The 10 Best Signature model guitars...

guitargeek62

The PRS Brent Mason was a very cool model, shame they stopped it really!



There was also the Gibson Dethlok
‘Thunderhorse’ sig for Brendon Small. I love the look of that one, but it’s very hard to find now:

fretmeister

That explorer is stirring my loins! 

TTBZ

fretmeister said:

That explorer is stirring my loins! 

Me too! I need silverburst everything. 

Grumpyrocker

I really like the PRS SE Bernie Marsden. And I would have bought one of Peach hadn't done such a massive sale price on my PRS SE 245 (in my avatar) - £200 off.

skullfunkerry

Has anyone on here ever owned (or seen) the Wes Borland signature Yamaha? It was a semi hollow I think... not my cuppa, but I did like the quick release locking nut

stonevibe

skullfunkerry said:

Has anyone on here ever owned (or seen) the Wes Borland signature Yamaha? It was a semi hollow I think... not my cuppa, but I did like the quick release locking nut

They are great, bloody hard to find though!

mikem8634

stonevibe said:

mikem8634 said:

Shinichi Ubukata ES-355

Yamaha TVL sa503

Epiphone Jorma Kaukonen Signature Riviera Deluxe

Bit of a theme at work here

Yeah, I own the TVL and it is fantastic!

Just a pity they arena longer made, or it would be on my list.

Excellent point. I often wonder why highly esteemed or sought after gear is taken out of production, or why some things that build a reputation after their production run is well over, aren't put back. I suppose with some things like vintage fuzz pedals it can be down to the scarcity of the original components, and with signature guitars it could be problems with licensing or intellectual property. More than likely down to the financials somewhere along the line..

My guess is you'll hang on to that TVL of yours. Nice article btw, enjoyed it, and it got me thinking which is always a good sign of quality content.

Seziertisch

Musicman St Vincent. I’ve only played the Sterling version, but I thought it was great, sufficiently it’s own thing and very ergonomic.

Benm39

TTBZ said....

The LTD Bill Kelliher Eclipse is getting all my attention though. Great player/band and this guitar looks so good (though could be improved with a silverburst finish instead of the green). Everything I want in a modern Les Paul Custom.

Yup,  certainly enjoy mine,  weighs a ton mind you though as Boris the Blade says... "heavy is good!"

Teflon

guitars4you said:

..........

So who was the first rock/pop star to have a solid body/non arch top signature model - The Framus Jan Ackkerman in the early 70's is one of the first I recall - Anyone before then ?

I would think the Burns Marvin introduced in '64 would have to be in with a shout.

Cliff

guitargeek62

skullfunkerry said:

Has anyone on here ever owned (or seen) the Wes Borland signature Yamaha? It was a semi hollow I think... not my cuppa, but I did like the quick release locking nut

Yep, I played one a fair bit in a local shop a few times when they were first released. I loved it, but didn’t want a trem guitar... hindsight eh?

dogload

I've only owned one signature guitar - the Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster, which is superb IMHO... although I've modded mine.

Other ones I wouldn't mind owning are the Gibson Barney Kessel - looks amazing and plays lovely - and the Rickenbacker Roger McGuinn 370/12. 

Oh and the Fender Wayne Kramer Strat, but that would just be coz I'm a fanboy

NelsonP

Fender Shiflett 72 Tele Deluxe
Epiphone Gary Clark Casino
Hagstrom Justin York Viking Gold Top

stonevibe

NelsonP said:

Fender Shiflett 72 Tele Deluxe
Epiphone Gary Clark Casino
Hagstrom Justin York Viking Gold Top

Solid choices. Nice.

mikem8634

stonevibe said:

NelsonP said:

Fender Shiflett 72 Tele Deluxe
Epiphone Gary Clark Casino
Hagstrom Justin York Viking Gold Top

Solid choices. Nice.

Indeed. Forgot about the Gary Clark Casino. Should've been on my little list.

guitars4you

Interesting that The Monkees acquired a signature model in 1967 - Whatever reason there was, The Beatles never had a signature model, before or after that, despite all the association with G Harrison 

Teflon said:

guitars4you said:

..........

So who was the first rock/pop star to have a solid body/non arch top signature model - The Framus Jan Ackkerman in the early 70's is one of the first I recall - Anyone before then ?

I would think the Burns Marvin introduced in '64 would have to be in with a shout.

Cliff

Yes I missed that one

jeztone2

I’m with you regarding the Kotzen Tele and the PRS DGT. Much as I like the Clapton Strat. I wish they’d do a version with bigger frets. The vintage stuff feels like staples in my hands. 

Offset

Not sure I get 'signature' guitars these days.  Wouldn't you rather have a guitar to make your own rather than own something inspired by someone you'll never play like?

Philly_Q

Offset said:

Not sure I get 'signature' guitars these days.  Wouldn't you rather have a guitar to make your own rather than own something inspired by someone you'll never play like?

I'd rather have a guitar that has the features I like.  If that happens to be somebody's signature model, I'm not bothered, so long as it hasn't got a big picture of their face on it.

Offset

Philly_Q, I get it... just ain't my bag too much.