What signature model is actually worth it?

[Dust2Dust]

He used a black T bird in the later half of the 70s. You can even see it in that terrible Kiss Meets The Phantom of the Park movie. At some point he swapped the pickups to Dimarzios and gave it a black and/or mirror pickguard.





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Thanks Bro

 

[Grinderman]

I plead the Fifth.

 

[jerry]

Another Roscoe Beck nod, very versatile bass just a little heavy.

 

[J-Mags]

They're are the kinds of signature instruments. They can all be awesome.

The first is a colorway or a configuration of an existing instrument. The glorious purple Reverend Linh Le is the most perfect example - a Reverend Dub King in a very flashy, distinctive colorway. Totally worth it too. I'd toss the Geddy Lee and the pink Road Worn Flea Bass into this category because they have clusters of features that actually existed together before in a previous era. I'd buy a decent example of a Road Worn Flea JB in a second, and I'm not even a fan.

Next is the modded guitars and basses that do something new, but still are exist as P-Basses, JBs, Strats, etc. The most successful version of this is probably a budget guitar - the J Mascis Jazzmaster, which put big frets, a tune-o-matic style bridge, and hot non-Jazzmaster-sounding pickups. They sold like crazy, and they were excellent to play if you wanted a reliable, aggressive sounding Jazzmaster. It was brilliant because it served the needs of actual current-day Jazzmaster users probably better than traditional Fender Jazzmasters did, although the pickups were a matter of controversy. The Jack Cassidy Epiphone is probably the equivalent bass - affordable, with individual features places in a modified existing design, although in this case it was that weird and rare semi-hollow Les Paul Bass. Those two are probably the most worth it of all signature models, at least for players who are inclined to like them.

Finally, there are the new-design signature models like the Reverend Wattplower, Fellowship, and Fatfish. I'd love to have a Mike Watt or Me'shelle Ndegeocello Reverend bass.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Gotta ask...
Is the Geddy Lee a signature bass? Or... A reissue, with his name on it?


HMMMMMMMMMMMMM...

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Basses that I previously owned (both briefly):
Fender Roscoe Beck V
Lakland DJ5

The Roscoe Beck was sold only because it was too heavy, but it was otherwise a great bass.

The DJ5 was sold because I just prefer the playability of 34" scale length over 35". Also a great bass.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I just learned the Dave Grohl signature guitar is going for upward toward $25k. That seems insane for what is likely a standard 335 style guitar with little diamonds instead of F-holes. 335s are expensive enough, but now this?

Got me thinking about other signature guitars and basses and wondering if any of them are special or unique enough to warrant a premium, or are they just valuable to a fan because the fans like the player. Of course, fans want to buy what their idols play, thats understandable, but are any of these guitar or bass signatures good enough that a non-fan would want the unique specs?

Edit: if you know of one, list it and add why it's special. Thanks!

The ones made by squier

 

[JuanB]

Modulus Flea when they were made. They are now the Modulus Funk Unlimited. Graphite necked single humbucker bass.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

The (discontinued) Fender Marcus Miller bass got really close to the sound of Marcus. Especially the USA V version was (subjectively) magnificent if that's the sound you want - also worth it's price. I still see players using them.

 

[BassKees]

The Gary Willis Ibanez comes to mind as pretty cool. The electronics approach, both in terms of pickup placement and what the pickup and preamp are, is unique to that instrument. As are the fingerboard wood/ebonol choices. The bass sounds pretty unique, though probably closer to a fretless Stingray than anything else. And the factory installed ramp isn't available on any other Ibanez that I'm aware of.

+1 for the GWB models, not to mention the incredible tuners: very light and accurate.

 

[prowla]

People really seem to dig the US Geddy Lee's with that 70s jazz neck on them.

I was going to say that - I've only heard good things about them.

I wouldn't buy a bass as a tribute and wouldn't want one with someone else's signature or symbols plastered all over it, but the small one on the back of the headstock is subtle enough for me.

 

[CletusMarley]

I'd love for a dirt cheap MIJ Geddy to fall in my lap when I could afford it. Lol. But I'd love a Lakland Skyline 44-64 GZ. For no other reason than its Geezer's sig bass. Lol. I'm still a fan boy 40 years later. Lol

 

[ijump206]

Tony Franklin fretless is fantastic. Ebony fingerboard, great Di Marzio bridge pick up, nitro finish, hip shot drop D tuner

Adam Clayton Jazz is a great choice. Custom color, matching headstock, lollypop tuners, block inlays, upgraded bridge.

On the six string side, Squire J. Mascis jazz master. Improved pick ups and impeccable fit and finish.

I picked up a used Adam Clayton Jazz and it has become my number one for cover gigs. I was not expecting to like it as much as I do - I was just looking for a passive jazz and it happened to pop up in the local classifieds. Like Grizelda100 said, the color is great, the matching headstock is my cup of tea, the lollypop tuners are the business, the bridge is excellent, and the neck is as good as any Fender Jazz I've played, including custom shop jobs.

The thing is a weapon - one setup for pick, slap and fingerstyle. If I can only take one bass to a gig, this one has become it. (YMMV, I may have just picked up a good one!!)

Also, the previous owner already scratched it up pretty well, so I don't have to feel precious about it.

 

[Hawk256]

The Yamaha Attitude Billy Sheehan was well worth the price of admission. Very cool and versitile even with the woofer pickup. The Peavey Rudy Sarzo was nice as well but a little anemic in the pickup department which was suprising at the time.

 

[BassAgent]

Loooots of signature basses that are pretty darn good: Fender JMJ, Fender Marcus Miller, Fender Geddy Lee (especially the Japanese ones), Epiphone Jack Casady, Epiphone Allen Woody, Fender Pino Palladino, Squier Matt Freeman, Fender MIM Flea, Yamaha Nathan East, Cort Jeff Berlin, Ibanez Gary Willis, Spector Alex Webster, Fender Nate Mendel, Squier Mikey Way, Dingwall NG, Lakland Bob Glaub, Lakland Joe Osborn...

 

[marchone]

Another mention for the Sadowsky MetroLine Will Lee RW4.

And one that hasn't been mentioned is the Fender Custom Shop Pino Palladino Signature Precision Bass.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

There is a difference between a player sig. Model like JMJ mustang for example and a collectors item for 20k.

Players sig can be worth it because of the extra features even though they are a bit pricey.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

Another mention for the Sadowsky MetroLine Will Lee RW4.

And one that hasn't been mentioned is the Fender Custom Shop Pino Palladino Signature Precision Bass.

That Pino P is the best bass i heard and payed.

 

[chris_b]

When I was starting out, you bought a bass and made it your own.

I know nothing about most of the players who have signature basses, but the 2 I do know are Roscoe Beck and Nathan East. I've played both and if either was 3 lbs lighter I'd have bought them, not because of the signature, but because they were two of the best sounding basses I've played.

 

[Tommy Sparks]

If I picked up a bass and really liked it and had the cash at the time I’d buy it. Artists signature or not. I’ve never had the desire to buy a bass because it was a signature model. However…… I do have two Les Pauls. So maybe I did.
If you like it then it’s worth it to you.