Question Signature guitars

[morsecode]

"My only comment/criticism is that it's sometimes frustrating as a consumer of EBMM products to not know the future roadmap - (I don't mean that to sound like I actually think I have the right to know...) It's just that I would have planned my purchases differently if i knew certain things, for example, I bought a used AL the week before BFR's were anounced, I bought a 25th the week before it was anounced it was going to be a tweaked production variant - perhaps it's just bad luck on my part, but I would certainly commit more financially if I knew more about what's happening model wise - not that you don't give us MORE than enough front row action, it's just sometimes hard to keep up/figure what's coming next..."


What company or business does do this? I really can't think of one. There is no real roadmap for the future and until something comes to fruition, why would any business show their cards for any future plans until they are ready. Any successful business is continually evolving and innovating. If they don't then they will be left behind in the dust and be criticized for not doing the above. It seems to be an unrealistic and unfair criticism, and situation where they could never win.

 

[balance]

Great response BP. I bought my first EBMM, the EVH, back in 1992 being a huge EVH fan at the time. However, it wasn't just because his name was on it that I was interested...I had no interest in a double-cutaway single HB guitar like he originally used because the design was just "OK" to me.

Eddie was on the cover of Guitar magazine with his new sig EBMM model and I was completely smitten just seeing the guitar on the cover; totally unique and unlike anything else on the market. Then I played one and knew I had to have it. So, now the guitar is the Axis, but it's still my favorite body shape of any guitar and the 25th fits that bill as well.

I'm glad the EBMM sig models are not just a "change pickups and slap a name on the headstock" style. Each one is unique on a market flooded with copies of the big 3 guitars. And that is the overall appeal to me of EBMM, it's not another S,T,LP clone shop.

 

[guitfiddle]

Very good responses BP. Thanks.

 

[colinboy]

very well put , answered everything in one swift post. im not someone who would buy a signature guitar because of the player it represents but if there was a signature guitar out there that could cover a lot of styles of play very well it would not put me off buying the guitar because of whos name is on the headstock. i have a petrucci model but i never really listened to petrucci or dream theatre before i bought the guitar .the guitar helped push me to discover johns playing if anything and im a big fan now. i looked at the guitar, and for the stuff i was wanting to get into playing it suited my needs perfectly. and i think thats how guitars should be bought really.

I agree 100% with adams post and i didnt know much about DT and JP before i bought the BFR JP but it has opened me up to new styles of playing and expanded my musical horizons overall.

Thanks for the honest reply BP.

 

[lumberjack]

Good question, Kev. And thanks to Poppa for the insightful answer. It cleared a few things up.

 

[whitestrat]

WHy the 2H Al's when we usually will only sell exactly what the player plays. Innovation and style have made the AL a solid and recognizable shape and one that was underserved in the market. It is a great 2H guitar.

I'm damned sure that loaded with the right set of PAFs, Albert would be glad to play the HH AL!

 

[peterd79]

BP-
thank you so much for taking the time out of your schedule to set down with us knuckleheads and explain why you guys do what you do. I truly appreciate the levels of communication made to us and the passion that goes into each instrument.

 

[paranoid70]

THe artist has to be able to transcend their genre. YOu also have to trust that the artist will stick around.

Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Steve Lukather, John Petrucci. Yep they all fit those requirements. They all seem to be really good people as well.

Another point of view from an amateur player looking to buy a guitar is that one may be 'intimidated' by purchasing a signature guitar. Several years back, I was shopping around for guitars and settled on Ibanez. I liked the Satch model, but I thought to myself - "I am no Satriani". I then bought a standard model. A few years later when I came to my senses and bought a Music Man I felt the same way and opted for a Silhouette over a Petrucci or Morse.

(Ok, I finally did buy an Albert Lee, but I think I finally got more comfortable with my playing... and the guitar is simply awesome)

 

[KungFu Grip]

A friend of mine once caught me saying that I don't own any signature guitars. He had to remind me that both my Albert Lee and my Steve Morse were signatures. I'm not sure why I don't see them in that vein, especially the Albert Lee. The Morse is a bit more obvious of a signature model, but the AL is just a beautifully designed instrument that does pretty much exactly what I want a guitar to do.

 

[Headstock]

Loved reading about the AL, all the versions and the faithfulness to the artist. Doing the right thing. What a novel idea!

 

[RedRadRocker]

That was a nice read. Thanks BP!

 

[Slingy]

All I know is if I play it and I like it I'll want to buy it. I never owned a Van Halen album but I got an Axis. I didn't know the Luke was a siggy when I bought it too lol. They're just friggin nice guitars.

