What's the first step made in designing or choosing a sig guitar? Does Fender approach the artist or the other way around? I know some artists special order something for themseleves; does Fender see an opportunity and jump on it? I've never understood why some players have a sig model and others don't, even tho some of the mods the artist will ask for seem different than the norm.

_________________
Life is like a sh*t sandwich. The more bread you have, the less sh*t you have to eat.

Hi masterhacker: which artists do think should have a Sig but don't?

I can think of one or two - but I can also see why they might not be a commercial proposition for the Company.

Cheers - C

Fender approaches them. The artist make a commission on every guitar of theirs that is sold. Well almost everyone who has an artist series guitar is known for using that guitar and in Fenders case are some of the greatest players to strap on an ax. I have seen a few artist series out that are aimed at a younger audience. There were a set of Teles by some players in the last 5 years that came and went. There is the Jim Adkins and Jim Root Teles that if I ran them both over I would not know them. The one that seems here to stay is the John Mayer Strat as he seems like he is going to have a good career. Like anything else it is marketing. And if a band came out tomorrow that took the music biz by storm and they were playing Fenders they would be offered an ax. Look how long the Les Paul was out of favor and when Guns and Roses came out Slash made it cool again to play a Paul.

You might not. But jim Adkins is one of my and many other younger guitar players(part. punky and alt types) personal gods. Jimmy Eat World has been one of my favorite bands since I was 14 years old(96 for the record-so it's not really all that impressive^^;;). And have been putting out great music for 16 years. I would love the JA tele. Hell I love my John 5 triple tele deluxe. Don't knock em just cause it isn't your cup of tea.

_________________

You say this with great authority, and yet I've heard precisely the opposite: the artist approaches the guitar company, and they aren't paid for the guitars.

Can anyone from Fender clear this up?

You still dont know how to talk to people do you. Everytime I turnaround and see a problem on the forum it has to do with you and your mouth and the way you talk to someone. Jeff Beck turned down Fender the first time he was asked to do an artist series guitar and that wound up being the Strat Plus, oe maybe Beck does not know what he is talking about and it was him that was turned down.

Clapton and Yngwie signed artist deals in 88 after being asked by Fender. Do these look like some kids just coming up that have artist series.NO they are some of the greatest players who ever lived AND THEY GET PAID. iF cLAPTON WANTS TO PULL OUT ANOTHER GUITAR DURING A SHOW DO YOU THINK HIS DEAL GETS TERMINATED LIKE IT WOULD SOME NEW KID WHO CAME OUT.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT I COULD EVER RECEIVE WOULD TO BE LOCKED IN A ROOM WITH YOU FOR 3 MINUTES. NOT THAT IT WOULD TAKE THAT LONG FOR US TO WRITE A SONG BUT BELIEVE ME I WOULD MAKE IT LAST, AS IT WOULD BE A PLEASURE JUST BEING WITH YOU SLAP.

Yiiiiikeeeesss, that is a proposition

Ok this is very random and nonspecific of me but...

I once read some tale where a picture of EC was released with him playing a Ric. Apparently fender went a bit crazy about it.

Thats about as accurate as I can put it. I just dont know the exact details.

_________________
No no and no

FIrst of all, calm the hell down, Jasper. All I said was I have heard exactly the oppoite - that sign guitars are intiated by the aritst - , and I would like for someone from Fender to address it, because, I've always wondered, too.

And if that locked in a room thing is a threat, jackass, I'll have you bounced off this board for good. In fact, I'll take it up with your ISP and have your Internet jerked. Got that?

Niki I believe that very well happened and if it was Jim Root he probably would not have an endorsement deal today. But Clapton is an empire unto himself and if the guy with the wise mouth who knows it all and always talks down to people would have his facts straight before he shoots of his mouth he would know there are different levels of deals for different artist.

