'Signature' guitars.

Three-ColourSunburst · February 2018

I'm not looking to buy, but I have been watching some videos of these new Ibanez AZ series guitars and came across the Tom Quayle and Martin Miller 'signature' versions.

Looking on their website, Ibanez seem to do a lot of signature instruments, so I was wondering, can such guitars make a sensible buy, resale value wise? I know any Ibanez is likely to lose a lot of value in any case, but do signature guitars tend to lose even more, or is this entirely dependent on how nice the guitar is in its own right?

Do people tend buy signature guitars because they are fans of the player, or just because they offer a bit more choice?

I can't help thinking that any standard model is likely to find more buyers, should it ever come the time to sell.

I must admit, the Tom Quayle AZ is the first time I have really taken any real notice of a 'signature' model!

axisus · February 2018

I shouldn't think there's any decent resale on those two guitarists geetars. No offence to them, but they are totally niche. People want a Slash guitar.

Three-ColourSunburst · February 2018

axisus said:

I shouldn't think there's any decent resale on those two guitarists geetars. No offence to them, but they are totally niche. People want a Slash guitar.

They, as players, are niche, or the guitars themselves? (Which look a lot like some of the standard AZ models, specification-wise.)

I just gave those as an example - just wondering about people's attitudes to 'signature' guitars in general.

WezV · February 2018

Those Les Paul models seemed to do okay

in all all seriousness I think Ibanez often get it right. They have always made a hell of a lot of signature models, but you can look at a JEM or JS without thinking of Steve or Joe.... soon as you add the floral or chrome finish the artist association comes back.

hobbio · February 2018

The Chris Cornell 355 is pretty sought after

punchesjudy · February 2018

I own two signature guitars.
A Lee Ranaldo Jazzmaster/Jazzblaster and a Ryan Jarman Musuar (Mustang, Jaguar mix).

Both were bought because they fulfilled particular wants on my end, I will admit I'm a huge Sonic Youth fan so the Ranaldo association was admittedly a good thing for me.
As for the Ryan Jarman, I hate the Cribs so that held no sway over my purchase. It's just a Jag-Stang that isn't ugly as sin.

Bennyboy-UK · February 2018

I've got three Hamer SS1 Steve Stevens Signature guitars (86, 88, and 90), I like them in their own right, small, comfy and easy to play with great tones

I do like a bit of Steve Stevens in any case, but these guitars are just very good in any case. Sought after, maybe, I'm not sure, but not to mainstream buyers - I like that some of the 80s guitars are unfashionable, and overlooked, because I can get a bargain!

stimpsonslostson · February 2018

I've had a couple of signature models, some are great... Others not so much .

I think it depends on the modifications the endorsee has made from stock & whether they're useful to your style .

There are many players with one signature instrument that reflects their unique preferences- Chris Shiflett built a partscaster that he used on tour before Fender copied it as his signature model.
Jim Root has made a rather cool line of cohesive and distinctive guitars.
At the other end of the spectrum- JoBo seems to apply his signature to anything that doesn't run away. (Fair play to him- I'd love one of those Firebirds he endorsed).

The ultimate is when a fellow pro plays it-
I'm pretty sure The Edge, Ed Sheeran & Pete Townsend play Eric Clapton strats.
Tame Impalas guitarist sometimes plays a Mascis Squier Jazzmaster.

Philly_Q · February 2018

stimpsonslostson said:
Tame Impalas guitarist sometimes plays a Mascis Squier Jazzmaster.

So does Isaiah Mitchell of Earthless and Golden Void.

Signature models - I had a Robert Cray Strat, basically because it was pretty much the only way of getting hold of a hardtail Strat. Also one of the first series of Pete Townshend signature SGs, which I really wish I hadn't sold.

Going back to the OP, I don't really know who Tom Quayle or Martin Miller are, but I think the AZ series are the most interesting Ibanez models for a very long time.

djspecialist · February 2018

I have a Yamaha SA503TVL. I do like some QOTSA stuff, but don't really have any opinion about Troy Van Leeuwen.

I bought it because it offered something pretty unusual - a 335-style format, but with three P90s and a Bigsby. It's a hugely fun guitar to play with a wide range of great sounds. Love it.

