Signature Instruments—-What Do We Think About Them?

[Indiedog]

There are mentions of Signature basses (such as the Chris Squire Rickenbacker) all over the “Basses” threads and in some other areas, but have we ever discussed them as a whole? Yes, I know, it is difficult to generalize about them because by nature they are all different because they reflect the wants of the Artist. I DID search by the way!

So, do you have any? Do you like it/them? Why? Would you never buy one? Why?

Interestingly, I don’t have any Signature basses but quite a few of my acoustic and electric guitars are signature models. Why did I gravitate towards them? Well, it ISN’T what many naysayers think about Signature instruments. I am not a Fanboy, nor am I trying to cop someone else’s tone and style. Just the opposite…I like instruments that are unique and stimulate my creativity because they are different.

Examples: my first Signature was purchased because it was the opposite of most Signature instruments. It was NOT really expensive. Just the opposite. It was a Jewel Kirchner “JKSM” Taylor guitar. I knew nothing of her when I stumbled on it when it was new. It played even better than most Taylors. It has a voice that is so sweet. It is a “green” instrument (Jewel wanted sustainability to be the focus). It is simply appointed. But many people gravitate towards it much more than my Martin or other guitars. It even has a sweet smell unlike any other guitar due to its Satinwood. It was $1300. I see one on Reverb for $2000. Anyway, it was the start. My other Signatures are very different and were chosen for different reasons.

So what say you TalkBass members? Let’s try to emphasize basses, but I think it is cool to discuss whatever Signature instruments come to mind.

 

[Gorn]

I like the Tony Franklin Fender bass because of what it is, not because of Tony Franklin, although he's very good.

 

[Minimalist]

As an artist it must be cool to have your name associated with an instrument. As a player I don't care, because I'm not that artist.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

I buy based on specs and tone. I could care less who's name is on the headstock.

 

[ravelax]

For me it depends. I tend to prefer signature models that are either completely original designs, or variations of a classic model with certain non-standard features requested by the artist (in a more substantial way than just a certain colour scheme). If it's just a bog standard FSO with little to set it apart from regular non-signature production models, it seems a little pointless to make a separate signature model. Of course, it can still be a great instrument anyway and I could possily choose such a bass if I was in the market for that model, but never simply because it was someone's signature instrument.

I own no signature models myself, but my father who's also a bassist has both an Epiphone Jack Casady bass and an Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat, both of which are interesting models with no exact non-signature model equivalents (the Jack Casady differs slightly from the Gibson Les Paul Signature bass it was inspired by). Of these two, I particularly like the Rumblekat, being a completely original design.

 

[lomo]

If the artist's name/signature/emblem or some other identifier is prominently displayed on the instrument, it's a buzzkill for me. If I like the bass for what it is, I like it. The endorsement is never a positive for me. The same applies to endorsements of amp gear companies. The more prominent the artist's trademark, the more turned off I am. Markbass Marcus Miller amps are a good example of what turns me off completely, even though I like and respect him as a player/musician.

 

[BassKees]

I bought an Ibanez Gary Willis Bass a few years ago. Still very happy with it!

 

[B-Mac]

I buy based on specs and tone. I could care less who's name is on the headstock.

couldn't

 

[B-Mac]

There are mentions of Signature basses (such as the Chris Squire Rickenbacker) all over the “Basses” threads and in some other areas, but have we ever discussed them as a whole? Yes, I know, it is difficult to generalize about them because by nature they are all different because they reflect the wants of the Artist. I DID search by the way!

So, do you have any? Do you like it/them? Why? Would you never buy one? Why?

Interestingly, I don’t have any Signature basses but quite a few of my acoustic and electric guitars are signature models. Why did I gravitate towards them? Well, it ISN’T what many naysayers think about Signature instruments. I am not a Fanboy, nor am I trying to cop someone else’s tone and style. Just the opposite…I like instruments that are unique and stimulate my creativity because they are different.

Examples: my first Signature was purchased because it was the opposite of most Signature instruments. It was NOT really expensive. Just the opposite. It was a Jewel Kirchner “JKSM” Taylor guitar. I knew nothing of her when I stumbled on it when it was new. It played even better than most Taylors. It has a voice that is so sweet. It is a “green” instrument (Jewel wanted sustainability to be the focus). It is simply appointed. But many people gravitate towards it much more than my Martin or other guitars. It even has a sweet smell unlike any other guitar due to its Satinwood. It was $1300. I see one on Reverb for $2000. Anyway, it was the start. My other Signatures are very different and were chosen for different reasons.

So what say you TalkBass members? Let’s try to emphasize basses, but I think it is cool to discuss whatever Signature instruments come to mind.

I have a few different signature basses. I didn't buy most of them because of the artist. I bought them because I liked them.
Half of them have specific body styles that are not like any other bass or any other signature bass.

