Signature Instruments—-What Do We Think About Them?

[LowendG]

Not a big Rush fan (I admire them though for sure), but my CIJ Geddy is a killer Jazz. Been through 3 different pickup swaps and different pickguards so now it's not 100% Geddy, but I'll never sell this beast.

 

[burgerdj]

Nothing against them, but they don’t particularly appeal to me - especially if the bass is prominently emblazoned with the signature.

 

[monsterthompson]

I like the one I have
(not mine but one of the 11 others like it)

 

[KenD]

What do we think about them? They're a very profitable marketing program.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Are not many Basses Signature Basses

Fender, Ernie Ball, Sadowsky, Lull, Etc.

I am not lured by Signature Basses but do pay attention to what some of my favorite Bassist play but in the end my priorities trump theirs

 

[40Hz]

I don’t have an opinion of them. The signature on a bass is neither a plus nor a minus for me. I’m interested in the instrument. I don’t really care whose name happens to be on it.

 

[ezstep]

Pick up and play a dozen basses and find the one(s) you like. THEN look at the name on the head stock. Most people do it the other way 'round.

 

[Methaneman]

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 wanted a jazz bass. Did some research and a lot of love for the geddy jazz. Bought it and love it. It's the CIJ model. I changed the pickguard to black and looks better to me.

 

[Koshchei]

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've had a few over the years. Then a bunch of customs. I've settled on a Rickenbacker 4003 and 4005XC. Ultimately, it's incumbent on you to develop your own chops, learn the craft to suit your own aesthetic, and develop your own style. If it's on somebody else's signature instrument, so what?

edit: To be pedantic, every instrument is a signature instrument -- they have the maker's name on them.

 

[cornfarmer]

Got a JMJ Mustang on a trade. Loved it, but didn't love the 'signature' (or fake roadworn thing). Not for me. Let it go and OF COURSE regretted it, it was a go to for recording. Replaced it with a '66 eventually.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

I usually stay away from them but i have two. My Spector Skyler Acord 5 is a fantastic bass (once I swapped out the Barts for EMGs) that has the best neck I have ever played on a 5 string. There is nothing on the bass that says whose signature it is, which is what i prefer. I also have a Spector Mike Kroeger 5 that i got cheap as a project bass. It's essentially an Ethos with matte black paint and fully passive. I installed active EMGs and an LHZ preamp and I'm planning on painting it. It does have a big M logo on the third fret that I'm not a fan of, but for what i paid and the mod platform it is, I'll live with it.

 

[salmon256]

I think the Chris Squire Rickenbacker is super cool b/c of the color, but also because Paul D'Amour used one in Tool!

But honestly as many of the other comments said, I really would not go out of my way to get one if I had signature kind of money. True some sig models are affordable but most aren't. The Flea Jazz bass was cool to me but other than that it's just a replica looking model with some Flea qualities to it.

I saw some cool Japanese sig models from Fender of Japanese musicians, some awesome Yamaha ones, but again at the end of the day if I had 5k around for a bass, I rather get something I like and have to my specs then a sig or get 3 basses with that money lol. But just my opinion !

 

[jnewmark]

Always wanted to try the Duck Dunn sig bass, even though I know he used a Fender P bass with a Jazz neck, so what's the big deal? I finally put a J neck on a Fender P, so I guess I'm good.

 

[Iristone]

The best thing about sigs are that I can buy "almost sigs". Such as my Rickenbacker 4003 that I installed the Toaster pickup in it. Or the Squier CV "almost-Pino" P bass. I'm not overly fussy about the horseshoe pickup surround or 7.25" fretboard radius. If I buy an instrument based on a player, I mainly care about the tone and overall (not detail) look of it.
If you stretch the definition of "signature" instruments, then that's a different story. My roundwound string of choice is Rotosound 66, which is almost John Entwistle sig. You could argue that the Gibson RD Artist is His signature, too, while the Grabber is Carol Kaye signature. Over at the drum side, I use Vic Firth Keith Moon drumsticks and a Slingerland Gene Krupa Radio King snare drum. Also, who doesn't love a Les Paul?

 

[REV]

The Sting P bass is a great bass except for that inlay in the neck. The Geddy Jazz is one of the best Jazz basses Fender has ever made. If Ibanez ever makes a Gary Willis 4 string, I'll be first in line.

 

[Alessandro Cruz]

I would pick a Signature instrument that's really different from all the other offerings from the brand.

Like the Roscoe Beck signature from Fender, that's nothing similar under the company's umbrella. Or the Fender Urge Bass.

I guess all of the other offerings from Fender are more likely the same regular basses with different pickup winding or color/hardware. You can name a bunch of them with ease...

 

[jd56hawk]

They're just basses with someone's name on them.
Some are fine because of this, some are nothing special.
I've never had the need to own one, wouldn't pass up the right one just because of a signature, but most of them are completely off the radar.
It's "just another name on the headstock that doesn't really matter" to me.

 

[B-Mac]

My USA Dean Jeff Berlin Patchwork

 

[nonohmic]

If Ibanez ever makes a Gary Willis 4 string, I'll be first in line.

Agreed.

 

[Killing Floor]

I have no problem with them. I have a Les Paul artist signature guitar.