Yngwie Malmsteen Sig Strat

[Gtrplyr]

Just got the Fender E-mail blast announcing the Ygnie Strat

While I like the look the of the guitar and its heavily reliced look the scalloped fingerboard definitely has to be an acquired taste and may not suite even a Yngwie fan.

Any ideas on what this Sig model costs?

[hudpucker]

I personally find all the recent "replica" guitars (Clapton's Blackie, VH's Frankenstein, SRV's #1, Beck's Esquire, Summers' tele et al) to be the ultimate in fanboy stupidity.

But hey, whatever floats their boats, I suppose...

[elicross]

The latest Musician's Friend catalog has it at $12,500. So yeah -- you'd have to really, really want a heavily relic'd Strat with a scalloped board. I don't entirely "get" either of those things, so this axe isn't aimed anywhere near me.

[Gtrplyr]

I figured the guitar was around 3K but it's actually around 12K?

The obvious Sig models such as SRV's and VH's Frankenstein would be embarrassing for me to actually play out in public with, others like Rory Gallegers would be cool for they way it merely looks like a beat to hell Strat. The price tags however are friggin' insane though.

While Yngwie's Strat isn't one I'd buy I wouldn't mind having Clapton's Blackie so I really can't look down on those that would get excited about this Sig Strat.

[hudpucker]

The Rory G replica even mimics his mismatched tuners.

Of course this has nothing to do with functionality---everything to do with excessive hero worship. Also, needlessly drilling vintage tuner mounting holes for tuners that were never installed is ridiculous--to me.



But being a silly fanboy isn't exactly a new phenomenon either.


Then again, as long it played and sounded good I might even play something as inherently silly as a Rory strat. Other replicas also have their own idiosyncratic ridiculousness as well.

Use what you like though.

Just one guy's opinions.

[Gtrplyr]

The Rory G replica even mimics his mismatched tuners.

Of course this has nothing to do with functionality---everything to do with excessive hero worship.

Not being an actual Rory fan I wasn't aware of the mismatched tuners on the Rory Sig but I would call that an accurate replica on the part of the guitar maker rather than a case of excessive hero worship.

But being a silly fanboy isn't exactly a new phenomenon either.

I recon not. Kiss is one phenomenon that comes to mind which seems to have it's legions of hard core fans that IMO go over the line into silly obsessiveness.

Then again, as long it played and sounded good I might even play something as inherently silly as a Rory strat. Other replicas also have their own idiosyncratic ridiculousness as well.

I think it's probably a given that most of these Sig guitars probably play and sound fine. I personally would feel silly playing some of them as well perhaps for different reason than you though I think it would be kind of nice to have some sig guitars in my collection if I had more disposable money.

Use what you like though.

Just one guy's opinions

Well I do! And I guess you can call me a silly fanboy for owning 2 Lennon Casinos and I'll take it like a man .

[elicross]

Kiss is one phenomenon that comes to mind which seems to have it's legions of hard core fans that IMO go over the line into silly obsessiveness.

Two words that back you up: Kiss coffins.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_Kasket

[redb]

Fender is just trolling us irl.

12.5k? Why? What did they do that could possibly be worth that much money? I mean, Im sure they will sell every last one they build because its on the cover of rising force. Im not sure I would pay 12,500 dollars to get 3 of these. Well thats just me, if I was going to pay out 5 figures for a strat it would be from the 50s.



Id much rather it look like the play loud strat from the Yngwie I want to remember, not the git hes turned into.

As for the kiss thing, that is just something I dont get it. Its just a band. I dont go around dressed like Jimi Hendrix and I wouldnt buy a 12k replica of his guitar either. I would wear the beads though, those were awesome.

Although I definately would bring the hear my train a comin look back:

[ch willie]

I'm glad they're moving the signatures to the back of the headstock. I never liked the SRV model because of his initials on the pickguard (although I know it's a great guitar). The Yngwie is probably a great guitar, but if I had the money to buy it, I'd rather buy 3 or 4 other Fenders in its place.

Disclaimer: the only signature on my headstock is "Les Paul," the one sig I don't mind having on the front of a guitar. Unless we count "Fender" as the sig of Leo.

[Offshore Angler]

It's not about us. I'm reasonably sure Fender's marketing decisions are based on customer research, and perhaps they discovered a market for the guitar before they made them. At those margin levels, they'd be dumb not to make it if the market is there. Plus, it costs them almost nothing to make one, so it if does a flopola sales-wise, they aren't out any real money. I'll bet you they spend several times more advertising and hyping them than building them. And the advertising really is Fender brand advertising more than that product anyway, so that comes out of the total ad bucket.

