GoFundMe to Pay for Gear?

[Jon Moody]

As the social media guy at GHS, I've gotten a LOT of these kind of things from our artists with the request that I help share their campaign. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.

I give immediate cred to Kickstarter over GoFundMe, as the former doesn't give you any money if you don't make your goal whereas the latter does. The inclusion of clever incentives goes a long way as well, because it shows that you're willing to put in the work. My favorite example is one of our ukulele artists (who is a whiz with the sewing machine) had an incentive where she'd make you a ukulele strap. Turns out she ended up making 300 of them.

As for using it to fund a custom guitar? That I'm a little leery of, as that would be like my brother-in-law (who works in construction) putting up an online campaign for a new table saw. These are tools of the trade, and as a small business owner (because when you're a professional musician, YOU ARE ONE), there are ways to go about it. I've funded all of my high end gear by looking at upcoming gigs, getting a personal loan to finance it upfront, writing it off over the next couple years, etc..

 

[Ric5]

I've seen a couple YouTube videos lately of musician starting GoFundMe campaigns to pay for custom instruments to be built. I'm not going to post them here because my intention isn't to bash them personally. But I want to see what TB thinks about it.

Both videos I saw (and I'm sure there's plenty more that I haven't seen) are for national touring bands, so it's not like they're just some jabroni in his basement. They both offer incentives for donations ($20-ticket to a gig, $50-private lesson, $500-a private concert in your home, $1000-a song written on the new bass).

What do you guys think? Is this just as legit as Ben Folds and Mike Doughty starting GoFundMe campaigns to pay for their albums? Is helping a musician get his dream instrument contributing to their art?

Let's hear it TB.

This is because of how bad the money is in music ...

The guys who can afford good gear are the guys with a good day job ... Being a professional musician can be a fast track to poverty

 

[Tom Bomb]

Love it. Do it. Get some cool stuff. Make some good friends. Support music - musos - I got behind Invalid Link Removed Music. Dig it!

 

[fingerguy]

I've seen a couple YouTube videos lately of musician starting GoFundMe campaigns to pay for custom instruments to be built. I'm not going to post them here because my intention isn't to bash them personally. But I want to see what TB thinks about it.

Both videos I saw (and I'm sure there's plenty more that I haven't seen) are for national touring bands, so it's not like they're just some jabroni in his basement. They both offer incentives for donations ($20-ticket to a gig, $50-private lesson, $500-a private concert in your home, $1000-a song written on the new bass).

What do you guys think? Is this just as legit as Ben Folds and Mike Doughty starting GoFundMe campaigns to pay for their albums? Is helping a musician get his dream instrument contributing to their art?

Let's hear it TB.

I think if someone is willing to provide them the cash who are we to bash? Is this person forcing it on them?

 

[fuzzychaos]

I have contributed to Kickstarter campaigns for a few of my favorite artists. If a guy is asking me to help fund an instrument, same thing to me.They were not panhandling or begging, it was a transaction, I got stuff and they got to make their album (or buy their instrument as the case may be). Even if it weren't and they were just asking for donations, who cares? If you don't want to contribute, then don't and move along.

 

[sub-commandante]

Michael Gira of Swans does the reputable thing. He funds his projects by selling limited edition double CDs of live performances with original unique artwork. You get a great product for a fair price and the end result is a new Swans album.

Another great thing he does is to sell his CDs through his record company for a fair price and autographs them. For a few bucks more than Amazon you get the same product autographed and most of the money goes into the artists pocket.

Just saw them last month...absolutely amazing live.

 

[LowFish]

Just electronic begging is all it is. Get out there and mow some lawns if you want a new bass.

 

[fingerguy]

Just electronic begging is all it is. Get out there and mow some lawns if you want a new bass.

I rather provide services as a Gigolo but that is just me.

 

[RickyWoo]

This is because of how bad the money is in music ...

