That's why I'd get a pickguard signed personally. Put it on the guitar for photos, put another one on when you're playing it. Either that or the back of the headstock, where it's out of reach of hands.
I have a Taylor Dave Matthews signature model signed by Dave and I play it almost everyday since I bought it new in 2010. I couldn’t imagine not playing, it’s the best sounding acoustic I’ve ever played. I’m not a collector but as an artist it inspires me to know that he designed this guitar and signed it.
Richard Froman it hurts it. Having the guitar as a signature model is more than enough. It allows you to still make it your own even though it says Lucille on the headstock and it doesn’t have F holes. the signature just kills the vibe
Aside from the fact that I agree, totally, with ‘Markonefifteen’, why didn’t the guy get the signature clear-coated, if it means so much? The second ‘B’ is already wearing through on the top loop. 🥴
I’ve heard that you can preserve the signature by having a pro spray a couple of layers of clear coat lacquer and then have it buffed out. That way the finish still looks original. Is that possible?
What I hate about signed guitars is how cheesy it got. The big racket for awhile was getting celebrity musicians and performers (not just guitar players) to sign stacks of after market pickguards. These signatures were obtained by autograph dealers who would seek out people like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, etc. and get them to quickly sign a small stack after a show or on the way to their bus or at a airport. To bait the bigger celebrity guitar players they would get their kids to do it. Rockstar photographer Ross Halfin was arriving at the Cleveland airport with Jimmy Page for the R&R HOF that year and threw a fit at a young kid rudely shouting at Jimmy to sigh his stack of pick guards. The dealer would then take those and crudely fit them on the color Fender Squier model of your choosing in an eBay listing. The guitar and pickguard were cheap, and you were really just paying for Miley's autograph. It was a racket. Many guitar player refuse to sign guitars at all unless asked to sign those very special instruments at the Grammy or big charity shows or events were everyone is signing. Neil Young, Springsteen, and others refuse to sign. Don Fleder wrote in his book about a stalker he had and why he refuses to sign. He'll say hi and pose for picture, but will not sign a guitar. A lot of people do this. As for a cool high end signature model signed by the artist themselves for the person they are signing for, i'd rather see that than the former. Plus when these dealers would snap a photo of the celeb signing, the celeb would always look annoyed. Why do this? It's so cheesy IMHO. But if someone has a signature guitar and wants the guitarist to sign just for them, I think that cool. If they want to sell it later, then okay. As long it's not just for profit.
Hi Jeremy, you could have someone put a nitro clear finish over it. It would add a little protection, because eventually it will wear out. Hahaha . Great video of a Lucille .👍🎸
The signature detracts from the playability of the guitar. I would ignore the signature and play it until it was worn away. Isn't that what BB would do?
Great video and interesting topic. So I bought a Gibson a couple years ago that was autographed by Warren Haynes. I was in the market for the specific type and color of the guitar but I almost didn’t buy it because of the autograph. It’s not that I don’t like warren, I actually do like him. It’s just that I wanted a player guitar. The price was great so I bought it anyway. And I play it. The autograph may fade or wear down, and I would be ok with that because it’s a great guitar.
I had my 1985 Explorer signed by Zakk Wylde waaay back in 1988 at Daddy's Junky Music in Providence RI. I had him sign the back of the headstock. When I decided to have it repainted I just took it off and that was that. Like comics, I assign no more value to it than what the instrument or comic is worth in the grade it's in.
I bought a beautiful new blueburst Gibson ES135 on eBay in 2004. It was signed by the members of Lonestar. I was the only bidder, I paid $800, and another $80 to ship it to the UK. I had never heard of the band, and doubted anyone in the UK would be a fan prepared to buy it given no-one in the USA had bid on it. At the time used ES135s were selling for $750 to $1000 in the USA. Two minutes with T-cut removed the signatures. It sold on eBay for the equivalent of $1500 and the case for $125. Signatures are not always an asset.
