AdamWoodBass Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) Hey guys, Ok I have had an offer for a kind of quasi endorsement thing with a guitar company. I can't really say who they are yet as nothings confirmed and I don't want to end up looking like a prune if it doesn't come off! My questions are as follows: 1. Do any of you have an endorsement deal? 2. If so what does it entail? 3. Do they look after you as regards to maintanence of your gear and expenses etc? 4. Do you have a contract? 5. Did it benefit you in any way? ie did you end up getting better known as a musician or get more work out of it? Sorry for the vagueness on this, any info or advice you can offer is as always much appreciated! Cheers Ad Edited June 1, 2009 by AdamWoodBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny-lad Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 1. I don't have an endorsement deal but I know a couple of people who do. 2. From what I understand, it normally involves getting free, or more often, discount priced gear from the manufacturer - this could be a percentage discount or something else like trade prices. 3. They might look after you well for repairs and maintenence so you are sure to be seen using their gear, but I'm only guessing. I suppose every deal would be different. 4. Not sure. 5. I think the main benefit is that you get the opportunity to work with a company who provide you with free or discount gear to suit your needs. I don't think it would get you loads more gigs or recognition unless you became well known for using that gear and were appearing in adverts and so forth. It works both ways - it benefits you in that you get the gear, and it benefits the company because you are seen using their products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 Ok so a quick update on this, basically I've just gotten an endorsement deal with new guitar company called Farida Guitars. They're distributed by Dawson's and are bloody wonderful bits of wood! I'll post a topic with some better pics of mine in the bass guitars forum when I get chance to take some pics but for now you can check it out at faridaguitars.co.uk. Mine is the FJB-20 with a natural finish, used it live on a big stage for the first time last night and I was not dissapointed. I'll be doing some recordings with it later this week which I'll also get posted on here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray_6ao7 Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 [quote name='AdamWoodBass' post='485898' date='May 12 2009, 01:31 PM']My questions are as follows: 1. Do any of you have an endorsement deal? 2. If so what does it entail? 3. Do they look after you as regards to maintanence of your gear and expenses etc? 4. Do you have a contract? 5. Did it benefit you in any way? ie did you end up getting better known as a musician or get more work out of it?[/quote] Hey man hope this helps... 1. yes 2. 50% off, min x amount of gigs per year 3. great service, quick, friendly, helping us book a european tour through other endorsers in europe 4. yes - renewable daily 5. apart from cheaper gear, found it easier to get more endorsements for the band etc cheers ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 Cool cheers for that mate, mines pretty similar actually. I think the most useful thing they're gonna do for me is help to raise my profile as a player (it is in their best interests after all). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 There are generally different "levels" of Endorsement or Artist Deals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 [quote name='AdamWoodBass' post='502959' date='Jun 1 2009, 02:23 PM']Ok so a quick update on this, basically I've just gotten an endorsement deal with new guitar company called Farida Guitars. They're distributed by Dawson's and are bloody wonderful bits of wood! I[/quote] See.... they've had their money's worth out of you already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='502983' date='Jun 1 2009, 03:02 PM']See.... they've had their money's worth out of you already [/quote] LOL yeah well I've got to sing their praises somewhere haven't I! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 [quote name='Jase' post='502982' date='Jun 1 2009, 03:02 PM']There are generally different "levels" of Endorsement or Artist Deals.[/quote] Yeah I got that impression. I expected having to pay for it though cos even people like Wooten have to pay for their gear they just get it at a discount because of who they are. Hopefully this will lead to greater things but we can but wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I wonder.... is it just a strange coincidence that they make Fender copies and their logo could - just at a glance of course -possibly be mistaken for Fender's. Hmmmmm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 [quote name='AdamWoodBass' post='502988' date='Jun 1 2009, 03:07 PM']Yeah I got that impression. I expected having to pay for it though cos even people like Wooten have to pay for their gear they just get it at a discount because of who they are. Hopefully this will lead to greater things but we can but wait![/quote] If you truly believe in their product stick with them, regardless of any promo you might get through it. