The Making of St.Vincent's Ernie Ball Music Man Signature Guitar

Order now: musc.mn/StVince...
Annie Clark shares the inspiration behind her new signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar, which was envisioned and designed by the Grammy-Award winning guitarist with support from the award-winning engineering team at Ernie Ball Music Man. Crafted to perfectly fit her form, playing technique and personal style, the St. Vincent model was designed and developed in Ernie Ball Music Man's San Luis Obispo, California factory. It is available in black or custom Vincent Blue, a color hand-mixed by Annie. Featuring an African mahogany body, Ernie Ball Music Man tremolo, gunstock oil and hand-rubbed rosewood neck and fingerboard, St. Vincent inlays, Schaller locking tuners, 5-way pick up selector with custom configuration and 3-mini humbuckers, the guitar also comes complete with Ernie Ball Regular Slinky guitar strings.

[@Danielblco0]

The production team could sell bottled water. Great video.

[@TheDizzack]

Top notch. Powerful female but appealing to general audiences. Lighting is amazing.

[@hpitura]

same thoughts here, I watched amazed by the video. top notch.

[@karamdabagh]

+Daniel Blanco you're funny

[@steveknucklebones2501]

+Daniel Blanco Too bad they had this to sell.

[@benzakonium]

+Daniel Blanco They've been watching a lot of Apple product videos!

[@stevenkillthatbowl]

cool video, but I actually wanted to hear the guitar being played

[@kraznet]

+Steven Cruz Yes me too.

[@Topsy_Krett]

+Steven Cruz but there was only six whole minutes of video time, and that was so she could promote herself and Music Man, lol

[@BrothuhV84]

+Steven Cruz THIS ^ Duh Ernieball get on yo shiet!!! XD

[@slimturnpike]

+Steven Cruz yep

[@slimturnpike]

+AutomaticRhythmUnit haha

[@joellebrodeur1015]

I'm just learning more about Annie (St. Vincent) and opening my ears to her music. I can say as a fellow female guitarist, she describes pretty much how I feel about the instrument. It's not really living if I can't play guitar. It consoles me, it lifts me up and brings me joy when I need it. I play my dream guitar (a Rickenbacker), so I know full well that feeling of being so connected to a particular instrument that you reach for no other. I applaud her for getting the chance to see that her dream guitar was fulfilled. It's as avante guard as she is.

[@edhubble]

People saying ‘let’s hear the guitar’, let’s bear in mind, she just reinvented the wheel. Try designing a guitar - see if it doesn’t end up looking like a Fender or a Gibson. She pulled off an amazing feat. And she can play that motherf**ker!

[@thesash7063]

absolutely, i love that design and I'm tired to see another strat aor les paul.

[@curly_wyn]

💯

[@madsam7582]

A new shape isn't a new wheel. 😂 Yeah, it's nice, but people click to hear it.

[@boulz666]

kinda sounds like a commercial for the new iphone

[@the1choco]

Annie was the first woman I saw live playing a guitar and it really inspired me to pick up one and learn. She's such an inspiration and I'm so happy she has this signature guitar to her name. Going to start saving up for one :D

[@KNakanishi]

I remember when she made her "mainstream" debut on SNL. Everyone in the audience that night had no idea how to respond to her because she was from so far out of left field. I love her music so much!

[@HerveBoisde]

This guitar isn’t cheap but it’s something to aspire to.

[@Andresortega-nd2js]

You could get the 500 or so version of it

[@billytai1096]

They need to make a bass model St. Vincent. I totally see the potential. Reversed headstock. It would look cool as hell. Make sure it’s as import model to make it affordable for the masses.

[@YvaijiroY]

The amount of slowmotion in this video is ridiculous >_< Annie is lovely though.

[@jsnell126]

+YvaijiroY yeah and the soundtrack is over the top cheesy.

[@ThiagoRochaA1]

It's like a Zack Snyder movie.

[@iwillnevergetone5]

can't we get some of that footage of her playing. come on now

[@JeserNoob]

Dude this is like the second video I've found you on haha

[@iwillnevergetone5]

JeserNoob yep. i'm do fancy a nice gear/band/music-related video that's for sure.

