Signature Basses / Instruments...yes or no

[frosty4d]

Your own bass with the features that fit your your music, your style and your aesthetic preferences.

That's what my USA MTD is. It just happens to be a signature model because it came with the dimensions I wanted.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I do find it interesting that most signature instruments, with few exceptions, were off-the-shelf standard instruments to begin with

 

[DJ Bebop]

The only sig bass that ever really tempted me was the Noel Redding Jazz. (Not mentioned in this thread or the older one). The one I played back in 1997 was super nice and sounded good. I already had a Jazz though so buying another didn't make sense to me at the time.
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What did you find made it different from other Fender Jazz options other than maybe period correct specs?

 

[frosty4d]

I do find it interesting that most signature instruments, with few exceptions, were off-the-shelf standard instruments to begin with

Those kinds of instruments don't really interest me. In my comment, I was talking about the instruments that are specifically different from the other offerings, such as the Reverend Wattplower. Some signatures offer a feature set that is not available elsewhere. Many of these are short- or medium-scale, and I'd collect them all if I could!

 

[sleddogn]

More options via sig models...why is that bad OP, if you don't like then just move along...odd and annoying, just trying to feel important by starting a thread that is a repeat of many

 

[Kdmoo]

What did you find made it different from other Fender Jazz options other than maybe period correct specs?

It's been too long so I can't recall. Your assessment of period correct specs sounds about right. I don't remember seeing many sunburst Jazz basses around that time though.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Those kinds of instruments don't really interest me. In my comment, I was talking about the instruments that are specifically different from the other offerings, such as the Reverend Wattplower. Some signatures offer a feature set that is not available elsewhere. Many of these are short- or medium-scale, and I'd collect them all if I could!

My comments were not directed at anyone specific, just in general.

I agree though, also some of the signature instruments are a snapshot in time. Sometimes the example a company picks for a signature model, the artist themselves have moved on from. Mike is an example as he is most associated with the heavily modified Gibson EBs and other modified basses. Yet his choice was a new bass, the Wattplower, in fact two different examples over the years.

I have my own model.
The Custom Shop Heavy Relic’d DJ Bebop Reef Aires P Bass of Doom

“It's the cat’s meow!”

 

[sleddogn]

I've never seen one I want.

what, an original thought?

 

[Rayjay]

I wouldn’t mind any in principle, but I hate the thought of playing an instrument with someone else’s name all over it. I’ll stick with my fenders, I thank you very much. Oh crap, Leo Fender‘s last name is all over these things lol!

 

[Bob_Ross]

I am not going to say no to a Stanley Clarke signature Alembic….

I’d be more inclined to agree if the Stanley Clarke Signature bass was the same Series I bass that Stanley Clarke actually uses! Not sure what Alembic was thinking when they released a “Signature” bass that wasn’t what that artist/endorser uses.

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The only “Signature” basses that interest me are:
- Fodera Presentation II (Anthony Jackson signature model)
- F Bass AC-6 (Alain Caron signature model)
- that Fender Roscoe Beck signature 5-string with the double-(quadruple?) J pickups
- and maybe a Peavey Palladium (Jeff Berlin signature model)

…but my interest in those instruments has absolutely *nothing* to do with the artists whose names adorn them; I just think they’re appealing instruments.

 

[GregC]

I still think signature instruments are over hyped, and overpriced.

It's like, do I do a tour, or release a signature instrument (and sit on my ass)

I would love to know which artists made so much money from their signature instruments that they bypassed touring. Please provide some examples.

 

[T McClure]

I would love to know which artists made so much money from their signature instruments that they bypassed touring. Please provide some examples.

I can't imagine any artist did much more with their signature instrument money than maybe go put a down payment on a late model used car. Especially in the bass world. Maybe a guy like John Mayer with his PRS line selling many many thousands was able to go buy another boat, but that's a whole different world.

 

[GTHintz]

Considering that you’ll still sound like you no matter what bass in in your hands I say HELL YES to signature basses.

 

[andare]

I wouldn’t mind any in principle, but I hate the thought of playing an instrument with someone else’s name all over it. I’ll stick with my fenders, I thank you very much. Oh crap, Leo Fender‘s last name is all over these things lol!

Leo couldn't play so we're fine

 

[jd56hawk]

I actually like this one, but Pete Wentz is so far off the radar I have to look him up every time I see this bass for sale.

 

[Fresh Eddie]

Does the signature make it better?
I mean, for someone buying the bass, not for Fender or Musicman or Gibson making a few extra hundred dollars by slapping Steve Harris or Joe Dart or Gene Simmons on the headstock?

To be completely honest, there is a Thunderbird near me that I really like the only thing that stops me from wanting it… is Gene Simmons’ name on it.

Don’t get me wrong, KISS rules but Gene Simmons is just awful.

 

[GrapeBass]

I'm not generally drawn to signature instruments but the sterling joe dart is amazing

Yup, I agree, it's unique enough to hold its own. I bought the first Sterling edition (2024 crop) and LOVE it. A finger funk monster!

 

[jd56hawk]

This one's very nice...even though I never think about it when people talk about signature basses, for some reason.