Are signature basses really worth having?

[Jeff Scott]

I assume you have a Les Paul Signature bass. IMO, the best bass Gibson ever made.

I wouldn't mind having one of those, as the Epi JC is pretty nice in concept if not in execution; I would expect the Gibson original to be much better built.

I have a 2030GF, which is probably one of the most aggressive sounding Ricks I have ever played, and it's neck is very much like that on my 4001.

 

[REMBO]

(Fender is my example) my only problem is with Fender signature basses....i demand them to be made in the U.S.A. for the money they are charging! i'm NOT against import basses....BUT, if Fender is charging Premium $$ for signature basses....then, I want AMERICAN....my humble opinion!

 

[MovingPitchers]

(Fender is my example) my only problem is with Fender signature basses....i demand them to be made in the U.S.A. for the money they are charging! i'm NOT against import basses....BUT, if Fender is charging Premium $$ for signature basses....then, I want AMERICAN....my humble opinion!

If they did that then those basses might as well be custom shop basses

The geddy Lee 1972 custom shop......don't get me started.

 

[el murdoque]

If there was bass a) which is a signature model and has by chance just the config i want and bass b) which is the identical non signature model, i'd go with the cheaper one.

 

[MrTaff]

Some are, some aint imo, I almost bough a Jackson John Campbell bass not because of the signature but simply because it was such a great deal.

 

[Parkerblades]

i have one sig. bass, steve harris P-bass. only thing i don't care about is the mirror pickgaurd. but sound, the way it plays, and the big chunky neck are perfect for what was wanting.

 

[eqvolvorama]

I think signature basses are a brilliant and highly effective marketing ploy. I can go online right now and order a bass that will be a 1-to-1 match of what Nathan East played at the Grammys. That's an incredible part of the GAS daydream.

Hey, I'm not knocking it. I want a BBNE2 like nobody's business.

 

[radioface]

I wish Fender hadn't discontinued their Steve Bailey Jazz 6.

 

[Klonk]

Fender-made signature basses can be Squier, MIM, MIJ, MIA and Custom Shop, can't they? That opens for some interesting ones, at different price points.

I had GAS for the Fender CS Pino Palladino signature bass, because it has the features of a vintage Fender P, but without the (possible) flaws that come from 50 years of gigging. In the end I opted for a sunburst '59 CS P bass instead, since it just looked more classy and versatile than the fiesta red finish, IMO.

So yes, I'd say there is a market for at least some of the signature basses.

 

[Mudfuzz]

Many would consider the Jack Casady bass worth owning.

The Jack Casady is only a 70's Les Paul Signature made by Epiphone though… so it's a signature bass of a signature bass by someone that never played bass… And Gibson being Gibson would have put the thing out anyway eventually whether or not a cool dude had his name on it.

 

[Iridescentone]

The Jack Casady is only a 70's Les Paul Signature made by Epiphone though… so it's a signature bass of a signature bass by someone that never played bass… And Gibson being Gibson would have put the thing out anyway eventually whether or not a cool dude had his name on it.

And....?

 

[Mudfuzz]

And....?

So whether or not it is a signature is redundant as with most signature models.

 

[DeathFromBelow]

This must be the dumbest question ever asked on Talkbass. And that says a lot.

 

[Iridescentone]

So whether or not it is a signature is redundant as with most signature models.

What does that have to do with whether...

"Many would consider the Jack Casady bass worth owning."

 

[Iridescentone]

This must be the dumbest question ever asked on Talkbass. And that says a lot.

lol

Know what's even dopier? Refusing to ever own a signature bass because someone else's name is on it. A little egocentric, maybe?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I rather just own a regular bass and mod it to my liking to make it my own signature bass...how about you

If you play one, decide you like it, buy it, use it on gigs, and it inspires you to play more, than absolutely without a doubt it is worth having.

 

[Humbled]

I could care less about the signature.

I bought a used Mike Dirtnt Bass because when I picked it up, the particular specimen was an impressive feeling and sounding bass to me.

...So much so that I bought another one online, and it turned out to be a disappointing yawner for me, so I got rid of it.


Mike Dirnt (who I had no clue to his employment until I bought the first one) had absolutely zero to do with my decisions (though I'm sure he's a swell guy, and I wish his days to be always as green, pink or purple as he hopes).

 

[DeathFromBelow]

lol

Know what's even dopier? Refusing to ever own a signature bass because someone else's name is on it. A little egocentric, maybe?

Yep. A nice bass is a nice bass. Who cares if it's a sig or not?

 

[Mudfuzz]

What does that have to do with whether...

"Many would consider the Jack Casady bass worth owning."

 

[DeathFromBelow]

Your point?