[@thisiscellaich]

+Darrien Day Heyy, we meet again. Hope all is well fellow youtube gear video commenter!

[@iwillnevergetone5]

Hayden D hey there, friend. Likewise just bringing in the new year still checking out the latest and greatest gear! hope you're well too!

[@goddamn1884]

if you haven't noticed , she doesn't play guitar she just holds them, look at her music videos for example, there's no sound of a guitar

[@SteelSkin667]

I actually never heard of St. Vincent until the unveiling of her guitar. I think it looks absolutely amazing.

[@icantintyou]

same here

[@caseyphudson]

That blue guitar is one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen.

[@theredheadsaidNYC]

How can you have a video promo for a guitar and not once let us hear how the guitar sounds? Wtf

[@ernieballinc]

+Charlene Jaszewski blog.music-man.com/artists/ernie-ball-music-man-st-vincent-signature-guitar/

[@spunkybrewster1972]

Funny...5 videos of the guitar on that page. Not one of her demoing it. I think 1:34 might explain why. :-)

[@Zoltarman]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/enexgaalbJdsapo

[@kyleboggs1966]

I went into the music store the other day for a different instrument and picked up one by chance. When I decided to plug it in and A/B it against what I went in for, there was no comparison. I left with the St. Vincent

[@MaTTheWish]

Fantastic, this is how you do artists signature guitars, every other artist just put s their favorite pickups in a Stratocaster or a telecaster. She actually designed her guitar. Respect to all involved...

[@tawmifm]

Says more about how based the Strat and the Tele are than anything else lmao

[@MaTTheWish]

@@tawmifm super based

[@jeffsaginaw1769]

Watch Austin City Limits - St Vincent show to hear this guitar make you shiver and shout; an astonishing demonstration of passion and prowess and easy on the eyes. Thanks Annie and MM

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Annie's a fantastic guitarist, and writer and singer - I've been listening to her for at least 10 years. She's in good company with Steve Morse and Albert Lee. No slouch!

[@belleofkilronan8565]

Excellently designed guitar. It got really good reviews from people who know their stuff about guitars and were not at familiar with Annie Clark or her work in St. Vincent. Annie Clark is beautiful, talented, at once deep and joyful. In other words, she's the real deal. Her technical prowess in guitar is unmatched for the particular style she plays. I don't understand how anyone could see her as fake, a media construct or lacking in substance. Seriously.

[@Loren_Law]

It's always nice to se a new design for a signature, not just a special paint job. For some reason the guitar world has been stuck basically with the same 6 guitar models for the last 50 years. doesn't make sense to me.

[@TheZooropaBaby]

+Loren Law I think in a way, we don't have to reinvent the wheel so much, so in a way, not inventing new crazy shapes too often shouldn't be all that problematic to me.

[@Thejgomez]

+TheZooropaBaby True, the problem is that those 60+ year old have design flaws, and the whole industry just keep copying. So yes the wheel needs to be reinvented and needs to keep evolving, simply because the nature of the instrument isn't perfect, so new designs are a must to keep this business progressing.

[@TheZooropaBaby]

Jon Gomez I know it's sad that new shapes that tries perfect ergonomics and sound (i.e. Parker, many "shredder" guitars, etc) but they kinda disappear real quick. Maybe people aren't so into changes ? actually, I like many of MM shapes as they are result of improved playability.

[@Thejgomez]

TheZooropaBaby Yes Well Fender and Gibson got there first, and unfortunately the concept of music got attached to those brands. They are not the best guitars but are the ones more sought after, even with their flaws and their outdated performance. If the car business would be the same maybe people would be driving ford model-T still. So I think is more related to image, monkey see...

[@nermket4849]

+Juan Nieve perhaps not a reinvented wheel, but a circular one.

[@dmitriyrazorenov]

The cool thing is that it's not only about the shape and the look. This guitar has really unusual combination: mahogany body, rosewood neck, bolt-on, strat type tremolo, 3 pickups with 5 selections: bridge, middle, neck, bridge+neck and bridge+middle+neck. That's not an ordinary thing that guitar companies do nowadays - to design something original, not just a custom variation of traditional models.

[@bernhardtsen74]

the first thing I think when I see this guitar is : Judas Priest live in texas 1986!Glenn Tiptons custom Hamer guitar shape!

