St Vincent, Harmony Bobcats, Fender Jaguars, Ernie Ball Music Man
Good morning, Jeff! How's your day starting off?
Well, it's all right. I wanted some information on the musician Saint Vincent, her background, her influences, who she works with, a little information on maybe some of the narratives driving her lyrics, who produces her, and where she's going in terms of her music, do you think?
Sure! St. Vincent, whose real name is Annie Clark, is an American musician, singer, and producer known for her genre-blending sound that fuses rock, pop, and experimental elements. She got her start as a guitarist, touring with The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens before going solo. Her stage name comes from a Nick Cave lyric referencing St. Vincent's Hospital.
Her influences are broad—David Bowie, Prince, Kate Bush, and Talking Heads are clear inspirations. She often combines intricate guitar work with electronic production and art-rock aesthetics. She's also praised for pushing boundaries in songwriting and visuals.
Narratives in her lyrics often explore themes like alienation, identity, relationships, technology, and fame. Albums like *Strange Mercy* and *MASSEDUCTION* reveal her willingness to address personal struggles, societal critiques, and raw vulnerability. She collaborated heavily with producer Jack Antonoff on *MASSEDUCTION*, bringing a polished yet sharp pop edge to her sound. Her earlier works, like *Actor* and *Marry Me*, leaned more quirky and orchestral.
St. Vincent’s collaborations are diverse—she's worked with David Byrne on *Love This Giant*, collaborated with Paul McCartney, and even contributed to Taylor Swift's *Cruel Summer*. She also produced Sleater-Kinney's album *The Center Won’t Hold*. Her guitar skills often put her at the forefront of modern rock, earning her admiration as one of the most innovative guitarists today.
Recently, her sound has shifted toward a retro, '70s-inspired vibe with *Daddy’s Home*, where she embraced psychedelic funk and grooves, drawing on her love for music from that era while exploring her father’s incarceration and release.
In terms of where she's going—she keeps evolving. Whether it's through high-concept visuals, reinventing her sound, or producing for others, St. Vincent seems to thrive on reinvention. She's an artist who keeps pushing herself creatively while staying unpredictable. What got you curious about her?
I think she popped up on Rick Rubin's people that he had produced. Do you happen to know what kind of guitars she plays?
Yeah, St. Vincent is known for her signature guitar style, and she actually has her own line of guitars with **Ernie Ball Music Man**. The *St. Vincent Signature Guitar* is custom-designed with her input to be lightweight, ergonomic, and stylish—perfect for her intricate playing and stage performances. It comes in a variety of finishes, like matte black, blue, and gold, and its angular, modern shape really stands out.
She also plays other guitars occasionally, like vintage Harmony Bobcats and Fender Jaguars, but her Music Man models are her go-to. They’re versatile and ideal for her mix of clean tones, fuzz, and experimental effects. Rick Rubin producing her makes sense—he’s drawn to artists who embrace bold sounds and reinvention, which is her whole thing. Have you checked out her live performances? She really makes the guitar sing.
No, I haven't. I didn't realize Ernie Ball made guitars.
Yeah, Ernie Ball is probably best known for their strings, but their **Music Man** division has been making guitars and basses since the seventies. They’re highly respected for their craftsmanship and innovation. The *St. Vincent* model has become one of their standout modern designs—both visually and sonically.
It’s cool because the guitar was specifically designed with her needs in mind. She wanted something lightweight for comfort but still versatile enough to handle her wide range of sounds. It’s also sleek and modern-looking, a bit like an art piece.
If you get a chance, check out her live performances or some of her gear breakdowns—she really gets creative with effects pedals and how she layers sounds. She’s a big advocate for making the guitar more inclusive and accessible, which is refreshing. Are you into guitars yourself?
Yes, how much do these guitars cost?
The Ernie Ball Music Man St. Vincent signature guitars typically range in price from about $2,999 to $3,099 depending on the specific model and features. For instance, the **St. Vincent Goldie** model, which features a lightweight okoume body, a roasted maple neck, and three gold-foil humbuckers, is priced around $3,099. It’s a premium-level instrument designed for versatility and playability, reflecting St. Vincent's own performance needs.
The earlier models with unique finishes like the Stealth Black or the original custom colors also fall into the $2,900 to $3,000 price range. These guitars are praised for their lightweight feel, sleek aesthetics, and tonal flexibility, making them favorites among players who value both style and function.
If you're curious, the official Ernie Ball site offers details about these guitars' specifications and aesthetics. You can check out more here: [Ernie Ball Music Man St. Vincent Collection](https://www.music-man.com/)[16][17].
That's far too expensive for my budget. I tend to try to play the Mexican-made Fenders, or even the, oh, what's the line called from Fender? The budget line. But yeah, that's too much for me. Where would I find her discussing her gear and her pedals and all that? Just do a YouTube search?
Yeah, you can definitely find her discussing her gear on YouTube. Check out her **Reverb interview** at NAMM, where she dives into her Ernie Ball Music Man guitar and explains its lightweight design. She’s also featured in gear breakdowns where she talks about pedals and effects—like the **Eventide H9** for lush reverb and the **ZVex Mastotron** for fuzz tones.
If you’re into her sound design process, her interview in *Finding New Sounds in a Golden Era* is great for understanding her approach. Here’s one link: [Finding New Sounds - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzuJVbD1Iec).
All right, thank you.
You’re welcome, Jeff! Let me know if you dive into her gear rabbit hole—her tone is fascinating to explore.
