Have you ever wanted to rock the stage like your favourite guitar hero? So have we! Signature guitars allow you to do just that.
These instruments offer sounds, components, and styles that stand above the crowd, and our writers have each picked one that they’d most like to play…
To that end, we’re throwing aside the generic and celebrating the unique! There are tonnes of signature guitars available, each built to replicate an artist’s style, verve, and technique. The best signature guitars are usually a bit more “out there” than their regular counterparts, and so there are a few that have struck a chord (ha!) with us.
So, if you’re looking for a bit of six-string inspiration, peruse our list of hand-picked guitars that contain a little extra pizzaz.
Fender Tom Morello Stratocaster
by Mark Roberts
Sleek, shiny, and full to the brim with high-end features. I adore the Tom Morello Strat for its super-alluring looks and ferocious sounds.
So, how’s it different from your run-of-the-mill Stratocaster? Well, firstly, there’s the highly noticeable Floyd Rose locking tremolo system.
This style of high-performance whammy bar with a locking nut is exceedingly rare on Fender Stratocasters, and it lets you go ham on the trem arm to create some truly unique Morello-style phrases.
Secondly, a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails bridge pickup lets you create some formidable tones. Paired with Morello’s signature kill switch, it lets you create a series of wicked stuttering, strobe-like effects.
Thirdly and finally, underneath its cool “Morello” aesthetic, this guitar still has all the versatile sonics of a usual Strat, but with excellent playability!
Such effortless playability is courtesy of the compound radius rosewood fretboard which is a delight to riff on. It’s a bit more curved at the nut, making those tricky chords a breeze, and it flattens out further up the fretboard to allow for free-flowing string bends and solos in the higher registers.
I’d love to mess around with the kill switch while recreating those choppy RATM riffs that Morello forged, or just roll back and enjoy some smooth bluesy sonics on its crystal-clear neck and middle pickups. But most of all, I love just how cool it looks – it’s definitely one of the best!
Shop now | Fender Tom Morello Stratocaster, Black
Ibanez JIVA10 Nita Strauss
By Corin Allen
When it comes to signature guitars, there are loads to choose from. All of them have personal touches from their namesake, and many of them are just so cool that it makes it impossible to choose a favourite. But I will try.
Of all the signatures I’ve seen in the last few years, I think Nita Strauss’s Ibanez JIVA 10 Nita Strauss signature has to be the most special. The ‘Beaten Path’ inlay really stands out – I don’t think I’ve seen it on any other guitar, and it adds a stunning aesthetic.
Its finish is sublime, and even the signature DiMarzio Pandemonium pickups have a customised cover to fit in with the look.
I’m probably not worthy of this sonic weapon, but I’d sure love to give it a try. My sloppy attempts at shredding may make me look rather foolish when playing it, but I’d feel like a god. I know that a woman of Nita Strauss’ standard would demand the best playability and feel from their signature, so it’s a no-brainer for me.
Fender Kurt Cobain Jag-Stang
By Will Underwood
At the risk of being that guy, my favourite Fender Signature is definitely Kurt Cobain’s Fiesta Red Jag-Stang. Everything about it just screams quirky. It’s the misfit of the bunch, from the racing standard colour wrap to the distorted body shape and modified bridge – it’s ‘90s grunge all the way.
Having had the pleasure of playing one, I can safely say they’re functional, too.
The Mustang tremolo bridge lets you flex your creative muscles, and the scaled-down size allows for super comfortable playability.
Equipped with a Jag-Stang single coil neck pickup and a Jag-Stang bridge humbucker – this guitar is always ready to tackle a range of different styles and sounds. These premium pieces of kit guarantee an output that is as versatile and lively as the artist who selected them.
Built with premium Fender innovation, industry-standard specs, and the touch of one of the most legendary guitarists ever to have lived – what more could you ask for?
Shop now | Fender Kurt Cobain Jag-Stang, Fiesta Red
Go beyond signature guitars…
There you have it! Three of our favourite signatures. It’s quite a variation in style, tone, and purpose for each instrument, which just goes to show how much musical flair a signature version adds to a guitar series.
Crucially, many artist signatures boast unique components that stand out from the rest and give you a bit more musical oomph when performing.
If these three have caught your interest or inspired you to have a look at your favourite artist’s signature, why not check out our full range of signatures?
And last of all, why stop at guitars? Plenty of artists have other signature gear, like amps, pedals, and picks!
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