yeah I agree, to me Les Paul's are just guitars named after Les Paul, but signature guitars are too attached to that other person, and their brand. I don't feel like they are mine.
I've had an MTM2 for like 13 years now and it's my main for the heavier group I'm with. Years ago when I used it live with a pop punk project, I took the truss rod cover off to hide the fact that it was a signature because it didn't fit the genre and I wasn't really a massive slipknot fan. I swapped the pickups straight away to 'real' blackouts and last year I put some fishmans in. The truss rod cover is back on it again these days as I don't really give a shit what I look like on stage anymore lol
I personally disagree, however I can see how other musicians or audience members may feel differently. My black Geddy Lee MIJ Jazz Bass has been my go-to since '08. I'm sure anyone who's played music with me in the past 16 years, when they think of me they think of that bass and that type of sound. I've made it fit all kinds of styles. The signature model never really mattered to me, I didn't think it mattered to anyone else but maybe it does. I changed the white pickguard after a few years to a tortoise shell one, but that was simply out of boredom and wanting to make the bass look cooler. It had nothing to do with thinking the white pickguard didn't make it "mine" or anything, I just got bored of it. But I never considered that other people may feel differently about the signature model thing so thank you for making this video. Maybe the pickguard swap I did was a good thing, that was enough to make it "mine" I suppose. Again, not because I care, but to others watching me play so they don't get the idea that I'm some kind of Rush tribute bass player or something.
Nah man power to you, and plus I would never say that Geddy wouldn't put his name on anything that wasn't a great instrument! it's interesting to see what people think about this topic though
I would say if you've modded to your preference your artist branded guitar, it's fine, but all stock I'm in the same boat, they're simply "not mine" Also, all in line headstocks should have a reverse headstock option
Signature models don't bother me, I mod all of my guitars to my taste, anyway. I have 7 Ibanez RGs, all have had pickup swaps, cosmetic changes (new knobs/switch tips/for some reason my RG7421 has pearloid white tuning pegs, maybe that's why it was so cheap at the pawn shop), etc. I've always wanted an Ibanez JEM, I don't care that it's Steve Vai's signature guitar (and as much as I respect his talent and incredible musicianship, his music doesn't really do much for me), it fits my personal style, as well. I may Get a JEM Jr. In Shocking Pink, put neon green pickups in it and yellow knobs, orange switch tip, just because I want to.
When i see a Red ES335 i always think "its Marty McFlys guitar" when see an SG i think ACDC but I don't think muggles really think about this stuff. I built an EVH frankie striped series clone i play at parties and most people are like "Wow cool red guitar, where is it from?" Its probably single the most recognizable instrument in pop culture and for most people its just vaguely familiar Stratocaster. When i think about all the players that are famous for white or blonde strats hendrix, blackmore, malmsteen, henrich it never bothers me to play one.
As for signature guitars, I own a Dean Dave Mustaine VMNT and an Ibanez OMR1. They way I figure, those players have forgotten more guitar than I will ever know, so they also probably know what kind of guitar plays metal best as well.
I was literally just talking about this exact same thing with a friend on Discord earlier. I went on a little ramble about how I can never get past feeling like it isn't mine, especially when it comes to more recognizable signatures. I could just be spoiled, but I'm in the same boat He also pointed out that you and I look vaguely alike, I guess lol. Long lost brother? o.O
Respectfully I disagree with all those saying that they can’t get into the idea of a signature guitar because it makes them feel like they are obligated to play the same music as the artist. That never made ANY sense to me. Now bear with me here because I’m quite certain many folks will say that I’m crazy or that I’m just a collector, but I currently own 48 guitars. In total, through the years I’ve had 95 guitars (this is since 2004). I’m left handed so as a lefty we get the shaft on what manufacturers offer us, many times over I’ve bought a guitar because if I hadn’t I would have NEVER seen that model again….so I learned to not wait around and just buy the damn thing. If I dislike it I can always sell it later. I do own a number of signature models but I play what I want to play on them. The argument FOR signature models would be the colors, control layouts or in the case of that MTM you have there the unique bridge design. Take my Keith Merrow KM7 I have. Find me another 7 string lefty with carbon fiber binding, direct mount pickups, the unique control layout in “Lambo Orange”. You cannot, they don’t exist aside from this model. I have a 2013 Ibanez JEM7VWHL and let me tell you, finding another one isn’t easy. I don’t know ANY Steve Vai stuff, I play Ghost, Metallica, Megadeth, The Darkness, etc on it as I do everything I own including my EVH Striped Series. The only signature stuff that I have that I play the artist’s material on would be the James Hetfield “Vulture” as well as the Kirk Hammett KH3……and I didn’t get those guitars just because I enjoy Metallica, I got them because I liked the specs. Many times artists will have guitars made that don’t have the usual specs that production guitars have. This isn’t always the case, but remember I’m left handed so my offerings are limited to say the least. This whole argument that some people have, saying signature guitars are for “posers” doesn’t hold up. It’s all personal preference. You don’t want a signature guitar then don’t get one. Simple as. The majority of my guitars (some are also bass guitars) aren’t signature models, but the signature models do often have excellent features. The same applies to the folks that see a “Super Strat” such as an RG/JEM shaped guitar (same goes for a Soloist or ESP M series among many others) and they wrongly assume they are “metal guitars only”……man, Buckethead plays everything from Bluegrass, Metal, Ballads, Weird arcade computer god shredding, unintelligible sounds, classical etc….on an oversized baritone Les Paul. He demonstrates that a guitar is the “canvas” and the player is the “painter”. It is music, there is no right or wrong…..buy what you want (or what you can afford) and play the Hell out of it. Don’t worry about what other people erroneously assume. People have weird ideas man.
