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Signature Instruments—-What Do We Think About Them?

#201
This Japan Fender might be my fave "signature" bass. :woot:

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#202
I thought the Geddy Lee (MIJ) jazz was a nice jazz bass. I played one for a while.
I think the Pino Palladino P bass is also very nice. I only played it at a store for about 45 minutes. I don't know that I could ever pay $5,500 for a nice P bass. But it was really nice. There are so many artist/signature models out there I think it has kind of lost any special meaning.
 
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#206
I love my CIJ Geddy Lee, but I decided to buy it based on looks, feel, and sound before I found out it was a signature model.

I saw it on the wall, and I've always loved the look of the tuxedo finish Jazz with maple / black blocks.

I picked it up and played it, and it sounded great acoustically, and the neck was one of the most comfortable I had ever played.

I plugged it in, and it was one of the best sounding Jazz's I had ever heard.

I decided to buy the bass before the salesman pointed to the signature on the back of the headstock. That was kind of icing on the cake, since Geddy is my biggest influence, but I would not have bought the bass because of it being a signature model. I bought it because it was the right bass for me.
 
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#209
embellisher said:
I love my CIJ Geddy Lee, but I decided to buy it based on looks, feel, and sound before I found out it was a signature model.

I saw it on the wall, and I've always loved the look of the tuxedo finish Jazz with maple / black blocks.

I picked it up and played it, and it sounded great acoustically, and the neck was one of the most comfortable I had ever played.

I plugged it in, and it was one of the best sounding Jazz's I had ever heard.

I decided to buy the bass before the salesman pointed to the signature on the back of the headstock. That was kind of icing on the cake, since Geddy is my biggest influence, but I would not have bought the bass because of it being a signature model. I bought it because it was the right bass for me.
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I have the exact opposite in a sense. When my wife bought me an acoustic guitar for our 20th anniversary the one I liked best was a fender Tim Armstrong hellcat. I hadn’t heard of Tim but loved it had a small body and was mahogany and I liked the cat and skull fretmarkers. As it turned out I had one song by rancid that I quite liked in my collection on a compilation. But I love the acoustic.
 
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#212
Indiedog said:
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.
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Personally, I choose a bass for its features and sound quality. My choices have been fairly simple over the years and I do have one 'official' signature bass, a Sterling Joe Dart. I chose this bass because it was a flavor I appreciated and did not have. I felt it would complement my other basses; all but my AGBs and EUB are Fender, fenders or Fender style.

Bottom line, I personally don't choose a bass for aesthetic reasons but for features, if it's a signature or tribute, so be it.
 
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#213
Mastermold said:
Wonder if Gibson’s Les Paul was the first?
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Well, no. Roy Smeck in the 1930s was the second and I can’t remember the name of the first. Also (and this I’m not sure if it’s just the internet being snarky and wrong or if it’s right) Les Paul wanted the instrument to be called the Les Paul, like the Saxophone.

So it might be complicated.
 
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#214
Indiedog said:
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.
Click to expand...
I have a few signature instruments, and I have a few of them on my list.

I don't really like signature models that are only minute specifications tweaks or paintjobs for standard models. I like signature models that change things up significantly with new features, pickup arrangements, electronics ,etc.

As far as the thought of copying somebody else's style... well, I don't really care that much. Most of the signature models I own or am interested in are for bassists that I have never listened to. I don't care about the name on the headstock, just what I see in the instrument.

Not to mention... I could counter that using the stock instrument is, in itself, copying a style.

I don't like the feeling of looking at the newest lineups for Fender, Gibson etc and getting the sense that it's simply an incremental change/improvement/etc on the same formulae they've been milking for decades. I want instruments that are different.
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It's wild to me how many players will have collections consisting solely of redundant Precision and Jazz basses when wild stuff like this exists.
 
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#215
jdjk7 said:
I have a few signature instruments, and I have a few of them on my list.

I don't really like signature models that are only minute specifications tweaks or paintjobs for standard models. I like signature models that change things up significantly with new features, pickup arrangements, electronics ,etc.

As far as the thought of copying somebody else's style... well, I don't really care that much. Most of the signature models I own or am interested in are for bassists that I have never listened to. I don't care about the name on the headstock, just what I see in the instrument.

Not to mention... I could counter that using the stock instrument is, in itself, copying a style.

I don't like the feeling of looking at the newest lineups for Fender, Gibson etc and getting the sense that it's simply an incremental change/improvement/etc on the same formulae they've been milking for decades. I want instruments that are different.
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It's wild to me how many players will have collections consisting solely of redundant Precision and Jazz basses when wild stuff like this exists.
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Yep
I have my own signature model.
The DJ Bebop P bass of Doom…

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😊
 
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