Signature guitars part dos

...continuing on the theme, here are some more signature guitars which are not simply a stock model with polka dots or "custom" fret inlays. Starting with...


Ernie Ball Music Man Axis

Eddie Van Halen is a rather prominent figure in the world of rock in general, and in the world of guitars in particular. In addition to his musical and performance-related accomplishments, he also pioneered the concept of Floyd Rose-equipped superstrats. This started with the Charvel Frankensteins, before he struck a deal with Ernie Ball/Music Man to make an Edward Van Halen signature model. Being a somewhat fickle character, he soon parted ways with Ernie Ball, supposedly because he was dissatisfied with how the guitar was marketed. From there, he went on to collaborate with Peavey guitars on the Wolfgang guitar model, while Music Man slightly modified their signature model to the one seen above. Not surprisingly, this is essentially the exact same guitar as both the previous Music Man EVH and the Peavey Wolfgang - copyright laws seldom appear to follow logical patterns. Anyhoo; the Music man Axis as shown above represents what EVH brought to the scene - DiMarzio pickups, an offset, low-action maple neck, a perfectly balanced body (for stage work, that is), an actual Floyd Rose whammy system, and a single volume control. Simplicity itself, yet so incredibly functional.



Ibanez Universe UV777

Little Stevie Vai's second major contribution to the construction of electric guitars - the first serial-made seven string guitars, with an added low B to the standard string set. Check it out in use on every Vai album since "Passion and Warfare". Of course; with the emergence of so-called Nu-Metal and subsequent genres, the Universe and later seven-string guitars have gained tremendous popularity due to the possibility of extreme detunings. Whatever - mostly a bunch of closeted bass players anyways. Used properly, though, the Universe is a thing of beauty. Pick up a Steve Vai album today.



Jackson PC1

Does the name Phil Collen ring a bell? No? His band is more famous, though - Def Leppard. This is a phenomenal axe - a 24-fret Fender style neck + headstock with a Jackson Dinky body, a Floyd Rose, DiMarzio pickups in an H-S-S configuration + the awesome Sustainer/Driver system which, if activated, keeps the note indefinitely - think Gary Moore's feedback in "Parisienne Walkways". In combination, this makes for an excellent and versatile instrument.



Paul Reed Smith Johnny Hiland

Johnny Hiland is a phenomenon, with a playing style ranging from bluegrass and country to metal. The PRS JH is a beautiful instrument - essentially a McCarty with a wider, flatter neck profile and 24 frets, special pickups with push/pull tome pots and a specially-designed trem system. You don't necessarily have to think of this as a signature model, but rather as an opportunity to acquire a custom-made PRS at stock price. Check out Johnny Hiland at your earliest opportunity.



Dean USA Rebel Razorback

Dimebag Darrel may have been most famous for playing Dean ML's or his eerily similar Washburn signature model, but shortly before he was shot and killed onstage in Columbus, OH, he designed the Razorback in collaboration with Dean Zelinsky - founder of Dean guitars. It comes in various designs - the above image is simply the one I feel best fits the spirit of Dimebag as portrayed in Pantera and Damageplan. 'Tis a thing of dubious beauty perhaps, but it's got a set neck with ebony fingerboard for sustain, Floyd Rose, The Seymore Duncan Dimebucker treble pickup and a Dimarzio rhytm pickup, plus Grover tuners and a mahogany body. Basically, this is the ultimate high-output machine. If you can't get squeals and ungodly harmonics from this guitar, your amp's not on. Of course, the popularity of this guitar is helped by lots of up-and-coming metal guitarists like Matt Heafy and Corey Beaulieu of Trivium using these exclusively, but that aside - the Razorback is a unique creation.