Yes or No...signing your acoustic

[Bluesdale]

I vote “yes” with conditions. I had Jorma Kaukonen sign my Jorma model M30 Martin on the back of the headstock between the tuners with a gold sharpie. If Eric Clapton stopped by, I would ask him to do the same on my 000-28ECM even though his original signature is on the label. Same goes for my Jackson Browne Gibson. I would never let anyone sign the front.

So bottom line, if it is in a subtle place and the signature is by the same artist bearing his/her name on the model, it’s pretty cool.

[ewalling]

No, that doesn't interest me. In fact, recently I was interested in buying a used guitar that had apparently been signed by someone pretty big. For me, that was a minus rather than a plus. I've also thought that one negative about the Martin EC model is that it has his signature on the fretboard. Wanting signatures of famous people on things seems a little childish to me; I liked it when I was a kid but not now.

[SingingSparrow]

I usually don't consider myself a fan boy. Never have. I quite liked that about myself. But RP's original thread was quite revealing as to how vain that notion actually is. I should at least send him the copay I usually pay for a therapy session as a thank you

It has proved fulfilling, to me, to make the effort to find that space where the dark and the light merge and color each other and then set up camp in the vicinity.

I voted yes.

[Ray175]

Originally Posted by jpd

I can't get over the 97% vote for no signatures!

You mean you're surprised that 3% voted "yes"?

[jpd]

Originally Posted by Ray175

You mean you're surprised that 3% voted "yes"?

LOL...Very surprised!

[Bluesdale]

I forgot to mention that I have a 1972 tele that was signed by Keith Richards on the front top horn. Bought it on eBay in their first year many moons ago. I still think it's pretty cool. I keep it as a 5-string open G instrument when I'm covering Stones tunes. What's not to like about that?

[Zexxor]

Originally Posted by Bluesdale

I forgot to mention that I have a 1972 tele that was signed by Keith Richards on the front top horn. Bought it on eBay in their first year many moons ago. I still think it's pretty cool. I keep it as a 5-string open G instrument when I'm covering Stones tunes. What's not to like about that?

THAT IS COOL.

[gbesson]

I have a Taylor 110 that I take to any lessons/guitar camps I go to. I ask every instructor I have had to sign it. So far it is signed by Jorma Kaukonen, Chris Smither and Tommy Emmanuel. It has motivated me to learn and play better. I can't imagine ever parting with that guitar as a result of the signatures and experience.

[alnico5]

Would it matter if the signature was illegible? A few bent lines and a half circle?

[gmruegg]

Buddy of mine has a Squire Strat signed by Gregg Allman. Was never meant to be played, just a display item. I think he bought it at a charity auction. It's pretty cool as a wall hanging, but I wouldn't want any of my actual guitars I play to be autographed. As some one else said, most of the people I would want to sign my guitar would have to rise from the dead to do it. Although I might make an exception for Sir Paul.

[Watt]

Tim O'Brien signed the label of my Martin Tim O'Brien model. That's the way Martin sold them. But no, no one is signing my acoustics. The electrics are another story.

[TBman]

No, no, a thousand times, no. Keep that marker away from my guitars. You want to sign something? Write me a check for $5,000 so I can buy another guitar,

[M19]

I have a Martin 00-18 Steve Howe. You bet I'd have him sign it if I could. I'll own this guitar when I die.

[EZYPIKINS]

I don't care who it is.

I'm not now, nor have I ever been into signatures. On pictures, T-Shirts, guitars, drum heads. I don't get it.

That kind of thing was our bass players deal. He had signatures from hundreds of artists.

I once opened a show for Merle Haggard. Stood in the meet and greet line like an idiot.

When I got to him. I said I would just like to shake your hand.

A kind of half cocked smile on his face. He stood and shook my hand.

Good enough for me.

[Birdbrain]

I went down that road. As a fledgling mandolinist, I had David Grisman sign his "Dawg" print atop my A-style. Every time I showed up at the folk music club after that, I felt totally self-conscious. Unless I was able to play like Grisman, it seemed like a lie, or at least an implied mark or quality that I'd never deliver.