In the next few months Shecter Guitars will be releasing the brand new versions of Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance's signature series. These are certainly two of the biggest signature series around and they sell by the bucket load. So it makes me question - why, when you get up on stage to play a gig would you want a guitar made for someone else slung across your shoulders?
There's plenty of signature gear on the market. The Zack Wylde Wah, Slash's signature Marshall series, hundreds of signature guitars from ESP, Gibson, PRS etc. There is clearly a demand for all this gear then and with good reason. Companies who make these products get guidance by the artist in terms of what sound and feel they want (mainly so they can use it themselves) and bearing in mind that these are at the very top of music, they know what they're on about. As a result we are left with top quality, well produced and great sounding gear.
Go back to me mentioning Shecter's release of Synyster Gate's new custom model. His current models have sold like the Ford Model T. It features a Floyd Rose, Seymour Duncan Invader pickups, a very fast neck and stunning looks. Perfect guitar? Maybe. It ticks all the boxes I look for in a guitar.
But if I walked into a guitar shop and saw one hanging from the wall I'd be pretty certain I would straight past it with only a passing glance and the idea that I would never be paying the asking price. Not because of the guitar itself or the price (which is actually quite reasonable). No, I wouldn't buy one simply because of the persona behind a signature. The thing is, these are guitars (like I said earlier) built for the artist and companies decide for some of them to be put into production. And I don't know about you but I'd hate to think It's a guitar that's not really mine. All guitars have a personality and a different feel to them. The beauty of this wonderful instrument is the fact that they have this 'persona' that I mentioned earlier. Even that £60 starter guitar you got -we've all been there- It will always have a personal feel to it even if it's dreadful. For those of you who have picked up a signature guitar or played on a signature amp you'll know it doesn't have that personal feeling. Its persona is sadly somewhat non existent.
Don't get me wrong here, signature gear sounds great, pedals especially can be worth looking into. Its all personal opinion really and for me and the rest of us here at Jim Studios It's something we actually all agree on. You're limited in variety of tone, you will constantly have people asking "Why did you buy a ____ signature??? It's a signature!!!" and that horrible feeling that it doesn't really belong to you. So what's the answer to it all? Ah I shall reveal all next week - stay tuned!
One quick thing as well (I'm sure you're all bored stiff by now but if not...) we filmed 5 new videos yesterday along with an update video to tell you all about this blog, twitter and the free pick give away - all you have to do is subscribe to the youtube channel! Simple as that. Anyway, thanks for reading if you did make it to the end.
Peace, Linus
No comments:
Post a Comment