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signature bass fail...

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The only sig bass I ever bought was my GL Jazz bass, and I was considering the currant Jaguar bass first, and found out it was only $40 more with my discount at the time.

I could never expect to sound like somebody through a signature bass, nor would I want to.
 
Just a general question, I've always wondered--when there is a sig model or an "endorsing artist" to a specific model, are they typically just offered a big check up front, or do they get a percentage of each piece sold, or what? I guess this could vary from deal to deal...

Some get next to nothing. Stanley Clarke as mentioned above.

I know of one guy who had a signature bass and got a half dozen of them to use on tour. Plus three or four prototypes. No cash. Bass retails for about $1200.

I know another with a signature amp who gets $100 for each $999 amp with his name on it that sells. That's on the high end of royalty percentage.
 
He endorsed a Warwick Reverso back in 2010 (link below). Not sure why. Pretty sure he's not synonymous with it. Not a big U2 follower, but I thought he was a P man.

Invalid Link Removed

I would say that he is pretty synonymous with the Reverso, since it was created for him and no one else in their right mind bought one because it's hideous.
 
You can slag on the guy all you want, but his parts made these songs- "New Year's Day", "Seconds", "Bullet the Blue Sky", "With or Without You", "Mysterious Ways", "Invalid Link Removed", and "Magnificent". You have to ask yourself, "Would I have come up with those parts? Could I have?" They seem stupid simple and obvious now that we've all heard them a hundred billion times but honestly ask yourself. He doesn't have mad chops but he is creative, and knows how to write for the song.

The song that made me want to play bass. Still get shivers listening to it, and most of The Joshua Tree. Epic stuff.
 
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True. I usually feel compelled to offer a half-hearted defense of Clayton's playing, which is actually quite distinctive and inventive on the first couple of u2 albums. Like many a rock band, I think U2 were arguably more vital and interesting as musicians before they could play entirely "properly." Certainly more inventive. In any case, defending U2 around here offers limited gains, so perhaps I'll pass today...

Yup. Adam Clayton, Ian Hill, Nate Mendel...all GREAT bass players, all are in bands that sell out arenas or stadiums and all are multi millionaires.
 
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Zakk Wilde and EVH come to mind, but not with as many different companies likely.


Check this out

Gretsch

Single Cutaway Chet Atkins 6120 late 1954 – mid to late 1961
Double Cutaway Chet Atkins 6120 mid to late 1961- c.1963
Chet Atkins Nashville 6120 c. 1964-1980 renumbered 7660 in 1971
Single Cutaway Chet Atkins Solid Body 6121 by 1954-1960
Double Cutaway Chet Atkins Solid Body 6121 by 1961-1962
Single Cutaway Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 6122 late 1957 – late 1961
Double Cutaway Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 6122 late 1961-1981 renumbered 7670 in 1971
Chet Atkins Tennessean 6119 1958-1980 renumbered 7655 in 1971
Chet Atkins Junior 1970
Super Chet 7690 (autumn red) 7691 (walnut) B added to model # indicates Bigsby late 1972-1980
Deluxe Chet 7680 (autumn red) 7681 (walnut) 1973-1974
Super Axe 7680 (red rosewood stain) 7681 (ebony stain) 7682 (sunburst stain) 1976-1981
Atkins Axe 7685 (ebony stain) 7686 (red rosewood stain) 1976-1980

2007- Current Gretsch models

G6120DSV Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120BS Chet Atkins Hollow Body Blue Burst
G6120BK Chet Akins Hollow Body Black
G6120AM Chet Atkins Hollow Body Amber Tiger Maple
G6120TM Chet Atkins Hollow Body Tiger Maple
G61120WCST-1955 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Full Western
G6120W-1957 Chet Atkins Hollobody
G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Flame
G6120DSW Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-CGP Chet Atkins Stereo Guitar- Limited Production
G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-1959LTV Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-1959 Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120DC Chet Atkins Double Cutaway Hollow Body
G6120-1959LHTV Chet Atkins Hollow Body, Left-Handed
G6120LH Chet Atkins Hollow Body, Left-Handed
G6122-1958 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122-1959 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122-1959HOF Chet Atkins Hall of Fame Country Gentleman®
G6122-1959LH Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®, Left-Handed
G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122II Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®, Left-Handed
G6122-12 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman® 12-String
G6119 Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1959 Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1962FT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1962HT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1962HTLH Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™, Left-Handed
G6119LH Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™, Left-Handed
G6121-1955 Chet Atkins Solid Body