Maybe contact a couple auction houses & see if there might be a situation to accommodate? Thanks Jeremy. ⚓️ edit: I use those type paint pens & find the paint soft, though there are high quality acrylic pens available.
I don't like signed guitars. I just don't want my guitar written on. Furthermore the only way to know for sure if it is a genuine autograph is to personally get it signed. Those letters of authenticity aren't worth the paper they are written on. B.B. King signed guitars are particularly popular among forgers. In any event it may very well be real. For the sake of the owner I hope it is.
Thanks Jeremy. Brings another question to mind: on a custom guitar does inlay & artwork add to or take away from the resale price? For example, a mother of pearl Cross inlay on the back of the peghead on a Martin Custom Shop 00-28 amber tone with hide glue & Adirondack Spruce top, EI Rosewood back?
Hey Jeremy, great content as usual👍 I'm torn on the subject. For me, when the instrument becomes unplayable, it is only a show piece. I would rather have a signed Epiphone on the wall that I didn't play, and a clean Gibson that I could actually play. High valued guitars with signatures are a niche.
Unless you want it in a museum then I don’t see that many guitar players going for it. I think it looks hideous with Signatures idc which artist it is.
This is a tough one....I wonder how much value this actually has. If someone wants a Lucille guitar are they going to want a showpiece or a guitar that they can play. If you want a BB King signed instrument would you want it on such a high-end guitar? At $7K-$10K does it appeal to anyone? Meaning too expensive for both the Player and the Showpiece collector?
I think you have it priced at a fair price. If the signature is signed with indelible ink I wonder if that’ll come off if you played it? I’m thinking not, but I could be wrong. This guitar should either be put in a showcase, and definitely not used on gigs.
I don't like signed guitars. It idolizes an artist a bit too much IMO. I would love to see them play, meet them and shake their hand but I'm just not into them marking up my guitar like it's the bottom of their tax form.
“It’s an ES-335 without F holes” No, actually it’s a 355 without F holes if you want to call it such. 335 is more of a base model with nickel finish hardware, standard dot inlays, standard rosewood fretboard. This is more akin to a 355 with ebony fretboard with block m.o.p. inlays, gold hardware, fancy headstock design.
@@JeremySheppard an acquaintance of mine was Ralph’s nephew. Ralph was quite a character from what I hear. Nothing he wouldn’t do for a buck or some recognition.
i am beginging to hate signature series type guitars, using someone elses tallent to sell a product. example, george harrison fender, gibson lucielle, has nothing to do with the artist or there guitar slash would be a great example of this also.
dericdomino looking at the headstock it almost seems like the logo’s are stickers. You can clearly see borders around the logo...although Gibson quality control hasn’t been the greatest so it might just be finish flaws
Thankfully, Jeremy put this video out on a platform that allows more than a single view, you know for those of us who just enjoy guitar related content.
That's why I'd get a pickguard signed personally. Put it on the guitar for photos, put another one on when you're playing it. Either that or the back of the headstock, where it's out of reach of hands.
That is very smart.
Or control cavity and get another to put on 😏
I have a Taylor Dave Matthews signature model signed by Dave and I play it almost everyday since I bought it new in 2010. I couldn’t imagine not playing, it’s the best sounding acoustic I’ve ever played. I’m not a collector but as an artist it inspires me to know that he designed this guitar and signed it.
You should sell it to Trogly...he loves Gibson's..a little too much lol
😅😅
Great video. I've always wondered how signatures helped or hurt guitars. It would be great to see a followup video of how this sale/auction turns out!
Richard Froman it hurts it. Having the guitar as a signature model is more than enough. It allows you to still make it your own even though it says Lucille on the headstock and it doesn’t have F holes. the signature just kills the vibe
HBD BB!
Haha excellent thumbnail! And that guitar is so nice!
Aside from the fact that I agree, totally, with ‘Markonefifteen’, why didn’t the guy get the signature clear-coated, if it means so much? The second ‘B’ is already wearing through on the top loop. 🥴
I’ve heard that you can preserve the signature by having a pro spray a couple of layers of clear coat lacquer and then have it buffed out. That way the finish still looks original. Is that possible?