[@Bodyknowledge77]

She's a unique and inspiring artist. Especially her guitar playing. I hope to someday have a sig guitar:-)

[@SlavSquatSenpai]

Too bad she didn't play anything in the vid

[@Johnny_Doe]

I loved how she helped designed the shape of this guitar. If you watch her play her MusicMan on stage you’ll see it blocks nothing while she is playing.

[@kristoferramirez1966]

Meanwhile, On the other side of music,people are saying taylor swift is the next eddie van halen lol😂😂😂😂

[@randolphpatterson5061]

Wanna make guitars like the big factories do? Learn to write code.....

[@pattyhays487]

Who the hell is St. Vincent??

[@paulojrg]

Why doesn't the headstock match the angular body, looks incomplete and mismatched, it's a shame. The same happens with the "Magesty", fantastic looking guitar until it reaches the headstock. It works very well in the majority of your guitars, but in this two examples is detractive from the guitar design.

[@larrygeetar9309]

+Paulo G It's the Music Man signature headstock design, so they want people who recognize things like that to know right away what make the guitar is.

[@paulojrg]

+larry geetar I know that and as I said before their headstock goes very well with their guitars, particularly the James valentine, but this "weirder" shaped guitars (and I forgot the Alvin Lee model) would require a headstock that complimented the body better, maybe the same basic shape but more angular, more sculpted. The other company founded by Leo as well as the other one founded by Orville and many others had different headstocks over the years for different guitars and that doesn't cause any confusion over what make they are.

[@ernieballinc]

+Paulo G Headstocks define brands, and the 4 over 2 is our signature. More than just a design the 4 of 2 offers straight string pull, eliminating string trees which can negatively affect intonation.

[@paulojrg]

+Ernie Ball For those who "understand" guitars there is no need, for those who don't it's pointless to be concerned. As I said above there is no need to "change" your signature 4+2 tuning peg/straight pull distribution just retouch it, massage it to suit the body.

[@matiasdelcampo]

+Paulo G Thought the same, makes the guitar look unfinished

[@DennisTeti]

Jesus. They'll make a guitar for anybody.

[@henriksoeberg7412]

Great musician, nice guitar, terrible soundmix on the video..

[@burninglcd]

It's a rounded off Explorer with a tremolo.

[@RobertFairweatherMusic]

I can't wait for the Robert Fairweather model... ha

[@randiestrouse2967]

Jesus I can't wait until a Sterling version is released (I hope)

[@EricVera539]

+Randie Strouse I Heard that it will be in Australia, don't know if they're releasing it in the whole world.

[@ernieballinc]

+Randie Strouse You don't need to hope. We have it on good authority that there may be a SBMM version coming Summer 2016.

[@randiestrouse2967]

And yet another reason to continue my brand loyalty. Seriously phenomenal news, and more than likely my next purchase. Thank you for all the wonderful music machines

[@steveknucklebones2501]

+Randie Strouse Excuse me, your brown lipstick is smeared. Just an fyi

[@LevitatorMusic]

Really love the color of this guitar. So retro/classic.

[@hworkdedication]

So how does it fucking play for fuck sakes

[@jakobdobrinth8939]

Now that's a proper signature guitar! Not just a strat with some custom PUs. Didn't expect that atrocious stock footage vibe, though. Kind of a pity that the "making of" has little to no substance concerning the actual making of this guitar. Still a gorgeous guitar, though :)

[@henrysharpeskate]

Awesome!! Love St Vincent and so happy she's got a signature model, i'm calling up my local shop now to see if they are getting one in to try! Unfortunately most passionate musicians who feel the same as St Vincent can't afford a £1500 guitar . Hope the price comes down one day so we can too be inspired.

[@Neogeofanatic]

blablablablablabla ok but not even a single note on this guitar...

[@BD12]

Yeah, they really went for the full 'blow hard' routine in this video.

[@LuanaDametto]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/enexgaalbJdsapo

[@LordYllsacky]

Exactly! What a bitch!

[@Rubbmeuk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWSbipaeoNpjaJI

[@ashleyjohansson230]

It will sound like any other guitar with extremely minimal differences. Not like every guitar has a huge sound difference. A guitar will just sound like a guitar, the amp determining the sound more than anything else.

