Buxtehude said:
I wouldn't go that far. There are some basses I wouldn't play even if they were free.
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Opinion on an MTD endorsement
- Thread starter Noonan768
- Start date
I wouldn't go that far. There are some basses I wouldn't play even if they were free.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
There is a lot of misinformation being tossed around throughout this thread about endorsements.
To the op at the end of the day do you like the bass? Do you like how it sounds?
The problem with most musicians is that they do not know precisely what they are or should be worth to a company.
To the op at the end of the day do you like the bass? Do you like how it sounds?
The problem with most musicians is that they do not know precisely what they are or should be worth to a company.
You may be in a different situation with your endorsements in comparison to a lower level band. I am not sure what part you feel is misinformation. To make a comment like that you need to elaborate for once instead of making one off cryptic comments.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
My comments aren't cryptic at all.
If the op actually knows what he is worth as an artist and to the company that is offering the deal then his problem is solved.
To any one is is even slightly interested in an endorsement. A few things to consider.
1.
Make sure the brand is one that you sincerely are interested in playing.
2.
Develop an actual relationship with that company.
3.
Do not come in the door expecting free gear unless you actually know that you are worthy of such from the company.
4.
If you do get the endorsement that you want make sure you hold the company to their part of the deal.
You often make statements without any information. In this case you said there was alot of misinformation but never said what information was incorrect. Who is passing the wrong info? It is impossible to get that from the one statement you made.
Your further advice is nice as well and good for those looking for endorsements or confronted with one but still doesn't supply anything additional to your previous statement.
I am curious what you feel is not accurate information and give your side on it. As someone who is endorsed by many companies I assume you have no exclusive contracts with any of them. I have only had a few endorsements in my time (none at the moment) and I never had to do anything like that.
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
Good Lord....it's just an endorsement offer to a local/regional guy. It's not an insult or a scam. There is a guy who works at MTD (and every company has one) whose job it is to give stuff away to artists. The bigger the artist the less he pays....period. The main question you need to ask yourself is "Do I really like this instrument & want to play it & talk about it to other bassists?" If it's a great bass, that won't be a problem. If you're just doing it & it isn't something you really dig, that gets old very fast. When I read posts like the ones above, it reminds me of when very young artists are offered record deals. All of a sudden all kinds of people (who know nothing about it) jump out of the woodwork and start trying to talk the kid out of it because he might get "ripped off". You gotta read what you sign and all that, but it's pretty hard to rip off somebody whose essentially got nothing to lose. It's an opportunity & the down side is almost non existent. You won't get the same deal Lee Sklar gets but you're on the same road. How can that hurt you or be used to "rip you off"? It's equipment....that's all. Not publishing rights or anything really important financially. All MTD wants is a picture. Oh yeah....that's a HUGE risk.....lol! Be careful....but don't be foolish about it.
Nicely said.
I do like the product an am a proud former resident of Kingston, NY. This company and Spector are based in my home region. I would be proud to be associated with either of them as a local guy.
I do like the product an am a proud former resident of Kingston, NY. This company and Spector are based in my home region. I would be proud to be associated with either of them as a local guy.
agreed - never heard of any 'regular' (ie not real famous or somehow linked to the company) bassist getting gear for free regardless of their endorsement - usually cost on basses, discount on other stuff - and plenty of free schwag..... of course
I have a few friends that most certainly did get free instruments after endorsement - I'm just sayin'... Although they're national recording artists, they've never hit any charts - they have toured with a few big names, though...
- georgestrings
In motor racing the decals you display indicate you are running that product. One driver and his crew figured they would use an XYZ part instead of the sponsored QRX parts. Well they did know one of the sales reps looked over the car and noticed XYZ parts when the hood was opened. Employee snapped a photo gave it to management who used that photo as means to not pay point cash that year. Driver did not abide by terms of the contingency program contract costing him valuable cash. Just something to keep in mind if a local rep is out in your area even in small clubs when the national ETA lighting rep introduced himself to me.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
If that is the extent of an endorsement then that is not an endorsement at all. That's not being honest with others in rather or not you're actually using the product. If you are not playing it where does the endorsement come in? And do you at the most minimum have the type of pull from a pic to peek some ones interest in checking out the bass?
