Play Like Your Idols: The Best Signature Guitars for Every Budget
Get close to the sound that inspired you!
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Play Like Your Idols: The Best Signature Guitars for Every Budget · Source: PA Images / Alamy Stock Foto
Ah, what a dream that would be. To play the same gear as the player that inspired you to get into guitars. Thanks to a growing number of signature guitars, you can do exactly that. What began in the 1950s (think “Les Paul”) has now become a huge market. But which model to choose regarding the best signature guitars? Especially when it comes to more budget-oriented models? We have a few suggestions.
Check Out These Best Signature Guitars!
What Is It About Signature Guitars?
Signature guitars have always served two purposes. On the one hand, there are artists who approach manufacturers with special requirements to design their own instruments. On the other hand, there are fans who want to feel closer to their idols by owning the same gear. Whether it’s because the instrument inspires them, they want to replicate the sound, or simply because it’s cool to have the XYZ guitar on their wall.
The close collaboration between musicians and guitar manufacturers has produced some spectacular designs over the years. In some cases, it has already been forgotten that the design in question was once a signature model! The Gibson Les Paul is a prime example.
However, there is also criticism of the concept of signature guitars. Some manufacturers are accused of jumping on every bandwagon and releasing signature models to market too quickly in order to sell as many instruments as possible. In a sense, they are riding the hype that a particular act is currently generating.
The Fascination Behind Signature Guitars
What makes instruments of all kinds, and signature guitars in particular so special is that these guitars are essentially the medium that brings art into contact with us. After all, without a guitar, a riff wouldn’t be worth much.
Perhaps this is where the fascination with these instruments lies, as they come with the promise to come into contact with this very inspiration (and perhaps also to let it rub off a little on your own playing).
However, aside from this philosophical perspective, there are additional compelling reasons that might explain the fascination with these instruments. First and foremost, of course, as always, is the money. Just look at how well the latest auctions by famous musicians went (Mark Knopfler, for example, just had great success with his auction).
Well-known and iconic guitars come with a certain bonus when it comes to sales and the secondary market. This is particularly interesting for guitar collectors who see their guitars as an investment!
Selection of featured signature guitars
Whatever your reason for being interested in the best signature guitars is, these instruments will always be exciting. Let’s take a look at these 8 best signature guitars. We have taken care to cover as wide a range as possible.
To make it as easy to follow as possible, we’ve built this list of the best signature guitars chronologically, based on the creative phase of each artist!
Epiphone B.B. King Lucille
The grand master of blues guitar had been active since the early 1950s and played countless instruments during his career. However, his Lucille was particularly legendary: Beautifully recreated here by Epiphone.
Its five-layer laminated maple body is finished in a beautiful black lacquer that looks stunning with the gold hardware. And with a round C-profile, the neck fits comfortably in your hand and is particularly well suited for fans of classic neck profiles.
The pickups are two AlNiCo Classic Pro humbuckers, which can produce a very subtle blues sound (with plenty of power from the volume pot), but they also pack a punch if you need them to. The special feature of the Lucille is the 6-way Varitone switch, which, in combination with the two output jacks (mono and stereo, as requested by King), allows access to a wider range of sounds.
Features:
- 5-ply maple body
- Maple neck with ebony fingerboard
- 2 AlNiCo Classic Pro humbuckers, Varitone switch, two output jacks
- Tune-o-Matic bridge with tailpiece and fine tuners
- 60s style headstock with gold truss rod cover
For those who want the real thing, we also recommend taking a look at the Gibson B.B. King Lucille Legacy. But be careful — check your bank account first! It’s available at Thomann* for $859 / £759 / €879.
Fender Jimi Hendrix Strat OWH
We all know that the great Jimi was left-handed, but the world wasn’t quite ready for that. Which is how the legendary “backwards” Strat came about. And so the Fender Jimi Hendrix Strat also features a reversed headstock in the typical Fender look.
The Strat itself, made in Mexico, couldn’t be more classic: alder body, maple neck and fingerboard, SSS pickup configuration. The gently aged plastic parts (pickguard, knobs, pickups, etc.) blend in beautifully with the cream tone of the Olympic White finish.
The neck has a C profile, making it extremely easy to play, and the Hendrix signature on the back of the headstock is a nice touch to remind you of the legend this signature guitar is modeled after.