First off my name is not Jasper ,and if you could read it implies that you need to learn how to write music after hearing your department store jingles and beginners blues licks I dont know how you feed your family.When you disrespected heustis I did not see him cry and act like a baby. For as long as I have been on here I have not had a problem with anyone but you. But then again you have a problem with everyone. And as I told you the last time your paranoia must stem from your everyday life because in the real world you talk like that to someone you will get lumped up. So I think that has happened a lot with you which I have no control of. Me I do not play telephone tough guy or make internet threats to someone who is 1,000 miles away. But you need to learn how to make music that has some heart and balls to it and those plastic muzak jingles you write and play could use some help.

Good thing my self-esteem isn't dependent on your approval! Man, that would really hurt if it did!

Hey SlapChop - your crap gets old... real old...

Here's a few things I read the other day about internet bullies. Reminded me of you...

Similarities between trolls and bullies:
1. Both trolls and bullies can cause enormous damage to a forum by their behaviour.
2. Both trolls and bullies usually have excellent communication skills using which they attack their opponents unmercifully.
3. Both trolls and bullies can be intimidating to any normal forum user.
4. Both trolls and bullies have the effect of creating bad blood.
5. Both trolls and bullies are hard to control without intervention right from the top - the forum administrator(s) or owner(s) because even moderators might find it hard to control them without support from others.

Differences
1. Trolls are usually isolated. They are generally short-lived in a forum. A person who signs up on a forum specifically to troll doesn't hang around in other parts of the forum and leaves as soon as the damage is done.
Bullies are more or less regular forum members who might have a huge post count and a following.
2. Trolls usually hit and run. A successful troll needs only a couple of posts in a single thread to turn it into a raging tornado.
Bullies stay on and intimidate other members by throwing their weight around and using their group of yes-people to lend force to their powerful attacks.
3. Trolls are usually identified for what they are.
Bullies rarely get identified for what they are, because they are regular members and nobody can suggest that they are ordinary trolls because they have a huge post count.
4. Trolls hardly respond to challenges. Instead they enjoy watching others fight.
Bullies enjoy fighting and run around bashing everybody who dares oppose them.
5. The potential damage done by trolls is limited to a particular topic of discussion or at most a forum.
The potential damage done by bullies is forum-wide and not related to topics, but to the personality of the bully and the kind of respect and influence he wields.

The objectives of bullies are Power, Control, Domination, Subjugation. They get a kick out of seeing you react. It doesn't matter how you react, the fact they've successful provoked a reaction is, to the bully, a sign that their attempt at control have been successful

_________________
Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer

And on a parting note you punk. You see the way you answered "YOU SAY THIS WITH GREAT AUTHORITY"anyone else on the forum would have said HEY I HEARD DIFFERENTLY but I see right through you there Jasper! And if saying a locked door or calling you a punk-which I standby 100% has upset you so much I will send you my name and address and you can sue me for emotional distress. As you use the same MO over and over .You like to disrespect people and then cop a plea later. I told you three months ago I get along with more people than probably live in your city, but I dont like you and nothing there has changed. Is there something we are missing here. Are you supposed to be someone that is well known in the industry and we dont know it. Because you have a lot of talking down and criticism to hand out for a little jingles writer. I do not reply to anything you post and it has been a peaceful three months but you just cant help yourself with your arrogant mouth and have to start it up again. Now you can go and cry to the FBI,CIA,KGB OR ISP and say straycat113 called me a punk and said he wanted to be in a room that was locked with me or cry yourself to sleep. Now go jerk on that.

Very well put Ricky. Is it me or does anyone else ever notice that Slap Chop never post anything. There is never anything on the board by you slappy. How Come? You mean to tell us with all your infinite wisdom we should be having seminars put up by you. Yet I never see a thing. All you do is bust in with one of your retorts that are intended to make someone in the forum look foolish. Please tell me the last thing you put up yourself that had to do with a band,gear, or helpful to anyone here. Like anything else that is repetitive your act has grown old and I think this time you cut your own throat.