Do signature series guitars lure you?

[Kerbie]

Originally Posted by JeffaOM1

Come to think about it, the only signature guitar I might be interested in would be the Collings Pete Huttlinger OM1.

That I understand! The one I played was fantastic.

[drplayer]

Great tone & playability lure me...if it has a signature, it has a signature.

That said, it has to be somewhat indistinct--nothing too bold or gaudy. I've owned a few signature acoustics over the years...a 000-28EC which I still and always will own because it's just SO good, a SCGC Don Edwards model which was the finest all-mahogany guitar I ever played, and a Gibson Jackson Browne model A which was also a stellar instrument. The signature on the Clapton is small and rather inconspicuous, as was the signature on the Santa Cruz DE. The Gibson JB was identified as a signature model only on the label. These don't/didn't bother me one bit...

[Bill R]

Welcome to the forum

As an acoustic player, it seems there are fewer "signature" acoustic models than electric ones. Even so, I've never really been a fan of signature models. It seems most of them don't have the combination of specs I'm interested in.

Generally I prefer custom models - whether it be from a major manufacturer (like Taylor or Martin) or from a luthier (like my John Greven guitar), because I can get the combination of specs that I prefer. I guess I'm kind of spoiled by high end custom acoustics.

[Silly Moustache]

I don't wear clothing with someone else's name on and I wouldn't buy a guitar because it's got someone else's name on.

I won't deny that seeing certain fine musicians playing some models has influenced a purchase in the past - thinking about it I once owned a Del 'arte "Leadbelly" baritone 12 string, and, OK, I've got a Santa Cruz "Roy Smeck" but as they didn't get permish to use the name (probably Gibson's copyright) they just called it an "RS" and for a while pretended it sound for "Roy Southerner"

Thinking about it I wouldn't want a guitar with "Silly Moustache" on it ... but I might buy a "rounder's hat" with it on!

[Tico]

No.
Celebrity means nothing to me when guitar shopping.
But if a guitar, signature or non, has the best sound and playability for my budget I would buy it.

Actually I have, without even knowing who the guitar's signature artist was.
I'm glad the artist's name is NOT visible on the guitar, only on the label inside.

[Willie_D]

If the features and distinguishing characteristics of the guitar intrigue me, I'd be inclined to check it out.

[palsed]

Just one. Pete Huttlinger signature. I don’t own one because I can’t afford it, but I wish I could. Pete was a dear friend of mine and I miss him tremendously. Pete would just tell me to play any guitar that makes me happy. But still... that’s the signature model I would own.

[Brushwood]

Great discussion. I happen to own two different signature Martin guitars (which I bought from AGF forum members and really appreciate the uniqueness in their particular design and specifications. I didn't buy them because a certain artist put their name on them (signed the label inside)...I bought and kept them because they fit me and I really dig the sound they produce. One is a Martin 000-18 Norman Blake and the other is a Martin 00-18H Geoff Muldaur.

[Oldguy64]

So...I have an Alvarez Yairi GY1.
The Jerry Garcia signature model.
I bought it because it was a Yairi, and a good one.
Funny because now I want the WY1 Bob Weir Signature model so I’ll have the “bookends”.
Funnier yet, I don’t really care for the Grateful Dead.
Buy they sure played some great guitars.
I like the Garth Brooks Signature Takamine. But I bought a P3DC.

[The Bard Rocks]

Somebody's signature is a turn-off to me.

[Glennwillow]

Do signature series guitars lure you?

Apparently not; I have never purchased one and I own a fair number of guitars, both acoustic and electric.

And hi, fzapped1! Welcome to the AGF! I'm glad you are here! I hope you enjoy this place!

- Glenn

[whvick]

I would take a Martin D18 Andy Griffith model and love it. Any other signature would not interest me, but I really like Andy.
Any other signature would be a deal breaker, regardless of how it sounds

[billyg]

I have three and they have all been mentioned above:
- Gibson Jackson Browne
- Gretsch Country Gentleman Hall of Fame
- Carvin Holdsworth HF2
And --
- Gibson ES-165 Herb Ellis
- Gibson Les Paul that is my son's.

I was attracted to the Jackson Browne and the Gretsch because I love the performer, but I bought them because I loved the guitar. I admired the Carvin for years because of its unique design and construction. When I played the Herb Ellis, it completely won me over.

So, sometimes the artist's involvement starts the attraction, or the artist's innovation, or, in the case of the Herb Ellis, I didn't know much about him, but I loved the guitar he and Gibson created.

[Mycroft]

If a guitar has specific specs that intrigue me (presumably arrived at with some input from the person whose signature is on it), then I couldn't care less that there is a signature on it. And if someone else thinks that me having a Leo Kottke Taylor 12-string means that I think that having it is going to make me play like Leo Kottke? Well, I have a deal for them on a working alligator ranch. In Alaska.

[The Growler]

Because of a name? No, but as a couple others have mentioned, if it offers features that are not normally available and it fits what I want, then okay. The Godin Doyle Dykes signature edition offered that and so I bought one and love it. Great guitar!

Other than that, it's only worked when it was that Lester guy from Waukeesha.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!