Had a touch of GAS today so went to the local musuc store to have a nose around and as usual went straight for a Fender USA strat, the salesman then began the hard sell after twigging i might be interested, after half a hour i deicided it was ok but nothing special, where upon a signaure model strat was thrust at me with a try this out its the bollox, well i agree it was the bollox and told the saleman that it felt no different to a standard US model and the only bollox going around was the inflated price tag .
Whats your opinions? great deal or load of old cobblers
Signiture Models, total ripoff?
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
I have heard it said that some artist / signature models are worse than American Standard models.
I've only tried one - a Jeff Beck Strat.
I should add that it had been professionally set up.
Great guitar - felt right.
But expensive.
I've only tried one - a Jeff Beck Strat.
I should add that it had been professionally set up.
Great guitar - felt right.
But expensive.
Why Aye Man
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
Yeah, I don't really get excite over Fender or similar bolt on guitars that are over say, $1,500.
The custom shop has become a monster for inflated prices, with not a lot to offer over stock.
Although I have seen some mighty fine CS Strats, that is what got me started in building my own to my specs.
I suppose if I was independently wealthy I wouldn't bat an eye spending $3K plus, I just don't see the value other than resale value is higher than the stock guitars.
Other high end set neck and neck through guitars can be expensive as well but there is a lot more to building them than the typical Fender.
The custom shop has become a monster for inflated prices, with not a lot to offer over stock.
Although I have seen some mighty fine CS Strats, that is what got me started in building my own to my specs.
I suppose if I was independently wealthy I wouldn't bat an eye spending $3K plus, I just don't see the value other than resale value is higher than the stock guitars.
Other high end set neck and neck through guitars can be expensive as well but there is a lot more to building them than the typical Fender.
Tom
Don't let that smoke out!
Don't let that smoke out!
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
I like my Clapton Strat because of the soft-v neck and the active tone controls. Never bought into the Gibson signature models. I think they had QC problems with some, but I don't want to tell stories out of school.
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
i much prefer getting a guitar thats a decent player then modding it, my 89 strat is a good example, great standard guitar , added schaller locking heads, lsr nut, custom wound pup,s, its just a great workhorse guitar, i wonder how much fender would knock me for a similar spec
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
Joe Bonamassa seems to just about have a signature "everything". 
Last edited by C Moore on Mon Dec 03, 2012 3:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
I'm not sure if there is a difference between "Artist Series" and "Signature Series" but I have an "Eric Johnson Strat" as my main axe. Was just looking for an American strat with a maple neck on the used market. Saw mine advertised by a guy on my canadian forum for $1300. (The MSRP is $2400, but see it for sale new everywhere for about $1700). I offered $1000 and drove home with it. I love it. I shouldn't say it's "better than" any american strat, but it has a lot of particular specs that the artist wants. So, if you want those same weirdo options, it's a lot cheaper than ordering your own custom shop version (or upgrading an American Standard).
So, if they are your particular taste of options, it's a custom shop guitar at a bit more than an american standard price.
On mine, I love all the features: Beefy neck, super thin finish, the custom pickups, etc.
Actually, my first guitar was also a Mexican artist series. I didn't even realize till I got it home. I wanted a humbucker and a single coil, and I ended up with a traded in John 5 Tele. Being MIM, it had a noticably lower quality build than my EJ has, but still decent. Again, it had the features I wanted at a used price, so I ended up with it. I don't regret it.
So, if they are your particular taste of options, it's a custom shop guitar at a bit more than an american standard price.
On mine, I love all the features: Beefy neck, super thin finish, the custom pickups, etc.
Actually, my first guitar was also a Mexican artist series. I didn't even realize till I got it home. I wanted a humbucker and a single coil, and I ended up with a traded in John 5 Tele. Being MIM, it had a noticably lower quality build than my EJ has, but still decent. Again, it had the features I wanted at a used price, so I ended up with it. I don't regret it.
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
My sons "first" guitar was a MIM Tele.
My friend is a decent luthier. He did a set up on it. He said the neck felt/played good, and the instrument intonated well.
Not a bad guitar, at all, for 150 bux.
Think back to when you guys were young. Remember what "cheap" guitars were like back then. They have come a long way.
My neighbor also bought a used, Eric Johnson Strat. Says it is a s good as any he has owned.
best
My friend is a decent luthier. He did a set up on it. He said the neck felt/played good, and the instrument intonated well.
Not a bad guitar, at all, for 150 bux.
Think back to when you guys were young. Remember what "cheap" guitars were like back then. They have come a long way.
My neighbor also bought a used, Eric Johnson Strat. Says it is a s good as any he has owned.
best
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Reeltarded
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Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
I don't buy collector model anything. If I am playing a signature guitar, it's my signature.. phhhht..
When I was a kid a '55 strat was the cheap guitar.
