Hi Andy, check this out: "That’s the defining feature of a true “signature model”: the artist is compensated for the use of their name as part of a formalized endorsement."
If so, are any of the John Hall-era "artist signature models" actually signature models under this definition? Did the artists named on those models - you know who they are - receive compensation from RIC for the use of their name? If so, it likely wasn't based on sales volume. (See Glen Frey models)
Ron, they absolutely were, although I can’t tell you how much. Petty was famously kinda ticked that he didn’t continue to receive a royalty for the non-signature version of the 660 since it WAS a guitar he had developed…
What about the 'Lennon Reissues" 2000 guitars in the early '90s in several models. Those are definitely "artist signature models." Did Yoko get paid for those?
Absolutely. I’d wager one of the reasons the SLE’s were of a fixed quantity was to guarantee the artist a specific payout—and to amortize that payout to an acceptable per-guitar level for Rickenbacker. Not sure if Rick or Glenn Frey took a bath on the GF, but I suspect it was Rick…
Really love the overall color of it, minus the darker center. RIC could issue a new version as “Honeyglo”.
Hi Andy, check this out: "That’s the defining feature of a true “signature model”: the artist is compensated for the use of their name as part of a formalized endorsement."
If so, are any of the John Hall-era "artist signature models" actually signature models under this definition? Did the artists named on those models - you know who they are - receive compensation from RIC for the use of their name? If so, it likely wasn't based on sales volume. (See Glen Frey models)
Yes, if a free guitar is considered as compensation.
Ron, they absolutely were, although I can’t tell you how much. Petty was famously kinda ticked that he didn’t continue to receive a royalty for the non-signature version of the 660 since it WAS a guitar he had developed…
What about the 'Lennon Reissues" 2000 guitars in the early '90s in several models. Those are definitely "artist signature models." Did Yoko get paid for those?
Absolutely. I’d wager one of the reasons the SLE’s were of a fixed quantity was to guarantee the artist a specific payout—and to amortize that payout to an acceptable per-guitar level for Rickenbacker. Not sure if Rick or Glenn Frey took a bath on the GF, but I suspect it was Rick…