Gibson

Chet Atkins CE December 1981-2005 (Gibson logo headstock from 1993-2005)(Rosewood fingerboard 1981-1995, Ebony fingerboard 1996-2005)(Cedar top was optional 1994-95)
Chet Atkins CEC 1982-2005 (Gibson logo headstock from 1993-2005)
Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 1986-2005 (Prototype named Chet Atkins 350XT, introduced as Chet Atkins 3535 in June 1986, renamed Country Gentleman in Oct. 1986)
Chet Atkins CGP May 1985 - early 1987 (appeared in 1986 magazine ad)(Chet's "Peaver" guitar was the prototype)
Chet Atkins Phasar 1987 (appeared in 1988 catalog)(Chet's "Peaver" guitar was the prototype)
Chet Atkins SST 1987-2005 (sometime during 1991 until 2005 no fake soundhole)
Chet Atkins CE Showcase Edition July 1988 guitar of the month (Vintage Sunburst - Production: 200 U.S. & 50 overseas)
Chet Atkins (JS) Double June 7, 1990 (similar to Johnny Smith Double)
Chet Atkins SST 12-string 1990-1994
Chet Atkins Tennessean 1990-2005
Chet Atkins SST Celebrity Series 1991-1993
Chet Atkins Studio Classic 1991-1993 fleur-de-lis (fleur-de-lis only inlaid on headstock in 1993, not on the spruce top)
Chet Atkins SST 12-string Brett Michaels Edition 1992-1993 (production 2)
Chet Atkins SST flame-top 1993-1995
Chet Atkins Studio CE mid 1993-2000 (2004-05 re-designed, deeper cutaway, sound port on back, cedar top, moustache bridge, and slider controls on circular plate on upper bass bout)
Chet Atkins Studio CEC mid 1993-2000 (2004-05 re-designed, deeper cutaway, sound port on back, cedar top, moustache bridge, and slider controls on circular plate on upper bass bout)
Chet Atkins Super 4000 1995, 1997
Chet Atkins CEC True Cedar 2000-2005
Chet Atkins SST True Cedar 2000-2005
Chet Atkins L-10 2004

Epiphone

Chet Atkins Country Gentleman II 1986-1990
Chet Atkins SST Standard - spruce top 1994-2000
Chet Atkins SST Custom - flame maple top 1994-2000
Chet Atkins SST Deluxe - Birdseye maple top 1994-2000
Chet Atkins CEC 1994-2005
Chet Atkins CE 2002
Chet Atkins SST Studio 1998-2005
Chet Atkins Studio Classic
Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Elitist 2004-2005
 
Check this out

Gretsch

Single Cutaway Chet Atkins 6120 late 1954 – mid to late 1961
Double Cutaway Chet Atkins 6120 mid to late 1961- c.1963
Chet Atkins Nashville 6120 c. 1964-1980 renumbered 7660 in 1971
Single Cutaway Chet Atkins Solid Body 6121 by 1954-1960
Double Cutaway Chet Atkins Solid Body 6121 by 1961-1962
Single Cutaway Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 6122 late 1957 – late 1961
Double Cutaway Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 6122 late 1961-1981 renumbered 7670 in 1971
Chet Atkins Tennessean 6119 1958-1980 renumbered 7655 in 1971
Chet Atkins Junior 1970
Super Chet 7690 (autumn red) 7691 (walnut) B added to model # indicates Bigsby late 1972-1980
Deluxe Chet 7680 (autumn red) 7681 (walnut) 1973-1974
Super Axe 7680 (red rosewood stain) 7681 (ebony stain) 7682 (sunburst stain) 1976-1981
Atkins Axe 7685 (ebony stain) 7686 (red rosewood stain) 1976-1980