Maybe, just maybe, Fender is smart enough to realise that building just few megapriced tribute axes isn't about selling them, it's about marketing Fender as the choice of famous pickers, and showing what a value an Am Std. is.

[Stonefreefuzz1]

Interesting guitar... I would never buy it but I'm sure there are fans out there that will.As for the scalloped neck a few years back I was willed an Yngwie strat from a friend of mine, Nice guitar, candy apple red finish with the scalloped neck(wasn't for me either) but overall it was a nice guitar.

[hudpucker]

Obviously these low volume high-end replicas are about creating brand prestige and marketing awareness.

The buyers of such models, however...well....it's their money.

[Kap'n]

Yep, just creating the concept of one of these things creates way more than $12,500 of advertising $ could ever do.

It's not like they need to even sell one. But if they do, it's the icing on the emperor's clothes.

So to speak.

[Doc W]

Buying an exact replica, including mismatched tuners, messed up paint, rust, etc., is pure hero worship, period. A textbook definition of fetishization. Fender knows this and makes good money with it, the 12.5K pricetag of this bit of nonsense being a perfect example.

However, buying a guitar with the same specs (without the cosmetic silliness) of an instrument played by someone whose playing you admire makes a certain amount of sense. The Eric Johnson model, while not an exact duplicate of his guitar, is good example of a thoughtfully-made instrument at a decent price

My recent Partscaster is based on an Yngwie Malsteen sig series body. When I got it, I really didn't care about the YM connection (no diss intended for any of his fans - I respect the guy). It is simply a very light, alder body. The price was right AND it is Sonic Blue!

[elicross]

Yep, just creating the concept of one of these things creates way more than $12,500 of advertising $ could ever do.

Yeah, concept is the perfect word, because in this respect they're a lot like those concept cars all the auto manufacturers exhibit at the big shows. Dodge fields an awesome new Charger concept, and it gets all kinds of free publicity (then they release a production Charger a few years later that looks absolutely nothing like the concept -- but that's a different issue altogether). The one difference is that you can't buy those concept cars, but anybody with more money than sense can buy one of these "concept" replica guitars.

Doc, I think you make a good point about the difference between signature models and exact, crazy expensive replicas. I wouldn't mind having a prodution-model Clapton signature Strat, but I'm not interested in paying tens of thousands for a "Blackie" replica. It's not like anyone's going to believe I have *the* Blackie...but I wouldn't mind having a reasonably priced MIA Strat made to Clapton's specs. Wouldn't mind a Knopfler sig, either, but I wouldn't pay ten grand or more for one that duplicates every little chip in the finish of Mark's real guitar.

[Totally bored]

Mine is better and I payed only $150 for it.
Only on the internet can my guitar be compared to Yngwie's Strat.
Most people including guitar players don't know who or what a Yngwie is ?

[hudpucker]

Mine is better and I payed only $150 for it.
Only on the internet can my guitar be compared to Yngwie's Strat.
Most people including guitar players don't know who or what a Yngwie is ?

How can you say that yours is 'better' than Yngwie's?

You've not played his, have you?



Most non-musicians/non-guitarists don't know who Yngwie is but most Fender Strat players do; this should not be surprising since he's had his own sig model strat since 1988 or so.


The distinction between sig model and a 'replica' is germane to this discussion, IMO. Sig models offer features perhaps unavailable otherwise (like a factory scalloped neck) whereas replicas are for those with.....an excessive need for hero worship or those to whom a particular guitar "speaks."

[Gtrplyr]

Buying an exact replica, including mismatched tuners, messed up paint, rust, etc., is pure hero worship, period. A textbook definition of fetishization. Fender knows this and makes good money with it, the 12.5K pricetag of this bit of nonsense being a perfect example.

I feel that many here have what may be considered a bit of a fetish when it comes to their musical gear in general. However I don't feel a collector would necessarily fall into a category of "Hero Worship". Yes, the shoe may fit for some but I don't agree for all those who buy these guitars.

Personally I would love to have a collection of several of Sig guitars for the novelty of it. These wouldn't be guitars I would play out with for the obvious reasons. I agree that a 12.5K+ price tag for these guitars is nonsense and Fender is laughing all the way to the bank and making a hefty profit. But then again I also feel that the prices on other Custom Shop guitars are a bit excessive as well.

[69strat]

[QUOTE=Totally bored;506850][CENTER]Mine is better and I payed only $150 for it.
Only on the internet can my guitar be compared to Yngwie's Strat.
Most people including guitar players don't know who or what a Yngwie is ?

QUOTE]


Most guitar players I know, under 50 would instantly think Yngwie with that guitar. It's become his signature.

[Totally bored]

Only on the internet.