 

[ajkula66]

It depends on a variety of things.

I like the Tony Franklin Fender bass because of what it is, not because of Tony Franklin, although he's very good.

+ 1 right here.

I've owned a Fender CS Limited Edition Adam Clayton P-Bass. A stellar instrument in all respects. Being an old fart, it wasn't really a piece I'd associate AC with, but who cares. I flipped it for a nice profit, which was the original purpose of buying it in the first place.

A "signature" model that I'd really be interested in trying is Warwick Jack Bruce in any shape or form - as long as it's MIG - but I haven't come across one yet IRL.

Now, how do we feel about stuff carrying Les Paul's name ? These instruments have been around for 72 years in guitar form and 56 in bass guise...guilty as charged on having owned a truckload of them over the past 40+ years...

I *love* Jack Casady as a player but have no interest in owning an Epiphone that carries his name. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine bass in its own right but not a good ergonomic fit for me at all.

So I guess I'm in "neither here nor there" camp if one exists...

Now, an original Framus Jan Akkerman in local ads would get my attention very quickly, along with my money if the price were anywhere close to being reasonable...

My $0.02 only...

 

[mapleglo]

I'm not usually a fan of signature basses. I like the Chris Squire Ric, but I really don't play 4 string basses anymore. Can't think of any others that I'd be interested in. Of course the Lemmy Ric is also nice, but again, a 4 string.

 

[lm183902]

I used to feel weird about them, but I came around.

As a younger player, I really valued individuality which made me shy away from anyone else's signature bass. But as I got older, I realized that some of those instruments are great and you don't have to have any connection to the player to take advantage of that. I was never a Rush fan, but I owned a Geddy Lee Jazz Bass for a while and it was great. I do happen to be a JMJ fan, but I got his signature Mustang because at the time it was the only way to get a new Mustang with a nitro finish. Also an amazing bass.

 

[MrAB4003]

It depends on the artist, the bass model, and several other factors for me.

I like the Chris Squire Ric, but I really don't play 4 string basses anymore. Can't think of any others that I'd be interested in. Of course the Lemmy Ric is also nice, but again, a 4 string.

I'm a Ric fan, so I really like all the signature Ric models because they're twists on my all-time favorite bass model. Lemmy and Al Cisneros are two lifelong Ric bassists whose signature models I would LOVE to have. Both of them are influences on my own playing and their signature models look really cool. They also sound amazing from what I heard.

I like the Tony Franklin Fender bass because of what it is, not because of Tony Franklin, although he's very good.

I have entertained the idea of acquiring a Tony Franklin Signature fretless P. But I'm not a fan of P Basses even though I like Tony Franklin and his bass playing.

 

[GIBrat51]

There are mentions of Signature basses (such as the Chris Squire Rickenbacker) all over the “Basses” threads and in some other areas, but have we ever discussed them as a whole? Yes, I know, it is difficult to generalize about them because by nature they are all different because they reflect the wants of the Artist. I DID search by the way!

So, do you have any? Do you like it/them? Why? Would you never buy one? Why?

Interestingly, I don’t have any Signature basses but quite a few of my acoustic and electric guitars are signature models. Why did I gravitate towards them? Well, it ISN’T what many naysayers think about Signature instruments. I am not a Fanboy, nor am I trying to cop someone else’s tone and style. Just the opposite…I like instruments that are unique and stimulate my creativity because they are different.

Examples: my first Signature was purchased because it was the opposite of most Signature instruments. It was NOT really expensive. Just the opposite. It was a Jewel Kirchner “JKSM” Taylor guitar. I knew nothing of her when I stumbled on it when it was new. It played even better than most Taylors. It has a voice that is so sweet. It is a “green” instrument (Jewel wanted sustainability to be the focus). It is simply appointed. But many people gravitate towards it much more than my Martin or other guitars. It even has a sweet smell unlike any other guitar due to its Satinwood. It was $1300. I see one on Reverb for $2000. Anyway, it was the start. My other Signatures are very different and were chosen for different reasons.

So what say you TalkBass members? Let’s try to emphasize basses, but I think it is cool to discuss whatever Signature instruments come to mind.

