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How do you feel about signature models?
- Thread starter The Wiz
- Start date
The interesting thing with you people is that nobody here actually seems to think it's a good idea. 
It's just a continuum of how bad you ignore it or hate it. Nobody seems to want to admit to buying some rough MexiFender because it's gonna make Bubba play just like Bubba's hero, Mark Hoppus and give him a spiritual union with his man-crush. And if they have a woody for the concept of some bastardized P-necked J in pastel colors they just live with the Hoppus stigma in order to get it.
So, obviously, this must be a failed marketing plan from the buyer's standpoint.
Though I've discussed signature models with the parties responsible for them at FMIC some years back, we only talked about the deal, not FMIC's motivation, assuming they had one of any coherence in the first place.
As time goes on, I'm beginning to realize that signature instruments are in fact not about buyers at all (seeing as we all either hate or at best ignore the concept), but a strategy to, by way of an appeal to vanity, brand celebrity players and keep them playing FMIC gear. FMIC sucks up to them hard. I know, because I've discussed it with the guys who do it.
So, if by appealing to some jerk's vanity by issuing a notional sig model that might break even and keeping him in a few specially tweaked instruments because he's such a god among men, then contributing a few royalty bucks to the NPO of his choice if some mook actually buys one of the sig models (that's FMIC's deal the last I heard), then FMIC can still create the public illusion that sixty years on, they still have predominating brand equity among pros. THAT is effective marketing.
It's not really that important if you're impressed by having some guy's name on your bass, and apparently none of you are.
It's just a continuum of how bad you ignore it or hate it. Nobody seems to want to admit to buying some rough MexiFender because it's gonna make Bubba play just like Bubba's hero, Mark Hoppus and give him a spiritual union with his man-crush. And if they have a woody for the concept of some bastardized P-necked J in pastel colors they just live with the Hoppus stigma in order to get it.
So, obviously, this must be a failed marketing plan from the buyer's standpoint.
Though I've discussed signature models with the parties responsible for them at FMIC some years back, we only talked about the deal, not FMIC's motivation, assuming they had one of any coherence in the first place.
As time goes on, I'm beginning to realize that signature instruments are in fact not about buyers at all (seeing as we all either hate or at best ignore the concept), but a strategy to, by way of an appeal to vanity, brand celebrity players and keep them playing FMIC gear. FMIC sucks up to them hard. I know, because I've discussed it with the guys who do it.
So, if by appealing to some jerk's vanity by issuing a notional sig model that might break even and keeping him in a few specially tweaked instruments because he's such a god among men, then contributing a few royalty bucks to the NPO of his choice if some mook actually buys one of the sig models (that's FMIC's deal the last I heard), then FMIC can still create the public illusion that sixty years on, they still have predominating brand equity among pros. THAT is effective marketing.
It's not really that important if you're impressed by having some guy's name on your bass, and apparently none of you are.
No, I have an intense hatred of being a corporate marketing victim, if only obliquely.
I absolutely love the Fender Steve Harris Signature. I bought two to ship to good friends overseas. After testing them before shipping, I realized how incredible they were. So I bought a 3rd for myself and I Gigged with it Friday night while My RIC stayed home. I never thought I would Bump my Ric for a show with a Fender but I did. I honestly believe it's more than a Marketing scheme in the case of many Signature basses. The Geddy Lee is an example for sure. They are Killer Jazz basses.
I would buy a signature model if the sound and feel of the bass was something I really liked. My local music store has a Geddy Lee(MIJ) model hanging in the store, and I really like the feel of the thin neck as well as the sunburst finish with the beautiful maple neck. The only reason it is not sitting at my house right now is my lack of funds. I am smart enough to know that just because his name is on it does not mean that I will suddenly sound like him! I do like the fact that Geddy's signature is on the back of the headstock, and not the front. I would, however, not buy a bass with a large red bat painted on the body.
