Our Favorite Signature Guitars Of 2014-2015
The last year has brought on a number of cool guitars from a lot of different brands…and it’s safe to say they’re all worth checking out for their own respective qualities! From the new Misha Mansoor model from Jackson, to the Gary Clark Jr. signature from Epiphone, 2014/15 saw the unveiling of a lot of new guitars from the most prominent guitar players out right now! Check out the list we compiled (in no particular order) of the top 10 signature guitars we think are worth picking up this year!
Jackson Bulb (Misha Mansoor)
Of all of the new signatures making their debut, we are probably the most excited about the new Bulb, by Jackson! This guitar, built for Misha Mansoor, leader of the progressive super-group, Periphery, features a distinctive Jackson body shape inspired by the Dinky™, with sleekly scalloped horns, a comfortably contoured neck heel and a gorgeous AAA quilt maple top on trans-finish models. The bolt-on quartersawn maple neck is sculpted with Mansoor’s own custom profile, and features graphite reinforcement, ivoroid binding and heel-end thumbwheel truss rod adjustment. Contact us to order at sales@themusiczoo.com or call 516-626-9292!
Epiphone Blak & Blu Casino (Gary Clark Jr.)
There’s no denying this beauty from making our list! Epiphone is proud to present the debut of GRAMMY™ winner Gary Clark Jr.’s premier signature model, the Ltd. Ed. Gary Clark Jr. “Blak & Blu” Casino which features Gibson USA P-90 pickups and available with either a traditional trapeze tailpiece or a legendary Bigsby® B70 Vibrato. Contact us to order at sales@themusiczoo.com or call 516-626-9292!
ESP JR-608 (Javier Reyes)
Javier Reyes, a member of the ever-so groovy Animals as Leaders, has recently become an endorsee of ESP! …and we couldn’t be any more happy about it! ESP is debuting the ESP JR-608/QM and the LTD JR-208. Both are eight-string baritone models with a comfortable 27” scale. The JR-608/QM however, features high-end appointments like neck-thru-body construction, and features Reyes’ signature DiMarzio pickups for those looking to get the full package! Contact us to order at sales@themusiczoo.com or call 516-626-9292!
Jackson Chris Broderick Soloist 6/7 string
The Zoo has been good friends with Mr. Broderick for some time, so it’s only right that his awesome axe from Jackson graced our list! This sporty-looking guitar has a ton of cool features and even comes in a 7 string! Among the list of specs include a quartersawn maple neck with quilt maple binding and Floyd Rose® nut, natural body and headstock binding, ebony fingerboard with 12” radius and 24 jumbo stainless steel frets, Broderick-designed Custom DiMarzio® direct-mounted humbucking neck and bridge pickups, kill switch, recessed Floyd Rose® Pro bridge, black hardware, Planet Waves® Auto-Trim tuners. Check out this guitar on our site!
Charvel San Dimas Guthrie Govan Signature
Possibly the most popular signature release of the past year, the Guthrie Govan signature by Charvel is one wicked instrument! We watched Guthrie himself wield this super-axe at his masterclass held in our store, and boy does it have some tone! Features include three specially wound Charvel custom MFB pickups arranged in a versatile HSH configuration with five-way switching for the expansive tonal openness and dynamic sensitivity that Govan demands, two notched control knobs (master volume, master tone) with brass position markers set into the body, and a U.S.-made recessed Charvel locking tremolo bridge with a Tremol-No™ unit. Check it out here!
Caparison Apple Horn 8 (Mattius Eklundh)
Mattius Eklundh is the king of oddities when it comes to making guitar-music…he’s also the king of making a sick signature guitar. His Apple Horn 8 from Caparison is absolutely amazing! If your looking for tonal clarity and a natural feel in an 8 string, look no further. This guitar features a Walnut neck that moulds comfortably into your hand making extended playing a breeze and fatigue free. Add to this the 27 fret True Temperament system on a select Rosewood fingerboard and the exacting harmonics that this guitar produces sing out in perfect intonation. Contact us to order at sales@themusiczoo.com or call 516-626-9292!
Gibson Memphis ES-335 Dave Grohl Signature
As if the ES-335 wasn’t a great enough, the Dave Grohl signature adds some extra zest to an already superb guitar! A natural playing feel is assured by a neck profile with optimum comfort, with stand-out looks from the striking Firebird-style six-a-side headstock. Stellar tone from mean to mellow is assured by a pair of Dave’s preferred Burstbucker pickups, a #2 in the neck and a hotter #3 in the bridge, with the classic control assembly and hardware complement. This limited edition sees 200 available in Pelham Blue Metallic and 400 in Gold Metallic finish. Check it out here!
Jackson Music Zoo Exclusive RR 1.5 (Randy Rhoads)
This short-wing, all maple guitar is the creation of Music Zoo owner Tommy Colletti and Jackson Masterbuilder Mike Shannon. Replicating the 25th Anniversary Rhoads identically is off-limits, so Tommy and Mike made a few subtle “Randy-style” changes to the model to create the 1.5. This one features a black finish, vintage trem, Seymour Duncan® Distortion & Jazz humbuckers, and a vintage logo on the headstock. The slim neck profile and 6230 fret wire help make it one incredible playing instrument. Check it out here!
Martin LX-1E (Ed Sheeran)
Paired with his awesome songwriting, Ed Sheeran’s guitar of choice is none-other than this stylish LX-1E from Martin guitars! features Ed’s signature “+” sign on the headstock and album logo laser-etched on the solid sapele top. Stage-ready, this model is small enough to take anywhere and comes equipped with Fishman Isys T electronics, SP Lifespan Martin strings and a padded gig bag. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this model will be donated to the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. Contact us to order at sales@themusiczoo.com or call 516-626-9292!
Gibson SG Derek Trucks Signature
Tone, tone, and more tone….that’s exactly what you’ll get from this lovely SG from Gibson. The Derek Trucks Signature SG is crafted by Gibson USA in the image of the groundbreaking 1961 SG, with its radical asymmetrical dual-horned body style with characteristic beveled body edges. Body and neck are made from Grade-A mahogany and finished in high-gloss Heritage Cherry. The neck is carved to the slim “true D” profile of the early ’60s, which measures .800” deep at the 1st fret and .895” at the 12th. A rosewood fingerboard carries 22 medium-jumbo frets, with a 12-inch radius for smooth, easy bending. Check it out here!
Honorable Mention: Music Man Artisan Majesty (John Petrucci)
There were so many great signature models in the past year that we forgot about this super-versatile machine! Available in 6 and 7 string, the new Artisan Majesty is the latest addition to the John Petrucci collection of fine Ernie Ball/Music Man instruments. The guitar is constructed with a through-neck design of mahogany and laser etched flame maple top; available in 5 rich translucent finishes. The Artisan comes with gold hardware featuring a custom John Petrucci Music Man® Piezo floating tremolo bridge and Schaller locking tuners. Contact us to order at sales@themusiczoo.com or call 516-626-9292!