I can't see any company giving a bass player an endorsement and the only requirement would be just take a pic with the bass.
When would a listener possibly get the chance to hear it being played if all you're only required to do is take a pic with the bass?
That's ridiculous.
[/QUOTE]Most endorsement deals consist of the artist paying a discounted price for the instrument but there are so many ways an endorsement can go.
What exactly is a real endorsement deal?
Not true at all.
How is this a real endorsement when you mentioned earlier that your only requirement is to take a pic with the bass?
What is a true endorsement?
Not true at all. There is no artist living today that endorses a brand of bass that has contributed to 10.000 basses from a particular company being sold per year.
Not one.
I don't see it that way - IMO, Bongo knows quite a bit about "the biz" and negotiations - you, not so much...
- georgestrings
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
It all comes back to whether you like the equipment. Don't get into it if the bass isn't your thing. I've had some endorsements & still do.....not all of them music related (I shoot traditional archery competitively). It only works for you if you truly love the gear, otherwise it's a drag. What's the very most MTD can get out of it? They sell you a bass at cost & your band goes KABOOM....superstars. How often does that happen? If it does you can believe the deal will change in a hurry. Nobody on either side gets all that much out of a deal like this except some publicity & some cred. If you can get that AND play a bass you really love.... do it. Is anybody else offering you credible publicity & cheap prices? Probably not. But if others see you have endorsements.....things could change.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Me too, actually. Didn't re-read the thread, but I didn't see anything first time around that jumped out at me or made me think this thread is full of misinformation.
I've had gear custom made and given to me for free (see blue bass in video below), had endorsements with the top bass and amp companies out there, an endorsements with sam ash, recent endorsement with hipshot (3 days old in fact
), and a couple I don't even remember. Not bragging about these things, I happened to luck into a few really good gigs, and I'm grateful for the experiences. I've learned from it all a handful of things. All my deals were different in one way or another. Most were for a percentage off of list with a freebie here and there. Most were done on a handshake, or mutual unwritten understanding. None but one were exclusive, and ironically that's the one I no longer use.My experience tells me there are no hard and fast rules regarding endorsements, there is a lot of ethical consideration on both sides, and there are many different levels that deals are given on. The majority are signed with a handshake (or mutual understanding) that says I'll give you a discount on our products, you let people know you use our stuff and spread the love.
And anyone I know getting free gear from Fender or Gibson (and I know some), don't need it. They fall into a category that very few here do. The rules and details all change at that level.
Pics with the bass are not just posed. It's saying that pics we use for promotion or on our site should show me playing the bass. This isn't a big deal to me because I would intend on playing the bass live.
This is how I understand it as well. I haven't been formerly endorsed by anyone but I know quite a few people who are and most get deals on gear, not actual free gear. I may, however, be in the process of getting a deal by a local luthier here in my city who's just starting out. We've talked about getting a bass built to my specs but, again, I plan on paying for the wood and parts. the labor would be free, out side of me playing it on gigs and giving the builder some props.
If that is the extent of an endorsement then that is not an endorsement at all. That's not being honest with others in rather or not you're actually using the product. If you are not playing it where does the endorsement come in? And do you at the most minimum have the type of pull from a pic to peek some ones interest in checking out the bass?
I can't see any company giving a bass player an endorsement and the only requirement would be just take a pic with the bass.
When would a listener possibly get the chance to hear it being played if all you're only required to do is take a pic with the bass?
That's ridiculous.
Most endorsement deals consist of the artist paying a discounted price for the instrument but there are so many ways an endorsement can go.
What exactly is a real endorsement deal?
Not true at all.
How is this a real endorsement when you mentioned earlier that your only requirement is to take a pic with the bass?
What is a true endorsement?
Not true at all. There is no artist living today that endorses a brand of bass that has contributed to 10.000 basses from a particular company being sold per year.
Not one.
Thanks Jauqo that was what I was looking for!
I agree, you spend money to endorse them? Unless you really like their product...
Ha. If paying them to endorse their stuff is an endorsement then I better change my profile, cause I'm endorsed by a bunch of companies. Seriously though, if a company that I liked and would use if I could afford it offered me an "endorsement" with just discounts that put their product in my price range I would jump all over it. I would ask for free stuff.... But I would still take the discount.
