They want to give me a sponsorship, advantages and disadvantage?

FunkyMan · #1 09-11-2010, 12:38 PM

Hi all, I want to share with you my joy, This Luthier: www.utreracustom.com wants to give me a sponsorship, and basically the conditions are:

-I will get a 30% discount on a new bass
-Will be a 3-year contract
-I'll have to use exclusively their instruments
-I am going to appear on the posters, the website, and play in promotion shows of the brand.

Well, an endorsement could be a good thing, because this gets into the curriculum of a musician, and earns some respect, I think it is an important step in life, coupled with that, these basses are amazing, and have the sound i've always wanted!

Rigth now I haven't enough moneyto buy a new one, so I would have to make the sacrifice of selling my Warwick Streamer Jazzman to do all this

But I would look at this from another point of view, advantages and disadvantages that could bring me this change? obviously the first disadvantage is that you can't use another brand at major events, where there are cameras and photos which i may appear..

what do you think? I know nothing about sponsorships .. Thanks

Some of his basses, with their happy sponsors:

Stinsok · #2 09-11-2010, 12:41 PM

Only a 30% discount, then playing his exclusively? Nope. If they gave you the basses that might be ok.

Fetusyolk · #3 09-11-2010, 12:51 PM

is that all there is to your sponsorship? do you get paid for the events that you'll attend?

Warfender · #4 09-11-2010, 01:00 PM

Buy a used one at 50% off and keep your Wick and play any bass whenever you want. Hell, just play your Wick.

**pacojas** · #5 09-11-2010, 01:00 PM

sorry,.. but you got PUNKED!!!

octaverazor · #6 09-11-2010, 01:00 PM

i agree if you want me to play only your bass, you need to give it me.

FunkyMan · #7 09-11-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fetusyolk

is that all there is to your sponsorship? do you get paid for the events that you'll attend?

Don't know yet .. probably yes, probably not .. but it must be, rigth??

Please give me your unbiased opinion, because this could be good, but it can have its drawbacks. Thanks

Fetusyolk · #8 09-11-2010, 01:09 PM

i would probably pass, it seems like this deal does nothing but suck for you (other than the discount)

jazzblade · #9 09-11-2010, 01:09 PM

I don't know all the ins and outs of a sponcership but..

IMHO a free bass to you cost them almost nothing. I feel there is little good will extended to you of they only give you a % off. Is this a company you REALLY want to work with?

I think it's a pretty crappy deal myself.

You do what you feel will help you in the long run.

kuys · #10 09-11-2010, 01:14 PM

When I was a kid I was sponsored (skateboarding) by our local skate shop and even they gave me free gear. The only thing I had to do was compete for them at local and semi-local competitions wearing and using their gear. A discount on equipment doesn't sound pretty fair to me.

Stinsok · #11 09-11-2010, 01:16 PM

For your exclusive contract they should:

Provide you free of charge 4 basses made to your specs. Setups, repairs provided free.

Pay for travel and time for appearances hawking their instruments.

xgator4u · #12 09-11-2010, 01:25 PM

THAT is not a sponsorship deal. THAT is similar to pay to play.

Sponsorship=Free stuff and them paying YOU to endorse the product.
Exclusivity is more money to YOU.

Heck, Guitard center gives better deals than that.

LaklandBass · #13 09-11-2010, 01:29 PM

Total Ripoff. Here's my view.......
At 30% off theyre still making profit off of you. If theyre making profit on the bass why on earth should you have to agree to other terms and advertising for them?
You should make a counter-offer if you want.
I think that you doing one photo shoot for them to use as they see fit would be appropriate for a 50% discount. Even at 50% theyre probably making a small profit.
If they want you to agree to the 3 year exclusive deal you should tell them that you expect a pair of basses for free and you can only promise them exclusivity for public performances. What happens if you get a session offer to lay bass tracks for a singer and they request that you use Fender Jazz? Do you tell them no?

