He said that in his video with River Phoenix. All the same, he was still getting, and probably still does, free gear from companies wanting his name close to theirs.
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Is Modulus still in Business?
- Thread starter Baird6869
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He said that in his video with River Phoenix. All the same, he was still getting, and probably still does, free gear from companies wanting his name close to theirs.
I'll never forget getting to meet David Ellefson after a show in Fitchburg, MA (tour for Youthenasia). When I got to speak with him I said joking to him (which was completely obvious I was joking) and asked if I could have one of his Modulus basses. He laughed and said "C'mon man, I have to pay for those things..."
Which to me, you should always have to pay for them. Does it make sense to give it away to someone who's balance on their checking account might say something like "6,980,000"? And why would that person care if they paid for them? It would be like you or me dropping two or three pennies in the gutter. We wouldn't miss it nor would we care.
So to me, that speaks volumes that Jason Newsted & David Ellefson could play anything they want but paid full price for a quiver of Sadowsky's & Moduluses (yes I know that nowadays David has a deal with Jackson).
Which to me, you should always have to pay for them. Does it make sense to give it away to someone who's balance on their checking account might say something like "6,980,000"? And why would that person care if they paid for them? It would be like you or me dropping two or three pennies in the gutter. We wouldn't miss it nor would we care.
So to me, that speaks volumes that Jason Newsted & David Ellefson could play anything they want but paid full price for a quiver of Sadowsky's & Moduluses (yes I know that nowadays David has a deal with Jackson).
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
This policy is followed by Alembic, too. No one gets a free ride from them, including Stanley. I suppose that's not surprising, given the link between Alembic and Modulus.
But if you're playing for a million people throughout the tour, having the headstock up on the jumbotron is worth something.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
There are guys who will pay for what they want and not ask for any kind of a discount but most do not come in the door like that.
This is the question a I ask.
Guys would you really pay for a bass that once you are seen and heard playing, that the company would end up selling more than they normally do?
For the record every time The RHCP tour Japan more Modulus basses are sold.
At the end of the day Flea and Modulus knows what Fleas worth is to the brand.
This is the question a I ask.
Guys would you really pay for a bass that once you are seen and heard playing, that the company would end up selling more than they normally do?
For the record every time The RHCP tour Japan more Modulus basses are sold.
At the end of the day Flea and Modulus knows what Fleas worth is to the brand.
I think just playing live = no compensation.
But appearing in a full page color ad with the instrument is different.
But appearing in a full page color ad with the instrument is different.
Also, many artists get "cost" or dealer type pricing. This is typically 20-40% off.
Add the fact that a bass guitar to a professional musician is the same as a saw to a carpenter (tool of the trade for tax purposes).... a bass I may $2000 for will cost a touring musician likely under $1k.
Not a bad deal still.
Add the fact that a bass guitar to a professional musician is the same as a saw to a carpenter (tool of the trade for tax purposes).... a bass I may $2000 for will cost a touring musician likely under $1k.
Not a bad deal still.
That's my experience as well - I think most folks with endorsement deals do typically pay for the product, but at a reduced rate - I know a couple of exceptions - there are string companies that give their strings to (some) of their endorsed artists, I know a couple of custom pick makers that give free printed picks to those they endorse, etc, but strings and picks are not exactly the same as basses and amps.
Yes, I should clarify a few things :
I had zero issue with paying for my basses. I had other manufacturers offer me free basses that I turned down. I saw it like this - my modulus was what I played that got me to where I was, and I was sticking with it.
The biggest challenge was finances because while I did have a very nice initial advance, I was still paying off debts and being responsible so dropping $1,200 or so per bass was very expensive.
I paid less than that for my modulus. It was probably 40% off the price you would pay at GC, but there was never a discount mentioned and it was not framed in that way like other companies did.
The reason there are artist discounts is because of this. Just because you are signed and touring does not mean you still have the coin to drop on new guitars. especially considering most guys get signed between 18-25 and are usually broke. Obviously you need to be a band that is expected to chart or is charting if you want a lot of sponsorship options. You have to feature that gear in videos (RIP) and at every show, plus any print.
Another cool thing companies do is let you have their gear and you just pay it off over time. Or they give you loaners that you can use and then have to give back.
Anyway, most people probably know this stuff. My main point is that I found Modulus accessible and artist friendly.
I had zero issue with paying for my basses. I had other manufacturers offer me free basses that I turned down. I saw it like this - my modulus was what I played that got me to where I was, and I was sticking with it.
The biggest challenge was finances because while I did have a very nice initial advance, I was still paying off debts and being responsible so dropping $1,200 or so per bass was very expensive.
I paid less than that for my modulus. It was probably 40% off the price you would pay at GC, but there was never a discount mentioned and it was not framed in that way like other companies did.
The reason there are artist discounts is because of this. Just because you are signed and touring does not mean you still have the coin to drop on new guitars. especially considering most guys get signed between 18-25 and are usually broke. Obviously you need to be a band that is expected to chart or is charting if you want a lot of sponsorship options. You have to feature that gear in videos (RIP) and at every show, plus any print.
Another cool thing companies do is let you have their gear and you just pay it off over time. Or they give you loaners that you can use and then have to give back.
Anyway, most people probably know this stuff. My main point is that I found Modulus accessible and artist friendly.
Roy Vogt
Supporting Member
- Sep 20, 2000
- 4,433
- 537
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
My relationship with them dates back to the early 80s and Geoff Gould era, and I was just given heavy discounts on a custom built instrument and one off the NAMM Show Floor (technically that's not supposed to happen, but you know....
)
I don't know anyone who got a free bass from them.
)I don't know anyone who got a free bass from them.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
While a player is using that loaner they are selling instruments and the company is making money.
Yes. That is why they do it.
Also, I got loaner amps to test out prototypes that were not released. That was pretty fun because I got to give them my feedback on what I liked and didn't like.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
I understand why they do it but the player should at least be allowed to keep the bass.
Before the loaner is even given the player should let them know that they don't do loaners unless they are compensated some type of way.
You can go right ahead with that frame of mind. I saved thousands of dollars by touring with sick amps and cabs just by rotating loaners out until I got what I wanted.
It's not unfair to the artist.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
You are lucky. Jule Amps and Fodera are begging to pay me NOT to play their basses and amps in public.
Yes. Definitely. One became the Mesa Boogie M-pulse 600. That was my main rig
You are lucky. Jule Amps and Fodera are begging to pay me NOT to play their basses and amps in public.
LOL.
I agree that there should be compensation in those cases. It's business. I even understand those that play the game with integrity that is somewhat lacking.
I don't personally put much stock in endorsements. By the same token I do understand that many folks do, usually for the wrong reasons... thinking that if they purchase what Artist A, whom they love, uses they'll get the same results.
Thanks! The body is a gorgeous mahogany with a killer spruce top. As soon as I can get the money together, Joe is going to switch out the chrome hardware to black for me, I can't wait for that! It's really stunning already though, my iphone can't capture it's beauty so well!
Congrats on your tbx, it looks AMAZING! You should definitely get a fretless too, that I would be insanely jealous of! Not that I'm not already from looking over your tbx pictures. Wish I could afford one! Lucky man you are!
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