2007- Current Gretsch models

G6120DSV Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120BS Chet Atkins Hollow Body Blue Burst
G6120BK Chet Akins Hollow Body Black
G6120AM Chet Atkins Hollow Body Amber Tiger Maple
G6120TM Chet Atkins Hollow Body Tiger Maple
G61120WCST-1955 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Full Western
G6120W-1957 Chet Atkins Hollobody
G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Flame
G6120DSW Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-CGP Chet Atkins Stereo Guitar- Limited Production
G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-1959LTV Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-1959 Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120DC Chet Atkins Double Cutaway Hollow Body
G6120-1959LHTV Chet Atkins Hollow Body, Left-Handed
G6120LH Chet Atkins Hollow Body, Left-Handed
G6122-1958 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122-1959 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122-1959HOF Chet Atkins Hall of Fame Country Gentleman®
G6122-1959LH Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®, Left-Handed
G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122II Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®, Left-Handed
G6122-12 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman® 12-String
G6119 Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1959 Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1962FT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1962HT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1962HTLH Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™, Left-Handed
G6119LH Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™, Left-Handed
G6121-1955 Chet Atkins Solid Body

Gibson

Chet Atkins CE December 1981-2005 (Gibson logo headstock from 1993-2005)(Rosewood fingerboard 1981-1995, Ebony fingerboard 1996-2005)(Cedar top was optional 1994-95)
Chet Atkins CEC 1982-2005 (Gibson logo headstock from 1993-2005)
Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 1986-2005 (Prototype named Chet Atkins 350XT, introduced as Chet Atkins 3535 in June 1986, renamed Country Gentleman in Oct. 1986)
Chet Atkins CGP May 1985 - early 1987 (appeared in 1986 magazine ad)(Chet's "Peaver" guitar was the prototype)
Chet Atkins Phasar 1987 (appeared in 1988 catalog)(Chet's "Peaver" guitar was the prototype)
Chet Atkins SST 1987-2005 (sometime during 1991 until 2005 no fake soundhole)
Chet Atkins CE Showcase Edition July 1988 guitar of the month (Vintage Sunburst - Production: 200 U.S. & 50 overseas)
Chet Atkins (JS) Double June 7, 1990 (similar to Johnny Smith Double)
Chet Atkins SST 12-string 1990-1994
Chet Atkins Tennessean 1990-2005
Chet Atkins SST Celebrity Series 1991-1993
Chet Atkins Studio Classic 1991-1993 fleur-de-lis (fleur-de-lis only inlaid on headstock in 1993, not on the spruce top)
Chet Atkins SST 12-string Brett Michaels Edition 1992-1993 (production 2)
Chet Atkins SST flame-top 1993-1995
Chet Atkins Studio CE mid 1993-2000 (2004-05 re-designed, deeper cutaway, sound port on back, cedar top, moustache bridge, and slider controls on circular plate on upper bass bout)
Chet Atkins Studio CEC mid 1993-2000 (2004-05 re-designed, deeper cutaway, sound port on back, cedar top, moustache bridge, and slider controls on circular plate on upper bass bout)
Chet Atkins Super 4000 1995, 1997
Chet Atkins CEC True Cedar 2000-2005
Chet Atkins SST True Cedar 2000-2005
Chet Atkins L-10 2004

Epiphone

Chet Atkins Country Gentleman II 1986-1990
Chet Atkins SST Standard - spruce top 1994-2000
Chet Atkins SST Custom - flame maple top 1994-2000
Chet Atkins SST Deluxe - Birdseye maple top 1994-2000
Chet Atkins CEC 1994-2005
Chet Atkins CE 2002
Chet Atkins SST Studio 1998-2005
Chet Atkins Studio Classic
Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Elitist 2004-2005
Holy crap! Pete Wentz has a way to go yet!
 