I’m glad you’re not stuck in the same bubble I am! But I don’t think they’re for posers, I just never feel connected to a guitar made specifically for someone who isn’t me. And I know it’s weird because no guitar is made specifically for me either
I own a Peavey Tragic I that I basically only use for Slipknot/dropped tuning stuff, and the original VFL active pickups were so good to me that i didnt ever feel the need to swap them out for EMGs...which was rhe original plan as i had purchased that axe for about $110 as new old stock.
Agreed on owning sig guitars. Agree on the reverse headstock. Agreed on les Paul’s. HARD disagree on the tone knobs. I use the SHIT outta my tone knobs.
i have 3 signature guitars MTM20, Mark Rizzo B.C. Rich Stealth and Kenny Hickey's Solo 6 Schecter all amazing guitar and i never have felt like they weren't my own, the only one i bought because of the artist was the Solo 6 the rest were just great guitars for me
I have a Steph Carpenter 8 string, Synyster Gates Schecter, I find certain guys designs are pretty much what I would do. i can see why one might not want a sig model of course. I only like certain ones
Well it depends, any guitar even if it is a signature guitar will work for your way of fell and play your own music…I love signature gear…it has some magic
Not really haha, but I'm VERY picky hahaha. I can only think of once when a guy I was playing a gig with had a Skervesen, and he let me have a crack on it and man it was stunning.
@@richardclarkmoore I mean to be fair it IS all a matter of preference lol some guitars you click with and others you don’t. I’m sure there’s a ton of signature guitars from my favorite brands that I don’t like.
Basically, signature guitar aversion is like an artist ordered a meal, and the selections they made sounded so good that you really want to order the same thing, but you don't because it wasn't your idea. I don't personally see the value necessarily in any particular signature model, but at the end of the day, 100% credit for the guitar goes to the workers. All the artists usually do is choose the colors, materials, and pickups. And 9 outta 9 times the "signature" version the artist actually uses has different pickups, and hand tweaked details that mean the "signature" guitar you hold is most likely nothing like the one the artist has, except for color. I would definitely feel that disconnection from the instrument if it was an artist used guitar, though.
@richardclarkmoore that's a really good question. Like you said, there must be someone who does, but it's probably either only for like, a tour, a couple of shows, or for 1 or 2 songs in a set. I think Nita Strauss uses her stock signature model, and probably Tim Henson, but I could be completely wrong about that. We've all seen Steve Vai play his stock model, I'm sure. What's kina funny is they're all Ibanez artists.
Completely agree with the "someone else's guitar" thing. Maybe it's my nuclear level ego, but I feel like it puts me beneath the guitarist who's sig gear I'm playing. Like I'm showcasing some kind of fangirl level appreciation towards them to the sound of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. It just comes off as a wannabe move to me. I acknowledge that's delusional, a guitar is a guitar no matter the name on the headstock. If it serves your purposes, absolutely get what you need for your music or practice, no judgement! What isn't delusional is that the whole concept of signature gear is a marketing ploy by manufacturers to sell equipment to kids who look up to these guitarists. Quite often these are cheap knock-offs of what the guitarist is actually playing in the studio, if it's anything even close. They'll play them live per the endorsement agreements, but they play whatever the hell they want to achieve whatever sound they want on the albums we all know in love. If that's the case, so should the rest of us. Great vid bro, cheers!