I play in a bunch of differant bands and these 20-30 somethings don't know who Jeff Beck ,Robin Trower or Yngwie is. The Horror. Depends on your circle of friends I quess. I gig that guitar alot and I never ever get a Yngwie Guitar reference.

Only on the Internet.

[Direstraits]

D@mn ! I wish I'd bought one of those Daphne blue Yngwie Strats when they first came out, I could have trashed it then sold it for $$$ as a relic now !

[hudpucker]

Only on the internet.

I play in a bunch of differant bands and these 20-30 somethings don't know who Jeff Beck ,Robin Trower or Yngwie is. The Horror. Depends on your circle of friends I quess. I gig that guitar alot and I never ever get a Yngwie Guitar reference.

Only on the Internet.

Yngwie's sig strat pre-dates the internet by a longshot. PLENTY of youngsters in these heah parts know who Yngwie is and some could unleash the fury if you asked them to do so.

It's not just the web savvy players who know of Malmsteen so, clearly, it does indeed depend upon whom you know.

[Sage]

I have to wonder if the owners of Hard Rock Cafe are buying these guitars. If I owned a restaurant or bar or what-have-you that showcased rock memorabilia, these replicas would probably be a decent business investment.

[flintpunk]

I hope they didn't build too many of those things at 12.5K! I can't imagine too many people wanting one.

The Rory strat on the other hand, is truly a thing to behold. A very good friend of mine managed to score one at GC for $1100!!! The deal was some guy traded it in after his idiot, druggie brother tried to scratch the Custom Shop logo off the back of the headstock with a nail!!!

Nonetheless, that may be the finest playing, purest strat-sounding strat that I've ever played. The thing is a joy to play and the body feels very much alive. I'm no fan of signature models, but if I could find another Rory for that price I'd buy it just because it's one fine guitar despite its signature.

[redcoats1976]

Totally bored,that is a good lookin guitar.considering the price difference between it and the sig model id have to say you are the winner...

[flintpunk]

Disclaimer: the only signature on my headstock is "Les Paul," the one sig I don't mind having on the front of a guitar. Unless we count "Fender" as the sig of Leo.

I can't express to you in words just how much I agree with what you are saying!

[redb]

Buying an exact replica, including mismatched tuners, messed up paint, rust, etc., is pure hero worship, period.

However, buying a guitar with the same specs (without the cosmetic silliness) of an instrument played by someone whose playing you admire makes a certain amount of sense. The Eric Johnson model, while not an exact duplicate of his guitar, is good example of a thoughtfully-made instrument at a decent price

Great point. I love the John Mayer strat! You know I have never been too into the signature series, afterall I want to be my own player, but every john mayer Ive played has felt right and sounded awesome. Am I fan of john mayer? Ive seen a few of his videos, they are nice, Ive never been to any of his concerts and Ive never bought one of his records, and if it werent for curiosity I would never have played what I consider to be an excellent value for money guitar. If only I could get a good deal on one.

You know if you like someone's style of music then its likely that their signature guitar will do that style pretty well. I have no problem playing on someone's signature guitar, I dont care if people think Im just copying them. But Im not going to play an inferior instrument because its got someone's name on it that I like.

The Rory strat on the other hand, is truly a thing to behold. A very good friend of mine managed to score one at GC for $1100!!! The deal was some guy traded it in after his idiot, druggie brother tried to scratch the Custom Shop logo off the back of the headstock with a nail!!!

Nonetheless, that may be the finest playing, purest strat-sounding strat that I've ever played. The thing is a joy to play and the body feels very much alive. I'm no fan of signature models, but if I could find another Rory for that price I'd buy it just because it's one fine guitar despite its signature.

Hmm, is really better than a typical heavy relic? And to be honest, I prefer relics because of the way they feel, they sound just the same as the closet classics to me. Ive never actually played a NOS so I cant comment.

Id pass on the rory unless I got a deal like that. At 1100 Id have to take it too.

[gooman]

The only strat I like scalloped is potatoes Gary

[Doc W]

I feel that many here have what may be considered a bit of a fetish when it comes to their musical gear in general. However I don't feel a collector would necessarily fall into a category of "Hero Worship". Yes, the shoe may fit for some but I don't agree for all those who buy these guitars.

Sometimes I don't know what to think about collectors but I have to agree with you (and thus stand corrected) that there are different motivations, including hero worship. I also have to agree that many people here, including me sometimes, fetishize gear. I try to avoid that as much as possible but the instruments and gear we use are drenched in history, nostalgia, meaning and affect, and it is really hard sometimes to separate this kind of attraction from a more rational and reasonable approach to our equipment. Would I like to have an early 60s Strat and do I think that many of them sound and play great? You betcha. Do I think I could get a new one to sound and play just as good? Yep, but if I had the choice and they were both the same price (as once they were) ....