[@5urg3x]

This is a great guitar but it needs 24 frets. Other than that it's awesome.

[@MasterTechieRep]

I want a LiL Wayne Musicman!

[@standswithfist806]

damn!!! my thoughts exactly!!...I bet if you took this lady's audio live electric tracks and edited them on to a fat ugly guy's video....Folks would hate him.....to quote Les Paul..."people listen with their eyes"

[@williamfox4521]

She is an amazing woman for sure, I have a hard time not coming back for more. What a beautiful perfectionist she is.

[@PerezBroz-p5o]

This guitar is so comfortable and a dream to play and it absolutely does achieve the feeling of, "you pick it up and you just don't want to play anything else.."

[@fidelitycreate]

I have an ibanez and I struggle to play it, but that's all the neck and fret board, it's way too big and stiff for my little hands. bar chords are hard after 10 minutes of playing... Also I love her dress, curious what the material is

[@BlownSpeakerGospel]

Supe rad guitar. Played one at NAMM this weekend. Twas truly amazing. I'd love one.

[@padmanavbora7653]

Google assistant brought me here...

[@jrblanston]

Stunning. Just a beautiful guitar. The video is an injustice. Perhaps you could swap the slow motion design meeting re-enactment shots for some details about the guitar? Heck, you could even let her play it!

[@oliversouthgate9248]

Looks rad!

[@michaelmaier7262]

Fun video. Lucky lass, getting to design a guitar with the EBMM team.

[@david_a_uno]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is reminded of The Jetson's by this awesomely cool guitar!! :D

[@riffhero]

What's the song in the background? sounds great.

[@marceugeni]

Why the hell is so much slo-mo and not actual playing??!?! COME ON ANNIE!!!!! Show us the TOOOONE of your guitardt!!!!! ;D

[@torontolarrivee7965]

Great looking guitar. Not a fan of the fingerboard inlays though - would have preferred something simpler.

[@11cylynt11]

Classically, the guitar has always looked like a voluptuous woman's torso. But this design looks like a slender woman's torso, as she has, coincidence?

[@deadringer333]

Hey I know what we can do guys! Let's make a lengthy video advertisement about the guitar created by the lovely St Vincen! Should we let the viewers hear her play the guitar? Nah we'll just have background elevator music playing while she laughs in slow motion why would anyone wanna actually HEAR HER PLAY THE GUITAR!!!

Whew. pretentious comes to mind. There are masters of the guitar who speak with less pretentious attempts at being altruistic about their guitar and abilities.

[@nobody-hr9uw]

great i really want to hear your story ,AH ITS ABOUT A GUITAR YOUR LIFE MEANS NOTHING TO ANYONE HOW COME A PERSONALITIES ALWAYS FEEL WHAT THEY SAY IS IMPORTANT TO ANYBODY ITS NOT. DAMN IM NOT BUYING A MUSICMAN ,I DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE GUITAR ,ILL CONTINUE WITH CHARVEL THANKS, THYE MADE A GUITAR FOE YOU RIIIIIIGGGGGGHT!!!

[@davelang4329]

gender neutral crap....the guitars head doesn't suit the body should have went with diamond shape or lines similar, to continue gender fluidity...LOL...

[@RolandMcGruner]

This trailer is a little TOO designed, I wish it could've been a bit more informative, less emotional.. not the other way round that it is, I gotta sift through thoughtful slow shots and lines to get the info I want. I just think this was slightly overdone in it's style, just toned down a bit it would've been not frustrating. Is that just me? Anyone else?

[@ernieballinc]

+RolandMcGruner Seek and you shall find - blog.music-man.com/artists/ernie-ball-music-man-st-vincent-signature-guitar/

[@RolandMcGruner]

it's the internet, I've grown tired of seeking, I know everything is here. thank you for the direct link :)

[@tednugentlives]

Almost like the Lifetime cable channel wrote a commercial.

[@alexrysham3668]

whats that? looks like a 6year old draw a guitar body with a ruler.. meh, pick ESP every time, more vibey, great playability, rock solid workhorse and look more artistic, especially the ESP stream, FRX, mystique and horizon iii

[@michaeleastham3868]

It's a cut down gibson explorer with an extra pickup.... Great originality great concept great just great.. And as for that ernie ball bullshit response on why the headstock is so mismatched with the angular design of the body... Think Fender, Gibson, different styled guitar bodies and all with newly designed headstocks to compliment them.

