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Problem with signature basses

InThePocket123

InThePocket123

Feb 2, 2012
13
17
New Hampshire
#1
:whistle:Ok. I realize that this is probably just me, but I just can't bring myself to use gear with someone else's name on it! I'd rather have a bass with no name on it, than with someone else's. The new thread talking about the Adam Clayton bass reminded me of how I felt. It doesn't matter how good the product is, if it has some other dude's name on it, count me out! Anyone else feel this way? Or am I all alone? :whistle:
 
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#2
Well there are a few sigs that aren't as "branded" The Duff, Hoppus and Dirnt signatures all are limited to some form of custom neck plate which of course is super easy and $10 to swap out if it even bothers you, so I really like that about those basses. I really dont mind the sig on the Geddy but I cant stand the Sting Signature Model and I dont like how the clayton one messed up a otherwise nice looking matching headstock.
 
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#3
If you take a closer look at the numerous sig-related threads, you may notice a considerable number of us are interested in them, not because of the name-association, but for the unique features they offer. An attempt to replicate them on a custom bass could become a perilously expensive venture with no guarantees on the final results.
 
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#6
Wasn't interested in the Geddy sig (big Rush fan) until I realized that the 80's Tokai Jazz Sound, that I should never have let go, was a copy of pretty much the Geddy. Early 70's, slim neck, real nice sound. I'm a happy camper
 
#9
When I bought my Geddy Jazz, I wasn't aware that it was a signature bass. I was a noob bass player at the time. I liked Rush, but wasn't a huge fan. My first bass was an inexpensive Yamaha bass (it was a good bass to start). When I was shopping around for a better bass, I liked the feel of the Geddy, the sound and I have to admit, I liked the looks of the block and binding. When I was narrowing down my choices, I went with the Geddy and that's when it was pointed out that it was a signature bass. It was used and the price was good. After a awhile I actually wanted to sell or trade it because it wasn't a "real" Fender Jazz. After playing a few "real" Fender Jazz basses, I realized that the Geddy is a great bass. I still use it all the time.
 
#10
One of these days I'd like to score a Roscoe Beck sig bass. A local player has one and it sounds and feels amazing, I don't believe that there is anything else quite like it on the market.

As for it being a signature model, I'm not familiar with Roscoe Beck as a player and his signature on it does nothing for me. On the other hand, it won't keep me from buying one some day.
 
#13
No problem whatsoever if it plays well and sounds great. It's not like anyone in the audience is going to make out a tiny bit of squiggle on the point of a headstock anyway, or recognize that your bass is reminiscent of one used by a different player. I was going to say "famous bass player", but then reality struck me and I caught myself :) I would have to guess the only bass and bass player combination the majority of American adults would recognize is Paul and the violin bass. No one who isn't a bass player or in a band would say, "Hey, that's just like Sting's bass" if you whipped out a '51 P copy for example. I can remember some guys in the audience once telling a guitar player they liked the way he painted the stripes on his amp, which clearly said "5150" on it! LOL You'd think that would make people think Eddie Van Halen, but we give the (non musician) audience members more credit than they deserve in that regard.

So if it bothers you for some reason, it bothers you and that's that I guess - no harm, no foul. But honestly, don't think a sig model reflects on you in any way positively or negatively on the audience's side - they really couldn't care less if it sounds good and their feet are tappin'. :) IMHO
 
#16
I borrowed a friends bass for a gig and ended up loving the bass so much I purchased one when I seen it appear for a bargain. That bass was a Marcus Miller signature, it had nothing to do with the fact it had Marcus' name it. A great bass is a great bass.
 
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#19
Malak the Mad said:
If you take a closer look at the numerous sig-related threads, you may notice a considerable number of us are interested in them, not because of the name-association, but for the unique features they offer. An attempt to replicate them on a custom bass could become a perilously expensive venture with no guarantees on the final results.
Click to expand...
+1. I wasn't originally that interested in the Alex Webster Spector when it came out despite being a fan, but then I saw that it has an Ebony 'board, thin neck and the supremely versatile BQC preamp (at 18v!) and suddenly I needed to find a way to get about $2.5k
 
#20
I have a John Mayer sig strat that's just an excellent strat. I didn't buy it because of Mayer -- I don't think I could name any of his songs other than 'Gravity' -- but because the neck is maybe the most comfortable strat neck I've played, and it's just a good-sounding strat.

I can't see why any artist signature instrument should be different for me -- if it has features that I want that aren't available on the standard production instruments, then why not?
 

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