software

i must admit that i bought my laney head because tony iommi played one, but i must admit i love it.

no - but loads of people i know do. I only ever go for that kindof thing not because they endorsed it, but if I can actually hear where they used it and i liked the way it sounded.

I've bought signature gear because I liked the way it sounded, but I don't think I've ever bought something based on an endorsement.

The closest I've come was buying a set of EVH pickups. I like VH but was more swayed by the reviews (especially the part where they assured the reader that the pups weren't a one-trick pony) than by the name.

I've also owned a Tremonti SE but that was more about having a value-priced stoptail singlecut guitar than the guy it was named after.

lol, just think of all those JB pickup users...

if signature gear sounds good and i like i buy it, but i would never buy something just because it's sig. gear.

Buying something that someone used is, in my mind, quite different from buying a signature model. Which are we talking about here?

The first often makes sense to me; the second rarely does. If I hear something i like and I can't seem to get the same sound out of my own stuff, then I will often atart trying to find out how that sound is made. That can, eventually, lead me to a purchase. But given that signature models seem to carry a price premium for the inclusion of someone's name and that it is extraordinarily rare to learn that that particular someone actually used that piece of gear on their records...I've never seen much sense in chasing down sig models. Of course, the people I listen to and resptect the most aren't the sorts that get offered sig models in the first place.

I've bought the same gear that some of my heroes used, ie an MXR Distortion which I first conciously heard used my Randy Rhoads and I really liked the way it sounded with my Marshall. I bought a Jackson Rhoads because of the Randy connection but it was also a good guitar for a great price. I bought an ESP Jake E. Lee for the same reason and I really like the way Jems play, so I'll pick one of those up when I can afford it...

I find that signature gear sometimes has that extra attention to detail that makes it just a little bit better. The Jake E. Lee was probably the best stage guitar I ever had. I grew tired of its tone, but it always cut through the mix.


Originally Posted by D-EJ915lol, just think of all those JB pickup users...what, there are lots of JAZZ/BLUES fans? the JB does not stand for Jeff Beck, it's Jazz/Blues. the whole JB = Jeff Beck is an internet misconception.

-Mike

I think endorsed artists are simply a gateway to discovering good products. It may influence your decision, however, that a legendary guitarist with great tone relies on it.

I wonder how many people own a Les Paul, having never heard a single note played by the man. Better yet, I wonder how many people own a Les Paul without even knowing who Les Paul is.

i own a Morley Bad Horsie 2 wah. I wanted a good solid wah, after reading about it i was worried about crackly worn out pots etc, and i knew the BH2 has an optical system that doesnt have that problem. I played a mate's bad horsie, liked it. Saw a BH2 on ebay and i got it for £70..SCORE!!! never failed me since.

Then theres little things like strap locks. i use schallers. I wanted strap locks that were good, solid and reliable. Id seen many famous people using them on stage so if theyre good enough for them on the road they probably were good for the job.


Originally Posted by XSSIVEwhat, there are lots of JAZZ/BLUES fans? the JB does not stand for Jeff Beck, it's Jazz/Blues. the whole JB = Jeff Beck is an internet misconception.

-Mike

Well, it was specifically designed for Beck, so quot;JBquot; means Jazz/Blues the same way that quot;EVHquot;, the pickup designed for Ed, means Evenly Voiced Harmonics

As for the original question, I won't buy strictly from an endorsement, but it will definitely get me looking in that direction. Like, all the guys jumping on the Krank bandwagon have definitely got me interested in checking those out.

Hmm, Les Paul, does that count?

Not me. How many times have you went to a concert to see the artist doesn't even use what they are endorsing

And you're more likley to see one in concert than you are to hear it on the record, in most cases.Originally Posted by PepiNot me. How many times have you gone to a concert to see the artist doesn't even use what they are endorsing
I can't say I buy gear because of an artist endorsement; I have bought gear because I liked a particular artist's tone, though. For example, I bought my JCM800 because I like the sounds of Zakk Wylde, Kerry King, Jon Donais,etc. I'm not trying to have a copy-cat tone; but if enough pros are using a given amp, I thought it would be worth it to try one out to see if the hype is indeed true. In this case, I'd believe the hype.

I try to avoid buying gear which is endorsed by an artist... I want to be the guy who sounds good, not the guy who sounds like roads or wylde... I want to have my own sound, not a copy of someone

Nope.
I do own Dimebag's signature Crybaby wah pedal, but that's just because it's freakin' awesome!

I also want to buy the ESP quot;Dave Mustainequot; Axxion, only because it sounds amazing and plays great.

Rock On

Most certainly NOT!