Has anyone sold their band's soul to Sam Ash?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by NicJimBass, Nov 29, 2005.

  1. NicJimBass

    NicJimBass Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!

    Nov 22, 2004
    Lancaster, OH
    Hipshot
    So, I see that Sam Ash will sponsor bands to the tune of $3k a year for accesories, and all they ask for in return is for you to pimp their name all over town. My question- has anyone done this, and if so, how does it fell to lose your soul for a set of strings every now and again?

    Seriously, what is everyone's experience with this?
     
  2. WalterBush

    WalterBush

    Feb 27, 2005
    Yuma, Az
    Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
    Really? Where do you see this? What are the requirements? I want to sign up right now! 3k a year just for advertising Sam Ash? Sounds great!
     
  3. Hmmm all it is is putting up a banner for 3k, I read the rules I don't htink you can buy a new axe, but still. You'd be set!
     
  4. No, but my soul IS on lay-away.

    Randy
     
  5. It's just for accessories, which means strings and stuff. Not as fun as buying new guitars and amps. I don't really like the idea.
     
  6. wireless units and pedals are considered accessories arent they? lol

    and honoslty.. even if it is jsut strings, batteries, strap locks, straps.. and all other little stuff... u could probably sell it off and everything will be profit.. u could probably get atleast half for everything.. so thats $1500 of actual money that u could use for real gear..
     
  7. Eric Moesle

    Eric Moesle

    Sep 21, 2001
    Columbus OH
    There was a lengthy thread on this a few months ago, I think it was started by Joe Nerve. You might want to search for it, plenty of details on the "deal", which is almost all exclusions, monthly limits, etc. Bottom line was that it was NOT a deal in the end.
     
  8. Joe Nerve

    Joe Nerve Supporting Member

    Oct 7, 2000
    New York City
    Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
    We were offered the deal at a gig, I questioned it, discussed it here, and then finally realized the only thing that was keeping me (us) from doing it was a silly sense of pride. Sam Ash has been very good to me since I first picked up my first guitar many years ago and I've decided I'm proud to hang their banner at our gigs. The benefits have been great, and thus far there's been no down side to it. We got to play a great outdoor festival they had, and we get lotsa free stuff. Thus far I've gotten my first really good set of headphones, a cool distortion box, few sets of my favorite strings, lotsa batteries, some picks, cables, and even a Neil Peart DVD to give to my brother this X-mas. I'm like a kid in a candy store whenever the new month rolls around. Only 3 of us in our band too, so we're getting about $1000 each. They seem to have let me go crazy since we started, not exactly sure why yet. Maybe the other guys in my band are stupid? :)

    You can't get guitars and amps, and I didn't think I'd be able to spend the money - I was pleasently surprised. Next up is a synth pedal.
     

  9. so im right, u CAN get pedals, right?

    how about wireless units?
     
  10. Joe Nerve

    Joe Nerve Supporting Member

    Oct 7, 2000
    New York City
    Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
    me thinks so. can't get mics though.
     
  11. chaosMK

    chaosMK

    May 26, 2005
    Albuquerque, NM
    Too much hip thrust
    I could probably go through $3000 of strings in one year.
     
  12. Suckbird

    Suckbird Inactive

    May 4, 2004
    Sweden
    60packs of elixir a year?
     
  13. syciprider

    syciprider Inactive

    May 27, 2005
    Inland Empire
    Nothing to lose from displaying SA banners. I'd do it. It's not like I'm in Dream Theater.
     
  14. RLT

    RLT

    Jul 10, 2004
    South Central OH
    Wonder if you could do like the racers and have Sam Ash, Guitar Center, Music 123, Musicians Friend and all the others on the same stage?
     
  15. i'd do it!
     
  16. JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Selling your soul...geez, someone doesn't have a very tight grasp on what selling your soul is.
     
  17. SuperDuck

    SuperDuck

    Sep 26, 2000
    Wisconsin
    If it really was your soul, you'd probably at least get a few basses out of it.
     
  18. Bard2dbone

    Bard2dbone

    Aug 4, 2002
    Arlington TX
    I had a friend who was in law school write up essentially a blank contract for me and carried a few on me most of the time a few years back.

    They were pre-written with everything but the signatures and what you were getting on return already filled in. So if someone asked to borrow, say, a dollar, or soda money or some such, I would whip one out, write in 'one dollar' or whatever and say "Sure. Sign here."

    The contracts stated that in return for whatever I wrote in the blank line, the undersigned gives me their eternal soul.

    Nobody ever stiffed me on one of those contracts. I got every penny back...and a few good laughs.
     
  19. Bassmanbob

    Bassmanbob Supporting Member

    That's both clever and funny!

    I see not problem with the concept of a sponsorship. In fact, we have a local store (not a music store) that wants to sponsor my band via clothing and some gigs that normally wouldn't pay or pay well. None of the details have been worked out, but it's no big deal to thank your sponsor for making it possible to perform that night, or for the clothing you're wearing.

    One hand washes the other, and together, they wash the face. Everybody's happy.
     
  20. jimbob

    jimbob

    Dec 26, 2001
    Charlotte NC
    Endorsing Artist: Acoustica Mixcraft; Endorsing Artist: DR Strings
    Glad I tripped on this thread. My band just got into a promotional agreement with a Beer Distributor and we are waiting on some promo now. We figured there would be nothing to lose. The SA deal seems pretty sporty and worth the time.