Features:
- Alder body, maple neck, and fretboard
- C-neck profile, 25.5″ mm scale length and 9.5″ fingerboard radius
- SSS configuration with 3 American Vintage single coils
- Reversed headstock with Hendrix’s signature
- Olympic White finish with aged plastic parts
One of the best signature guitars, the Fender Jimi Hendrix Strat OWH is available at Thomann* for $1,169 / £1,039 / €1,199. It’s a must-have for anyone looking for the best signature guitars!
Gretsch G6131-MY Malcolm Young
The best guitarist in AC/DC has his own signature guitar, we know that much. But connoisseurs also know that it is not an SG. Malcolm might have spent his life in the shadow of his school-uniform-dressed brother, but the influence and musical genius of the rhythm guitarist was immense.
The Gretsch G6131-MY is a beautiful homage. It comes with a mahogany body with a maple top, an ebony fretboard, and mahogany neck. These ingredients give this guitar, which is manufactured in Japan, an elegant, rugged look.
However, the other features make it clear that this is not just a fine Gretsch in the traditional sense. A TV Jones Powertron humbucker in the bridge position provides all the variety you need.
Features:
- Mahogany body with maple top
- Mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, standard U profile
- Bone nut, Schaller tuners, aged hardware
- 1x TV Jones Powertron humbucker + two empty cutouts
- Zero fret nut
- 60s style tailpiece and bridge
The 60s-style jet tailpiece may seem unfamiliar at first, but then it works fabulously with the Space Control bridge. Add Schaller tuners, bone saddle, and aged hardware: this thing is pure rock ‘n’ roll! You can get it from Thomann* for $2,990 / £2,666 / €3,049.
Eddie Van Halen Signature Guitar: EVH Frankie Striped MN Relic
Eddie Van Halen reinvented the guitar, at least when it comes to his legendary Frankenstrat. After much trial and error, he finally completed his hand-painted Strat. And with the EVH model, the next (and next-next) generation of shredders can get pretty close to the famed original.
This Eddie Van Halen Signature guitar features the typical white, black, and red color scheme and is primarily composed of a lightweight basswood body with a bolt-on maple neck.
The bridge humbucker (Direct Mount Wolfgang Humbucker) is the only pickup Eddie needed back then. The neck pickup (a single coil) is just as fake as the 5-way switch located in the middle PU milling. That was supposedly a trick by Eddie to confuse imitators. The EVH Franken Strat comes, as you would expect, with a Floyd Rose locking tremolo and a matching locking saddle.
Features:
- Linden body with maple neck and fretboard
- Direct Mount Wolfgang Humbucker
- Dummy electronics (dummy single coil, dummy 5-way switch)
- Floyd Rose Trem + Locking Saddles
- Completely aged, Eddie Van Halen Signature finish
The perfect instrument to truly celebrate the sound of 1984! And it’s available from Thomann* for $1,359 / £1,199 / €1,390, one of the most legendary and best signature guitars.
Epiphone Kirk Hammett “Greeny” Les Paul Standard
Epiphone has actually done it: the legendary Greeny Les Paul Standard is now available as a signature guitar for anyone who doesn’t want to spend thousands of dollars. That price range is wide thanks to the different versions of the Gibson reissues.
The Gibson subsidiary has successfully created an independent clone of what is arguably the most famous Les Paul. A mahogany body, maple top, Gibson-style headstock (“open book”), and a beautiful vintage ’50s neck profile make a lasting impression. But the Epiphone Kirk Hammett Signature guitar isn’t just a visual copy.
The electronics (Gibson USA Greenybucker at the bridge and a twisted Greenybucker with reversed polarity at the neck) are closely based on the original. The same goes for the 50s wiring with Mallory caps and CTS potentiometers.
Features:
- Mahogany body, AAA flamed maple top
- Mahogany neck, Indian laurel fretboard
- Two Greenybuckers, one with reversed polarity
- 50s wiring + CTS potentiometers
- Gibson “Open Book” headstock
- Elegant GibsonXEpiphone case
Overall, this is a beautiful Epiphone Les Paul that passes as a genuine “Greeny.” Get it from Thomann* for $1,259 / £1,122 / €1,289. Can’t have a list of the best signature guitars without a Greeny, can we?
