Signed Jem Opinion

bluealien · #1 04-11-2005, 06:39 PM

In your opinion would a Jem signed by Steve Vai, be worth more and would you still pay this or does it become a collectors item, that will just site in the case or displayed on the wall.

Signed Steve Vai Jem
1. Would Play
2. Would Not Play
3. Doesnt Matter.

Andelusion · #2 04-11-2005, 06:51 PM

I know that to me and a lot of other people on this forum (as this has been asked many times before) would not pay a penny, cent, whatever more for a signed model of any Ibanez let alone Jem.

In my opinion the only thing it could add is sentimental value. If i had a guitar with a signature on anyway then i would have wanted that signature to have been written there for me.

**elcid** · #3 04-11-2005, 07:11 PM

I gotta agree, I wouldn't pay any extra for a signed guitar,
If I happend to meet one of my favorite players, and had the chance for an autogaph I would have him sign the pickgaurd or backplate or something and continue to play the guitar without having to worry about the signature.

Bezial · #4 04-11-2005, 11:33 PM

posted this before , a shop here is trying to sell the lowest of the ibanez range , cant remember which one now but its a $350 guitar and steve signed it and they want a stagering $1500 for it , needless to say its still there.

bluealien · #5 04-11-2005, 11:48 PM

Well this is why its still up for debate, if you were to have one of the original Jems that he signed for the 777 lot, I have seen it being worth a bit more, but it also might be it age too. Green 777 on E*** going fo $2500+. I agree in both cases, I will be meeting Vai at the end of this month, I might bring my back plates to have him sign them and one stripped down body jem (maybe), I still can not decide.

tone_connoisseur · #6 04-12-2005, 04:48 AM

In my opinion, having a guitar signed by someone DECREASES the value, not increases it. Why would I want to play a guitar signed by someone else? If anything, maybe have him sign the back plate, or even inside of the back plate with one of those silver markers. But no way would I have him sign the body.

btangel · #7 04-12-2005, 05:17 AM

yea decreases the value for buyers. Buy a guitar with Vai's signature directed not at you? Can't reason that.

If I get a signature on my JEM it's gonna be somewhere that won't show. Like the inside of the backplate.

GTR-MAN · #8 04-12-2005, 05:37 AM

I would NOT pay more for a guitar because of a signature. That's just stupid to me. Why would someone pay more because of an autograph ? I just don't understand the "sheep" that is society today. I had a chance to get one of my guitars signed and passed because I don't want it that way. I buy guitars to play them, not so someone can practice their signature. As a matter of fact I avoid guitars w/autographs.

Ekim · #9 04-12-2005, 12:32 PM

Almost every autograph store I've seen has a Squier Strat signed by somebody famous, charging ridiculous amounts. And usually, they're there for years waiting for a sucker.

As much as I get to meet my musical heroes (except for Rush and Iron Maiden), I don't have to pay for signatures. They only time I paid for signatures was a drum head signed by Iron Maiden and only because it was a charity auction.

I have my UV signed by Steve and my two JS's signed by Satch. And it's cool to have the signatures, but they're just guitars. They're meant to be played. Even if I bought a dead mint JEM10th or DNA, it would have the inevitable scuffs soon enough.

WOULD PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hobophobic · #10 04-12-2005, 12:34 PM

Yeah, I have to agree with everybody. If I had the opportunity to have Steve (and Satch too) sign one of my guitars I'd do it but I wouldn't pay more for one that was signed for someone else. I consider things like that to be personal, not a dollar value factor. I wouldn't expect the guitar to be worth more to anyone else if they signed it for me but that would be irrelevant because I wouldn't sell it anyway. And yes, I'd still play it.

Allen Garrow · #11 04-12-2005, 12:48 PM

Yeah I would have to agree with Andelusion,,,it would be sentimental at best. Having a guitar signed by Vai would just be awesome for the owner. However the jem777LNG which was signed for a factory run with special case and stuff,,, that is different. That would be a collectors item for sure. Due to the fact that Steve ( graciously mind you ) has made himself so available to the public certainly takes away from autograph value on any guitar other than factory runs. But there are still those who may pay extra for an autographed Jem of any sort. I just don't think many from this site would do it.

That guitar shop should be told to take a look at the auction sites and see what they are really selling for and then compare what they have. I deeply appreciate Steve and his music,,but I would have to say I personally would feel sort of silly playing a guitar on stage that was autographed by him,,,, after all it's my guitar! LOL. Now if he wrote some silly ass ryme or drew boobies on it that would be different

I've seen some guitar shops that cling to stuff like that and treat it like it's the only one in the Universe. Then do to lack of attention and interest due to pricing they end up sounding like crap cuz the neck has gone whacky or something. I seen a Dead mint UV777GR years ago that some lady bought at a guitar shop just to have Steve sign it. She never played it once, just stored it under the bed like it was an investment or savings bond. The neck had back bow in it with no adjustment left! What a complete waste of a good axe. I would hound that guy and try to get him to see the light if you want the guitar.

~A

Tom Gilroy · #12 04-12-2005, 01:19 PM

No. But at no extra charge it's a cool addition.

Hobophobic · #13 04-12-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Gilroy

No. But at no extra charge it's a cool addition.

Honestly, even at no extra charge it wouldn't mean much to me if it was signed for someone else. It would be cool (to me) if it was signed for me but otherwise it would just be a name on the guitar.

Tom Gilroy · #14 04-12-2005, 01:37 PM

True and it's not really a selling point. But if it was at no extra charge I wouldn't mind having it. Oh and I'd prefer the back of the headstock to be signed. Body signing kinda defaces the guitar.

HDS · #15 04-12-2005, 04:46 PM

When did signing something give the signer the midas touch to turn cheap guitars into collectors items?? A $350 guitar with a sig is a $350 guitar with ink on it.