SIGN OF THE TIMES

WHETHER OR NOT you consider the Gibson Les Paul a “signature model,” there’ve been some truly revolutionary artist-inspired gear lines over the years — some models even becoming the most popular guitars in a manufacturer’s line. Just look at the MXR EVH Phase 90, undoubtedly the most iconic and enduring phaser pedal of ’em all. It’s the perfect tribute, in tone and aesthetics, to the man who popularized the sound more than anyone else. Then there’s the Ibanez Jem, co-designed in 1987 with Steve Vai, the high-performance seven-string shred machine that would inspire a whole new range of superstrats under the RG series, which — let us not forget — continues to thrive, alongside the instruments bearing his name.

Of course, there will always be those who dislike playing a piece of gear made specifically for someone else, and that’s understandable. Though it’s worth bearing in mind that, when executed well, signature models often bridge the gap between users and designers, with those little tweaks that make everything sound