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 (edited) [quote]I wonder.... is it just a strange coincidence that they make Fender copies and their logo could - just at a glance of course -possibly be mistaken for Fender's. Hmmmmm....[/quote] This is true however (and no I have not been paid to say this and I am in no way obliged to say this) I compared my Farida with a US Fender in the shop and I prefered the Farida way before I was aproached about an endorsement. It is a pretty basic bass but it does do everything you'd expect a decent jazz bass to do and it does do it well. Again I know I'm biased but I genuinely think they're ace, they fit my hands and playing style really nicely and they sound really good. TBH I'm not really fussed what it says on the headstock as long as I'm happy with it! Edited June 1, 2009 by AdamWoodBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 1: Yes i have endorsements with bass, string and Amp manufacturers 2: approx. 50% discount, and free promo material. and we're expected to promote these companies wherever poss. - live performance primarily, but also within my teaching business. 3: repairs that are poss in house are dealt with FOC, and a replacement instrument loaned in the meantime, anything that has to be outsourced is at cost. 4: not as such. 5: i get to use gear i believe in and love, and i can do it for less! we have gained exposure through our associations though. as far as my bass deal goes, i have been using dean for many years, but only formalised the deal at the tail end of last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamapirate Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 What do they get from you? I mean, theres so many endorsements - how are they making their money. Surely it's not as simple as the fact that you're advertising their gear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alun Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 [quote name='AdamWoodBass' post='485898' date='May 12 2009, 01:31 PM']Hey guys, Ok I have had an offer for a kind of quasi endorsement thing with a guitar company. I can't really say who they are yet as nothings confirmed and I don't want to end up looking like a prune if it doesn't come off! My questions are as follows: 1. Do any of you have an endorsement deal? 2. If so what does it entail? 3. Do they look after you as regards to maintanence of your gear and expenses etc? 4. Do you have a contract? 5. Did it benefit you in any way? ie did you end up getting better known as a musician or get more work out of it? Sorry for the vagueness on this, any info or advice you can offer is as always much appreciated! Cheers Ad[/quote] Congratulations. Here's my view on it.... 1. Yes, one for strings, one for amps and potentially a second amp/pedal based one imminent. I was approached by a bass company but that seems to have fallen through. 2. Basically, reduced prices on the two current ones although I am apparently getting a free something from the new one 3.No 4. With the string company yes. I'm obliged to mention them whenever possible in articles, and mention them on all recordings. Otherwise no. 5. Not yet, although the owner of the "probably" one has been plugging me wherever he can which is rather lovely. I should stress that all of the companies involved are genuinely ones I would use anyway. Cheers Alun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kongo Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I heard when I studied music from my tutor who was a drummer in a signed band and had an endorsment deal...He said that when the band folded they robbed his gear...So I dunno what clause he had in his contract but he was also my music business tutor and we looked over some example contracts...There is a clause in some where if they "Give" you gear to use and the band folds they take it back...In a pigs ear they will! But I guess if youres is 50% off the instrument is, technically, all yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 I've just added a track using the Farida to the recordings section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veils Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I have an endorsement, I got a nice discount and get well looked after in terms of maintenance and repairs etc! No contract involved at all and I have a beautiful shiny bass I did also have a bad experience with an endorsement so if there is something you are concerned about, feel free to drop me a PM if you want a bit of advice on something you may be worried about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmesa Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Years back all I got was a Jägermeister endorsement, followed by a little bit of sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamWoodBass Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 [quote]I did also have a bad experience with an endorsement so if there is something you are concerned about, feel free to drop me a PM if you want a bit of advice on something you may be worried about![/quote] Thanks mate I'll bare that in mind, up to now though everythings been cool. [quote]Years back all I got was a Jägermeister endorsement, followed by a little bit of sick.[/quote] I can relate to that lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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