Personally i can look past something being a signature if its more blank, like how these MTMs without the big seven inlay are pretty plain If you like stability, evertunes work, theyre just really polarizing because a lot of people think it saps the mojo out of the body or whatever That and they dont seem to have a ton of sustain, with the saddles being separate and all
I say “seem” but really mine that ive had for 3+ years doesnt have much sustain 2018 Solar E1.6, mahogany explorer body and set-thru maple neck, yet not much sustain with the evertune
Yeah interesting, we don't see a lot of everyone stuff down here in NZ so I don't have much experience with them and personally, I feel like it's just too much engineering for a guitar. I generally like over engineered stuff, but I like guitars simple!
@@richardclarkmoore i find it to be the simplest possible bridge It takes one 2.5mm hex key for all the adjustments (height, tuning at the saddles, intonation) and if you use the same string gauge and tuning when restringing, you can just pull it up to tension at the headstock and be in tune already It stops pitch drift and you can toggle between bending and no pitch change on bends at all
Imagine having enough money or fame to get your dream gear designed the way you like/need by your favorite brand. What are the odds that it would end up looking exactly like some artist’s signature product? Zero, or close to it. Because well, that’s the point: it’s a personal thing. That’s why I much prefer customizing a regular series model to my taste rather than buying something all prepped up for someone else. Plus they ALWAYS have to add some incredibly silly details that scream “look, I’m this artists’s signature model”, which I hate with a passion. I mean, who has to actually sign their own axe? Seriously.
Mick rocks. I can understand why people like cats. I hate them. They don't obey and when they destroy something, scold them all you want, they don't learn. The ones that know how to use the toilet are pretty rad
It's all just in the name. All manufactured guitars have their designs and features decided on and approved by the people in charge. Even signature models need to have the astist's requests approved, and they don't always get all their requests approved (and this is why some artists move on to another company that would be more receptive to their ideas). So either way, the decisions on the designs and features are approved by the big wigs at the top, and either you like their decisions or you don't. It has a lot less to do with the artists than you think it does, and the non-signature models' designs and features aren't decided by you either, so it really doesn't matter.
I agree in that I dislike the idea of playing "someone else's guitar"... but, ultimately, it depends on the guitar, and the artist... • Les Pauls, as mentioned, have become ubiquitous, and are now considered a generic model. • a PRS DGT is so generic PRS, too, that it passes for me. Because I like it's specs and look, I let it pass. If you weren't clued in, you would never know. A JEM pushes it... I play an RG, anyway - I just prefer it's look all round. I like the artist (best guitar player of all time, imo - fight me! ), but I don't love the specs (pick guard, monkey grip). A Joe Satriani is a hard one... I am such a fan of rounded edge guitars, alá vintage strats. Most guitars are "angular", and it perplexes me! It's a "look" fine - but _most_ of them do it! And it's 1) functionally inferior 2) much more basic to craft 3) frankly, cheap looking, imho ... 4) not to mention _uncomfortable!!_ So I'd love a dinky sized superstrat with rounded edges... and between the Ibanez JS & the Ernie Ball MM Petrucci, there are few - if any - other options . . . So Joe Satch, John Petrucci, and Nita Strauss are signature models I would get (and hopefully one day will get), in spite of them being "signature" models. A Joe Bonamassa Gibson or Epiphone , with his name inlaid across the entire fretboard is a _G I A N T Fμ¢|< No!!_ An Alex Lifeson Les Paul with a Floyd is a 👍 as is a Gary Holt ESP/Ltd. 🤷♂️ LP's with Floyd's are hard to come by at sub-custom shop money . . . An MGK pink Schechter...? ..while on paper, a pink tele-blaster is cool enough... the fact that it's MGK's makes it a giant *_"Oh, GAWWWD NOO00oo!!!🙆♂️_*
BROOOOO THAAAAT'S YOUR REASON HAHAHAHAHHAHA If you only knew man. Signature guitars are like 90% of the guitars I've owned! Not always a good strategy, and I regret that after many years of buying guitars. The first time I just got the guitar that fit me best I felt like such an idiot for spending decades trying to fit someone else's instrument into my hands. The most ironic part is my current guitar IS a signature lol. PRS DW best guitar ever!
I LOVE the look of this guitar! It looks like a black Beamer, and I prefer SEVEN on the truss cover. Also couldn't believe that wasn't just a Floyd, without the wiggle-stick attached!
I’m really confused whether you are for or against signature guitars by these comments, but as long as you have a guitar that you love, that’s the most important thing! Thanks for commenting! I appreciate it ☺️
Dunno i love my les paul standard and my sg standard. I feel the same way about someone elses name on the back of the headstock. You feel tied into playing whatever genre the artisit plays.
