Endorsement question

[millsbass5]

I can think of many big-time bassist that endorse/have signature basses/amps,whatever.

My question:
I'll use Robert (bassist from Metallica) as an example....... As far as I know,he endorses Warwick,Fernandes (and whatever other basses) basses.
I was under the impression,that if you endorse a certain brand,under contract,you are to play THAT BASS,and THAT BASS only.
Or, is that only if that's specified in one's contract??


Replies??? Answers??? All are welcome!!!


Thanks,
Steve

[Darkstrike]

Depends on the contract, changes between every artist, and generally, certain companies have certain ways they like it, some prefer to be the only brand an artist uses.

[faust23]

ex: stu hamm urge bass by fender
stu hamm acoustic by washburn
everything darkstrike said basically

[diechris]

there's different levels of endorsements... there's ones where they give you free guitars... when that happens.. usually they ask you to do promos for them.. like ads and use your name to sell the product. Rob is a good example of a guy that plays what he wants to play and probably makes extra money putting his name behind certain brands that he USES... just not exclusively.

I know with me and Spector there is an agreement but nothing is a written or legal binding contract. It is a mutual agreement between me and them and I will hold up my end as because they take care of me.

I guess Rob is at the point where he's doing THEM a favor and I doubt there is anything in his contract that says he MUST play a certain bass..

[JAUQO III-X]

Companies have come to learn and realize that it really is very rare for a bassist to use just one brand exclusively.

If they can get some product placement time in, once in a while it helps. And they are willing to accept what they can get.

And it's all about relationships. Sometimes the bassist has been knowing a particular luthier or luthiers years before the general public has and they choose to continue using the brand (or brands) as well(even as the players face value with a certain brand grows).


95% of the time if you see a particular bassist playing a certain brand what seems like all the time,it's a strong possibility that that bassist is getting a cash check. Especially if a signature model is involved.

[millsbass5]

Agreed,with all above. When Ritter,Fodera,Alembic,MTD,and all the other high-end companies BEGGED me to endorse their basses during my gigs (In the red-necked,beer joints,I declined. FYI:That's where most of said companies customers hang out... Only the best!!)

As stated above.....For me?? Only the best!! I'm now endorsing the Series 10 Basses.... From the "Beer Joint" Line.