Jared James Nichols and other Artist models...

[rbraad68]

I have alwats wanted one of these. It is so nice to see one of these artists that actually play their epiphone sig guitar. I have seen many videos of this guy and he always seems to have one of these handy if not holding one and playing it. I just ran into this new video he just released where he is playing this guitar. Check it out....

 

[DeafDumbBlind Kid]

I had one of those guitars. What a cannon it was. Baseball bat neck. Sold it to fund other things but it was a fun, fun guitar.

 

[rbraad68]

I had one of those guitars. What a cannon it was. Baseball bat neck. Sold it to fund other things but it was a fun, fun guitar.

It's not high on my list but one of these days i want one. These artist come out with these sig guitars but you never seeing them play them ( at least the epiphones ) I have yet to see slash play his epi slash live or anywhere else for that matter. Just nice to see this guy actually using his. God knows he has plenty of other guitars he can play. I mean i get the whole SIG guitar things lets the fans have a slice of the pie and get that......

 

[Ace Frehley Jr.]

My question is why the fret markers stop at the 15th fret???

 

[matt3310]

His Gold Glory guitar is incredible!!

 

[rbraad68]

I'd own either one but since the new one has the new head stock I think I would want one of those...

 

[noodlingguitars]

It's not high on my list but one of these days i want one. These artist come out with these sig guitars but you never seeing them play them ( at least the epiphones ) I have yet to see slash play his epi slash live or anywhere else for that matter. Just nice to see this guy actually using his. God knows he has plenty of other guitars he can play. I mean i get the whole SIG guitar things lets the fans have a slice of the pie and get that......

Matt Heafy actually plays Epiphones live as well. His live rig ones are retrofitted with Evertunes. He uses the normal ones on his Twitch livestreams. Tommy Thayer does as well.

I suppose it's similar across the board for the big three, Epiphone really makes "artist replicas" rather than actual models used by the artists (unlike say LTD, Schecter or other import brands). The goal for the big three is to inspire players to eventually move up to the USA/core lines.

 

[rbraad68]

Matt Heafy actually plays Epiphones live as well. His live rig ones are retrofitted with Evertunes. He uses the normal ones on his Twitch livestreams. Tommy Thayer does as well.

I suppose it's similar across the board for the big three, Epiphone really makes "artist replicas" rather than actual models used by the artists (unlike say LTD, Schecter or other import brands). The goal for the big three is to inspire players to eventually move up to the USA/core lines.

Yeah I always woundered how many of these artists actually play their sig models. I guess that makes sense since you put it that way. It does inspire me to see some of these guys play their models. My slash epi still doesn't sit right with me it's like they totally dropped the ball on last yrs offerings....

 

[questionman]

Matt Heafy actually plays Epiphones live as well. His live rig ones are retrofitted with Evertunes. He uses the normal ones on his Twitch livestreams. Tommy Thayer does as well.

Saw them twice opening for Lamb of God/Megadeth. The second show I was shocked when an actual Gibson came out. First show was the normal black and white customs with a 7 string custom for a couple songs

Do really want to try a JJN. Saw him open for John 5 right after the launch of the black Epi, that thing sounded AWESOME

 

[noodlingguitars]

Yeah I always woundered how many of these artists actually play their sig models. I guess that makes sense since you put it that way. It does inspire me to see some of these guys play their models. My slash epi still doesn't sit right with me it's like they totally dropped the ball on last yrs offerings....

I think it depends on the genre, image and philosophy of the brand.

To be honest, even if Joe Bonamassa played an Epiphone once or twice, it would never be convincing - it's counter to his whole Nerdville/ "I own all the high end vintage stuff" schtick. Same with Slash - you know he's not going to be attached to an Epi. The whole legacy and image is str0nk.

I'd be interested to see how PRS does their artist contracts - but I suspect most artists that are endorsees with SE models likely have a requirement to use the SE models for exposure during the production period (think Opeth).

I almost feel that it's because of this whole inevitable attachment to the "Gibson" image and the overarching goal of owning a Big-G being soooo engrained, that Zakk left for Schecter. Everyone knows he loves his Gibsons, but if he released his crazy models under Epi, everyone's just going to ask "so where's the Gibby version". With his Wylde Audio stuff, he doesn't need to deal with that and can sell the "I use the same thing as what you have" message.

 

[rbraad68]

I think it depends on the genre, image and philosophy of the brand.

To be honest, even if Joe Bonamassa played an Epiphone once or twice, it would never be convincing - it's counter to his whole Nerdville/ "I own all the high end vintage stuff" schtick. Same with Slash - you know he's not going to be attached to an Epi. The whole legacy and image is str0nk.

I'd be interested to see how PRS does their artist contracts - but I suspect most artists that are endorsees with SE models likely have a requirement to use the SE models for exposure during the production period (think Opeth).

I almost feel that it's because of this whole inevitable attachment to the "Gibson" image and the overarching goal of owning a Big-G being soooo engrained, that Zakk left for Schecter. Everyone knows he loves his Gibsons, but if he released his crazy models under Epi, everyone's just going to ask "so where's the Gibby version". With his Wylde Audio stuff, he doesn't need to deal with that and can sell the "I use the same thing as what you have" message.