Check this out

Gretsch

Single Cutaway Chet Atkins 6120 late 1954 – mid to late 1961
Double Cutaway Chet Atkins 6120 mid to late 1961- c.1963
Chet Atkins Nashville 6120 c. 1964-1980 renumbered 7660 in 1971
Single Cutaway Chet Atkins Solid Body 6121 by 1954-1960
Double Cutaway Chet Atkins Solid Body 6121 by 1961-1962
Single Cutaway Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 6122 late 1957 – late 1961
Double Cutaway Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 6122 late 1961-1981 renumbered 7670 in 1971
Chet Atkins Tennessean 6119 1958-1980 renumbered 7655 in 1971
Chet Atkins Junior 1970
Super Chet 7690 (autumn red) 7691 (walnut) B added to model # indicates Bigsby late 1972-1980
Deluxe Chet 7680 (autumn red) 7681 (walnut) 1973-1974
Super Axe 7680 (red rosewood stain) 7681 (ebony stain) 7682 (sunburst stain) 1976-1981
Atkins Axe 7685 (ebony stain) 7686 (red rosewood stain) 1976-1980

2007- Current Gretsch models

G6120DSV Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120BS Chet Atkins Hollow Body Blue Burst
G6120BK Chet Akins Hollow Body Black
G6120AM Chet Atkins Hollow Body Amber Tiger Maple
G6120TM Chet Atkins Hollow Body Tiger Maple
G61120WCST-1955 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Full Western
G6120W-1957 Chet Atkins Hollobody
G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body Flame
G6120DSW Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-CGP Chet Atkins Stereo Guitar- Limited Production
G6120 Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-1959LTV Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120-1959 Chet Atkins Hollow Body
G6120DC Chet Atkins Double Cutaway Hollow Body
G6120-1959LHTV Chet Atkins Hollow Body, Left-Handed
G6120LH Chet Atkins Hollow Body, Left-Handed
G6122-1958 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122-1959 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122-1959HOF Chet Atkins Hall of Fame Country Gentleman®
G6122-1959LH Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®, Left-Handed
G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122II Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®
G6122-1962 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman®, Left-Handed
G6122-12 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman® 12-String
G6119 Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1959 Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1962FT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1962HT Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™
G6119-1962HTLH Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™, Left-Handed
G6119LH Chet Atkins Tennessee Rose™, Left-Handed
G6121-1955 Chet Atkins Solid Body

Gibson

Chet Atkins CE December 1981-2005 (Gibson logo headstock from 1993-2005)(Rosewood fingerboard 1981-1995, Ebony fingerboard 1996-2005)(Cedar top was optional 1994-95)
Chet Atkins CEC 1982-2005 (Gibson logo headstock from 1993-2005)
Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 1986-2005 (Prototype named Chet Atkins 350XT, introduced as Chet Atkins 3535 in June 1986, renamed Country Gentleman in Oct. 1986)
Chet Atkins CGP May 1985 - early 1987 (appeared in 1986 magazine ad)(Chet's "Peaver" guitar was the prototype)
Chet Atkins Phasar 1987 (appeared in 1988 catalog)(Chet's "Peaver" guitar was the prototype)
Chet Atkins SST 1987-2005 (sometime during 1991 until 2005 no fake soundhole)
Chet Atkins CE Showcase Edition July 1988 guitar of the month (Vintage Sunburst - Production: 200 U.S. & 50 overseas)
Chet Atkins (JS) Double June 7, 1990 (similar to Johnny Smith Double)
Chet Atkins SST 12-string 1990-1994
Chet Atkins Tennessean 1990-2005
Chet Atkins SST Celebrity Series 1991-1993
Chet Atkins Studio Classic 1991-1993 fleur-de-lis (fleur-de-lis only inlaid on headstock in 1993, not on the spruce top)
Chet Atkins SST 12-string Brett Michaels Edition 1992-1993 (production 2)
Chet Atkins SST flame-top 1993-1995
Chet Atkins Studio CE mid 1993-2000 (2004-05 re-designed, deeper cutaway, sound port on back, cedar top, moustache bridge, and slider controls on circular plate on upper bass bout)
Chet Atkins Studio CEC mid 1993-2000 (2004-05 re-designed, deeper cutaway, sound port on back, cedar top, moustache bridge, and slider controls on circular plate on upper bass bout)
Chet Atkins Super 4000 1995, 1997
Chet Atkins CEC True Cedar 2000-2005
Chet Atkins SST True Cedar 2000-2005
Chet Atkins L-10 2004