The best new Fenders are Japanese vintage reish, and have whatever elctronics you like in there. I strip them down and paint 'em like a clown.
When I was a kid a '55 strat was the cheap guitar.
The best new Fenders are Japanese vintage reish, and have whatever elctronics you like in there. I strip them down and paint 'em like a clown.
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vibratoking
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Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
My approach through the years has always been to buy decent guitars and mod them with better hardware and pickups. I always thought that was the most cost-effective way to end up with a great sounding guitar.
A few years ago I put a a big chunky Jeff Beck signature neck on a early 90s Strat Plus. Changed the guitar completely for the better. I recently found and purchased a 2006 Les Paul 58 historic with very resonant wood. What a great sounding guitar! I now believe that the wood plays a much bigger role than I previously thought. So, if the signature instrument you are interested has good wood then it is probably worth the price.
A few years ago I put a a big chunky Jeff Beck signature neck on a early 90s Strat Plus. Changed the guitar completely for the better. I recently found and purchased a 2006 Les Paul 58 historic with very resonant wood. What a great sounding guitar! I now believe that the wood plays a much bigger role than I previously thought. So, if the signature instrument you are interested has good wood then it is probably worth the price.
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
I mthink in reality you are just as likely to get a decent chunk of timber on a production model as on a signature model, i,ve always owned strats as a rule and no 2 sound or play exactly the same, hell i,ve had a few Mexican strats that have been equally as good as my USA but also played new guitars taht are total crap, i think the key is to get a good basic instrument that plays well and ignore the hypevibratoking wrote:My approach through the years has always been to buy decent guitars and mod them with better hardware and pickups. I always thought that was the most cost-effective way to end up with a great sounding guitar.
A few years ago I put a a big chunky Jeff Beck signature neck on a early 90s Strat Plus. Changed the guitar completely for the better. I recently found and purchased a 2006 Les Paul 58 historic with very resonant wood. What a great sounding guitar! I now believe that the wood plays a much bigger role than I previously thought. So, if the signature instrument you are interested has good wood then it is probably worth the price.
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
I do agree that the EJ sig strat is a good value.
I actually bought one but between buyers remorse and not really caring for the neck I sent it back.
I actually bought one but between buyers remorse and not really caring for the neck I sent it back.
Tom
Don't let that smoke out!
Don't let that smoke out!
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
Hear is the secret to picking a fender strat. Once you get into the USA line you have very few choices. Maple or ebony fret board? Standard, medium, fat frets. Neck 50's, 60's C or D shape. They all share the same hardware give or take stop tail or tremolo.
What you pay for past that in a customshop are upgraded wiring harness pickups and pots. The rest is flash and trash no wheel is being reinvented.
Go buy a USA strat set it up to play your favorite strings like a piano. Buy a nice set of pickups with noise cancelation. Cover the inside of the tone pit cavity in foil shield tape and drop in some mil spec 30% taper pots and you have a guitar that will hold it own with any customshop. The signature models IMHO are stupid I've never been a fan of playing covers or wanting to be someone else. If anything if you play a signature model and don't play as good as that artist it just proves you suck lol.
What you pay for past that in a customshop are upgraded wiring harness pickups and pots. The rest is flash and trash no wheel is being reinvented.
Go buy a USA strat set it up to play your favorite strings like a piano. Buy a nice set of pickups with noise cancelation. Cover the inside of the tone pit cavity in foil shield tape and drop in some mil spec 30% taper pots and you have a guitar that will hold it own with any customshop. The signature models IMHO are stupid I've never been a fan of playing covers or wanting to be someone else. If anything if you play a signature model and don't play as good as that artist it just proves you suck lol.
My Daughter Build Stone Henge
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Reeltarded
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Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
haha
+1 on the pieces of wood. It's all to chance on that end. You are actually more likely to get a good sounding guitar by not caring what the wood looks like.
Guys pay a huge premium for red spruce acoustic tops that are super tight grained and the good ones are like an inch or more between annulars. Less sap is better.
$1500 for a $35 piece of wood. Is that insane? Yes.
+1 on the pieces of wood. It's all to chance on that end. You are actually more likely to get a good sounding guitar by not caring what the wood looks like.
Guys pay a huge premium for red spruce acoustic tops that are super tight grained and the good ones are like an inch or more between annulars. Less sap is better.
$1500 for a $35 piece of wood. Is that insane? Yes.
Re: Signiture Models, total ripoff?
Wood makes so much difference it's crazy. When Mike Detemple was a session player, he stumbled on a standard production Strat where everything was just insanely perfect. So nice, that apparently Clapton offered to trade Blackie for it.
Now Mike replicates the guitar: tap tunes all the wood. Even the neck.
Now Mike replicates the guitar: tap tunes all the wood. Even the neck.