You always make a good point man. I totally agree with you no that you break it down for me like that. I think a lot of us just get caught up in the whole SIG series models. When I first got my Anaconda Slash I wasn't so much into it's a Slash guitar yay!! I was more into the fact is was a green burst of sorts. Wasn't till after I got the thing was I like " I gotta get real SD Slash pups for it " and other dunb reasons to sink a shit load of money into it. I have since put it back to stock and love the pups epiphone chose to put in the thing. Now with my JB Laz that is a different story. I could careless about the artist. I bought that guitar for other reasons. I love my JB Laz prob one of the best models Epiphone put out last year. I guess lesson learned here is that SIG guitars are not for me and if i ever get this thing sold that's it for me lesson learned...

Now with that said let's see some pics of you guys sig models. Be interested in seeing just whats out there Gibson or Epiphone doesn't mater.. Here is my Slash which is still for sale by the way guys...

 

[WillyW]

I hadn’t even heard of JJN prior to seeing the gold signature model. He’s still not entirely my style of music, but I would see him if he came to town.

I had the guitar in my hands 5 days after discovering it..

I changed very little to make it my own.

started a thread about it..

Jared James Nichols gold sumbich Epiphone

He seems like a cool dude with apparently two versions of this signature model.. an older black version and this gold one that has been out for over a year.. I just stumbled across this model in the last couple weeks, and ordered as soon as I was able. the gig bag is pretty nice and should...

www.mylespaul.com

 

[rbraad68]

I hadn’t even heard of JJN prior to seeing the gold signature model. He’s still not entirely my style of music, but I would see him if he came to town.

I had the guitar in my hands 5 days after discovering it..

I changed very little to make it my own.

started a thread about it..

Jared James Nichols gold sumbich Epiphone

He seems like a cool dude with apparently two versions of this signature model.. an older black version and this gold one that has been out for over a year.. I just stumbled across this model in the last couple weeks, and ordered as soon as I was able. the gig bag is pretty nice and should...

www.mylespaul.com

It's such a simple guitar there really isn't much to do to it. If and when I get one? I would get a faber wrap around bridge 50's wire harness or just a good harness. Maybe tuners thats about it though. Hows the neck profile nice and fat? That just screams awesome guitar to me! Nice and simple. Hows the wieght of the thing? We had one guy post his and the finish along the edges wasn't right. He even got a second one and same thing. Must have been a bad run of those things cause my regular epi custom didn't have those edges like that.... OH btw way nice strat!!!

 

[rbraad68]

I don't really consider this on a SIG model cause my intentions weren't for the artist. I bought it to play and as you can see there isn't much left but the wood that is stock. Here is my JB Laz i put together last year. I swapped the Gibson BB's out for a set of Gibson Alnico 2's that they put in the Gibson Slash model. I find these pups to be really smooth. I have since swapped out the bridge pup for a Dimarzio 36th pup and prob do the same for the neck pup. Did the faber aged nickel bridge pieces and the kluson revolution tuners. Anyways here is that guitar. BTW it makes a better Slash model than what epiphone was offering for the AFD guitar... Before the Dimarzio and after....

 

[noodlingguitars]

I hadn’t even heard of JJN prior to seeing the gold signature model. He’s still not entirely my style of music, but I would see him if he came to town.

I had the guitar in my hands 5 days after discovering it..

I changed very little to make it my own.

started a thread about it..

Jared James Nichols gold sumbich Epiphone

He seems like a cool dude with apparently two versions of this signature model.. an older black version and this gold one that has been out for over a year.. I just stumbled across this model in the last couple weeks, and ordered as soon as I was able. the gig bag is pretty nice and should...

www.mylespaul.com

that BFG tho!!

 

[efstop]

The JJN was tempting even at $820 US in Canada (there are still a few used/demo at L&M) and the $600 US BJA Junior (with a hard case) still is.
The regular Epi Junior is $470 US and no bag, so maybe the BJA is worth the money. On the other hand, I have an Epi '57 Reissue Junior w/case that cost me $365 US total.

 

[rbraad68]

The JJN was tempting even at $820 US in Canada (there are still a few used/demo at L&M) and the $600 US BJA Junior (with a hard case) still is.
The regular Epi Junior is $470 US and no bag, so maybe the BJA is worth the money. On the other hand, I have an Epi '57 Reissue Junior w/case that cost me $365 US total.

Any pictures of the guitar??

 

[efstop]

Any pictures of the guitar??

Certainly! It had gold top hats, but it needed black ones to be era correct

 

[Drewn]

JJN seems like a really good guy. follow him on instagram and he's always posting stuff with that guitar. he absolutely loves playing that thing. genuinely looks like he's having a great time just ripping for instagram.

Dave Rude from Tesla is another one that plays his signature Epi. he has that all white flying V that he plays. I asked him and he says it's bone stock, no changes. Probucker pickups.

 

[rbraad68]

Certainly! It had gold top hats, but it needed black ones to be era correct

Oh shit man that's nice!! Love the one pick up configuration. It's a Gibson no?? One of these days I want to add one to the collection.

***edit**

Never mind man i see it's an Epiphone Still really nice man!!