Reached the "big time",how many?

[millsbass5]

Let's say you've reached the big-time. And, you're gettin' ready for your world-tour on the stadium circuit (Hey, may as well dream big!). And, on top of that you have several hi-end builders, and top-flight, big instrument companies clambering for your endorsement of their product(s).

MY QUESTION: Would you go with an endorsement deal and primarily play that builder's product, and give your current basses the "ol heave ho"? Or, go on a mad bass hunting spree to find something you like. Or, would you stick with a "tried & true, old-faithful" bass that you already own and have a "connection" to?

Also, what company/builder would be THE absolute "dream endorsement" for you?

For me, I would definitely try ALL the basses offered to me from builders/companies. But, I would DEFINITELY have to have some kind of clause in my endorsement deal that I would also be playing basses that I currently own on occasion. The basses I have now would be awfully hard to beat, for sure.

I think I would like to work with Dingwall. I'd like to offer some input to design a signature bass that's based on their Prima 5. With ONE SMALL EXCEPTION: A GRAPHITE NECK!! I think a Dingwall with a graphite neck would have to be THE bass of all basses.

 

[RitchS]

I wouldn't want to be associated with any companies that would have me as a representative. Is Johnson giving out endorsements? That's about my speed.

 

[pedroims]

I would like to do something like Trujillo. Buy all basses I want with charge to Metallica budget

 

[bassguitarthund]

I would like to do something like Trujillo. Buy all basses I want with charge to Metallica budget

I am not sure how the endorsement deals work for sure. However I thought, correct me if I am wrong, that it does not mean you can't play your other basses live. It is just that they want you to be photographed with their bass AMD things along those lines. Couldn't you just cover the name up with tape or something anyways? Like I said don't know a lot about endorsements, lol.

Edit: not sure why I quoted your post, lol.

 

[millsbass5]

I wouldn't want to be associated with any companies that would have me as a representative. Is Johnson giving out endorsements? That's about my speed.

Hey, you didn't read my post thoroughly. I said, if your're gonna dream, dream big! Never mind. What am I talkin' about? Johnson Basses would be a dream endorsement.

 

[millsbass5]

I am not sure how the endorsement deals work for sure. However I thought, correct me if I am wrong, that it does not mean you can't play your other basses live. It is just that they want you to be photographed with their bass AMD things along those lines. Couldn't you just cover the name up with tape or something anyways? Like I said don't know a lot about endorsements, lol.

Edit: not sure why I quoted your post, lol.

I don't know about that, man. I see a few players that endorse certain basses, but yet I hardly see 'em play them. And, that makes no sense to me. Unless they just see $$$ and nothing else. Which I think is total bull****. If I were to actually endorse a bass. I would DEFINITELY play it as much as possible.

 

[RitchS]

Hey, you didn't read my post thoroughly. I said, if your're gonna dream, dream big! Never mind. What am I talkin' about? Johnson Basses would be a dream endorsement.

You've obviously never heard me play!

 

[millsbass5]

You've obviously never heard me play!

Well then...... Point taken.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I'd grab a few 6-string Ritter Royas (one for each of my common tunings), a fretted and fretless fanned 9-string from Jerzy Drozd, and an NS6 upright.

I would probably consider endorsements from any bass company so long as they would make some custom ERB's to my specs.

The only string company I'd accept an endorsement from is Circle K. Amps and pedals... I'll take any endorsement there as they're vey much secondary in my tone.

 

[mc_muench]

I'd get endorsed by Sunn, somehow.

 

[placedesjardins]

Let's say you've reached the big-time. And, you're gettin' ready for your world-tour on the stadium circuit (Hey, may as well dream big!).

No way. I used to be a guitarist.

And, on top of that you have several hi-end builders, and top-flight, big instrument companies clambering for your endorsement of their product(s).

Dude. No Way! I'm only a mediocre bassist!

MY QUESTION: Would you go with an endorsement deal and primarily play that builder's product, and give your current basses the "ol heave ho"?

There's a saying, "Never look a gift horse in the mouth." I don't get the true meaing of that phrase, but I would take the endorsement deal.

Or, go on a mad bass hunting spree to find something you like. Or, would you stick with a "tried & true, old-faithful" bass that you already own and have a "connection" to?

Endorsement deal bass would be good.

Also, what company/builder would be THE absolute "dream endorsement" for you?

Warwick. Fender. Either would be cool.

 

[mattbass6945]

sunn o)))!!! that's awesome mc, wish i'd thought of that first. damn.....

 

[Bassist4Eris]

I would stick with Carvin. But you said, in this particular fantasy, that they would be clamoring for me. So I would have some demands. I would want a signature axe. The main version would be a sixer, but it would also be available in four and five-string models. The main improvement would be dual truss rods. I'd also make them offer a wenge top. And maybe a whammy bar!

 

[Hilton Marsh]

I'm a sucker for white thunderbirds, so its Gibbon or Tokai for me. I'd add a varitone knob, swap out the volume pot for an on/off toggle switch and get a wireless transmitter built into the body cavity. Custom paint and my initials inlaid into the fret board at the 12 fret. Neck radius similar to a Fender Jazz. Oh wait, I already have that. Can I have two more?

 

[Baird6869]

Funny how most famous bassists aren't GAS crazy like us TBers. I guess they are actually playing instead of buying.

if I was famous, people in the crowd would be asking "what the hell is that idiot going to play tonight?!?!" My Bass Magazine interview would have a special 80 page insert just discussing my gear.

Honestly, I would probably take the most $$$ I could from a big company who made basses I like (or kinda liked) and tour with them. I would still have my private collection/GAS sickness that I would have to keep secret from Fender, G&L or Gibson.

 

[mc_muench]

Actually I would also add I would have Warwick make me a custom bass...Fortress body, maple everything, baseball bat fretless neck, P pup and passive electronics. To go along with my wall of Sunn

 

[coreyfyfe]

I'd get endorsed by Sunn, somehow.

Time machine. We're dreaming big aren't we?


On the OP's question, I'd bring the two main basses I have now and no one would endorse me since they're vintage and companies are held by different owners now. I guess if I have to play by your rules it depends on which band "makes it." One I mostly play the grabber so I'd want another original and a reissue if it makes gibson happy to sponsor me. The others I play my A-necked P so I'd want a few of those to the same spec, maybe blocked/bound like a duck dunn. I'm easy to please.

 

[meatwad]

Going on a huge tour, I'd bring two Ps, two StingRays, two SVT-CL heads, and four 8x10 cabinets. This way, I have two of everything in case something broke down.

I honestly wouldn't be interested in endorsements, or custom builds.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Aguilar amps. Not sure on cabs. Modulus or EBMM basses.

 

[StereoPlayer]

There's a saying, "Never look a gift horse in the mouth." I don't get the true meaing of that phrase, but I would take the endorsement deal.
.

You can tell the age of a horse by examining its teeth. So, if the horse is an older one, don't complain, it was a GIFT!