NelsonP · February 2018

A lot of signature guitars seem to offer something different or unusual that you can't get elsewhere. I have a Shiflett Tele which gives you a fender scale length but a flatter, rosewood fretboard, bigger frets and Gibson style electronics. It's a bit of a cross between a Fender and a Gibson and unlike anything else.

It also played better than the american tele deluxe i tried alongside it and I preferred the tone of the humbuckers to the WRHBs in the American.

Iamnobody · February 2018

Philly_Q
Also one of the first series of Pete Townshend signature SGs, which I really wish I hadn't sold.

Was it the 1 of 250 with the flight case? Or the production run?

I used to see the limited ed’s in guitar mag adverts and the price was never published!

I’ve got the production run model and it’s a great guitar. It’s the second one I’ve owned...the first one was previously owned by a forum member...

rossi · February 2018

The Squier Joe Trohman tele was pretty good .I got mine on blowout .I couldnt really fault it .Had a Simon Neil CV Strat as well.

Philly_Q · February 2018

Iamnobody said:

Philly_Q
Also one of the first series of Pete Townshend signature SGs, which I really wish I hadn't sold.

Was it the 1 of 250 with the flight case? Or the production run?

I used to see the limited ed’s in guitar mag adverts and the price was never published!

I’ve got the production run model and it’s a great guitar. It’s the second one I’ve owned...the first one was previously owned by a forum member...

No, the production run, same as yours. I only said "first series" to distinguish it from the white one they did years later.

If I'd fully realised at the time how difficult it is to get hold of an SG with a chunky neck and a one-piece body, I'd still have it. I liked the wraparound bridge too.

Unfortunately it was a victim of one of my spates of going selling-crazy. Which hasn't happened for quite a while now, although it needs to...

Teetonetal · February 2018

I have a saborra black paisley. Firstly because the neck is amazing, 2nd because it looks cool

paulnb57 · February 2018

The only guitar Ive ever regretted selling was my Sambora Strat....

CHRISB50 · February 2018

I've always quite fancied the Kurt Cobain Jag and the Billy Corgan Strat.

I'd buy one if it had the specs I wanted. The connection with another person wouldn't bother me.

Cols · February 2018

I saw someone local to me trying to flog a ‘90s Jimmy Page signature Les Paul for £15,000. That would be a hell of a profit.

nick_s · February 2018

I have a Sambora Strat (MIM so none of the fancy bits) which really fits my needs. Superb player regardless of the DiMarzio PAF Pro in the bridge and the Floyd. It is a superb guitar first, Sambora inspired second.

I also run a Graham Coxon Tele. Not because I like Blur, but because the pickup combination (Fender vintage voiced SC and a SD 59 in the neck) gives some super sweet tones, and it looks/plays like a dream.

I know the resale value might be hindered because of a name on the headstock, but that doesn't bother me.

Iamnobody · February 2018

Philly_Q said:

Iamnobody said:

Philly_Q
Also one of the first series of Pete Townshend signature SGs, which I really wish I hadn't sold.

Was it the 1 of 250 with the flight case? Or the production run?

I used to see the limited ed’s in guitar mag adverts and the price was never published!

I’ve got the production run model and it’s a great guitar. It’s the second one I’ve owned...the first one was previously owned by a forum member...

No, the production run, same as yours. I only said "first series" to distinguish it from the white one they did years later.

If I'd fully realised at the time how difficult it is to get hold of an SG with a chunky neck and a one-piece body, I'd still have it. I liked the wraparound bridge too.

Unfortunately it was a victim of one of my spates of going selling-crazy. Which hasn't happened for quite a while now, although it needs to...

I agree on the neck body and bridge being the attractive features. I’m a Who fan but couldn’t really care about the signature aspect. They do come up for sale now and again. I tried to sell my first one here!

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/24941/fs-2001-pete-townshend-sg-now-sold/p1

If if I see one for sale I’ll give you a shout. The last few on eBay have been listed at optimistic prices though. Maybe they have gone up in value?

Nikc · February 2018

I bought my Santana PRS SE because I love the guitar, I prefer the shape I have no need for coil splitting etc ... Never been a Santana fan I've got Moonflower on vinyl somewhere

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'Signature' guitars.

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