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Opinion on an MTD endorsement

#21
Yeah there is weird speculation as to how endorsements work. Most working stiffs that have endorsements do NOT get free stuff. I have had a few endorsement deals and they are almost always done where the artist gets stuff at list of a percentage below. Is it possible for a regular buyer to get the same price? Maybe if the stuff hits clearance but not typically so the artist still gets something from the deal. The difference is that I would only endorse something I would buy anyway. Otherwise the company is getting money from you they wouldn't normally. When I endorsed Lakland I would have gladly paid full sale price for one so the endorsement deal helped out.

The really weird part of the MTD deal is that they want you to be only photographed with their basses. I have never had to have any deal like that with any of the companies I endorsed. If they are not giving you free stuff then you are still a paying customer and should be under no other obligations.
 
#22
It used to be that endorsements were actually meaningful.

Now, they're the equivalent of collecting thousands of "friends" on Facebook.

You go to any gear site and you can see often literally hundreds of "endorsees" (and who is really endorsing whom here? :confused:) nobody has ever heard of and never will, in among hundreds of little bad photos no one will ever bother to look at. :rollno:

It's bogus. Virtually none of them are of any professional significance nor are they costing the gear company anything. It's just a marketing ploy to generate a higher level of consumer imaginary involvement.

FMIC has six thousand friends and Traben only has eighty-six, so obviously FMIC is prettier and sexier and will have handsomer boyfriends and go to a better college. :rollno:

It's just silly.
 
#23
The price is far better than anyone can get online without being endorsed. So that deal is very good.

I like the product and they are going to promote me and my bands. So there is an advertisement trade off. Free swag and a huge string discount as well.

I can play my other stuff as well. But the promo shots of the bands and me need to be with their basses only.

This company is based out of my hometown in New York and endorse a couple of my friends/ peers. Some who have been featured in bass player magazine and other bass related media.
I am not a pro nor am I going to be one. I have a family and a good full time job. This is my side job which I love. So the endorsement is pretty cool for a weekend warrior.
 
#24
I can agree with that. Most endorsements work out very well for the company. The artist is paying what a store would so they are out nothing and then they get some free advertising. Because of this it is not difficult at all to get endorsements anymore. That is why I said I would only endorse a company I would be buying anyway.
 
#26
Your a weekend warrior and your here asking..... this thread just changed. Your a fool for passing it up, how many pics are you REALLY going to take..... Do it, get yourself a top notch bass for dirt cheap. Dingwall is local here so my friend is on with them, and they hook him up with some great deals, he does still pay.
 
#29
Johnny Alien said:
The really weird part of the MTD deal is that they want you to be only photographed with their basses. I have never had to have any deal like that with any of the companies I endorsed. If they are not giving you free stuff then you are still a paying customer and should be under no other obligations.
Click to expand...

I agree with the above.

I'm also not too sure why they're offering you the deal when you're not even familiar with their basses, and love playing schecters. If you're going to be making a sacrifice in order to endorse their equipment it doesn't really make sense.

I've gotten endorsements from a handful of companies, and was lucky enough to even got some expensive free gear. I no longer use some of that eqipment and I almost wish I'd never gone along with it. Only one of my deals, with a big amp company was exclusive. My agreement expired, and I was happy to move on as I found stuff I like a lot more. Most deals aren't exclusive however, and most are for a percentage off list price. If that's the deal with MTD, it wouldn't make sense, at least for me, to do it. Who benefits, and how?

Anything I choose now to endorse I'd be endorsing whether I had a deal or not. Makes me feel genuine, and good about what I'm doing. My Big Al is my number one bass, and would be regardless of anything. I think it's the greatest instrument ever created. My Bongo and a Sterling were my number ones before I ever even got involved with MM. I bought them both at a mom and pop music store. NJ bass and guitar, who I happily unoficially endorse. :)

In the long run the money saved from an endorsement doesn't amount all that much, and definitely not worth me playing gear I don't like playing. I'd think hard before saying yes. And then drop an email with a link to this thread to schecter. Go for who you really do endorse. You'll probably feel better about yourself.
 
#30
Johnny Alien said:
I can agree with that. Most endorsements work out very well for the company. The artist is paying what a store would so they are out nothing and then they get some free advertising. Because of this it is not difficult at all to get endorsements anymore. That is why I said I would only endorse a company I would be buying anyway.
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Yeah, who wants to be shackled to some nowhere brand and pay for the privilege? What promotion do they actually guarantee? It's ridiculous.

Endorsement of this sort is meaningless and merely an exercise in branding if there is no way value is transferred.

I'm wondering if anyone's paying product-placement revenue for online videos from their so-called endorsees.

That would be meaningful.
 
#31
DiabolusInMusic said:
Here is another question for you. Who do you think pays for your rider to get filled? Because it comes out of the band's pay. Yeah that was a shock for me the first time....
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I know a rider is an addition to a contract or legislation. But I'm not sure what you're specifically referring to here. What specifically is your rider? Who is the contract with that you are referring too?
 
#33
Audiophage said:
I really like my MTD Kingston Heir, and I'm not really within their typical demographic. I'd say try them out and take the endorsement if you like them, leave it if you don't.
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I do like their product. I have tried them out before. Just not side by side with my current gear. And I have never owned anything from them before. However I have 3 friends who swear by them.

I may check with Schecter as well and let them know of the offer. Who knows. It could work some healthy competition.
 
#35
Bongolation said:
FMIC has six thousand friends and Traben only has eighty-six, so obviously FMIC is prettier and sexier and will have handsomer boyfriends and go to a better college. :rollno:

It's just silly.
Click to expand...

or maybe all those friends on the Fender page are just associating themselves with a 'pro' level brand and gear choice. I can't imagine Traben is considered any more pro than Schecter or MTD...

so the real question may be why would those 86 Traben friends risk having anything (as you put it) "second-rate be associated with your (their) act."


Noonan768 said:
I do like their product. I have tried them out before. Just not side by side with my current gear. And I have never owned anything from them before. However I have 3 friends who swear by them.

I may check with Schecter as well and let them know of the offer. Who knows. It could work some healthy competition.
Click to expand...

good idea
 
#36
pudgychef said:
or maybe all those friends on the Fender page are just associating themselves with a 'pro' level brand and gear choice.
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Well, if you're not getting paid, it's the least you can do.

How many toes do you want to shoot off for a free T-shirt and a discount anyhow?

I can't imagine Traben is considered any more pro than Schecter or MTD...
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Certainly not.

so the real question may be why would those 86 Traben friends risk having anything (as you put it) "second-rate be associated with your (their) act."
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Hmm.

Perhaps because they believe they are built from win and awesome because there was a really hot chick in their print ads.

Perhaps they had their egos flattered by an approach and a swell deal on those gruesome instruments.

Perhaps because Mom's abusive meth-head boyfriend plays the other brand.

Perhaps because Little Susie told them they looked sexy.

Perhaps they wanted to be "different" and "stick it to the man."

Perhaps Cheech & Chong explained that they'd stand out more in a crowd of eighty-six endorsees than among six thousand and forty-two.

Perhaps they got offered two T-shirts instead of one. And a strap and ten bumper stickers.

Verily, the business mind of the musicien manqué is dark and uncharted territory! :p
 
#37
Noonan768 said:
I do like their product. I have tried them out before. Just not side by side with my current gear. And I have never owned anything from them before. However I have 3 friends who swear by them.

I may check with Schecter as well and let them know of the offer. Who knows. It could work some healthy competition.
Click to expand...

Thats a good idea. If Schecter can come up with a better offer for you and you already like their products then it's a win for you.
 

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