Signature Aurora

This lovely gun metal metallic beauty was made in the mid-late 1980's and purchased the summer of 1989 from Irwin Laskey in Yorba Linda, CA. Price paid 800.00. Originally came with Fernandez actives and they sound phenomenal. Three tog switch configuration for standard strat style single coil p/u config. Bolt on, unfinished neck with ebony fingerboard dot inlay with Aurora inlay by neck p/u. Floyd Rose style tremelo arm with locking nut. Highly figured maple body.

I've owned two PRS custom 24's and loved both. Fact is, I wound up playing my Sig most of the time anyway so I sold the PRS's. Use it for rock and blues. I play mostly clean sounds with moderate effects heavy on the reverb and chorus and moderate delay. Very clean instrument with minimal humm. Very versatile sounds. Lead distortion sounds I prefer on my Signature Odyssey because of the humbucking bridge p/u. The Aurora has three single coils.

Loved the guitar straight away. Lowered the action a bit and have played it for nearly 20 years. She still looks as beautiful as when we first met.

Play it live and during personal time. It has never failed me in any way.

The company, while it was in business, was extremely helpful. Russ Heinl, the co-founder, later autographed for me a photo of my two beauties. He was very kind and generous in communicating with me via his email. Wish him the best.

I have owned two prs custom 24's and a Jackson Charvel with one humbucker. The Charvel was my first real guitar. Played through Fender, Marshall, Boogie, and TubeWorks Mosvalve amps. Actually preferred the tone of the Tubeworks in hindsight. Currently playing through two old Peavey Classic Chorus 2x12's and Digitech 2101 preamp. Also use Boss Twin Chorus Ensemble and Digitech Reverb, Boss EQ and Korg tuner. Had a TC 1210 chorus for a while, but seriously like the Boss better. Go figure that. Also use Aphex Aural Exciter type C and currently looking for Behringer Edison unit.

I own a 1989 Signature Aurora. It retailed for $1395 US, I paid $800 US. This model, and for that matter the company, Signature Guitar Co., originally located in Aurora, Canada, was started and created in the late 1980's by famous Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and friend Russ Heinle. Unfortunatley, the company has been defunct for the better part of 8 years. I thought I would submit a review for poserity and advise if anyone finds one - GRAB IT!! (If you would like more info on the company - e-mail me.) This is by far the best instrument I have ever played!
Details: Mine is a second generation Aurora - it has a carved contoured top, 22 Medium Frets, 3 limited production Evans first generation E1 active single coil pickups, 3 individual mini- toggles, 1 volume, 1 tone. (Strategically placed close to, but-not-in-the-way-of, the T-bar and near right hand to allow volume effects, etc. and switching with out having to look at the instument while playing.)
Equipment: Signature/Schaller Double locking Tremolo (Licensed by Floyd Rose) and machine heads, behind-the-neck-mounted Allen wrenches behind the headstock, string tree on headstock.
Ornamentation: The guitar is painted "Flip Flop Pearl White" with Gold Hardware; "Aurora" inlaid at 12th fret on Mother of Pearl (I could have had it engraved with my name at no cost but opted not to), Gold "Signature" decals on Headstock and pickup casings.
Body: Several types of woods were used: either Alder or Limewood(?). It is light and bright a very active top with noticable acoustic vibration (a good thing). The flat-radius, 25.5", thin neck is a bolt-on maple, with Ebony fingerboard with rounded frets complete the edge of the neck. "Gretsch" position dot fret markers. Strat design but with major revisions to the classic style - scalloped/curved bouts for easier access to ALL frets, rear/back of guitar is contoured at the neck joint, ala Parker Fly, to fit to your body more efficiently. Thickness is about 2"1/2 thick. A real eyecatcher! I had this guitar authorized by Russ Heinle and it is the 72nd Aurora produced of the second genertion body style. The first generation had a flat non-curved top. Still have all the paper work, receipt catalog (four other models were made and one bass model), warranty cards etc. Came complete with Signature emboised fitted hardshell case with two strap locks, and two case keys.

Fits my musical style well! If you are a fan of Alex Lifeson's guitar sound from "Hold Your Fire" and "Presto" you'll love this instrument. That is not to say that this instrument is not versatile(sp?). It has the ability to be many guitars in one, from a Strat to a Les Paul thanks to the Evans active system. You can hold this guitar with full gain and volume to a flourescent light and you won't hear the slightest hum!
My style is fairly strict - Progressive Rock and Jazz. Although, before all this I spent 8 years in a Beatles copy band!! Anyway, this guitar fills all voids in a band or is comfortable "out front." It can be a great rhythm or lead instrument.I am currently running it through (what else!)a Gallien-Krueger 2000CPL pre-amp, a Digitech DSP128 Plus, a GK 250 ML and 4X12 cab. For my smaller Sunday church meeting "gigs" I am using a brand spankin' new VOX model V9158 15 watt "Pathfinder" and the previously mentioned effects to cut down on dragging all the equipment around.
It sounds just like "Time Stands Still" off HYF in the bridge position. Very shimmery and elegant, especially with a dose of chorus and ambient echo and delay. Here is it's two-sided nature. You can get a thick Stevie Ray Vaughn-ish tone in the neck and middle position or a a sweet Telecaster type sound with the Middle and bridge together. Neck pick up alone sounds like an archtop. All with no noise. Pretty wide range of sounds! Very "wiry" and acoustic sounding quality ala Parker Fly. The GK 2000CPL EQ section has a lot to do with that and I that use a special guage set to help .009,.010, .016,.028,.038,.048. Dean Markeley's. This guitar sounds great playing with acoustic instruments.
Saved several weeks pay for this baby!! The only dislike is that after nearly 10 years, part of the gold plating on one bridge saddle is beginning to bubble up. It definaltely loves and was made to work with GK guitar products.

I just needed to lower the action a little bit after delivery to me from the factory (we're only talking millimeters here). Pickups were adjusted perfectly.Routing and shileding was and still is superb. I am currntly experiencing a problem with my rhythm pick-up but I have taken steps to remedy that by conacting the manufacturer for repairs. At the neck/lock-on nut section I noticed very small file marks - no big deal. Finish was and stilll is beautiful and has not yellowed as many white guitars tend to.

Had it for ten years - only prob was the rhythm pickup.All hardware except for the gold plating on the one bridge saddle is fine and brilliant.The finah has held up extremely well. Hardware is fine. It has been extremely dependable - except for the pickup.

Unfortunately, ther wer out of business whe I bought this instrument new. It was assembled and shipped by Russ Heinle for me as one of the last stocked items before the factory was emptied and sold as "office space."
Now I am dealing with Evans. It has been difficult to get help...

I have been playing for neasrly 19 years. My gear is as I have listed earlier. I used to do alot od orchestra work for plays and theatre and wished I had had this guitar then. I would be devestated if something were to happen to it. I don't mean to be so "Right On" with this guitar, but it truly means the world to me. It is so comfortable to play and with my particlular set-up it actually sounds heavenly. The only guitar that I know of that would be in it's class is the Parker FLY, which is saying a lot. They are great but extremely expensive guitars. I was after a sound tht could mimic an acoustic sound but still have the performance of an electric - this was it for me.
I am looking for more Signatures - I love them passionately. I have had a wide range of instruments - Gretches, Rickenbackers, Martin, Yamaha, and have even built a few and sold them. I love this guitar and hope to one day hope to see it recognized as the truly great guitar it was for is time.