[@DrRussPhd]

This vid could've been made by Hallmark Greeting cards. Too much spin , no real guitar sounds from this thing. Obviously this is not a demo. Better luck next time folks.

[@eternalme5672]

Oh yeah, almost forgot....I'd love to buy that guitar, unfortunately they don't sell them in my neck of the woods. Lahaina Maui

[@begelston]

The video is all style and no substance. Surprised they didn't have Annie strutting down the catwalk with her guitar (wouldn't want to actually play the thing) - Oh, and I agree with Paulo G about the headstock - looks odd and out of sync with the rest of the guitar. Nevertheless, I would imagine that the guitar plays well and sounds great in line with other Ernie Ball guitars.

[@marianoarnaiz]

I want one!

[@marcopolo-oz6zz]

All manufacturing will be obsolete soon............what is your next plan

[@jenbill]

Looks to gimicky for me not feeling the design as being anything but forgettable specially considering the $1800 dollar price tag

[@_fig.8]

this is gorgeous. cheers to the crew and editor.

[@johnnylance]

Just another posturing "artist" who, if she wasn't cute, would be nowhere. I'd like to see her change a tire. Let's make some money...

[@dsenunez]

Nice video, not very fond of Ernie Ball guitars or her music, but for sure of what she said. When you learn how to play a song from your hero you feel like you receive the key to the kingdom. And I share Pear Jam as hero with her. However it would be nice to hear the guitar played. Nice video , though.

[@TheCama86]

How about playing the guitar using the classical position, on the left leg? No...? Design a new one, then...

[@simaojoseph]

Sometimes I feel like the pretty shimmering chords and sausage factory emotional pianos are just to much and it annoys me that a brand or organisation that I respect and/or admire uses it to make me (us) buy there product or cause. It's kind of an insult to our intellect. Your not gonna get this movie as a side kick whenever you take the guitar out of it's case; or maybe you will.

[@TheZooropaBaby]

I was considering buying Steve Morse model and now this? I think MM is trying to paralyze me with options or something

[@dethmasq]

Beautiful girl, beautiful guitar, beautiful music.. Sweet :D

[@Zero_thehero]

Does it djent? Totally love you Annie Clark, wanna cook you dinner and have romance for desert!

[@LRS905]

I thught MusicMan could not arrive with anything uglier than the Bongo...they did, with this.

[@K3vinK]

She’s something else. Reminds me a lot of Prince.

[@valebliz]

Well she’s trying really hard to do so…

[@waynehedd]

Something about this (maybe her or the video directing) seems dishonest and unauthentic...

[@unitshift]

+Wayne Hedd Just judging from her live performances and interviews (I don't know her personally), there sort of seems to be something about her that is always very superior and ego-driven. I tried to figure that maybe the self-important attitude and the narcissistic vibes were part of her artistic statement somehow, but I haven't found anything to support that. Maybe I didn't look hard enough. Her fans don't see what I'm talking about, so I could be wrong. But every performance I have seen is her overacting and clearly having way too much self-satisfaction. Again, for her fans, I don't know her personally, but this is how it comes across to me in performances and interviews. I guess there can be a fine line between artistic confidence and conceit.

[@peterbrentrie]

+unitshift She takes after David Byrne in that regard. While I would say I've been a fan of hers in the past, I can definitely agree with what you're saying. I think some artists need to take themselves a bit more seriously than would seem tasteful in order to maintain the drive necessary to maintain their careers.

[@bb2847]

+benjamin woodrow "In fact" Annie Clark could out-play some meathead fuck like you any God damn day.

[@dirkardostevergreen4827]

+benjamin woodrow She's not everyone's cup of tea but she definitely has a unique if not slightly unorthodox style. If you're looking for traditional sounding guitar solos then you'll be disappointed although I'm pretty sure she'd be quite capable if that's what she wanted to do. I think "terrible musician" is a bit harsh. Guitar technique aside, she is a good song writer and that's what matters.

