What do I have to do to get a...

[B2D]

...Music Man Signature Model?

I'm not joking, I'm dead serious.

The current artist signature model roster includes John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Steve Lukather, and Benji Madden. All players with different skill levels, styles, ranges, etc.

If I may humbly ask, what are the "requirements" to be eligible for a sig model? How big does your band have to be? How dedicated or loyal must one be to the brand? I play Fenders and EB's in the studio and EB exclusively on stage.

I don't know how these sorts of things work, so edu-ma-cate me.

Respectfully
~B2D

 

[CudBucket]

Well I imagine there would have to be some indication that we, the consumer, would want to buy it.

 

[Junior]

You have to be endorsed, but I doubt they'd ever make it a production model.

Consider it something like Petrucci's doubleneck. It is his signature model, but just his, and you can't buy it.

 

[B2D]

Well either way... something like a regular-production sig model, OR a bunch of one-offs resulting from a deal (like Vinnie Moore's silver Silo special or JP's doubleneck) either one is fine with me.

But I'm curious, what determines if an artist DOES get a sig model that gets put into production? Consumer demand? Is this why there isn't a Vinnie Moore sig model?

 

[Junior]

Well either way... something like a regular-production sig model, OR a bunch of one-offs resulting from a deal (like Vinnie Moore's silver Silo special or JP's doubleneck) either one is fine with me.

But I'm curious, what determines if an artist DOES get a sig model that gets put into production? Consumer demand? Is this why there isn't a Vinnie Moore sig model?

I'm quite interested in this myself.

Well, I can help you a little. I got this reply from Derek:

Hi Vedran,

Endorsements in the US are based on a number of factors. Music,
radio-tv exposure -visibility, touring-concert schedule, print
magazine exposure or profiles. Their is no age requirement.
Unfortunately we cannot grant endorsements to all the submissions but
we always welcome bands or musicians to send us their profile.

These are just many of the factors that we use to determine sponsorship
opportunities. In other countries we leave this up to the distributors
as they know who is popular or is well know in their respective
countries. Our levels of endorsements range from products at special
pricing to products at 100% free to the artists who have worldwide
appeal.

We normally do not endorse artists in other countries without the
distributors being involved. The logistics of supplying product is
very expensive and difficult to facilitate from our headquarters here
in California.

I hope this helps you understand the sponsorship process.

Let us know if you have any more questions.

Thanks

Derek

I'll delete it ASAP if someone incharge has something against me posting it in public.

 

[B2D]

^^^ Interesting.

So does an endorsement imply that i can have a one-off built for me? It seems as if the "level" of EB's catering to the endorsee depends on their relative popularity.

 

[kbaim]

The standards were much more relaxed for the hanger-ons.

 

[tommyindelaware]

wow !!!!! yer own signiture model ???????

to start with......... it probably helps alot if u are a world renoun guitarist of stellar musicianship.........& unique sound that is globaly recognized..........& someone ebmm would want thier magnificient company directly associated with.

 

[beej]

And when you've done that, let Sterling win at golf a few times

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

A lifetime supply of Kettle One couldn't hurt either..

 

[phatduckk]

Is this why there isn't a Vinnie Moore sig model?

I think VM doesnt have a sig model cuz he hasnt asked for one. Im pretty sure MM would make him one if we wanted. I beleive BP even asked Vinnie if he wanted a sig model at the Open House, artist round table discussion

 

[jaxadam]

Well, I'm friends with the drummer of Yellowcard, does that help?

P.S. I really am. You'll see me on MTV cribs soon. They're filming his house next month.

 

[B2D]

wow !!!!! yer own signiture model ???????

to start with......... it probably helps alot if u are a world renoun guitarist of stellar musicianship.........& unique sound that is globaly recognized..........& someone ebmm would want thier magnificient company directly associated with.

With all due respect to said parties, I would not call Benji Madden a world reknowned guitarist, or an especially exceptional musician with a unique sound. Popular? Certainly! I still don't like Good Charlotte but I'm sure Benji can not care about what "real" guitarists think of him all the way to the bank.

Yet it is apparently obvious that EB/MM wants to be associated with him, as he has a signature model.

Your move. I would really appreciate Sterlings word on this, or anyone else at EB for that matter.

 

[beej]

The subject of Benji comes up every once in a while ... certainly he's not held in the same esteem as the likes of Morse, Petrucci, Luke, etc. But CG was a pretty popular band with the kids when they made him a sig model. So from that point of view it was probably a worthwhile risk to make a production model that would appeal to the younger players. Props to BP for making a move to appeal to that demographic.

The thing that makes Benji's model different is that it's very close to a production model guitar ... not something fundamentatly differently like the other sig models. (So is Vinnie's guitar, though it's not a sig model.)

Certainly mass appeal or "guitar god" status is a prerequisite. Knowing BP and company, you can be sure that the sig artists have to be good people or he wouldn't do business them them. From previous conversations on this topic, BPs said he's not out looking for signature models to make. That makes the last item on the list timing: much more likely to get a sig model when there weren't so many others

 

[Chad]

Would your being endorsed make people want to buy more EB products? I'd say that's the biggest factor.

 

[bovinehost]

It's a family thing.

So stay tuned for the Bovine Signature Model Bongo.

Jack(ie)

 

[Colin]

I also believe one requirement to having a signature model is for it to pass the Dudes licking test.

 

[Eilif]

I can picture it in my mind. The color scheme will be reminiscent of the Gateway computer boxes. Mmmoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It's a family thing.

So stay tuned for the Bovine Signature Model Bongo.

Jack(ie)

 

[Big Poppa]

Hello
I said after EVH that I would never do another signature model guitar. NEVER! THen along came JP and there was no way I wouldn't work with him. The collaborations we have done have been so incredibly mutually beneficial for all.

Benji Madden gave us tremendous visiblity in a genre we had zero presence. THe Benji Madden model was a thanks but also our real goal was to sell Benji OLP's and Benji wanted to make sure that if someone wanted his exact guitar they would be available.

The problem on the retail level is the there are only so many hooks on the wall and in general sig guitars do not sell. We are a rare exception. Great players ego usually wont allow them to play a guitar with somebody else's name on it. (Les Paul excluded) The Sig guitar is usually a way for a company to lock the endorsee in by stroking his/her ego.

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

The problem on the retail level is the there are only so many hooks on the wall and in general sig guitars do not sell. We are a rare exception. Great players ego usually wont allow them to play a guitar with somebody else's name on it. (Les Paul excluded) The Sig guitar is usually a way for a company to lock the endorsee in by stroking his/her ego.

Can you enlighten us as to the best selling guitar models that you produce?

If I were to make a guess, I would say currently the JP is #1 and the Axis (and variations of) would be #2.