A few days ago, I started seeing press releases popping up on a few sites letting the world know that Ernie Ball Music Man Announces New St. Vincent Signature Guitar. I’m a big fan of Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent). I’ve written about here a few times on the site. I like her for a few reasons, but the primary reason, she plays guitar weird, and I love that. She has a style, she has a sound, and she’s really, really good at it. I understand that some of the music might not be for everyone, but regardless, you have to respect the player.
I found this cool video compilation of some of her great guitar playing by Danielle Bruinhof Check it out!
So she’s been working with Ernie Ball / Music Man on her new signature guitar. The guitar has an interesting shape, definitely non-conventional, just like her style. I thought it matched up with her personality perfectly. Normally, a new signature guitar, I wouldn’t look to hard at, but some of the comments I’ve been seeing about this guitar has got me thinking. What I’ve seen so far, the comments have been generally negative. Negative on the look of the guitar, and negative on Annie Clark, but what needs to be considered as well, which I feel isn’t, is how much of a badass you need to be to get a signature guitar. Think about it, how many other female guitarists to do you know that has their own signature guitar?
I hate bringing up the gender card, but sometimes I get sick of all the ‘dudes’ in the guitar world and the bottom line, it’s about the playing/creating that counts, and she’s top notch in multiple ways. This guitar, even though it may not be your style and even though you might not like her music, you have to say ‘good job’ for making this happen. For me, I’m very impressed of this accomplishment, and proud that her music is getting more and more accessible.
Let me know what you think of St. Vincent and her new guitar by commenting below!
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9 years ago
I miss the days when you had to be a guitar God to get a signature guitar. now any hack can get their name slapped on a headstock. The guitar is ugly.
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9 years ago
She's great, her playing (and that guitar) is the antithesis of Jimmi Page and his Les Paul, you've got to remember that the vast majority of dudes who shop for signature guitars are the kind of aging double-denim assholes who wouldn't dare step outside of playing tired old blues licks. Doesn't matter – arthritis will get them soon.
Also, anyone who doesn't think that guitar is beautiful is blind.
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9 years ago
I enjoy her music and playing. Original and tasty. I am also happy to see a new guitar that isn't. Derivative in any way. Cool.
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9 years ago
This is a serious breath of fresh air… Wonderful artist and guitar company. I'm exhausted by the reems of signature models that are simply a stock Les Paul with a new finish/inlays, or something of the sort. Innovation is essential, sometimes it sticks, sometimes it doesn't but this is certainly unique. Win
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9 years ago
electric guitar used to be at the avant-garde of an unexpected global movement of popular modernism, but in only one generation it became something so conservative that if the pioneers came back they wouldn't have the chance to propose anything as radical as the Telecaster or the Flying V… fortunately there are people like Annie Clarke who still believe and create both music and design for electric guitars, in spite of the inert mass of ageing white males (I'm ageing, white and male, please kill me when I ever become inert).
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9 years ago
I’ll second most of the positive comments here. Great to they’re outnumbering the predictable negatives. Annie Clark is innovative and adventurous where so many “Guitar Gods” are dreary, dull and unimaginative, churning out the same old, same old on their cherished LPs and Strats. It’s inevitable she’s gonna wind some people up as she doesn’t have “Tone tunnel vision” and explore a much wider range of sonic possibilities than the rest. As for the guitar, I think it’s good that isn’t just a regular model tweaked and twiddled with an Annie Clark signature printed onto a plastic badge on the headstock. BUT. For me, the headstock COULD have been made more aesthetically in keeping with the body. To me it seems out of balance and slightly too short. I know it’s their signature style and it better suits their other models, like the angular but soft Albert Lee and the chubby cousin of Annie’s guitar, The Armada. But I’m just being picky. PS. Sean Jones. I look forward to the day when you get your signature on a guitar then we can all review it’s Godliness or Hackliness.
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9 years ago
I've loved her since her days at Berkley and I have wanted the guitar since these it was announced.
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9 years ago
Some of those are a better Omar Rodriguez than Omar Rodriguez
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Definitely a great style all her own. It just incredibly similar to a guitar Eastwood would make. -
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9 years ago
Zachary Corsa Wow, you got all of that from my post? Congrats on being a class a dick who thinks he knows what he is talking about. Congratulations princess.
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9 years ago
Annie scares the shite out of most dudes,guitar players included,with Berklee background she knows more than you ever would,she can swear like a sailor,and with a mind that’s innovative,original,playful,insightful ,deep,coyote trickster…
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Plus she can play that THANG!
Music Man did themselves a favor by putting this model out…women and men will love it!
All I can say is,”keep on playing-MS.MUSIC! -
9 years ago
Hank…kudos for blogging on Annie Clark’s signature guitar by Music Man. I have to say that, to me, her music is like when I first experienced Scotch whiskey. It was an acquired taste. I’ve found that I like the quirkiness of her songs and style. It beats the Hell out of what is considered music by the record companies pushing the newer artists. As to the guitar, I really like it. In a way I can’t articulate, it kind of reminds me of some of the better designed and constructed guitars that were coming out of Italy and Japan in the mid ’60s. Obviously, the materials and workmanship are light years ahead of that vintage and era. I don’t normally like blue guitars, but this one is strikingly beautiful. All in all, I’m glad MM took a chance and is making a signature guitar for an innovative and creative musician who happens to be a woman and a beautiful one at that (musician and woman). I see myself trying to find one of these to try out and if it feels and sounds as gorgeous as it looks, I’ll fork over the cash for one.
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9 years ago
Annie scares the "shite" out of dudes,guitar players included,with a Berklee background she knows more than YOU do! With a creative,original,coyote trickster mind-she can really play that THANG! Music Man was doing themselves a favor,women and men are going to pick this guitar up…she's spreading the desire for creativity-WHAT A TESTIMONIAL!
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9 years ago
You have no ears if you think she is a hack. She can play better than most and deserves a signature model. What makes it ugly? Big opinions but no reasoning
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9 years ago
Thanks God we have Annie Clarke. One of the most inspiring female guitar players (musicians) of this era.
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