Actually, most endorsement deal require you to pay something. At least the cost of the instrument. The freebies are saved for the platinum selling artists who get lots of exposure. Not a regional act like me. So a real endorsement deal is exactly what I will get from them and what I have from Clayton as well.
The endorsement deals I personally know of are
far better than that for non-charting recording acts.
I personally wouldn't want to be associated with marginal brands unless there was significant compensation, but more to the point, I'm reminded of a long article on endorsements I once read in one of the major mags, the burden of which being that these are best avoided unless there is really significant compensation
beyond the free-gear stage.
They're getting you for nothing here.
You're getting a discount I can beat on Amazon (where MTD was dumping product at twenty cents on the dollar), and a public association with B-brand product.
I just don't see it as any kind of a smart move.
As for your dislike of the brands... Different tastes are fine. I have brands I wouldnt touch either. But I stand behind mine. And so do a lot of the talk bass members.
Yeah, that's fine, but you're missing the point: These are marginal brands in terms of public recognition and pro status. It's not about whether or not I personally like these basses or not. In endorsements this is the central issue, not quality. You should research this sometime. It's kind of interesting...but most of it's just common sense.
If you're a pro, or just have pro ambitions, remember my rule:
Never let anything second-rate be associated with your act.
At least not unless you're being handsomely paid for it, and you won't be until you're fairly high up the ladder.
