Top 5 Signature Guitars: Cool Axes from Pro Players
The Guitars of Your Heroes
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Top 5 Signature Guitars: Cool Axes from Pro Players · Source: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy Stock Foto
These signature guitars represent the finest qualities from some of your favourite artists. With these models, you’ll know that no expense has been spared.
Top 5 Signature Guitars
Signature Guitars: What’s the Difference?
You’ve probably heard or seen well-known artists collaborating with various guitar manufacturers to build their own signature models. But, what does this mean exactly?
Let’s say that you’ve been playing a pretty tired Strat for years, and you also happen to be a renowned and successful guitarist. Fender, for example, may approach you and ask if you’d want to homologate that beaten-up Strat to put into production. They’re crafted to the artist’s bespoke specifications.
Essentially, signature guitars allow mere mortals like you or me to purchase guitars that have been designed with qualities that otherwise wouldn’t be seen on regular models, such as finishes and pickups that may not be otherwise available. So, let’s look at 5 different guitars that you can get your hands on.
Epiphone DG-335
Our first signature guitar has been flying off the shelves recently. In fact, it has recently been restocked. This Epiphone 335 belongs to Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters fame.
Being a 335, we’ve got a semi-hollow body design and has a modern take on some stylish bound diamond-shaped F-holes, a Trini Lopez-style headstock, and Gibson USA Burstbucker pickups.
The large, and yet light body is made from laminated maple. Meaning, that just like Grohl, you’ll be able to effortlessly rock out with this guitar. And, when you buy yourself one from *Thomann, you’ll have another confession to make to your partner.
PRS Silver Sky Nylon Blue
Continuing with the lighter blue finishes, we’ve got this tasteful PRS in full John Mayer spec. Personally, I’ve never bonded with PRS guitars, but let’s see what makes this one so special.
In theory, this is classic Strat, but with some John Mayer signature PRS touches. The popular body accompanies a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. However, we’ve got small bird fret inlays which give this a great distinctive look.
The Nylon blue finish almost looks to be a darker shade of Fender’s Daphnee blue. Other differences include the three 635JM single coil pickups. Notably, this guitar is currently reduced over at Thomann, so why not grab a Christmas bargain?
EVH Striped 5150 Red
Without a doubt, this is my favourite signature guitar in this list. However, I must naturally remain impartial. To the purists, this EVH signature isn’t from the OG David Lee Roth days. But, we’ve still got a weapon of a guitar nonetheless.
For pure and simple tones, we’ve got a single and powerful EVH Wolfgang Alnico 2 humbucker. To assist with killer dive bombs and legendary solos, there’s also an EVH-branded Floyd Rose 1000 Series with a locking tremolo.
Visually, we’ve got a maple neck and the legendary striped finish, this really is what dreams are made of. Ideal for any collection, this is also a perfectly useable and capable guitar. Plus, that modern C-profile neck will make faster soloing much easier to achieve.
Gibson Slash J-45 November Burst
As I’m sure you’d expect, Slash has a huge variety of signature guitars to his name. However, I’ve selected this one to showcase that acoustic guitars can also be turned into signature models. This Slash Collection model is currently available from Thomann.
Typical J-45, it has a fairly hefty price tag. But, with mahogany being the main wood used across the neck, back, and sides, you can forgive it somewhat. The signature elements continue with a custom Slash neck and the November Burst finish.
Otherwise, it’s business as usual with an LR Baggs VTC pickup, Grover tuners and a belly-up bridge. So, if you’re a fan of tradition and Guns N’ Roses, this could be right up your street!
Fender Finneas Acous Tele
Wrapping up our look at signature guitars is this recent release from Fender. Working alongside contemporary artist, Finneas O’Connell. Otherwise known as Billie Eilish’s big brother.
This one is quite cool. The Acoustasonic Tele was already a gamechanger in the guitar world, but to have been breathed on by not only a producer, but a player, can only mean good things.
With that said, the only real differences are the finishes and colours, plus the addition of a Shawbucker pickup. We also get a modern deep C profile neck with 22 narrow-tall frets. Plus, you’ll pay a premium for this bespoke version.
Are they worth the investment?
Overall, I can absolutely support and get behind the idea of signature guitars. A lot of players out there like to dedicate and craft their playing towards someone that they idolise. Successful examples have been copies of Brian May’s Red Special, and a favourite of mine was George Harrison’s rooftop Telecaster.
Although, they do seem to be quite a niche product. Unless you’re a Foo Fighters fan, I don’t see any reason to pick up a Shiflett Telecaster Deluxe. With that said though, all of these guitars will no doubt hold their value for years to come.
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