Epiphone

Chet Atkins Country Gentleman II 1986-1990
Chet Atkins SST Standard - spruce top 1994-2000
Chet Atkins SST Custom - flame maple top 1994-2000
Chet Atkins SST Deluxe - Birdseye maple top 1994-2000
Chet Atkins CEC 1994-2005
Chet Atkins CE 2002
Chet Atkins SST Studio 1998-2005
Chet Atkins Studio Classic
Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Elitist 2004-2005

My eyes are about to fall out of my head...!
 
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Apparently Warwick poached the bassist from Pantera from Spector recently as well..

One thing I've always admired about Alembic (And I have no hate for Spector or Fender, as I own both), is that they have never given a single instrument or a single dollar to an artist to endorse anything... sure, they're not played by everyone, but those who play them do so because they bough them.


Ummm....
 
Well I almost bought a James Johnston Squier Jazz bass cause it was a nice bass with a cool Lake Placid Blue finish. I've never heard of that guy or Biffy Clyro. I never did buy it but it was a great bass for the money and I would buy it.
I almost bought one, too...also never heard of him, in fact, I thought he was a black blues or jazz bassist. Instead, I just went for a CV in Inca Silver. They look even better in real life.
And I'd definitely buy this signature bass if I ever saw one in GC or wherever, and I don't know much about Eric Bass, either.
289hguv.jpg
 
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The first question that comes to mind whenever I see the term 'signature bass' is, "Are we so enamored with other players that we want an instrument with their name written on it? Are we so star struck that we want an instrument just like they play?" :unsure:

And if we are the kind of individual that buys into sig models, what do we do when our 'bass hero' changes brands? Which many seem to do on a regular basis. Are we going to change brands every time our hero does? :cautious:

Sorry. Just thinking out loud.

M. M. :)

I own two sig basses, a Bello and Ellefson. Owned a Chris Beattie Jackson once. Personly im qn ESP guy, but they stopped useing EMG and i dont like natural finish( there high end B basses are all NATURAL Finish)

I understand what you mean by switching bascom. panys if a player does, ive done that, Johm Campbell from Lamb of god switched to Dean from Jackson. But Jackson kicks ass and i didnt change. Now guitar players switch more than bass players. Look at Shadows Fall IBANEZ,WASHBURN,ESP,B.C. RICH, now they only play Legator.
 
I just received an Adam Clayton jazz bass today. I got a great deal on a barely used one. I love it because it's a great jazz bass and it looks really cool. I've never learned a single U2 bassline nor have I ever bought a U2 album. I'm just glad the signature on the headstock is an unreadable squiggle. No offense to the guy but I certainly didn't buy the bass because of him per se. It's basically a really really pretty American Standard, which in themselves are great basses. I will say that if I couldn't stand him, I wouldn't have bought it no matter how nice a bass it was. He's okay.

As far as his Warwick bass... fugly as hell.
 
I would play a Billy Sheehan signature model because of the layout of the pickups. And the unique neck attachment.

It's funny that you would mention the Billy Sheehan bass. As you can tell by reading between the lines of my post, I'm not attracted to signature models, albeit there are a couple of exceptions. And one of those exceptions is on the same Yamaha web page as the Sheehan bass. That TRBJP2 just knocks me out. If I had the cash one of those would be mine. :cool: Sadly, no cash at the present time. :(

M. M. :)
 
Sorry that reply was sloppy, useing a phone key board.

Anyway, i would get another Frank Bello bass but the Fender version, the Esp one is cool but im not a huge precision bass guy.

I wouldnt mind a Robert Trujillo Warwick.
 
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