Signature or artist guitars do not bother me, half the time I do not even know who the artist is, is a Rhoads an artist guitar? Thats an artist that I am proud of if it is, thats the exception. Its my favorite guitar and Randy is the goat. I have a polka dot Jackson Rhoads, other than that I do not care whos name is on a guitar
So I have a couple Axe FX sims that I have been using forever, and I've tweaked them a lot to figure out exactly what I like, its basically a ZenDrive type distortion used in from of the amp to push it, and the amp sim is a matchless something or other, but the real secret, which I got off a UA-cam video which I can't find, is to get a eq pedal and set it to copy the Fortin 33 pedal (the meshuggah one). But that's basically just a horrendous mid boost. If you're keen I might make a video just talking about some of my grosser patches
Is it a signature guitar if you change pickups? Nope, no longer the same. Most signatures are just versions of the model already existing. Silver Sky is just John Mayer's strat made by PRS, if you change pickups and pots, well, it no longer is, it is your version of PRS strat (just an example). That would be my point of view, I might be wrong.
@@Lordofmrak nah I get ya, probably still looks the same though, so people might still think you’re a John Mayer superfan if you play a silver sky 🤷♂️
@@richardclarkmoore Only other guitar players (not all of them), nobody else would know. And I thought it was an internal feeling of not being "my own guitar", if we include what others think, well, that is another thing. I was actually thinking of buying SIlver Sky SE and putting Fralins to change the sound to my liking, I do not like Mayer, but I do like PRS quality compared to Fender.
Signature stuff is a lie because if its really signature how come they can just change to a whole different brand and not do the same type of body signature i think is just for marketing purposes nothing else nothing more and this guitar is the biggest example of it its an RG lets just say is Mick and we pay him so that it has his name but still an RG
Idunno if I’d go that far, it’s definitely mostly marketing, but people change ! Preferences change! So it doesn’t surprise me much when artists change brands
Have the same, also, for guitars like Pia or other Vai signatures you just need to show certain level of proficiency on them otherwise you're just beng a poser (or collector) :D
Yeah the collectors love Vai type guitars haha, I swear the whole market for those really expensive ones is purely collectors at this point, I've never seen on on stage haha
My Les Paul 3x3 has a reversed headstock, it’s much cooler than standard headstocks
This is my favourite recent comment for sure hahaha
damn, those are super rare
I’m not gonna let the cat in!
Cat: does cat things
I had to let the cat in!
It be how it be 🤷♂️
@@richardclarkmoore I know, we imagine that the cat is our pet. The cat knows it’s the other way around 😂
yeah I agree, to me Les Paul's are just guitars named after Les Paul, but signature guitars are too attached to that other person, and their brand. I don't feel like they are mine.
I own a jem jr and it just doesn't feel like someone else's guitar to me at all
Oh what a satisfying strong opening riff😮❤
I've had an MTM2 for like 13 years now and it's my main for the heavier group I'm with. Years ago when I used it live with a pop punk project, I took the truss rod cover off to hide the fact that it was a signature because it didn't fit the genre and I wasn't really a massive slipknot fan. I swapped the pickups straight away to 'real' blackouts and last year I put some fishmans in. The truss rod cover is back on it again these days as I don't really give a shit what I look like on stage anymore lol
Fair enough, crowd probably can't see the logo anyway haha
I personally disagree, however I can see how other musicians or audience members may feel differently. My black Geddy Lee MIJ Jazz Bass has been my go-to since '08. I'm sure anyone who's played music with me in the past 16 years, when they think of me they think of that bass and that type of sound. I've made it fit all kinds of styles. The signature model never really mattered to me, I didn't think it mattered to anyone else but maybe it does. I changed the white pickguard after a few years to a tortoise shell one, but that was simply out of boredom and wanting to make the bass look cooler. It had nothing to do with thinking the white pickguard didn't make it "mine" or anything, I just got bored of it. But I never considered that other people may feel differently about the signature model thing so thank you for making this video. Maybe the pickguard swap I did was a good thing, that was enough to make it "mine" I suppose. Again, not because I care, but to others watching me play so they don't get the idea that I'm some kind of Rush tribute bass player or something.