SoonerMatt · #14 09-11-2010, 01:30 PM

You're getting yanked around. Exclusivity without freebes is freaking stupid. Hell, I have a friend who endorses Spector and they're okay with him using a vintage J bass for passive tones!

I'd walk if I were you.

WarriorJoe7 · #15 09-11-2010, 01:37 PM

Not really a good deal. They should give you a bass perhaps at the cost of parts if anything at all. I DO see good parts so under $600.

3 years is also a bit long. and will you be paid both for your time and expenses for any shows for them you have to play. There should be a something that protects you, as the contract could be written that you HAVE TO play events, when you might have something else to do, or a better paying gig.

Make sure the contract doesn't lock you down in any other way except the exclusivity of the bass you play.

But for that for 3 years it's a tough call. If you have never played a better bass ever, and it fits into your future musical plans perfectly then it might be worth it.

Overall I think 30% off is way to low for 3 years of promotions and shows for them, and no other basses. They are still making a profit and getting alot more from you for free.

Perhaps a luthier should chime in though, or a pro who has an endorsement deal with a luthier. I understand that small luthiers may not be able to give away basses. There are some who I have GREAT respect for that don't do endorsements at all (Matt Pulcinella for example.)

WarriorJoe7 · #16 09-11-2010, 01:45 PM

It is an important point that smaller luthiers will most likely not be able to give away instruments... but it would be fair for them to offer a bass at the cost of parts (not labor because that is what you are trading, technically.)

So most basses would be well under $500 in parts but then their are expensive pickups, electronics, and top woods that can justifiably put the cost of parts up to $1000 on many basses. Very few percentagewise will go above that but there definitely are some.

Generally here is my guesses of what is spent on one of those basses in your pictures.

Bridge $100
Tuners $75
Pickups $125
Electronics $100
wood $125
Other hardware $25

These are average prices, and will bump up if the pickups are like nordstrands etc.

WarriorJoe7 · #17 09-11-2010, 01:52 PM

I see they are in argentina and what they use for parts is expensive. Looks like they generally use closer to $1000 in parts unless they get discounts. Nordstrand, hipshot, aguilar etc.

Stumbo · #18 09-11-2010, 01:54 PM

Have a lawyer review the contract to figure out if it's to your benefit or if it locks you down too much and if it requires you to pay for your travel and expenses, especially if the promotional shows require airfare and food/lodging.

In addition, are you "on call" for what they require. That is, can they call you anytime and tell you to be somewhere in the world tomorrow?

thomashawk · #19 09-11-2010, 01:58 PM

As a manager, for a 3-year exclusive agreement I would counter-offer with the following:

1) One free bass (of your choosing).
2) 50% off wholesale for additional basses (willing to negotiate back down to 30% of wholesale). With you honoring at least one bass purchase during the agreement period.
3) Guaranteed exposure in key ads, i.e. Bass Player, etc. every 12 months. This is the real value/benefit for you in this deal!
4) Travel stipend for NAMM and/or additional conferences, etc (at least get them to pay for your hotel & conference fees).

I would also try to get them to do a two-year deal instead.

Good luck and congrats man!

-Tommy

FunkyMan · #20 09-12-2010, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

It is an important point that smaller luthiers will most likely not be able to give away instruments... but it would be fair for them to offer a bass at the cost of parts (not labor because that is what you are trading, technically)

This. He's a small luthier and I'm sure they can't give away instruments. you guys are right in everything you said, I just see this as something new and additional that came to my musical career, and indeed, I would have no problems leaving my warwick and play exclusively their basses because their sound is what I've always needed.

It is obvious that even with a 30% discount they are making profit, In fact, I think this is nothing more than a mere marketing and advertising they are doing with the sponsors, but he is a nice person, and is helping the musicians of my country to have good basses, and this kind of sponsorship in a way helps us and encourages us to continue to improve as musicians, it would be a shame to say "hey I am a sponsor of this brand" and when it's time to play or record, you're not at that level?

By the way, with the money I can get with my Warwick, I can buy one of these basses and have money left over hehe