Sometimes, as in the case of Rickenbacker, they are/were a celebration of an artist who was a longtime player of said brand. In RIC's case, they were limited runs, in some cases very small quantities, unlike some other makers who do certainly use it strictly as a marketing tool, for better or worse.
One of the best stories surrounding a signature model (to me, anyway) was from Pete Townshend, who felt bad/embarrassed that Rickenbacker wanted to make a PT signature instrument given how many Pete smashed on stage!
Indeed, I like the way RIC has done signature models. The Lemmy signatures are few in number, and are very very nice basses. I'd love to have one. Not just because I dig Motorhead, but because they really went all out when making Lemmy's limited run of basses.
There's one bass that I really want right now: The Marcus Miller 5. I know, I know. I like a signature bass. But, here's the deal: This bass doesn't really exist in any other fashion, does it? Is there any other bass I could buy with those features, specifically, the pickups and preamp? If there is, it's cheaper, and it sounds kinda-sorta Marcus-y, then let me know! I'd love to get one. But as far as I know, there is no other production model bass that I could get that would do for me what a Marcus sig would. Sure, I could get the VM '70s Squier Jazz and mod the living Hell out of it, but even then, I'd just be BUILDING a Marcus Miller bass, and even then, I think Fender's American shop builds better basses than I can. And I have no problem supporting Marcus Miller. The man's a class act, both artistically, and, from what I've seen, heard, and read, personally as well. And I'm not a Marcus clone. I'm under no illusion that I could ever match his creative artistry, or even his technical skill. I just think his tone is down right bangin', and if I can get that VIBE, not even necessarily that same exact sound, I'd be happy.
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. And in the end, the bass doesn't matter THAT much. This analogy has been used, overused, complained about, and then used some more, but you know what? It's true: Give Thomas Risell, MarloweDK, a James Johnston sig, and then give him a normal MexiJazz. He's not gonna be any better or worse with either one. He might have a subjective preference, but that's it.
tl/dr: Sig basses aren't anything to hate or be ashamed of. Some are more useful than others, but they aren't inherently bad.
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. And in the end, the bass doesn't matter THAT much. This analogy has been used, overused, complained about, and then used some more, but you know what? It's true: Give Thomas Risell, MarloweDK, a James Johnston sig, and then give him a normal MexiJazz. He's not gonna be any better or worse with either one. He might have a subjective preference, but that's it.
tl/dr: Sig basses aren't anything to hate or be ashamed of. Some are more useful than others, but they aren't inherently bad.
Yeah no kidding. It's astonishing how much vitriol spews from the sig-haters whenever one of these troll threads pops up. Comes off like sour grapes from little beotches who can't play anymore, or who never got the big label deal they thought they deserved. Jeez, get over yourselves. lol
OK, how about you buy a Sting, sand his name off of the fretboard and post a pic for us?
I'd really like to see how good you are with sandpaper.
I'd think those are brand names.
But, I'm sure that you know that.... just trying to interject some "humor" into this thread?
The real question is who actually gives 2 sh*ts about it?
The rest of the band doesn't care if you are playing a Geddy Lee sig, or a MIJ jazz. They care if you are playing your pieces right.
The audience doesn't care about what bass you play, they care that you are laying down the rythm that they can dance to.
The only person I ever see caring are other bassists, and they aren't me. They don't play like me, and they don't think like me. So why should I care about the egotistical rantings of other bassists?
Seriously guys. Do what makes you happy, and don't care what other people think.
The rest of the band doesn't care if you are playing a Geddy Lee sig, or a MIJ jazz. They care if you are playing your pieces right.
The audience doesn't care about what bass you play, they care that you are laying down the rythm that they can dance to.
The only person I ever see caring are other bassists, and they aren't me. They don't play like me, and they don't think like me. So why should I care about the egotistical rantings of other bassists?
Seriously guys. Do what makes you happy, and don't care what other people think.
Gotta be a worst-case there, sure enough.
Plus it's a true "signature" model -- a 100% stock instrument with nothing different but a signature. Right in your face.
The amount of sucking-up FMIC did to Sting was epic.
