for the Beato sig. I love Gibson, I love P-90's, I love the 60's neck profile and I love pelham blue. I think I can resist.

[sabasgr68]

Keifer is a least a touring musician so why not.

https://kiefersutherland.net/?v=79cba1185463

Even if no one else bought it, I'm sure the folks in charge were happy to meet with Keifer to design it...

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

I must admit that I didn´t do my homework and wrote this post before properly checking about him; he´s been into music actually. It really surprised me.

Actually, I guess that my point is that I would assume that signature guitars are for players that stand apart from average players somehow, but maybe I´m seeing it as an award - kind of -, and it´s nothing like that.

[toomanycats]

I've gotta admit, this DUESENBERG JOHNNY DEPP SIGNATURE MODEL DJD-BK pushes my buttons pretty good.

[tonebender]

I don't think the player has to be BB King or Billy Gibbons they just have to have fans. There are a lot of Hollywood types that are also professional musicians. Jeff Bridges, Keifer, Depp, Kevin Bacon, Keanu Reeves, Bruce Willis, Billy Bob, Russell Crowe, Gary Sinise and the most famous of all Clint Eastwood. There are many others that I do not take so serious like William Shatner

[sabasgr68]

I don't think the player has to be BB King or Billy Gibbons they just have to have fans. There are a lot of Hollywood types that are also professional musicians. Jeff Bridges, Keifer, Depp, Kevin Bacon, Keanu Reeves, Bruce Willis, Billy Bob, Russell Crowe, Gary Sinise and the most famous of all Clint Eastwood. There are many others that I do not take so serious like William Shatner

Yeah, most likely it´s like you say. I had the wrong idea about sig guitars.

I recently found about Kevin Bacon - and his brother -, and was also surprised about how serious he is about music, nice stuff! Also forgot about Eastwood.

And, well, I had no idea about William Shatner.

Makes me think: aren´t there actresses that also play guitar decent enough, like in a semi-public way? I´m sure that many of them should probably play guitar at their homes, just for fun, but I mean actresses that are also known for playing guitar like those dudes?

[Sinster]

I own a Gibson Gary Moore BFG signature, got when it was on "clearance". That's the only one, but would get the Adrian Smith or Dave Murray signature.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Makes me think: aren´t there actresses that also play guitar decent enough, like in a semi-public way? I´m sure that many of them should probably play guitar at their homes, just for fun, but I mean actresses that are also known for playing guitar like those dudes?

Fair question and off the top of my head I can't think of one. But I can think of a reverse example - I was shocked once to notice Nancy Wilson (of Heart) had a cameo in the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

[sabasgr68]

Makes me think: aren´t there actresses that also play guitar decent enough, like in a semi-public way? I´m sure that many of them should probably play guitar at their homes, just for fun, but I mean actresses that are also known for playing guitar like those dudes?

Fair question and off the top of my head I can't think of one. But I can think of a reverse example - I was shocked once to notice Nancy Wilson (of Heart) had a cameo in the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Had to look for that movie. 1982! Never seen it, and I actually had no idea about it. Yes, sometimes it happens, and it´s a pleasant surprise for the viewer.

At the time I´m writing this, I still can´t think of one neither.

[Rollin Hand]

I have too many signature guitars:

EVH Striped Series
EVH Wolfgang Standard
Peavey Wolfgang
Jackson Jack Butler
Washburn N3 (Korean-made Nuno)
Homemade 5150

Aside from the Jackson (Long and McQuade got 10 for all of Canada) and the 5150 (spray paint is getting surprisingly expensive, as is tape) I got deals on all of them.

The Nuno I bought because it was a deal and I was without a Floyd-equipped guitar at the time. I was bereft!

The others...yes, I am a VH fanboy. But I never went past a grand before taxes on any of them, which is a feat in Canada. Especially for the Peavey.

[uwmcscott]

I don't think the player has to be BB King or Billy Gibbons they just have to have fans.

As I have shared many times here, I am a huge fan of Monte Montgomery, from Austin TX. I am continuously surprised that he is not more well known, but then again I think he flies under the radar on purpose in part. He's played with some of the best of the best, but still plays mostly small venues.

He is also the the owner of the original Yairi DY-62C that i own a signature version of. I agree that for the vast majority of situations, signature models ( and any other special/anniversary/etc version ) exist to make money. And certainly it plays into the fanbase - I was certainly willing to buy the MMY1, but most folks probably wouldn't even know what it was much less who Monte is.

We are all pretty much like shooting fish in a barrel, you just have to find the right bait

[uglyvw]

I figure most are for the money grab, but i tip my hat to those that put out a mid range version of the signature guitars. These seem to be done mostly to get a guitar out that is specified the way they like it, and those are my fav. Zach Myers, Bernie Marsden, Hartley Peavey Signature series.

[Partscaster]

tumblr_22bd764be0e7d91a7a8b56a187133e2d_802d4bf4_540.jpg

I must be missing something.
The Doors' Jim Morison supposedly died in 1971. Is this a different JM?
Was this from a movie with KS as Billy Idol? must be something like that...

[toomanycats]

tumblr_22bd764be0e7d91a7a8b56a187133e2d_802d4bf4_540.jpg

I must be missing something.
The Doors' Jim Morison supposedly died in 1971. Is this a different JM?
Was this from a movie with KS as Billy Idol? must be something like that...

That's Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patrick, most likely on the set of The Lost Boys. Great film if you've never seen it, in a cheesy late 80s kind of way.

[Jaymo]

I’d like to see a left handed Duff McKagan or Keanu Reeves PJ Bass.

Don’t worry, I won’t hold my breath. I gave up on my dreams years ago.

[peskypesky]

Same reason they make non-signature guitars. To make money selling guitars.

[Tonray's Ghost]

Same reason they make non-signature guitars. To make money selling guitars.

I'd spring for a Pesky Pesky signature Jazzmaster but unfortunately Fender says only a Strat is on the drawing board

[golem]

Joe B is great at bringing out a new signature guitar based on the guitar he collects. It's kind of crazy to me, but they must sell well.