Time & Perspective Quote by Neal Schon

There is a quiet, very modern kind of power in Schon admitting he was effectively a brand asset before he was a contractual partner. The first clause sounds almost casual, even forgiving: Gibson used his likeness, no paperwork, it just happened. That’s how a lot of classic-rock mythology gets made - image, association, aura - in an era when the handshake and the backstage vibe often stood in for legal language. But the second sentence snaps the picture into focus: the “new Signature model” isn’t just another guitar, it’s the moment the story gets formalized, monetized, and, crucially, controlled.

The subtext is ownership. Not of the instrument, but of identity. Schon is pointing to a long stretch of time when his public persona helped sell gear without the protections (or leverage) that a written deal gives an artist. It’s not quite an accusation, but it’s not nostalgia either. The phrasing makes the old arrangement sound like an industry norm that no longer flies, especially in a post-streaming, post-legacy-reissue economy where veteran musicians have learned to treat their names like intellectual property.

Context matters: signature guitars are less about innovation than certification. They turn a player’s sound and status into a purchasable narrative. By stressing “first time” and “formal written deal,” Schon is telling fans and manufacturers alike that the era of informal borrowing is over. This is a veteran reclaiming authorship of his own mythology - and making sure the next chapter is in ink, not vibes.