How do you feel about signature models?

[henry2513]

I really like my Gary Willis signature bass, it's perfect because I've adopted his 3 finger technique. The only thing I don't like about it is his signature on the headstock lol. I guess he agreed which is why the new updated models have his sig on the electronics cavity plate.

 

[smcd]

Because everything on the planet is run by idiots.

Exactly the opposite, as a matter of fact. Only an idiot would market a Darryl Jenifer signature bass. For every bass someone sold because Darryl Jenifer's name is on it, there would be 5,000 basses sold because Pete Wentz's name is there.

 

[smcd]

Gepetto?

Yeah, I know. I was very surprised to see such an elaborate and kinda fruity bass as Lemmy's signature model.

 

[Bassdirty]

If the bass has features that I'm looking for, I couldn't care less who has signed the back of the headstock.

Alternatively, if it's someone I am a fan of, and it doesn't have what I'm looking for, I won't bother with it.

amen. Though I would have a hard time rockin a wentz on stage. :/



It seems strange ..reading this thread.. it's like people who buy them just buy the bass that has features they want (or price is just awesome ) and don't care bout "signature"..so fender didnt need to make it a "sig" model.

And yet, the people who HATE them, will not buy them BECAUSE of the fact it's a "signature" model- so fender didnt need to make it a "sig" model. (in that case it probably hurt the sale)

So it seems to me like fender doesn't need sig models- just more options at the factory maybe?..without being a custom job er suttin.


I'm sure there may be a few that DO purchase one ONLY cuz its a sig..but I'm thinkin that's more like teen wannabe Pete wentz/ mark hoppus dealio..
(not tryin to offend -for the record I owned a Hoppus, when I 1st picked it up I didn't even notice it was a hoppus .. it was white, which I didnt know they made.)


YMMV..etc

 

[Altitude]

I really like my Gary Willis signature bass, it's perfect because I've adopted his 3 finger technique. The only thing I don't like about it is his signature on the headstock lol. I guess he agreed which is why the new updated models have his sig on the electronics cavity plate.

The Willis is a great example because it's really different from the mainstream Ibanez SR line. Same body style, different woods, totally different electronics approach, and a couple cool gimmicks. While some "signature models" don't appear to add much more than a signature and an endorsement to an existing model (like the Geddy), the Willis is a completely different instrument.

 

[9mmMike]

I never had those issues with my Fender...virtually no upkeep or tweaking at all....and no twangy tone.

Ditto.

 

[Gougedeye]

I wish I had my own!

 

[DeathFromBelow]

Exactly the opposite, as a matter of fact. Only an idiot would market a Darryl Jenifer signature bass. For every bass someone sold because Darryl Jenifer's name is on it, there would be 5,000 basses sold because Pete Wentz's name is there.

I see your point, but if the idiots who run record labels and the idiots who run media would push quality music on the masses rather than mindless drivel, no one would have heard of Pete Wentz but Daryl's name would be well known...

 

[lowfreqgeek]

This is one sweet signature bass!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-McDMVMdl0Q#t=116

 

[Batmensch]

I think it's just as silly to buy a bass just because it has a certain player's name on it as it is to NOT buy a bass because a certain player's name is on it. I get a bass because of it's particular features, not because of who's name is/isn't on it.

 

[Metalbasspro]

The title pretty much says it all. No matter how nice a bass is, its always a HUGE turn off (and sometimes a deal breaker) when its a signature model. Im not entirely sure why, but i guess i feel weird playing something that isnt meant for me. Its weird i know, but im curious to see if im the only one. Anyone else feel the same way?

Agreed they are tacky to own but I own one and want another but don't think they should see the stage.

 

[echoSE7EN]

Now, there is something to be said about some signature models which have next to NO difference from the production models. I ADORE Biffy Clyro, but I, for the life of me, can't find anything especially appealing to me about James Johnston's Jazz, save for maybe the matching headstock. I don't have any particular desire to acquire that bass because it's not SPECIAL. I could grab a MexiJazz from Guitar Center used for $300, and that'd be the end of it. I could get the Biffy Clyro vibe (Though my Precision gets that vibe just fine.)

