The Origins of Fender Signature Guitars

reverb.com ^ | Nov 8, 2018 | Tony Bacon

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

Jimmy Page's announcement of new signature Telecasters comes almost exactly 30 years since Fender released its very first signature models, although even then the idea of a signature or artist model was hardly a new one.

Way back in the 1920s, it was Gibson who jumped on the popularity of Nick Lucas, the first American to become a big star through guitar-and-vocal hits. Nick's bestsellers included "I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover" (1927) and "Tip-Toe Thru The Tulips With Me" (1929), and he also cut some fine guitar-centric stuff like "Pickin' The Guitar" and "Teasin' The Frets."

Gibson's Nick Lucas flattop first appeared in 1927. For a while I thought this might qualify as the first signature-model guitar—and then I saw in Steve Howe's fabulous collection a guitar called a Bambina, which dated from about 1870. It was a tiny classical-like instrument with a 13-inch scale, designed by Catharina Josepha Pratten (aka Madame Sidney Pratten) who was a well-known guitar teacher in London at that time. She signed labels, and her French guitar-maker stuck them inside the guitars that she sold on to her eager pupils. The first signature guitar, perhaps?

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

ping list

sauropod; skooz;waterhill; mitch5501;OrioleFan;jdsteel; Mama Shawna;Ignatz;Bullish; wastedyears;Free in Texas;To-Whose-benefit?;backspace; left thatOrioleFan other site;Verbosus;pax_et_bonum; Churchjack; Magic Fingers; Chode;kosciusko51; OrioleFan; KevinB; Drew68; Free in Texas; Mr. Mojo;

[wastedyears]

You’re paying even more for a second name. You can go to a site like Warmoth.com and get everything you want for less money (I’m not advertising for them).

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

I own 2 Warmoth Partocasters with a Floyd and a Trembucker. Love them.

[waterhill]

Warmouth is cool if you like to dyi builds or replacement parts.

[Yardstick]

Good ol’ Jimmy Page. They’re teasing the release of his signature tele:

https://reverb.com/news/jimmy-page-appears-in-new-fender-video-announcing-signature-telecaster

No pics yet though...

[wastedyears]

Interesting, but in a good way, to see people putting Floyds and Trembuckers on Strats. That’s what I’m going to do when I get around to buying more parts.

[Chode]

ping

[Verbosus]

I’ve always wanted a telecaster (I currently have a Les Paul Studio).

I have played a little with tele(s) before and I love the feel as well as the sound.
I’d also like to try a telecaster that has a “B Bender” or “G bender” installed in it.

[KevinB]

You’re paying even more for a second name.

Yup, I don't get the whole signature thing. In fact, I don't even get why anyone would buy a new guitar. There are many great used guitars available for a fraction of what they cost new. I have fifteen guitars and only bought one new.

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

The one I don’t get is paying big bucks for a factory Custom Shop to ‘Relic’ a guitar.

Why would I want a guitar that’s beat to heck to begin with, much less pay thousands more for it?

[left that other site]

Thank You for the ping.

The only “signature” guitars my little students can afford were signed by Jay Turser (sigh) :-)

[Chode]

gotta start somewhere, my first guitar was an old beat up 50s Silvertone western that i now wish i still had

[pax_et_bonum]

Thanks for the ping!

[wastedyears]

The only “signature” guitars my little students can afford were signed by Jay Turser (sigh) :-)

I had one of those, it was my very first guitar. It didn't stay in tune at all. Strum it for a minute, it was slightly out of tune.

[Chode]

welcome

[Bullish]

Jimmy Page's announcement of new signature Telecasters...

Huh? Isn't Jimmy more of a Stratocaster guy?

[DAC21]

I have had a nice 1992 Carvin, double cut away, gold hardware on ivory finish. active electronics with Floyd Rose. Can’t play a lick, nor tried in years LOL!

[sauropod]

I have a Warmoth FrankenStrat (Warmoth body and neck) and can attest to their quality.

[DAC21]

“I have still”. Not have had, hiccup!