Nah man power to you, and plus I would never say that Geddy wouldn't put his name on anything that wasn't a great instrument! it's interesting to see what people think about this topic though
I would say if you've modded to your preference your artist branded guitar, it's fine, but all stock I'm in the same boat, they're simply "not mine"
Also, all in line headstocks should have a reverse headstock option
Reverse headstock fan detected! I feel like I'd have to mod a signature guitar pretty hard to have it feel like it was mine
Signature models don't bother me, I mod all of my guitars to my taste, anyway. I have 7 Ibanez RGs, all have had pickup swaps, cosmetic changes (new knobs/switch tips/for some reason my RG7421 has pearloid white tuning pegs, maybe that's why it was so cheap at the pawn shop), etc.
I've always wanted an Ibanez JEM, I don't care that it's Steve Vai's signature guitar (and as much as I respect his talent and incredible musicianship, his music doesn't really do much for me), it fits my personal style, as well. I may Get a JEM Jr. In Shocking Pink, put neon green pickups in it and yellow knobs, orange switch tip, just because I want to.
I gotta admit, the Jem Junior's go surprisingly hard! Get one!
When i see a Red ES335 i always think "its Marty McFlys guitar" when see an SG i think ACDC but I don't think muggles really think about this stuff. I built an EVH frankie striped series clone i play at parties and most people are like "Wow cool red guitar, where is it from?" Its probably single the most recognizable instrument in pop culture and for most people its just vaguely familiar Stratocaster. When i think about all the players that are famous for white or blonde strats hendrix, blackmore, malmsteen, henrich it never bothers me to play one.
Muggles hahahaha that's a good call. We're definitely in pedantic musician discussion with this one!
Guitar emulated sound effects by mouth at the end of the video. subscribed!😂 I couldn't have said it better myself man.
Cheers! It’s how bands talk to each other and mow it’s how I talk to you too haha
As for signature guitars, I own a Dean Dave Mustaine VMNT and an Ibanez OMR1. They way I figure, those players have forgotten more guitar than I will ever know, so they also probably know what kind of guitar plays metal best as well.
I was literally just talking about this exact same thing with a friend on Discord earlier. I went on a little ramble about how I can never get past feeling like it isn't mine, especially when it comes to more recognizable signatures. I could just be spoiled, but I'm in the same boat
He also pointed out that you and I look vaguely alike, I guess lol. Long lost brother? o.O
Unlikely, but not impossible! Go interrogate your parents hahaha
Respectfully I disagree with all those saying that they can’t get into the idea of a signature guitar because it makes them feel like they are obligated to play the same music as the artist. That never made ANY sense to me. Now bear with me here because I’m quite certain many folks will say that I’m crazy or that I’m just a collector, but I currently own 48 guitars. In total, through the years I’ve had 95 guitars (this is since 2004). I’m left handed so as a lefty we get the shaft on what manufacturers offer us, many times over I’ve bought a guitar because if I hadn’t I would have NEVER seen that model again….so I learned to not wait around and just buy the damn thing. If I dislike it I can always sell it later.
I do own a number of signature models but I play what I want to play on them. The argument FOR signature models would be the colors, control layouts or in the case of that MTM you have there the unique bridge design. Take my Keith Merrow KM7 I have. Find me another 7 string lefty with carbon fiber binding, direct mount pickups, the unique control layout in “Lambo Orange”. You cannot, they don’t exist aside from this model. I have a 2013 Ibanez JEM7VWHL and let me tell you, finding another one isn’t easy. I don’t know ANY Steve Vai stuff, I play Ghost, Metallica, Megadeth, The Darkness, etc on it as I do everything I own including my EVH Striped Series. The only signature stuff that I have that I play the artist’s material on would be the James Hetfield “Vulture” as well as the Kirk Hammett KH3……and I didn’t get those guitars just because I enjoy Metallica, I got them because I liked the specs. Many times artists will have guitars made that don’t have the usual specs that production guitars have. This isn’t always the case, but remember I’m left handed so my offerings are limited to say the least. This whole argument that some people have, saying signature guitars are for “posers” doesn’t hold up. It’s all personal preference. You don’t want a signature guitar then don’t get one. Simple as. The majority of my guitars (some are also bass guitars) aren’t signature models, but the signature models do often have excellent features.
The same applies to the folks that see a “Super Strat” such as an RG/JEM shaped guitar (same goes for a Soloist or ESP M series among many others) and they wrongly assume they are “metal guitars only”……man, Buckethead plays everything from Bluegrass, Metal, Ballads, Weird arcade computer god shredding, unintelligible sounds, classical etc….on an oversized baritone Les Paul. He demonstrates that a guitar is the “canvas” and the player is the “painter”. It is music, there is no right or wrong…..buy what you want (or what you can afford) and play the Hell out of it. Don’t worry about what other people erroneously assume. People have weird ideas man.