You’ll take 50% off of the value of the instrument
@@ericjenks9596 Who cares, I'd never sell it anyway.
What I hate about signed guitars is how cheesy it got. The big racket for awhile was getting celebrity musicians and performers (not just guitar players) to sign stacks of after market pickguards. These signatures were obtained by autograph dealers who would seek out people like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, etc. and get them to quickly sign a small stack after a show or on the way to their bus or at a airport. To bait the bigger celebrity guitar players they would get their kids to do it. Rockstar photographer Ross Halfin was arriving at the Cleveland airport with Jimmy Page for the R&R HOF that year and threw a fit at a young kid rudely shouting at Jimmy to sigh his stack of pick guards. The dealer would then take those and crudely fit them on the color Fender Squier model of your choosing in an eBay listing. The guitar and pickguard were cheap, and you were really just paying for Miley's autograph. It was a racket. Many guitar player refuse to sign guitars at all unless asked to sign those very special instruments at the Grammy or big charity shows or events were everyone is signing. Neil Young, Springsteen, and others refuse to sign. Don Fleder wrote in his book about a stalker he had and why he refuses to sign. He'll say hi and pose for picture, but will not sign a guitar. A lot of people do this. As for a cool high end signature model signed by the artist themselves for the person they are signing for, i'd rather see that than the former. Plus when these dealers would snap a photo of the celeb signing, the celeb would always look annoyed. Why do this? It's so cheesy IMHO. But if someone has a signature guitar and wants the guitarist to sign just for them, I think that cool. If they want to sell it later, then okay. As long it's not just for profit.
Hi Jeremy, you could have someone put a nitro clear finish over it. It would add a little protection, because eventually it will wear out. Hahaha . Great video of a Lucille .👍🎸
The signature detracts from the playability of the guitar. I would ignore the signature and play it until it was worn away. Isn't that what BB would do?
Yes, but he wouldn't have to pay a premium to have that signature on there...
Great video and interesting topic. So I bought a Gibson a couple years ago that was autographed by Warren Haynes. I was in the market for the specific type and color of the guitar but I almost didn’t buy it because of the autograph. It’s not that I don’t like warren, I actually do like him. It’s just that I wanted a player guitar. The price was great so I bought it anyway. And I play it. The autograph may fade or wear down, and I would be ok with that because it’s a great guitar.
I had my 1985 Explorer signed by Zakk Wylde waaay back in 1988 at Daddy's Junky Music in Providence RI. I had him sign the back of the headstock. When I decided to have it repainted I just took it off and that was that. Like comics, I assign no more value to it than what the instrument or comic is worth in the grade it's in.
I bought a beautiful new blueburst Gibson ES135 on eBay in 2004. It was signed by the members of Lonestar. I was the only bidder, I paid $800, and another $80 to ship it to the UK. I had never heard of the band, and doubted anyone in the UK would be a fan prepared to buy it given no-one in the USA had bid on it. At the time used ES135s were selling for $750 to $1000 in the USA. Two minutes with T-cut removed the signatures. It sold on eBay for the equivalent of $1500 and the case for $125. Signatures are not always an asset.
Wow! That's awesome. Well done. You're not missing much with Lonestar. Cool guitar.
Great guitar! Love to have it!
Maybe contact a couple auction houses & see if there might be a situation to accommodate? Thanks Jeremy. ⚓️ edit: I use those type paint pens & find the paint soft, though there are high quality acrylic pens available.
I don't like signed guitars. I just don't want my guitar written on. Furthermore the only way to know for sure if it is a genuine autograph is to personally get it signed. Those letters of authenticity aren't worth the paper they are written on. B.B. King signed guitars are particularly popular among forgers. In any event it may very well be real. For the sake of the owner I hope it is.
I agree
Clear plastic vinyl to cover the signature, then play to your heart's desire
Thanks Jeremy. Brings another question to mind: on a custom guitar does inlay & artwork add to or take away from the resale price? For example, a mother of pearl Cross inlay on the back of the peghead on a Martin Custom Shop 00-28 amber tone with hide glue & Adirondack Spruce top, EI Rosewood back?
