Signature Models

[Tom7]

I know that what I am about to write is going to horrify some of you, but please remember: I'm in a place where I can't really try out basses. When I want a bass, I have to read what I can on the web, listen to what I can on CDs, then order something and hope for the best.

I literally bought a bass because it was a signature bass. That wasn't the only reason though.

I knew I wanted a 6-string with the same string spacing as my 4-string basses, that is less confusing for my right hand.

I also wanted a 34" neck because my fretless has a 34" neck and I didn't want my left hand to get confused about spacing and start playing the fretless out of tune.

In the end I decided on the Yamaha John Pattitucci signature bass because it met those specs and, frankly, because it was HIS signature bass.

If you were to hear me play, I would sound exactly like John Pattitucci ... would sound if you were to put mittens on his hands and tie them behind his back. Nevertheless, I love his style and his tone and I figured that even if my hands could do neither, at least I'd know it was me and not my bass.

Perhaps if I could have tried a bunch of basses I'd have chosen differently, but I have to tell you, I am VERY happy with my JP sig. I really do think there is an EXCELLENT chance that if I would have tried out a dozen basses, I would have bought the Yamaha anyway.

Another bass that intrigues me is the Fender Roscoe Beck. I just wish I could get some idea as to its tone.

 

[Howard K]

I know what he thread starter means...

my ego would tell me the very same thing. I mean who wants to be judged by your instrument before you even play it.. but then you're judged by your trainers, t-shirt, hair-cut anyhwo so if it plays agood and sounds good I think I'd go for it.

Steve Lawson plays abass made for Oteil Burbridge with his "icon" or whatever you call it on the neck, but it's still Steve's bass and definitley Steve';s sound that comes out

I think it would bother me though, if, for example I had a Flea4 and peopel kept saying "So you like Flea then?"... but really, in the end, it doesnt matter I s'pose!

 

[Dr Steve Lawson]

...just as a completely irrelavent point of clarification, my bass is the Oteil body style (semi hollow Q6 stylee), clear stain, different P-ups and Electronics, fretless with a wooden fingerboard (Oteil's is fretted with a phenolic board), and the inlay was a celtic design from a pendant I have, not the Ankh that Oteil has on most of his...

...still, the point is a fair one, Howard...

STeve
www.stevelawson.net

 

[floydbass]

Originally posted by rushrocks88
i bought a geddy lee j-bass. i have a major obsession w/ rush. I'm only 13,and I'm still trying 2 pay the bass off. I luv it.

if your 13 whered you get the money for a fender?????? im only 13 and i cant offord that

 

[Figjam]

Depends. I would buy a Flea Modulus, and i WOULD buy a K5 bc i like th eway it plays,. but the fact that it says Fieldy on it, ruins it.

 

[Figjam]

Originally posted by floydbass


if your 13 whered you get the money for a fender?????? im only 13 and i cant offord that

notice he said hes still trying to pay it off.

 

[dave_clark69]

its a rip off getting signature stuff. Would you pay £3 for a signature cup of coffee?
My guitarist was going to get the tony iommi signature sg, but it was actually cheaper to have it custome made. It was like £200 more than the one that looked identical all apart from the pickups which could easilly be replaced

P.S i am only just 14 and i have got about £100-£250 to go until that nice corvette standard is all mine and they aren't that cheap. This boy at my school is a bit spoilt he got a takamine acoustic guitar for £500 for easter and then he got a gibson les paul studio, cherry red with gold furnishings for his birthday in june-he is just lucky

 

[George Furlanet]

Generally, the signature on a bass is to acknowledge the input that the artist had, either in inspiration or constructiveness, in the design of the instrument.

 

[bryan2112]

i love the fact that geddy's signature is on the BACK of the headstock. he didn't want it on the front.

 

[john turner]

that's what i love about talkbass - you can have a professional luthier of reknown post right after a 14 year old.

(hi george, thanks for posting and participating )

 

[BIg O]

Great post George. Adds a degree of balance to the discussion that some of the members don't always see.


Now, about my signature model........

 

[JayAmel]

3 months ago, I missed a Rickenbacker 4001 Chris Squire. At the latest moment, when I was about to take the road and drive to his home, the guy finally decided he'd keep it.

The 4001 CS and the Geddy Lee JB are definitely two basses I'd be glad to have. But as Smash stated before, many signature basses have nothing more than the standard models, except the extra price...

 

[John Buchholz]

The Victor Bailey Jazz is the best sounding Jazz out there, for my money.

 

[David Wilson]

some more props for the Fender Roscoe Beck 5. I'm generally not a fan of Fender stuff, but this one is the best Fender I've ever played. Tonally versatile, sounds great, looks great.

I also have a Modulus Flea 4, which I bought for the sound rather than the endorsee.

In both cases, these are great instruments that wouldn't exist without the signature program.

Are there rip off signature models? Of course, but that doesn't mean that all signatures are rip offs.

 

[cods]

i have the fender signature mark hoppus. it's a terrible bass. i bought it before i knew anything about bass. i hate having the name mark hoppus engraved on that silver plate on the back...since he is the worst bassist...ever.

 

[BASSnSAX]

I somewhat like the Modulus Flea bass, but the neck is something I don't care for...the shape that is, I absolutely love the sound of graphite necks.

I'm not too much of a signature model kind of guy...sure I have a Marcus Miller Jazz bass, but my main two basses I consider to be my signature basses.

Also that Victor Bailey signature bass looks quite appealing, as does the signature Jaco fretless...

 

[whatever]

I own a Shecter Model t which is the Robert Deleo sig. I fought with my self over buying it. I loved the way it played and sounded and it looks fantastic and it fit nicely in my budget. The problem I had was I am not a Stone Temple Pilots fan. Sure he is a great bass player and the rest of the band is talented, I just don't like what they do.
After some debate I realized I was just being stupid, for what I could afford it was all that I wanted so I bought it.

Besides the signature is so small on the back of the head stock I could scrape it off if I wanted.

 

[Treena Foster]

I feel that the main purpose behind signature basses is that the purchaser hope that owning a bass like their idol will some how help them play like that 'IDOL" what a joke..........

Treena

 

[LA]

I'd rather have a Sig model than a bass that was autographed. There are some fine Sig basses out there, but I can do without 'em.

 

[Airsick Pilot]

If the bass plays, feels and looks nice and I really like it, I would buy it but it would depend on who's name is on it. I won't get a Hoppus or a Fieldy no matter how nice they play.