I’m glad you’re not stuck in the same bubble I am! But I don’t think they’re for posers, I just never feel connected to a guitar made specifically for someone who isn’t me. And I know it’s weird because no guitar is made specifically for me either
I own a Peavey Tragic I that I basically only use for Slipknot/dropped tuning stuff, and the original VFL active pickups were so good to me that i didnt ever feel the need to swap them out for EMGs...which was rhe original plan as i had purchased that axe for about $110 as new old stock.
That sounds like a wicked cheap guitar man, I love a deal eh haha
I can relate. I bought PRS Mark Holcomb guitar and first thing I did is to flip that top neck rod cover where his name is. Now its mine :D
Guitarists with signature guitars hate this simple trick! Hahaha
Petition to allow the cat to play with the guitar case
I'll get him a dedicated case to chill out in, watch this space
Harpsichord case might be a better fit perhaps?
Agreed on owning sig guitars. Agree on the reverse headstock. Agreed on les Paul’s.
HARD disagree on the tone knobs. I use the SHIT outta my tone knobs.
Good ratio, but ya can't win em all! To be fair I know some people use them, I'm just talking smack haha
i have 3 signature guitars MTM20, Mark Rizzo B.C. Rich Stealth and Kenny Hickey's Solo 6 Schecter all amazing guitar and i never have felt like they weren't my own, the only one i bought because of the artist was the Solo 6 the rest were just great guitars for me
The Kenny Hickey is that Green Solo 6 eh? Such a rool looking gat!
@@richardclarkmoore yes it is
I have a Steph Carpenter 8 string, Synyster Gates Schecter, I find certain guys designs are pretty much what I would do. i can see why one might not want a sig model of course. I only like certain ones
Makes sense to me, I can’t get behind those Synyster shapes though, they don’t feel quite right to me
Well it depends, any guitar even if it is a signature guitar will work for your way of fell and play your own music…I love signature gear…it has some magic
The magic is the defining factor, I'll give you that! Some guitars are just perfect
Exactly! I feel the same and would only ever own a Les Paul .
I think it’s kinda dumb. Ever play a friend’s guitar and was like WOAH THIS IS AMAZING ID LOVE TO HAVE A GUITAR LIKE THIS/THIS GUITAR
Not really haha, but I'm VERY picky hahaha. I can only think of once when a guy I was playing a gig with had a Skervesen, and he let me have a crack on it and man it was stunning.
@@richardclarkmoore I mean to be fair it IS all a matter of preference lol some guitars you click with and others you don’t. I’m sure there’s a ton of signature guitars from my favorite brands that I don’t like.
Basically, signature guitar aversion is like an artist ordered a meal, and the selections they made sounded so good that you really want to order the same thing, but you don't because it wasn't your idea. I don't personally see the value necessarily in any particular signature model, but at the end of the day, 100% credit for the guitar goes to the workers. All the artists usually do is choose the colors, materials, and pickups. And 9 outta 9 times the "signature" version the artist actually uses has different pickups, and hand tweaked details that mean the "signature" guitar you hold is most likely nothing like the one the artist has, except for color. I would definitely feel that disconnection from the instrument if it was an artist used guitar, though.
I’m always curious to know if any famous guitarists actually play their signature models straight out of the box eh, surely some do
@richardclarkmoore that's a really good question. Like you said, there must be someone who does, but it's probably either only for like, a tour, a couple of shows, or for 1 or 2 songs in a set. I think Nita Strauss uses her stock signature model, and probably Tim Henson, but I could be completely wrong about that.
We've all seen Steve Vai play his stock model, I'm sure. What's kina funny is they're all Ibanez artists.
@@smileymcgee2967 I reckon George benson plays his signatures too, he’s got enough versions to give Steve via a run for his money haha
Completely agree with the "someone else's guitar" thing. Maybe it's my nuclear level ego, but I feel like it puts me beneath the guitarist who's sig gear I'm playing. Like I'm showcasing some kind of fangirl level appreciation towards them to the sound of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. It just comes off as a wannabe move to me. I acknowledge that's delusional, a guitar is a guitar no matter the name on the headstock. If it serves your purposes, absolutely get what you need for your music or practice, no judgement!
What isn't delusional is that the whole concept of signature gear is a marketing ploy by manufacturers to sell equipment to kids who look up to these guitarists. Quite often these are cheap knock-offs of what the guitarist is actually playing in the studio, if it's anything even close. They'll play them live per the endorsement agreements, but they play whatever the hell they want to achieve whatever sound they want on the albums we all know in love. If that's the case, so should the rest of us. Great vid bro, cheers!