Collectors have a category all to themselves and the guiding principles there range from garden variety collecting to fetishization (on a meta-level) to simple investment. The collector/investor is an interesting combination and you find this in fine art as well cars, guitars, and so on. I have been a collector of different (and pretty wierd) things over the years. I used to collect sleazy paperbacks from the 40s and 50s (and still have a pile). I still have all my hockey cards from when I was a kid (and I have my dad's too, from the 1920's ) So I wouldn't dare point the finger at some who, say, wanted to collect all the relic sig Strats just because... well, they think it's neat.

After that long-winded semi-confession, I still think 12.5K for a brand new Strat, just because it has the YG connection, is lunacy, but I will now add that my opinion is that of a player and not a collector.

[Sage]

Buying an exact replica, including mismatched tuners, messed up paint, rust, etc., is pure hero worship, period. A textbook definition of fetishization. Fender knows this and makes good money with it, the 12.5K pricetag of this bit of nonsense being a perfect example.

However, buying a guitar with the same specs (without the cosmetic silliness) of an instrument played by someone whose playing you admire makes a certain amount of sense. The Eric Johnson model, while not an exact duplicate of his guitar, is good example of a thoughtfully-made instrument at a decent price

It's funny you say that, because the EJ Signature model is an exact replica of his guitar, considering that he uses the prototype as his number one, and has the first production guitar as his backup.

[NTBluesGuitar]

Then, there's the Andy Summers tribute Tele.

Cool as hell guitar, but not $15K cool.

[Doc W]

It's funny you say that, because the EJ Signature model is an exact replica of his guitar, considering that he uses the prototype as his number one, and has the first production guitar as his backup.

Wow, I didn't know that. I am even more impressed by Eric Johnson and his idea of creating a serious player's Strat at an affordable price. You can't get a much better endorsement than "I designed this guitar for myself and you can have the exact same thing AND it ain't expensive."

Thank you Mr. Johnson!

[phantomman]

Way-ell (scratching chin in feigned rumination)......

I hate to say it but it sho'nuff seems like a lotta folks are gittin' wrapped around the axle over all this cult of personality chit. Somebody (an' I fergit jus' azactly who) once said "It ain't yer gear, it's what you do with it that counts". Sorta sums up where I'm at with this issue.

Jus' mah 'pinion, y'unnerstan'......

[Gtrplyr]

...I also have to agree that many people here, including me sometimes, fetishize gear. I try to avoid that as much as possible but the instruments and gear we use are drenched in history, nostalgia, meaning and affect, and it is really hard sometimes to separate this kind of attraction from a more rational and reasonable approach to our equipment. Would I like to have an early 60s Strat and do I think that many of them sound and play great? You betcha. Do I think I could get a new one to sound and play just as good? Yep, but if I had the choice and they were both the same price (as once they were) ....

Well stated. I find myself also caught in this dilemma. Guess that's why we have the support group called The Fender Forum

[Doc W]

Well stated. I find myself also caught in this dilemma. Guess that's why we have the support group called The Fender Forum

"Hi, my name is Doc and I am a gear nerd"

"HI DOC!"

[gooman]

Doc this may show my ignorance but I didnt really know who Eric Johnson is till after I got interested in the EJ strat,I was just amazed at the features of this ax and at a reasonable price.My freind has a Clapton model its cool too.............................Gary

[redb]

Doc this may show my ignorance but I didnt really know who Eric Johnson is till after I got interested in the EJ strat,I was just amazed at the features of this ax and at a reasonable price.My freind has a Clapton model its cool too.............................Gary

thats not the guitars he has issues with. its the custom shop replicas that tend to go for >10,000USD and are correct down to the minute detail. he thinks, and I agree, that buying an exact replica of someone's guitar falls into the category of hero worship as opposed to sensible guitar buying.

the eric johnson strat is a good guitar for a good price, so are a few of the other artist models. even the custom shop claptons that are about 2500 (obviously not the blackie replicas) are ok, its just the malmsteens and the andy summers and I would assume a certain les paul owned by a certain member of a certain southern rock band that hes talking about.

again, I think.

[Kap'n]

the eric johnson strat is a good guitar for a good price, so are a few of the other artist models.

I wouldn't be surprised, though I've never actually played one.

I've got a signature model acoustic. I didn't pay a premium for the name, and it's neatly tucked inside the soundhole. I bought it because I liked the guitar, a lot. It's funny, you still can buy the exact same guitar without the signature. I'd never heard the guy until I bought the guitar (he is pretty good). The sig might add some $ down the road, but I'm not holding my breath.