[@unitshift]

+Dirkardo StEvergreen I would agree it's songwriting that matters in music. Always has. The guitar is really just a tool you use. That's why they call it an 'instrument.' So yeah, I wouldn't knock her for the guitar playing. I'm not sure why everyone freaks out that a girl can play the guitar. It's sorta silly. It's like "of course!! Women play instruments. We know." Reminds me of when that band Haim came out and everyone was going around saying "have you seen them live?? They can actually play!" as if it was a supreme rarity for a woman to be able to play guitar and drums and bass. It's not. That's not taking away anything from a woman player either, it's really the opposite. St Vincent does play the guitar with her personality and it's quirky, but it's not at all crazy technically. But again, technical prowess on an instrument isn't worth much if it can't be translated with an emotional current. Her music does have a pretty individual sound, that's to her credit. It's her artist's aura and persona of arrogance and self-righteousness I can't dig on, which has stopped me from really listening to her music enough to try to get it. And I'll say it again, I don't know her personally, I'm just speaking about her public persona. And it's surprising how many people don't pick up on it. But in the end, people are enjoying her music, so I say to them keep on enjoying. And to her, keep on making. It's that people are getting excited about it in a positive way that really matters.

[@ramjam6934]

so... is it like a fender strat and jazz guitar combines? I still have not seen a video show all the tones and variety.

[@Starkalicious07]

What was wrong with the Albert Lee HH? That guitar was bitchin' and she rocked it!

[@wreckoningday]

They show her playing in the video but play something different over it. I want to hear the guitar played by the artist

[@crotchknockerx5730]

cool body....just wish they would change the head stock design

[@thesmirker2909]

Pretty video. Too bad it let all the story telling up to the audio track. May as well have broadcast this on the radio.

[@mamasboy7606]

cool. I'm starting to love that guitar

[@offdutyjie]

Shes really - in my opinion - the Female Tom Morello Equivalent

[@jawsjulie]

Her heroes are nirvana and sound garden? Explains everything...

[@pippipster7705]

She is SERIOUSLY scary - ahhhhhhhh, it's a guitar nightmare

[@Peekadam]

I like how the guitar isn't set up at all. the pickups are flush with the body.

[@adamwatt4871]

What's the music in the background? Is it a St Vincent track?

[@TheHuester44]

I think it’s one the coolest guitars out there . I’d like to get one of the Indonesian versions.

[@9unslin9er]

I don't think Nirvana could have chosen a better person to do that tribute with.

[@StricklandAssistantManager]

Nothing against this artist (I think she's really cool actually) but if this artist can get a signature, why can't Jason Richardson?

[@dom4293]

Did Jason wanted a signature?

[@StricklandAssistantManager]

Dominic Vogel NO BUT HE DESERVES ONE! Im a JR ass kisser

[@nickmartinez229]

Hmmm wonder why all she did was talk about it and not actually play it???

[@azpunker18]

She's back to her actor era look

[@xeno126]

It looks awesome, stop complaining.

[@JustinDiazJokes]

not everyone likes everything. but thats ok. personally i dont like it either... so what?

[@johnscarloshow5315]

She’s so hot lol. The guitar is ugly but I’m sure it plays nice.

[@DeadRoman]

this is like the most pretentious attempt at marketing. all the staged shots, all the scripted crap.

[@wellfuckyoumr]

So many more deserving (female or otherwise) guitarists out there. I thought Ernie ball guitars were overpriced gear for serious studio musicians and the such. You're honestly tarnishing your reputation backing this half bit art rock bullshit.

[@standswithfist806]

yep......Almost as bad as Guitar Center putting L.A. Witch on the cover of their catalog....EEEEk!. ...Damn!!!..Ernie Ball go get Linda Taylor or some other legitimate female session player to endorse your guitars...you may sell some of these guitars but you will loose the respect of REAL working session players....

[@nickcameron553]

The only thing I got from this video is strained eyes from trying to look up her dress.

[@umrasangus]

It's funny how so much people didn't read the title.

[@SomethingNowhereMan]

I honestly want her voice to be on my phone as Siri.

[@terranborn56]

Glad she decided to be a musician instead of a supermodel. :-)

[@charleslarson5983]

doesnt play a single thing. Doesnt eat either. why should i give a single shit?