Epiphone Dave Grohl Signature Guitar: DG-335 Pelham Blue
It’s been a long time coming, but last year it finally arrived: the Dave Grohl DG-335 in Pelham Blue. The legendary diamond F-holes combined with the Firebird headstock are reminiscent of Gibson’s classic Trini Lopez signature guitar. Only a lot more punk!
With its two original Gibson USA Burstbuckers (BB3 on the bridge and BB2 on the neck), the DG-335 really stands out. Supported by a maple body with a matching center block, a mahogany neck, and an Indian laurel fretboard, the Dave Grohl Signature guitar is a real joy to play. Split diamond inlays on the fingerboard, beautiful Pelham Blue finish: this thing is awesome.
Thanks to its elliptical C profile, it’s very comfortable to play, and the DG-335, with its fairly narrow body, sits comfortably on the strap. Those who are used to Les Paul dimensions will be surprised at how comfortable an ES 335 can be to play — especially when sitting. But don’t tell Dave that.
Features:
- Body: Maple, laminated with a center block
- Mahogany neck, laurel fretboard with split diamond inlays
- Firebird-style headstock
- Two Gibson USA Burstbucker pickups (BB2 + BB3)
- Diamond F-holes
- Beautiful Pelham Blue finish!
The Dave Grohl signature guitar is available from Thomann* for $977 / £869 / €999, one of the most affordable and best signature guitars on the market.
Fender Tom Delonge Starcaster SOW RF
This Tom DeLonge Signature brings Blink-182’s anthemic punch and stripped-down style into one beautiful semi-hollow guitar. The signature comes with a laminated maple body and center block. Its roasted maple neck with a modern “C” profile and rosewood fretboard feels fast and comfortable. Certainly a contender for our list of the best signature guitars!
At the heart of this signature model is a single Seymour Duncan SH-5 Custom humbucker, wired straight to a master volume knob with a treble bleed circuit for maximum clarity. No frills, no fuss, just big, aggressive tone perfectly suited to pop-punk riffs. Like his signature strat before, this axe is as simple as it gets.
And with black hardware, a stop tail bridge, and staggered Deluxe tuners for rock-solid stability, the Olympic White finish ties it all together.
Features:
- Laminated maple body and center block
- Seymour Duncan Invader SH-5 Custom humbucker at the bridge
- 1x master volume
- Stop tail bridge
- Fender Deluxe Staggered Cast Tuners
This signature guitar is available from Thomann* for $1,035 / £922 / €1,059.
Emily Wolfe Signature Guitar: Epiphone “WW” Sheraton
I might be a little biased, but this axe is pretty awesome. I already talked about the Epiphone Emily Wolfe (in chic matte black) in my year in review. And I stand by it: this signature ticks a lot of boxes!
Its Sheraton design is an in-house Epiphone development, and, thanks to its maple body with solid center block and mahogany neck, it’s a real rock machine (though it also works well for quieter styles). The solid center block gives the guitar a very assertive character that is hardly prone to feedback.
The sound of Emily Wolfe‘s signature guitar is also quite hot, thanks to the two AlNiCo Classic Pro humbuckers. The whole thing is wired with genuine CTS potentiometers.
Features:
- Sheraton design
- Diamond F-holes
- Maple body with solid center block, mahogany neck, and laurel fretboard
- MoP/abalone inlays
- AlNiCo Classic Pro humbucker, CTS potentiometers
- Aged hardware
And it looks great: beautiful, slightly artificially aged hardware and matching Rotomatic tuners underline the elegant charm. Complemented by the distinctive diamond holes in the top (Dave Grohl sends his regards…) and mother-of-pearl and abalone fretboard inlays (Lightning Bolt), the Emily Wolfe Signature is a guitar that belongs on stage. A real eye-catcher! Get it from Thomann*.
The Best Signature Guitars – Conclusion
Whether you’re a collector, a fan, or a guitarist in a cover band, there are a million reasons to look for the signature guitars. The connection to your favorite artist, inspiration, or even the potential increase in value are all equally valid.
- Thomann: Signature Instruments*
Originally published on Gearnews.de by Jan Rotring, translation by Julian Schmauch.
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