Melon Collie and the Infinite Bad-Ass Guitar

[Sam]

At left (click for larger image) is the Billy Corgan Stratocaster. Looks pretty sweet. Also has an interesting pickup switching feature:

5-Position Blade:

• Position 1. Full Humbucking Bridge Pickup
• Position 2. Inside Coil of Bridge Pickup and Full Humbucking Middle Pickup
• Position 3. Full Humbucking Middle Pickup
• Position 4. Full Humbucking Middle Pickup and Outside Coil of Neck Pickup
• Position 5. Full Humbucking Neck Pickup

Full description here

My first reaction was "That's a sweet ride". My second reaction (with no disrespect intended to BC) was "Why is Fender giving Billy Corgan a signature guitar?" Don't get me wrong, I loved Smashing Pumpkins (SP wiki) back in the day. I even bought and dug the Zwan album. I haven't really been that into them since they reunited a few years ago.

The signature guitar market is odd to me. I understand the Eric Johnson signature Stratocaster, the Joe Satriani Ibanez, the Carlos Santana PRS, and other "A-List" players signature guitars. Nowadays, Guitar World magazine is full of ads featuring signature models from guys that are not only not in real popular bands, but also really aren't known for their playing skills.

Oh well - good for those guys. Billy now has a 100% custom, hot-rodded Stratocaster that he probably gets for free or in a pinch can go buy one off the rack at Guitar Center, get a set-up and play a gig.

Artist Series on Fender website