The guys who can afford good gear are the guys with a good day job ... Being a professional musician can be a fast track to poverty

I get what you're saying, though it's not as cut and dry as you choose to put it so simply. I have a day job. It didn't start out good. I started from the bottom, living on below poverty line wages. I stuck it out though. Bought only what I could afford and only when justified. Being a professional musician is a "day job" to professional musicians too, ya know. You have to start from the bottom as a professional musician all the same. It works out for some. It doesn't for others. I know plenty musicians whom are successful from my neighborhood that couldn't even afford strings, once upon a time. Their gear would blow your mind now a days though after figuring out how the business works for them and they're making honest living wages. It's not as simple as saying only people who work 9-5 have good gear. Good gear is gear that is good. Not gear that you need to crowd fund thousands of dollars for. Because a musician can't afford a $5000- $7000 bass on their own doesn't reflect on the state of the music industry nor does it indicate "hard times" for musicians. It's just expensive. Even for a guy with a "good day job".

 

[Wesley R]

I might tempted to go fund me a broke kid 12-16 or some such long before a touring band. I have bought some broke and less fortunate kids strings, cords, cases etc.
In my mind a touring band should pretty much be ready to roll or it is not a band. I do remember a time when the band would rent some ultra cheap housing get some form of work to support getting gear, upgrading etc, all the while living on nothing or less, half starving and playing every gig possible. Of course back then we didn't pay to play EXCEPT for renting an armory or big hall on our own, and doing all our own advertising, sell hot dogs and pop, and hiring a couple of friend to work the door. Maybe that qualifies as PTP.

 

[Mike Sorr]

I've seen a couple YouTube videos lately of musician starting GoFundMe campaigns to pay for custom instruments to be built. I'm not going to post them here because my intention isn't to bash them personally. But I want to see what TB thinks about it.

Both videos I saw (and I'm sure there's plenty more that I haven't seen) are for national touring bands, so it's not like they're just some jabroni in his basement. They both offer incentives for donations ($20-ticket to a gig, $50-private lesson, $500-a private concert in your home, $1000-a song written on the new bass).

What do you guys think? Is this just as legit as Ben Folds and Mike Doughty starting GoFundMe campaigns to pay for their albums? Is helping a musician get his dream instrument contributing to their art?

Let's hear it TB.

 

[I am Soma]

If it has incentives its fine. Also the rest of the band should know/agree that the member is doing this.

 

[bass12]

Ridiculous. We all know the custom bass won't even make it onto the album once the producer insists on using that old Fender he's got sitting in the corner of his studio.

But while we're on the subject, anyone want to buy me a REDDI?

 

[ToneMonkey]

A couple of artists I somewhat follow have done the GoFundMe thing to produce a record. I passed on one but gave the minimum amount on another. I effectively preordered a hi-res download so I have no gripe about that. And if that's the only way an artist can put out a new record, well OK.

But a custom instrument? Jeebus, that's obnoxious. But it's a free country. I celebrate anyone's right to give money to anyone they wish to for any reason.

 

[jwr]

Did anyone post a video?? I want to see the video!

 

[Drzejzi]

The main reason is reading Talkbass or other gear forums too much. Seriously. People don't NEED custom guitars etc., but they think they need them because of the Internet and another musicians. Jealousy is a terrible thing.

 

[radiator6]

i'd gladly pay u 2morrow 4a burger 2day

 

[fingerguy]

i'd gladly pay u 2morrow 4a burger 2day

TEXT TALK DRIVES ME CRAZY!

 

[KevInDaBassment]

As for using it to fund a custom guitar? That I'm a little leery of, as that would be like my brother-in-law (who works in construction) putting up an online campaign for a new table saw. These are tools of the trade, and as a small business owner (because when you're a professional musician, YOU ARE ONE), there are ways to go about it. I've funded all of my high end gear by looking at upcoming gigs, getting a personal loan to finance it upfront, writing it off over the next couple years, etc..

A boutique table saw at that!!

That's a very valid point. I think everyone is in agreement on the "it's their money" thing, but it's not as if this guy is up a creek and can't afford one to play a tour/album, he just wants a fancy new one.

We all know the custom bass won't even make it onto the album once the producer insists on using that old Fender he's got sitting in the corner of his studio.

Quite a possibility

 

[000_Unknown]

"Send me your money.."