This is a really good take, thanks for taking the time to write it out!
I kinda wanna see the kitty kat.
My cat loves to sleep in my guitar case too 😂
If it fits he sits!!
Personally i can look past something being a signature if its more blank, like how these MTMs without the big seven inlay are pretty plain
If you like stability, evertunes work, theyre just really polarizing because a lot of people think it saps the mojo out of the body or whatever
That and they dont seem to have a ton of sustain, with the saddles being separate and all
I say “seem” but really mine that ive had for 3+ years doesnt have much sustain
2018 Solar E1.6, mahogany explorer body and set-thru maple neck, yet not much sustain with the evertune
Yeah interesting, we don't see a lot of everyone stuff down here in NZ so I don't have much experience with them and personally, I feel like it's just too much engineering for a guitar. I generally like over engineered stuff, but I like guitars simple!
@@richardclarkmoore i find it to be the simplest possible bridge
It takes one 2.5mm hex key for all the adjustments (height, tuning at the saddles, intonation) and if you use the same string gauge and tuning when restringing, you can just pull it up to tension at the headstock and be in tune already
It stops pitch drift and you can toggle between bending and no pitch change on bends at all
Imagine having enough money or fame to get your dream gear designed the way you like/need by your favorite brand. What are the odds that it would end up looking exactly like some artist’s signature product? Zero, or close to it. Because well, that’s the point: it’s a personal thing.
That’s why I much prefer customizing a regular series model to my taste rather than buying something all prepped up for someone else. Plus they ALWAYS have to add some incredibly silly details that scream “look, I’m this artists’s signature model”, which I hate with a passion. I mean, who has to actually sign their own axe? Seriously.
I agree, my biggest ick for guitars is when the guitarists signature is somewhere super visible. Such a turn off
I own several Jackson Rhoads guitars and have no problem with playing them or feeling like they are MINE!!! but maybe thats just me.
That’s good! They are wicked guitars 💪
Mick rocks. I can understand why people like cats. I hate them. They don't obey and when they destroy something, scold them all you want, they don't learn. The ones that know how to use the toilet are pretty rad
My cat like to urinate in pot plants so I think he’s doing okay 👌
Les Paul is not a signature guitar. It is an endorsed guitar. The Les Paul existed a year before Les Paul the player every laid hands on one.
It's all just in the name. All manufactured guitars have their designs and features decided on and approved by the people in charge. Even signature models need to have the astist's requests approved, and they don't always get all their requests approved (and this is why some artists move on to another company that would be more receptive to their ideas). So either way, the decisions on the designs and features are approved by the big wigs at the top, and either you like their decisions or you don't. It has a lot less to do with the artists than you think it does, and the non-signature models' designs and features aren't decided by you either, so it really doesn't matter.
You are absolutely correct that it doesn't matter, but here I am, talking about it with strangers on the internet hahaha
i have the white soloist mick used. the neck is pretty nice.
I agree in that I dislike the idea of playing "someone else's guitar"... but, ultimately, it depends on the guitar, and the artist...
• Les Pauls, as mentioned, have become ubiquitous, and are now considered a generic model.
• a PRS DGT is so generic PRS, too, that it passes for me. Because I like it's specs and look, I let it pass. If you weren't clued in, you would never know.
A JEM pushes it... I play an RG, anyway - I just prefer it's look all round. I like the artist (best guitar player of all time, imo - fight me! ), but I don't love the specs (pick guard, monkey grip).
A Joe Satriani is a hard one... I am such a fan of rounded edge guitars, alá vintage strats. Most guitars are "angular", and it perplexes me! It's a "look" fine - but _most_ of them do it!
And it's 1) functionally inferior 2) much more basic to craft 3) frankly, cheap looking, imho ...
4) not to mention _uncomfortable!!_
So I'd love a dinky sized superstrat with rounded edges... and between the Ibanez JS & the Ernie Ball MM Petrucci, there are few - if any - other options . . .
So Joe Satch, John Petrucci, and Nita Strauss are signature models I would get (and hopefully one day will get), in spite of them being "signature" models.
A Joe Bonamassa Gibson or Epiphone , with his name inlaid across the entire fretboard is a _G I A N T Fμ¢|< No!!_
An Alex Lifeson Les Paul with a Floyd is a 👍
as is a Gary Holt ESP/Ltd.
🤷♂️ LP's with Floyd's are hard to come by at sub-custom shop money . . .
