• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Endorsed by Gibson, but played Fender?

FenderHotRod

FenderHotRod

Sep 1, 2004
1,324
73
Arkansas
#1
The wife and I went to a show here in Little Rock awhile back. It was at a club, and the guy was playing a Fender.

A Cherry burst with P-style pickups in the neck and bridge. Oh man it was a sexy bass. Anyway after the show I asked him what year was the bass he said it was an early '80's bass. I tryed not to bother him to much because he was packing everything up and I was about 2 sheets to the wind. :)

To the main question- I said "I saw you playing a Gibson Thunderbird in video you guys did." his response was "yeah im endorsed by gibson" my response to that was "oh realy cool". Then I just let him be. But I was realy thinking then why are you playing a Fender if your endorsed by gibson?


So if you are Endorsed by one company why would you be playing another competitors Instrument Live?
 
#4
Yes, that is correct. A company does not "endorse" an artist. The artist endorses, and uses, a company's equipment. Therefore the company "uses" the artist as an advertisement enticing others to investigate their gear, and hopefully purchase some as well.

Companies do not endorse or sponsor artists. I am an endorsee of both Godin and Thomastik-Infeld. As such I use their products. As such they sometimes find me gigs (like NAMM shows), clinics, PR opportunities etc. They also offer me special price reductions on their products (truth be told...nothing is given away free anymore!). As a professional bassist I endorse their products (and I did merley by using them prior to being contacted by these company's artist relations people..).
And yes, with TI I have a contract which states I use their strings exclusively. With strings and such, perhaps even with amps, this is common. Not a common deal with basses tho as mostr players play a variety of differing instruments, and to force a player to only play a particular brand would be quite limiting and inapproriate.

Just to set things straight...

Max
 
#5
Here are my stipulations on my deals: If I'm still paying for the product, then it's not exclusive. It may sound harsh, but that's how it is. Also, some people only play the endorsed products on TV or in the press, but when it comes to regular gigs, they play whatever they like at the time. I have deals, but I also have a Sadowsky. You think that's gonna sit home this tour? My deal states that as long as I play the bass in at least 40% of the show, then it's all good. I'm am able to play my Sadowsky AND honor my committments at the same time. Honoring the agreement is key for me. As for amps, I'm a one woman man, and that woman is GK! :hyper: :bassist:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back