I usually see cheap guitars signed by musicians. This is much interesting.
Same
Yeah, when i saw the title my first thought was, "they're all cheap and nobody wants to play them?"
Cool collectible. No more playing. Just display. Extra cool that the guitar type matches the artist. Super desirable. 😍👍
If someone wanted to play it there are always ways to preserve the signature. It would loose quite a bit of value but atleast you could play it.
I think autographs spoil a beautiful guitar. It stops you from playing it and, after all, isn’t that why it was made?
Hey Jeremy, great content as usual👍 I'm torn on the subject. For me, when the instrument becomes unplayable, it is only a show piece. I would rather have a signed Epiphone on the wall that I didn't play, and a clean Gibson that I could actually play. High valued guitars with signatures are a niche.
Unless you want it in a museum then I don’t see that many guitar players going for it. I think it looks hideous with Signatures idc which artist it is.
You're definitely not wrong.
This is a tough one....I wonder how much value this actually has. If someone wants a Lucille guitar are they going to want a showpiece or a guitar that they can play. If you want a BB King signed instrument would you want it on such a high-end guitar? At $7K-$10K does it appeal to anyone? Meaning too expensive for both the Player and the Showpiece collector?
I think you have it priced at a fair price. If the signature is signed with indelible ink I wonder if that’ll come off if you played it? I’m thinking not, but I could be wrong. This guitar should either be put in a showcase, and definitely not used on gigs.
I don't like signed guitars. It idolizes an artist a bit too much IMO. I would love to see them play, meet them and shake their hand but I'm just not into them marking up my guitar like it's the bottom of their tax form.
“It’s an ES-335 without F holes”
No, actually it’s a 355 without F holes if you want to call it such. 335 is more of a base model with nickel finish hardware, standard dot inlays, standard rosewood fretboard. This is more akin to a 355 with ebony fretboard with block m.o.p. inlays, gold hardware, fancy headstock design.
I’m curious to know who is playing “beg borrow or steal” on this video? Thanks.
Sounds like Stevie Ray Vaughn?
@@bsaw00 I just found it on RUclips. It’s the Wesley cousins band
Ralph Stanley had a banjo maker from Kentucky build him banjos, he would play it at a show and then sell it-thus monetizing his fame.
That's who it was! Could NOT remember for so long.
@@JeremySheppard an acquaintance of mine was Ralph’s nephew. Ralph was quite a character from what I hear. Nothing he wouldn’t do for a buck or some recognition.
i have a jcm800KK signed by Kerry king that I'll never take to a gig. it lives at home.
Cool Guitar!!
I wouldn't buy a guitar that's been rode hard and put up wet so many times just to gaze at!
Most of the time the signature is on a crappy non name brand git’tar
Right. On a guitar that wouldn't probably be played anyway.
Instead of being on a crappy name brand guitar like this one? It really did not sound very good.
have a 1972 Gibson ES-355 Walnut, over my dead body will i sell it :)
Well he’s asking $7 grand so it’s at least worth that
i am beginging to hate signature series type guitars, using someone elses tallent to sell a product. example, george harrison fender, gibson lucielle, has nothing to do with the artist or there guitar slash would be a great example of this also.
idealmethod I think there are more slash signature guitars than people in the world lol.
Nice guitar..
Sold mine for $10,000.00 USD
that guitar is one of the most copied guitars in china down to the big signiture are you sure thats not a fake it doesnt look like a fake
dericdomino looking at the headstock it almost seems like the logo’s are stickers. You can clearly see borders around the logo...although Gibson quality control hasn’t been the greatest so it might just be finish flaws
Wow, do you know what I learned from this almost 16 minute video? NOTHING!
Well that’s 16 minutes of my life I’ll never get back!
Thankfully, Jeremy put this video out on a platform that allows more than a single view, you know for those of us who just enjoy guitar related content.