 

[gerry d]

my opinion for what its worth...

I bought my Luke because I was..(and still am) a huge fan of Lukes.. his body of work is astonishing and I always wondered what his preferences were in a guitar...

I had played a few Lukes before I finally got one and was very impressed... after a while I got to the point with the guitar that I understood most aspects of its playability and sound... what it could and could not do.. it became a part of my sound and the way I play..

the guitar now inspires me in ways other guitars do not.. its a rock solid totally pro level instrument that I will use for the rest of my playing days...

what this guitar has done for me is give me a deep appreciation of the quality of EBMM guitars.. I never hesitate to recommend EBMM to other players looking for a new guitar or bass

not once has someone come back to me and say I wasn't right..

I am in the market for a twin HB guitar and EBMM is top of my list.... its either gonna be a Reflex or an AL HH.. either way I know I won't be disappointed.

 

[gtrman66]

THey can sell anyone a strat but only so many people want the Pee Wee Herman one that is orange with astro glide pickups.

Hey isn't that the new guitar that plays itself!?!?!?!!?

 

[hbucker]

Great response BP. I bought my first EBMM, the EVH, back in 1992 being a huge EVH fan at the time. However, it wasn't just because his name was on it that I was interested...I had no interest in a double-cutaway single HB guitar like he originally used because the design was just "OK" to me.

Eddie was on the cover of Guitar magazine with his new sig EBMM model and I was completely smitten just seeing the guitar on the cover; totally unique and unlike anything else on the market. Then I played one and knew I had to have it.

My thoughts exactly. I got my EVH in '93. I went into GC looking for Eddie's guitar (quite a novelty back then) and was plesantly blown away by the tone and feel of it. It wasn't just Eddie's guitar. It was simply an amazing guitar. I still love how compact that thing is.

 

[straycat113]

Well I own a lot of signature guitars, 5 to be exact and they all have to do with what the guitar offered more than any name on a headstock.

When I went to buy a humbucker guitar I set out to get a Gibson Les Paul but picked up an EVH model first and that was it I was hooked and what I left with. My style is really nothing like Eddies but the guitar was everything I needed and more. I also have Petrucci , Beck and Clapton signature models and though I am a fan none of them were bought because of the artist. In fact there are some guitars I will not buy that are too signature like a SRV Strat or a Vanhalen frankenstrat or a Zack Wylde bullseye Paul as they are to closely related to the artist and you will get pigeonholed. I think it is okay if your in a tribute band or want to use it to record but to me it is not for the stage.

Other then those few and a couple more unless someone is a player they are clueless to what you are using. EBMM really have all a guitarist guitarist artist models and the way things have worked out like I have stated many times they are putting out the best axes out there in the last 20 years without biting off the three big designs. Everything is fresh and the quality is top shelf, with a bright future for years to come.

 

[Jimmyb]

My favourite guitarist now has a signature model, but I don't feel the need to buy one.

I think I can get everything I need from EBMM at the moment.

 

[musikarero]

My opinion is that with some guitar companies the signature idea has gotten way out of control to the point of being just silly. I own 2 AL's but did not buy them because his name was on them......even though he continues to be a huge influence. For me it was the shape of the guitar that drew me to it.

It was years ago that I saw Albert holding the guitar but it said "axis" on the headstock if I'm correct. I thought to myself.....now that is one cool looking guitar. Then a few years later a guy came in the local guitar shop and he had bought one. It was now the Albert Lee model and I had the chance to play it. The over all "feel" of the guitar was so different but at the same time so comfortable. I own two because I love the instrument.

 

[bkrumme]

I was adamantly against signature guitars for a very long time. I played many of the currently available ones, but never bought one. I just couldn't get past the idea that it had someone else's name on it. I thought it made me look like a poser or wannabe. That, and the price tag is sometimes much higher than those on a guitar I liked more.

Then...I got over myself and started paying attention to how the guitars felt, how they sounded, and the weight. I ended up with a BFR JP7 and I couldn't be happier.

Now, there's the JPX and I'm stoked. I love the resonance the chambering gives the 25th Anniversary guitar, and I love the feel and tone of the JP guitars. Having both in one guitar should be amazing.

 

[D.K.]

I'd say today I just seem to value it much more to try and play great on a "standard" guitar. The fact that the silo doesn't have the "prototype" player attached to it just makes me more free and more passionate when playing it. It's crazy and it's nothing to do with the guitars - it's all psychology, I guess - but that's the way I feel.