Who Buys These Guitars?
It seems lately that every week sees the release of new signature or inspired by limited edition guitar hitting the market. Just recently there has been the Slash and Steve Jones models from Gibson, Fender has just released an Elvis Costello signature model. I can’t help but wonder if these guitars are marketed at players or collectors.
As a collector, I see the appeal to some extent. I used to collect Kiss memorabilia in my younger days, and the Holy Grail was an Epiphone Ace Frehley Les Paul (which funnily enough Rossco just bought). However, as a guitarist, I was let down by the guitar (FYI, Rossco loves it and hopefully can pull himself away from it long enough to write something about it).
To me, it doesn’t matter whose name is on the guitar, or who plays a particular model. If I don’t like the feel of the guitar, or I don’t “connect” with it, no level of endorsement will sway me to convert. I’d really like to hear what people think about the new wave of signature guitars and your experiences with them.
Mike V. said
am April 18 2008 @ 1:34 am
Some inspired by guitars may get me to check it out, but I agree, I would never buy something that I didn’t really enjoy playing. I don’t really believe in “collecting” things that cannot be enjoyed. I don’t see the point.
Mick Richardson said
am April 18 2008 @ 9:46 am
I’m with you on this one. I guess when you put the marketing department in control of a guitar company, and profit is the goal this tends to happen?! I guess if it were left up to the guitar makers, they might go out of business, but still… no need to tarnish a good name and product with the ever increasing flood of signatures and reissues and limited this and that!! Just make a kick-ass guitar and they will buy!
Wookie said
am April 18 2008 @ 10:04 am
Mick, couldn’t agree with you more. “Build it, and they will come”!
Gibson les paul said
am May 6 2008 @ 11:43 pm
Gibson les paul…
The labor cost in America is too high to produce anymore quality goods. That is why we import so many products. The Slash Epiphone is acutally a better buy than an American made Gibson. Not because of the price, but because of cheaper labor cost. If I …