New Tommy Thayer Gibson "White Lightning" on the way?

[Wilfred]

But the very reason a signature model of any kind was started was to pay homage to the player it was named for and their ability to make it sing. [...] A great business decision, but not signature guitar worthy.

Very interesting statement, but I can't think of any historical evidence to support it.
And 'worthy' is as subjective as it could be, off course.

 

[easton55]

Lol, your opinion I guess. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Wilfred]

No opinion, I just said I can't think of anything to back up your statement, can you? You made it, not me. Seriously, I'm very interested. And again no opinion, but actually a fact that 'worthy' is a subjective qualification.

"Additionally, Gibson's president Ted McCarty stated that the Gibson Guitar Corporation approached Les Paul for the right to imprint the musician's name on the headstock with the intention of increasing sales"

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Les_Paul

 

[Norton]

Another tommy Thayer guitar?

I'm waiting for him to go away.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Ahh!! The New Eric Singer Model.. Cool..
BTW Eric of KISS designed that guitar JFYI

I couldn't drop three grand on that guitar

 

[easton55]

Then you're not understanding what a signature model is. Judging by your last statement, you think I'm talking about the Les Paul; and I'm not. The LP is the model, just like an SG, Explorer, Flying V, etc. A signature model is a version of a model named after a player having history with that model and adding to music history itself. Randy Rhoads, Ace Frehley, Peter Frampton, Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, etc all have signature models, and definitely fit in this description. There are others too, with other companies/models, but not worrying about trying to list all. Tommy Thayer does not fit in this category. My opinion on this maybe, but LOTS of others agree here. He for sure jumped on a chance to play in a band lots of others would too, but worthy of a model named after him, not a chance.

 

[LPJNoob]

Very interesting statement, but I can't think of any historical evidence to support it.
And 'worthy' is as subjective as it could be, off course.

*cough* Avril Levigne*cough*

 

[LPJNoob]

Ahh!! The New Eric Singer Model.. Cool..
BTW Eric of KISS designed that guitar JFYI

I couldn't drop three grand on that guitar

Not that I couldn't.....I WOULDN'T.

 

[ShoalsRanger]

Hard to miss that Tommy was playing a Gibson Les Paul setup in his (now) famous "White Lightning" during the "Kiss Rocks Vegas" show that was taped in November 2014. Makes you wonder, if it was taped a year and a half ago whether this was just a one off of Thayer's Epi guitar.

Tommy had the Gibson version made for him personally back in the summer of 2014. There is a Rig Rundown on Youtube (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg2fRBXhB6Q) where he says he just got it from Gibson a day or so prior to making that video. The video was published in August of 2014.

I assume since he liked the look of it so much that he and Gibson decided to make an Epi version of it. Not sure why they didn't make a Gibson version.

Oh and BTW, signature models are NOT designed to pay homage or tribute to anyone no matter what anyone else may say. Signature models are designed and made to sell guitars...plain and simple. Worthiness or unworthiness does not matter. If they actually thought that making a Pee-Wee Herman signature LP would sell, they would make it...worthiness be damned. It's all about marketing and selling guitars.

 

[Chris B.]

Ya. But I seriously doubt that using TT's name even one person would consider it. He is the very definition of a "meh" guitar player.

 

[Norton]

Right on....chris b!

shoals ranger...you answered your own question... "Why doesn't Gibson make a tt signature? "

....Because no one would buy it.

Apparently the ace frehley signature models are big sellers.....so it must not just be all about the makeup....???

 

[MikeyTheCat]

This weekend at a party we were talking bout going to see KISS. One guy insisted that Peter and Ace are still in the band because they looked like they did when he saw them 10 years ago, and another insisted that none of them are originals but it was OK.
The power of makeup I guess.

 

[HistoricR0]

I'd rather have a Bruce Kulick model. Hell, even a Vinnie Vincent model besides a TT.

 

[HistoricR0]

Just curious, how much would you pay for one of these?

 

[ShoalsRanger]

Right on....chris b!

shoals ranger...you answered your own question... "Why doesn't Gibson make a tt signature? "

....Because no one would buy it.

Apparently the ace frehley signature models are big sellers.....so it must not just be all about the makeup....???

My question was more rhetorical than anything. I assumed the sales wouldn't be there, which is what led me to my statement after that where I said that sig models are made to sell guitars.

 

[KissGuitar]

Those Hughes and Kettner Amps sold for ridiculous money back in the day when they were released. I considered one mainly because I like Hughes&Kettner but ended up with a Marshall.

Problem with the Thayer H&K now is that you can get a well specced Grandmeister 36 that has everything but the kitchen sink for about $1K. Sure it's 36W, but I'd step the TT amp down to 50W since I don't need that much power.

I'm not sure I'd even buy a TT H&K at this point unless it was an absolute steal, but that's me. If it had Ace's name on it, it would still be worth $2K+ though (lol).

 

[ShoalsRanger]

If they actually thought that making a Pee-Wee Herman signature LP would sell, they would make it...worthiness be damned. It's all about marketing and selling guitars.

Oh snap!

 

[ajay]

Gene-"Will You tell me that I'm a freaking god every time You see me?"

Tommy-"Absolutely! No one who walks the Earth holds a candle to You Massah' Simmons!"

Gene-"OK. You can tune Paul's guitar and dress up like Ace."

Tommy-"Thank You Massah' Simmons."

Gene-"uh, that would be Holy God Massah' Simmons."

Tommy-"Yes Holy God Massah Simmons."

Gene-"Now go beg Paul if You can pluck his chest hairs."

Tommy-"I will right after I go pay for my ticket."

Gene-"Good Boy part-timer."

 

[ShoalsRanger]

I could go on and on about Tommy and the KISS situation. The makeup, the outfits, etc etc, but I won't.

The only thing that really worries me is that I kind of feel bad for Tommy. I mean, he's his own man and a better guitarist than I can ever hope to be. But when I think of great guitar players..or even good guitar players, I think in terms of their legacy. When Tommy hangs his guitar strap up and retires what will be his legacy? What will he be remembered for?

His legacy as of right now is that he went on stage every night, played guitar, walked, sang, and dressed....like someone else.

 

[MikeyTheCat]

And making a good living doing it. Thayer's a pro and knows what the story is.