How do endorsement deals and sponsorships work (happy?)

p-nut95 · #1 05-14-2008, 10:57 PM

Please replace this thread if its in the wrong place I didn't know where else to put it.

How do endorsement deals and sponsorships work? Do you try to get it from them or do they get you? Is it something thats nearly impossible to do? I'm 16 and people (Teachersand other muscians 20+ years old) tell me I'm a prodigy....that may have sounded a bit snobby and fat headed but I'm just saying what others have said to me. I would love to get a endorsement deal someday (especially with warwick) but how would I even start out on the long journey to success? This post may sound kind of immature but thats because it is haha I'm 16 I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING! That's why I need you fellas.

Thunder Pulse · #2 05-14-2008, 11:19 PM

Why would you name your thread "Just curious...." instead of "How do endorsement deals and sponsorships work?" ???

p-nut95 · #3 05-14-2008, 11:24 PM

idk y did you put so much thought into it?

bobbykokinos · #4 05-14-2008, 11:28 PM

To answer your question simply and bluntly, you get endorsements by being out playing in front of crowds who are the target audience for particular companies. You don't get endorsements for sitting and your room and playing.

I'm not being rude, just being honest. Pay your dues, bust your butt playing gigs, get in front of substantial crowds and companies will endorse you because you'll help them sell basses. Going to practice and people saying youre a prodigy doesnt help them sell basses.

p-nut95 · #5 05-14-2008, 11:30 PM

idc if ur post sounds rude at all i just called myself a prodigy haha tell me that didnt sound rude at all.

Thats what i figured i play in three bands of late so im doing the best i can to get myself out there

bobbykokinos · #6 05-14-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-nut95

Thats what i figured i play in three bands of late so im doing the best i can to get myself out there

Its a start but youve got a way to go buddy.. Stick with it and who knows.

p-nut95 · #7 05-14-2008, 11:33 PM

well my old teacher plays some pretty big venues (hes play with dave matthews before) and he told me if i was 18 i would replace his bass player in a heart beat and that was last year before i left him

bobbykokinos · #8 05-14-2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-nut95

well my old teacher plays some pretty big venues (hes play with dave matthews before) and he told me if i was 18 i would replace his bass player in a heart beat and that was last year before i left him

Thats awesome. But, first thing you should understand the business aspect of bass playing has absolutely NOTHING to do with how good you are. Endorsements are not based on your ability to play but your ability to sell (in MOST cases that is). Need proof? Go to your local Guitar Center or Sam Ash and find every "So and So" model bass or guitar and ask yourself "Does this person really play more than 3 chords?"...

p-nut95 · #9 05-14-2008, 11:45 PM

mmmm very true....thanks for clearing that up for me i was really a lot more curious then anything i dont ever plan to make it big anyway i'd rather be safe and get a real job instead of living with my parents my whole life. Thanks a lot.

Ian Perge · #10 05-14-2008, 11:48 PM

Basically, it's all about how much you can show a company's product in the Real World, although more and more are adding Internet collaborations to their bios, but that shouldn't be *first*... don't expect to "make it" via YouTube or MySpace. Aspects such as outstanding technique, teaching/clinics, live performances (serious Road-Dog status helps) are thing companies are looking for, as well as OTHER endorsements. It's a catch-22, but the more you have the easier it is to get the next. I know people who started out with a String company and then effects, which led to Amp/Speakers, and then Basses. Also, unless you're on a video channel/radio and getting your 15 minutes, expect your deal to be "Artist Discount", in which you'll get you're equipment for Wholesale or a touch above (depending on the size of the company - Fender and Ibanez has tons to give away, while an "Independent" simply doesn't have the money to do so.)

I have a friend whose been with the same smaller bass company for 8 years, has had nothing but good things to say about them, is in about 1/2 of their advertisements, uses their basses not only for all his live shows (of which there's been major tours backing "Name Players" and other "special" projects") as well as easily 80% of the recording of his first release which got rave reviews... and he just got his third discounted bass. He still has to make an informed choice about instruments, as he's paying a few thousand for a new bass. The positive aspect about his amp company is that he often flies in for gigs and sessions, and a rig to his specs will be ready when he needs it.

It's all about getting your face in front of a crowd as well as gigs that are "known" in your area... a write-up in Bass Player's "Introduce Yourself" can't hurt as well.

Dave Muscato · #11 05-14-2008, 11:48 PM

Another related thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/

bobbykokinos · #12 05-14-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-nut95

mmmm very true....thanks for clearing that up for me i was really a lot more curious then anything i dont ever plan to make it big anyway i'd rather be safe and get a real job instead of living with my parents my whole life. Thanks a lot.

Again, just giving you a little guidance here:

1. Dont say you dont plan on making it "big" unless you don't want it. You don't know what opportunities are right around the corner if you stick with it.