I can't see any difference between buying a James Johnston Jazz, and just buying a Jazz because you like James Johnston.

JJ would probably agree with you...I saw them in DC last night and he played a Sadowsky 98% of the time. I think you buy the JJ Jazz because you like JJ and Biffy Clyro, not because you're in the market for a jazz. Of course, I look at sig., models as nothing more than marketing. You want to expand your sales to kids discovering Biffy Clyro? Paint a J in blue, match the headstock and call it a JJ sig.

The same holds true (at the other end of the price point) for the Macca-styled Hofner, the "Inspired by" John Lennon Casino by Epiphone, etc etc etc. Who has the money to buy them...? Folks of that age that are nostalgic for the Beatles. I love The Beatles and Sir Paul, but I wouldn't drop the coin for a themed instrument. The most glaring example of this (IMHO) is the Adam Clayton sig., P. You're only buying that bass because you like Adam. No other reason.

 

[purfektstranger]

It's funny to hear people say they wouldn't be caught dead playing a signature bass because blah blah blah. I have an 01 Steve Harris Signature bass that I bought because of the way it plays. The fact that it has the mirror pickguard and lpb body just makes it that much more bada$$. What I wouldn't be caught dead playing is a bass that was intentionally made to look like it has toured the world 20 times.....now that is tacky.

 

[Jeff Scott]

What I wouldn't be caught dead playing is a bass that was intentionally made to look like it has toured the world 20 times.....now that is tacky.

Total agreement on this point. Relics are pretty tacky when you consider they really are brand new instruments under all that fake beat up exterior. There is a whole lot more to a vintage feeling and sounding instrument than it's finish looking ratty. The real deal is fine if it got that way honestly..............

 

[JimmyThunder]

I've got one of them Mark Hoppus signature basses...but I reconfig'd the wiring and put a fretless neck on it, so when does it become de-signatured? Hoppus probably wouldn't touch this one with a ten foot pole......

 

[Rugmaster]

I don't really play guitar but as far as metal guitars go I love the Dean Dimebag signature Razorbacks.

 

[LakeEffect]

I feel as though my Marcus Miller Sig '4 was the best damn bass I could have walked out of Chicago Music Exchange with for the price, so I feel very fondly about them.

 

[Herrick]

I'd buy a signature bass if it had features I wanted that were not offered on the standard production model(s). On the other hand...how does the musician get money out of it? Are they making money off each purchase or were they already paid? I think I've asked this question in one of these threads before. If an answer was given, I do not recall it. Sorry.

In fact, I think I said I wouldn't buy a signature instrument from a musician whose music I dislike. Butt now I think it wouldn't really matter as long as they aren't some horrible human being (Albert Fish).

 

[pbass6811]

What I wouldn't be caught dead playing is a bass that was intentionally made to look like it has toured the world 20 times.....now that is tacky.

I'm not sure that "tacky" is the word I'd use, but I am also not sure why someone would spend a significant sum of money on an instrument that is exactly what Jeff Scott said "A new instrument under fake beat up exterior". I really don't get that. I also agree with him that if it got beat up from good, old-fashioned use, then that's cool. Oh well, I guess they sell enough of them that they're gonna keep making them..

I, personally, am probably going to pick up a Yamaha BBNE2 in the very near future. Not because I love Nathan East, which I do, but because I had a chance to play one and it pretty much blew me away with how good it was. I don't care who's name is on that bass, it's just that good, so yes, I'd buy it even if it had Pete Wentz's name on it...but I am really glad it doesn't have Pete Wentz's name on it!

 

[purfektstranger]

Yup in hindsight tacky was probably a knee jerk reaction to another post that suggested sig basses were tacky. I know that the roadworns have a very good build reputation so i would say that they are not my thing but I would take the quality of an mij Geddy Lee or Harris p anytime, for playability and looks. I think if you find a bass that fits your needs go for it.