What do I think about signature instruments? TBH... I don't think about them very much at all. Why?
1. The main thing about them - for me - is that left handed signature instruments, are something that you'll have a very hard time finding. Unless you want a Schecter; they seem to have several left handed ones. But... that said? I do actually have one, but it's not a production model bass. It's a G&L Custom Shop Tom Hamilton Signature ASAT Bass. Metalflake Blue, with a non-production model Rosewood fretboard. I bought it because I needed an active bass to fill that spot in my Bass Herd - and because I like the color blue. I had no idea who Tom Hamilton is; I had to look him up. Which brings me to...
2. The great majority of signature model basses, are "copies" of basses owned by people who I either don't give a fig about - or have never heard of. The tiny handful of bass players I might like to have a "signature bass" from? They all seem to be... well, sorta dead; and/or, they got famous playing an upright bass - which I am physically unable to play, even if I wanted to. For example; I think a lefty "Ruston Moreve Signature Rickenbacker Bass" would be kinda cool; but, I can hear most of you asking "Who the Hell is Rushton Moreve?!?" For the record; he was Steppenwolf's original - and really good - bass player, who wrote Magic Carpet Ride and Born To Be Wild. If I could play bass anywhere near as well as he could? I'd die a very happy player... Finally?
3.The entire thing is pretty much a moot point, anyway. I spent 34 years filling every one of the 24 spots in my Bass Herd - and only bought one "Signature" bass to do it. And, I replaced that bass in the "Active" spot a few months ago, with a Schecter Stiletto Studio-4FL lined fretless bass, anyway. ASAT's are just barely active - the Schecter's most definitely active. But, I still really like blue stuff, and the ASAT is fun to play - and it sounds good, too. So, it's part of a tiny trio of basses that don't have a Herd spot - but that I really don't want to part with. Any lefty "signature bass" that comes along, would have to be pretty spectacular for me to even thing about it - much less buy it. Well... unless it was that Rushton Moreve Signature Rick. And, I wouldn't even ask, how they got the signature...

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

I like the Tony Franklin Fender bass because of what it is, not because of Tony Franklin, although he's very good.

I love my Fender Tony Franklin Fretless. I am generally not one to like signature instruments, but this TF fretless is excellent and it's the only Fender Precision Fretless bass on the market, so if you want a fretless P, this is it. As for other signature basses, it all depends. I don't like them with the artist's signature is prominent. Like the Fender Sting model where his signature is on the 12th fret.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

There are mentions of Signature basses (such as the Chris Squire Rickenbacker) all over the “Basses” threads and in some other areas, but have we ever discussed them as a whole? Yes, I know, it is difficult to generalize about them because by nature they are all different because they reflect the wants of the Artist. I DID search by the way!

So, do you have any? Do you like it/them? Why? Would you never buy one? Why?

Interestingly, I don’t have any Signature basses but quite a few of my acoustic and electric guitars are signature models. Why did I gravitate towards them? Well, it ISN’T what many naysayers think about Signature instruments. I am not a Fanboy, nor am I trying to cop someone else’s tone and style. Just the opposite…I like instruments that are unique and stimulate my creativity because they are different.

Examples: my first Signature was purchased because it was the opposite of most Signature instruments. It was NOT really expensive. Just the opposite. It was a Jewel Kirchner “JKSM” Taylor guitar. I knew nothing of her when I stumbled on it when it was new. It played even better than most Taylors. It has a voice that is so sweet. It is a “green” instrument (Jewel wanted sustainability to be the focus). It is simply appointed. But many people gravitate towards it much more than my Martin or other guitars. It even has a sweet smell unlike any other guitar due to its Satinwood. It was $1300. I see one on Reverb for $2000. Anyway, it was the start. My other Signatures are very different and were chosen for different reasons.

So what say you TalkBass members? Let’s try to emphasize basses, but I think it is cool to discuss whatever Signature instruments come to mind.

I don’t own any. Back in the 70’s, I owned an EB3 because my hero was Jack Bruce. Well, I never could get it to sound like Jack Bruce and I couldn’t play like him either. So, I sold it and bought a Rick 4001. As you may have guessed, I couldn’t play like Chris Swuire, and didn’t sound like him either.

But I didn’t sell it, I put together a killer ROS rig IMO, sounded much better for most music other than Yes. If fact it was a killer riig!

 

[DuluthDank]

I like sig instruments as long as the decals aren't gaudy, and it's about functionality over looks. When people have to put stickers/weird inlays/logos on their sig instrument, to me it's just for fanboys or tribute bands at that point.

I play a Tony Franklin Fender, and I'm not sure I could name a single song he played on. I like his pickup choices, the 3 way switch, and the feel of the neck.

 

[dune]

couldn't

I'm with you on this, although I recently saw or read that "could" has been used in this context by so many for so long that the two are now interchangeable and both acceptable.

 

[Whale]

Apart from Les Paul guitars, I really couldn't care less about signature instruments. The unique aspects a well known bassist might demand on his/her bass are rarely, if ever, enough of an incentive for me to seek out or purchase their signature bass.

Besides that, I kind of feel as though signature instruments would make me look like a bit of a poser.

 

[SpiderBass1965]

I have a MIJ Fender Marcus Miller and a Geddy Lee signatures. I like the options. Don't care for their signatures on the basses. They are both great players though. I bought them to play.