[Opinion] Using Artists Custom Models

[The Raven]

So I saw a youtube video recently from an up and coming band. They were advertising the video. One of the band members was using the Zakk Wylde Epiphone custom bullseye in the video and it got me and my friend debating. What is your opinion on guitarists using artist custom models in their own playing?
To me, if you’re not playing a song from said artist, I find it a little disrespectful. Now if you are playing an artists song I have the same beliefs but reverse. If you use anything BUT one of their customs its disrespectful. But my coworkers opinion was that the artist should be honored someone loved their guitar so much they wanted to use it.
So. What do you guys think?

 

[Ed Seith]

If you have an artist guitar, that artist is literally not going to care what you play on it. In fact, the more and different stuff you play, the better. The respect is automatic when you choose to buy the artist model.
That said, I’m not a fan of overly “personalized” artist models, and I’m sorry to say, that includes Syn’s models. The logos, inlays, and pinstripes are all definitive Syn, and as a musician, I just don’t want to be tied to that – not to the expectations, the comparisons, etc. If I’m going to buy an artist model, I prefer one that’s more subtle. The Ibanez Jem is about as far as I would go – and even that, if it was the “vai” and not the “jem” and said so on the body, that would push it over the line for me. I like the PRS Tremontis – it’s just a really solid, beautiful single-cut. Even if you’re not a Mark Tremonti fan, you can still be a fan of the guitar. Nita Strauss’ new Jiva, same thing – it’s just a really nice Ibanez. It doesn’t say “NITA” all over it, and it’s not otherwise super-identifiable. I’m not really a fan, but I’d play the guitar.
Who knows, maybe the line I really draw is at the identifiable paint job? Syn, Zakk – both VERY closely identified with how their guitars are painted.
It could be that simple. Never gave it too much thought.
But I do NOT think it’s disrespectful to play another artist’s music on your signature model. No way.

 

[idssdi]

If it’s a good guitar you should play it doesn’t matter what you play on it. John Mayer used to play Slow Dancing In A burning on a Jimmi Hendrix guitar and I don’t care even a little bit because he completely nailed it!

 

[Filip Tomiša]

I think you should be able to play on any guitar an whatever you want but personaly I wouldn’t buy an artist model if I was in a band.

 

[Gabriel Corso]

I my opinion, I don find it disrespectful whatsoever!
I do own a Synyster custom 2010, but I don’t play it enough to be honest.
I don’t know, something tells me that it is weird to play something else besides a7x on that guitar.
So I got myself a fender tele haha.
But don’t get me wrong!
My dream guitar is the Synyster custom, and I love mine to pieces.
But I see it as an admiration piece.
I really look up yo syn as a guitar player.
And I love the design and the engineering behind that product.
But I don’t know, playing that guitar it is not the same thing as playing my tele.
No regrets, though! Just happiness.
Oh, and also!
When I want to play metal, the Synyster is superb! Nails it every time.
So it is up to you to be honest.

 

[Gabriel Corso]

I realised I was a little bit confused trying to explain my point of view.
So here goes my second attempt haha.
What I understand when it comes to signature guitars is that the artist Does a collaboration with a brand to build a guitar.
The artist chooses the wood, pickups, bridge, body material, design, pickups frequency, neck shape, neck width…
And this does not happens on a month. It takes time.
The artist collaborates and creates his “dream settings guitar”. Which is very good to him.
Now, it does not mean that you can’t enjoy having these settings! You do you!!
And you don’t need to feel uncomfortable to play a signature guitar on a blues concert for example .
It all comes to sound!! And feeling!!
I do own a Synyster custom.
But my favorite guitar to play is my fender tele.
And there is no problem with that you know.
Hope that I was less confused this time haha.
Take care buddy!

 

[Adin Shepherd]

What Ed said, couldn’t have put it better.
If anyone cares what someone plays on an artist model the problem lies with the listeners attitude not the players.

 

[AGA]

I don’t think its disrespectful at all. Why would it be?
It’s hard to think of anything more flattering than someone wanting to play YOUR guitar. As creatively driven people I think any artist would be excited to see what other people do with that instrument, and how they put their own spin and the different music they could interpret with it.
(Let alone, no matter what you use it for that artist is getting compensated when you buy it. So from that perspective you could use it as a frying pan for all they care.)
Now on the reverse, I really don’t understand that. Not everyone has the bank to buy a costume model for every single artist they like and want to play. How could it be disrespectful to play their songs using anything but their costumes model? That for sure is not the spirit of rock n’ roll.

 

[The Raven]

Fair enough arguments. I suppose to me it’s a case that I would never play an artist guitar to a public event unless I was doing a cover of that artist. However, I own a few artist models myself because I love the artist.

 

[Firsty Lasty]

Can I just point out that ZW doesn’t care about Epiphone or even Gibson, because he has his own brand?
Artist signature guitars are nothing other than guitars, period. They have no special status.