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Problem with signature basses

#21
InThePocket123 said:
: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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Yet I'm sure you have no problems copping one of their basslines... :rolleyes:
 
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#24
jfwund said:
if it has features that I want that aren't available on the standard production instruments, then why not?
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Pretty much this. I wouldn't seek out a sig model, but if all the options add up to what I'd be modding to in the first place, I wouldn't be ashamed to play it.
 
#26
InThePocket123 said:
: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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Agreed, I totally want a '55 style PBass, but it so bugs me that Stings signature (the only one available in that style right now) is on the 12th fret! It doubly bugs me since that's the only thing "Sting" about it.
 
#27
I do get the OPs point and I've felt that way for over 30 years - never bought any signature anything. But I bought a black Geddy and put a black pg on it, which makes it less recognizable. I just didn't like the white so much but the bass itself is great and it's no less of a J just cos his sig is scrawled on the back of the headstock.
 
#28
Deleted member 269102 said:
Pretty much this. I wouldn't seek out a sig model, but if all the options add up to what I'd be modding to in the first place, I wouldn't be ashamed to play it.
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I think (maybe?) he's where I am - there is a bass (in this case the Clayton) that is otherwise desirable that has some dude's name on it for no other reason. This makes it feel like it's playing pretend - "look I'm in U2" rather than playing a professional instrument despite the fact that many of them are (note we discussed this over at the Clayton thread). I'm no fan of his, but I'd totally ply the Jaco sig (the regular one, not the reliced one) or the Tony Franklin because it has a unique feature set and isn't kitschy - unlike the sting which has his name ON THE FRIGGIN NECK or the Clayton which is a pretty stock instrument with an unusual cover so everyone knows you have the "Clayton" (oh and I'd put a pickguard on the Jaco just because I'm NOT Jaco - so it would just be a vintage style Jazz defretted).
I personally don't care if it is unique and has a signature on the neck plate or the back of the headstock if it give me features I want, but if it is a signature LOOK with nothing else it seems "icky" to me.
Of course I'm just like that, and (incidentally) I will be getting the Sting once I come across a used one, it'll just bug me a little that someone else's name is on it - which is different than Leo's Brand being on it.
 
#30
SanDiegoHarry said:
Key difference: Fender makes signature models every other month. Gibson/Jackson? No as much.

THAT SAID - Threads like this are not productive. All they do is provoke a confrontation and life is too full of that already.
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Actually, he's naming LES PAUL as a signature model - and more to the point, have you BEEN to the Gibson website in the last... MILLION years? they have more signature Les Pauls than Ibanez has models. As for Jackson (which is Fender by the way) about half their guitars and basses are named after players.
 
#31
danosix said:
Well, if he's playinng thier SONGS on the other songs he isn't paying thier lines, so why would he want to be playing thier BASS?
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All I'm trying to convey is that the OP seemingly wants to maintain his originality so much, that he refuses to play a signature bass. Yet, most players use other players basslines/patterns, play their songs, ETC, which is somewhat of a double standard IMO.
 
#32
danosix said:
I think (maybe?) he's where I am - there is a bass (in this case the Clayton) that is otherwise desirable that has some dude's name on it for no other reason.
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Yup, we're on the same page :)

The AC sig is just a standard jazz with an out of production color. No reason in the world would I search one out. As I said over in the other thread, I love the color. A lot. But I'd much rather grab a Squier CV and repaint it that green for oh, $1200 less if I reeeally want a green jazz.
 
#33
I don't like paying the extra money. Once a player has reached the status that warrants a signature instrument he/she should have the income. For the same reason I don't buy products endorsed by athletes either.
 
#35
I don't want any bass that resembles any other bass :)

I think Les Claypool has Geddy Lee's signature on one of his CT basses - that's why Primus Sucks... and I believe Geddy has a Jaco custom shop !

PS - I have at least 5 Sig basses - (Jaco / Geddy / Flea - Funk Unltd / Roscoe Beck / Marcus Miller / Tony Levin / Brian Bromberg / Stu Hamm - OK more than 5).... I have too many basses:) I paid for them all too - they're mine - screw those guys if they come lookin for "their" stuff...

Oddly I'm still me...
 
#36
I'm looking forward to the day that I can suffer the humiliation of having a Jack Casady bass.

My Question is: If you are a potential Bass Superstar, should you play a signature bass? I mean if your band becomes the next big thing, you can't get your own signature bass if you are already known for playing a Geddy Lee. It is important to plan a head....
 
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#38
Man, we do obsess, don't we? To me there are only 2 kinds of basses: those that move me and those that don't. A decal w/a name is SO totally irrelevant. If the best sounding/playing bass I could find was a "Bozo the Clown" bass I'd rock it w/o hesitation (well maybe a little :D).
 

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