2. Nothing wrong with getting a "real" job but for MANY people on here, playing music is their "real" job and don't take very well to comments like "musicians live with their parents". If you are serious about music and you LOVE it, the money won't matter as long as you have enough to live. But don't let anyone fool you into thinking that playing gigs and getting paid isnt a real job.. You have to be there on time, you leave at a certain time, you have to work well with others, and you pay taxes just like anyone else.. Thats a job in my book...

Just my $0.02. Again, not trying to be mean at all.. I just wish people told me these things when I was younger so I thought I'd pass along some stuff I've learned over the years....

p-nut95 · #13 05-15-2008, 12:05 AM

i hear ya....i just wish it was more of thing i could be sure about....i love music...my mom said when i was little i used to talk on and on about playing bass not guitar, BASS. I always thought that was pretty cool i never even thought about being a guitard

but im not genius in school either so it seems llike the one thing im good at doesnt even give me a real good feeling in the pit of stomach about the future. I've even continued to be homeschooled so i could dedicate more time to my bass....life is hard....i quit

I didn't really mean anything offensive about living muscians living with their parents, just using a stereotype.

GeneralElectric · #14 05-15-2008, 12:13 AM

IMHO don't go just by what your bass teacher has said, but if people who are musicians consistantly tell you you're good and you start getting sub calls (hell use CL if you have to) then your name is out on the local circuit. Hopefully one of those bands you're in, or musicians you meet because of it, will eventually get reasonably popular enough to start a local tour, then a regional, then a ...

See what I mean? Talent helps, but so does your marketability. Don't bank on an endorsement, but it doesn't hurt dream.

p-nut95 · #15 05-15-2008, 12:22 AM

its hard to get in a band that will make any kind stir when ur talent is up here and ur age is down there u know what i mean? Is there a such thing as a permit to allow me to play in bars? I've heard of it I think but is it true?

GeneralElectric · #16 05-15-2008, 12:43 AM

I'm probably not much older than you my friend as I can't even drink legally. I played my first bar gig at 13.

But no one says you have to play in bars.

I play on average 4-5 nights a week literally whereever I can. Coffee houses, parks, subways, bars, open mics, subbing for other band's bass players (or guitar players) in proper venues.

Buster Brown · #17 05-15-2008, 01:39 AM

The heck of it is, is that in the long run, there are miles and miles of dues that have to be paid (unfortunately). Most of us (bass players with a little "age") have been at this for many a year. "most" of us can't make a living - by that I mean feed the Wife and kids - by playing in bands. The few that do are most fortunate, indeed!

Hammer away at it, never give up and don't listen to anyone or anything but your gut.

Although, in 35 years of playing, I had only one endorsement deal - and that company went belly up shortly after I got my deal - go figure!

Play for the love of playing. Everything else is icing on the cake!

marcopalla · #18 05-15-2008, 06:22 AM

+1 only gigging and becomeing popular U'll obtain sponsorship...

...BUT another way.... shhhhhh, is a secret

you could go to every little bass liuther in your area and try to know him better,
playing his basses soooo gooood,
being soooo young, nice and poor....
gigging so much in the area....
and saying so often "your basses are so special", "only with this bass iI feel....", and many "wow, wow"
someone could offer a special sponsorship/big discount....

(real life story little 'bro ;-)
m.

Angus · #19 05-15-2008, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-nut95

its hard to get in a band that will make any kind stir when ur talent is up here and ur age is down there u know what i mean? Is there a such thing as a permit to allow me to play in bars? I've heard of it I think but is it true?

Every kid I've ever heard talk like this talks a huge game usually because they haven't actually been playing with enough bands or other musicians to realize they aren't the next coming of god. The ones who are DON'T usually walk around telling people they're awesome...because they're too busy finding other great musicians to play with.

Get out there and play every gig you can to the best of your ability with as many musicians as possible. Sponsorship doesn't really mean anything significant at all if the music itself isn't the primary focus.

Edit: Missed a word that completely changes meaning.

p-nut95 · #20 05-15-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcopalla

+1 only gigging and becomeing popular U'll obtain sponsorship...

...BUT another way.... shhhhhh, is a secret

you could go to every little bass liuther in your area and try to know him better,
playing his basses soooo gooood,
being soooo young, nice and poor....
gigging so much in the area....
and saying so often "your basses are so special", "only with this bass iI feel....", and many "wow, wow"
someone could offer a special sponsorship/big discount....

(real life story little 'bro ;-)
m.

not a bad idea....i only know of one luthier in my general area and i dont even know him my brother does. I dont know if u guys know about The Blood Hound Gang but they are pretty famous they live like right around the corner from me. I think it would be a good idea for me to try and get in with those guys. Their DJ plays at the bar my brother goes to every thursday night

pretty cool