Signature Instruments—-What Do We Think About Them?

[HubbardsFate]

I've owned a David Ellefson Kellybird V for years now, and don't think I'll ever get rid of it.

Full disclosure: I bought it largely based (bassed?) on looks! I had never been huge into "pointy" instruments, but man, this one just did something for me...well, for starters, as far as the pointiness goes, it's pretty tame compared to a lot of other pointy models, because the "points" are pretty rounded. Add to that the killer blueburst finish, racing stripe, bound/blocked 'board, and that iconic Jackson headstock...whew...

And by happy accident, because I bought this (without ever having laid hands on one) off a fellow TBer, this bass, with it's 12" - 16" compound radius neck, felt/still feels like it was designed specifically for ME. I plan on getting the red 4-string version of this bass at some point too.

I owned a Rickenbacker years ago that I bought largely based on the fact that several of my heroes had played one at some point in their careers, and that was a hard lesson for me, because that bass (specifically, the neck profile) was absolutely NOT for me. So I will never again buy a bass just because Player A, B, C, used it, and that was the case with the Jackson; yes, I grew up listening to some Megadeth, and I consider Ellefson a pretty good bass player, but that's not why I bought the bass. At the same time, I figure a veteran like him has some idea of what makes a pretty decent bass guitar, at least for himself, and by happy coincidence, for me as well.

 

[jnewmark]

Duck Dunn is the player I've probably tried to emulate the most. I read somewhere that he didn't do the jazz neck on a precision until later in life to help with the arthritis in his hands.

Yeah, but I think the sig version has the Jazz neck. Since I play a Jazz most of the time, it was a no brainer. Highly recommend the book, “Soul Fingers” for more info about Duck.

 

[Jefenator]

I got an Epiphone Jack Casady once because it looked cool, sounded amazing in the showroom and my buddy who ran the store gave me a scorching deal.
I traded it within a year because it didn't sound so amazing in context, and it seemed like the flimsy hardware was going to wear out prematurely then be a real PITA to replace.

I would only advise a manufacturer to collaborate then do a production run of my signature bass if they needed a tax write-off.

 

[Mebsuta]

I suck too much to own a signature bass.

I'm fine with old Peaveys and Squier Affinities.

 

[Square]

I have two. One because it is purported to be one of the best production models made, and the features appealed to me.

The second because the features were what I wanted. And of course I’m a huge fanboi.

Both were to a lesser degree because the artists are gods (little g).

One I would play in public, the other, never.

The Geddy is one…

Then there is the other.

Really, I’ve owned several signature models over the past decades. If it speaks to me, it’s all good.

 

[JIO]

I guess this can be considered a limited production 'signature' bass. It's pretty cool in a few ways.

 

[nixdad]

I guess this can be considered a limited production 'signature' bass. It's pretty cool in a few ways.

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I'm by no means a T-Bird guy, but that's pretty cool.

 

[JIO]

I'm by no means a T-Bird guy, but that's pretty cool.

I am and it is! It's owned by a friend on the T-bird club thread. As far as signature basses go, I imagine this is somewhat of a collectors item which will increase in value over time. Aside from that, Lull T-bird pu's are great sounding pu's and so that must be an awesome sounding bass.

 

[nixdad]

I am and it is! It's owned by a friend on the T-bird club thread. As far as signature basses go, I imagine this is somewhat of a collectors item which will increase in value over time. Aside from that, Lull T-bird pu's are great sounding pu's and so that must be an awesome sounding bass.

Yep, Lull's are fantastic basses regardless. I was considering helping my son buy a Lull T-Bird (trans orange with a pearled pickguard) from Mike at NAMM about 12 years ago when he was in an up and coming band, but we didn't pull the trigger. Great sounding and playing bass without the typical neck dive.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I suck too much to own a signature bass.

Okay, we believe you.

I guess this can be considered a limited production 'signature' bass. It's pretty cool in a few ways.

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Very cool. The only Lull I have ever played was the first of Mike's T-Birds, at the 2010 NAMM Show.

 

[CascadeBass]

@Square I have a strong desire for a 5 string $$ Rockbass Corvette. Just saying.

 

[Indiedog]

I guess this can be considered a limited production 'signature' bass. It's pretty cool in a few ways.

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Dang! That is lovely, JIO!

I saw Cheap Trick in 1978 when they were firing on all cylinders. There were so many cool guitars and basses played that night.

(And no, I don’t have a pair of those enormous drumsticks than Bun E. Carlos would use at the end of the show!)

 

[dustinymichaels]

Yeah, but I think the sig version has the Jazz neck. Since I play a Jazz most of the time, it was a no brainer. Highly recommend the book, “Soul Fingers” for more info about Duck.

I've always meant to get to that book. I'll put it in the cue right now.
I think that the signature Lakland has a jazz type neck. What about the Fender?

 

[bassdude51]

Signature Instruments—-What Do We Think About Them?​

A marketing method for selling a bass.

 

[jnewmark]

I've always meant to get to that book. I'll put it in the cue right now.
I think that the signature Lakland has a jazz type neck. What about the Fender?

It was supposed to be modeled after the '57 Precision bass, so probably not. Never seen either in the wild. I have a MIJ P bass that I put a Jazz neck on, and also the under the bridge cover, mute; it gets pretty close.

 

[dustinymichaels]

It was supposed to be modeled after the '57 Precision bass, so probably not. Never seen either in the wild. I have a MIJ P bass that I put a Jazz neck on, and also the under the bridge cover, mute; it gets pretty close.

Between a j and a p I've generally preferred the j. I like the 70s j neck because of the bigger radius. The modern C'ish neck is a little too thing for me. I can understand why people put the j neck on a p, though.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I'm not sure if I should be offended by this. I was only equating the contractional use of "n't" in regards to "could"; i.e. "could" or "could not".
Irregardless (love this double negative "non-word"), I ain't going to take offense. It's nothin' personal, it's just grammar.

Why would you be offended, unless I misunderstood your response and you were actually equating the two phrases, but I don't think you are equating the use of the words "could" and "could not" and I'm not sure how anyone would think you are.

Yes, it's grammar, and grammar actually matters, so whoever is out there in the world saying that the 2 phrases are "interchangeable" should be ashamed. But that wasn't you.

I know, I'm on a soapbox, but words have meaning.

 

[chris_b]

Someone else's name on a bass would almost certainly put me off.

The only exception is a 5 string Roscoe Beck.

 

[dustinymichaels]

Why would you be offended, unless I misunderstood your response and you were actually equating the two phrases, but I don't think you are equating the use of the words "could" and "could not" and I'm not sure how anyone would think you are.

Yes, it's grammar, and grammar actually matters, so whoever is out there in the world saying that the 2 phrases are "interchangeable" should be ashamed. But that wasn't you.

I know, I'm on a soapbox, but words have meaning.

... and there goes my interest in this forum.

 

[jnewmark]

Between a j and a p I've generally preferred the j. I like the 70s j neck because of the bigger radius. The modern C'ish neck is a little too thing for me. I can understand why people put the j neck on a p, though.

Totally opposite for me. I had a '70's J bass that weighed close to 10 lbs, and the widest neck, ( past the 5th fret ), I've ever played. It literally gave me a backache every night. But, I did like the tone.