An MGK pink Schechter...? ..while on paper, a pink tele-blaster is cool enough... the fact that it's MGK's makes it a giant *_"Oh, GAWWWD NOO00oo!!!🙆♂️_*
This makes insanely good sense to me hahahaha
I had 2 Jim Roots fenders, had the same feelings…..thought it was just me……
Nah man, I’m here to unite the people !
I feel the same sort of, not that it's someone else's guitar but it kind of makes people think you're going to play the Signature Artists music.
I had so much trouble recording this review because I kept trying to play slipknot sounding kinda riffs (and I don't even know what that means haha)
I gave you a sub - in spite of your ears... 😌
Thanks! Size doesn’t matter bro it’s what you do with them
BROOOOO THAAAAT'S YOUR REASON HAHAHAHAHHAHA
If you only knew man. Signature guitars are like 90% of the guitars I've owned! Not always a good strategy, and I regret that after many years of buying guitars. The first time I just got the guitar that fit me best I felt like such an idiot for spending decades trying to fit someone else's instrument into my hands.
The most ironic part is my current guitar IS a signature lol. PRS DW best guitar ever!
I LOVE the look of this guitar! It looks like a black Beamer, and I prefer SEVEN on the truss cover. Also couldn't believe that wasn't just a Floyd, without the wiggle-stick attached!
I’m really confused whether you are for or against signature guitars by these comments, but as long as you have a guitar that you love, that’s the most important thing! Thanks for commenting! I appreciate it ☺️
@@richardclarkmoore 🤪😜 Well let’s just say I completely agree with you. I just got lucky this last one fit me so good! 😊
Dunno i love my les paul standard and my sg standard. I feel the same way about someone elses name on the back of the headstock. You feel tied into playing whatever genre the artisit plays.
It's a weird little trap eh! Oh well we make do haha
Signature or artist guitars do not bother me, half the time I do not even know who the artist is, is a Rhoads an artist guitar? Thats an artist that I am proud of if it is, thats the exception. Its my favorite guitar and Randy is the goat. I have a polka dot Jackson Rhoads, other than that I do not care whos name is on a guitar
The polka dot is iconic, I can't deny it!
That's that disgusting distortion sound, its great! how'd you get it?
So I have a couple Axe FX sims that I have been using forever, and I've tweaked them a lot to figure out exactly what I like, its basically a ZenDrive type distortion used in from of the amp to push it, and the amp sim is a matchless something or other, but the real secret, which I got off a UA-cam video which I can't find, is to get a eq pedal and set it to copy the Fortin 33 pedal (the meshuggah one). But that's basically just a horrendous mid boost. If you're keen I might make a video just talking about some of my grosser patches
Your cat's name is Gravy? I had a cat named Gravy, he was the best
Greybie actually! He's a good lad and I call him Gravy or Gremlin most the time :)
Is it a signature guitar if you change pickups? Nope, no longer the same. Most signatures are just versions of the model already existing. Silver Sky is just John Mayer's strat made by PRS, if you change pickups and pots, well, it no longer is, it is your version of PRS strat (just an example). That would be my point of view, I might be wrong.
@@Lordofmrak nah I get ya, probably still looks the same though, so people might still think you’re a John Mayer superfan if you play a silver sky 🤷♂️
@@richardclarkmoore Only other guitar players (not all of them), nobody else would know. And I thought it was an internal feeling of not being "my own guitar", if we include what others think, well, that is another thing. I was actually thinking of buying SIlver Sky SE and putting Fralins to change the sound to my liking, I do not like Mayer, but I do like PRS quality compared to Fender.
Signature stuff is a lie because if its really signature how come they can just change to a whole different brand and not do the same type of body signature i think is just for marketing purposes nothing else nothing more and this guitar is the biggest example of it its an RG lets just say is Mick and we pay him so that it has his name but still an RG
Idunno if I’d go that far, it’s definitely mostly marketing, but people change ! Preferences change! So it doesn’t surprise me much when artists change brands
I like the bruno mars strat but no way i would buy it because im the same way😂😂 signature guitars are 👎
Don’t you want to be like Bruno? You’ll make Bruno sad … 😅
Have the same, also, for guitars like Pia or other Vai signatures you just need to show certain level of proficiency on them otherwise you're just beng a poser (or collector) :D
Yeah the collectors love Vai type guitars haha, I swear the whole market for those really expensive ones is purely collectors at this point, I've never seen on on stage haha
Stupid. Guitars are just Geetars. Anything that isn't a Telecaster is a less than Geetar. Now You Know. Just Saying 😎
I’m here for this take hahahaha