Endorsement deals??

[Bo Faulkner]

who's gotem? how'd you get em? What do they typically consist of? Just curious more than anything. Not that I deserve one or anything..

[John Hurtt]

Well, it's kind of a surprise that builders don't give me free stuff to NOT say I use their gear....

[Shawn S.]

Most endorsements usually require a major recording contract.

I'm sure there are some that don't... but major ones seem to do.

[darth_vader]

I've got endorsements from both Gibson and Vox. I got picked up by a mid-level record label about 4 years ago, and to start off with I was playing an old Les Paul through a beat up AC30. I had a couple of minor hits on the college circuit, and the label managed to get enough interest that they picked up both the endorsements. I got a couple free Gibsons, a couple AC30CC2x, and an AC15CC.......then I woke up :cry:

[HurricaneJesus]

My boss endorses me. She pays me with these dead president trading cards.....not sure if they're worth anything, though.

[GuitarDude]

Well endorsements aren't really as hard as you think. You just need to have a foot in the door and have a good-standing relationship with the company. And I mean an actual relationship. And you've got to be playing a lot of shows. Companies don't really care what you've played in the past, they want to see where you are going. So for instance, if I had a good relationship with with a certain company, and I'm playing 100 dates this year (credible dates mind you) they would be more open to working some kind of deal. Maybe not all free stuff, but at least discounted.

[GuitarDude]

My boss endorses me. She pays me with these dead president trading cards.....not sure if they're worth anything, though.


nah man those are worth NOTHING. but i collect them. you can send them to me. :)

[The Golden Boy]

I had an endorsement deal around 10 years ago.

Not sure exactly how we got it- I think we just asked.

Shoe company. They gave us free shoes. That was it. No terms, no banner, no ads... they just gave us free shoes every quarter. They sent a catalog- we picked out shoes- they sent them to us. I still have a couple of pairs.

I wrote a jingle and we recorded it for them- thought maybe they'd be able to use it for a radio ad or something.

[derekd]

I have also seen those in university and other teaching settings getting endorsement deals. Not unlike coaches with brands like Nike or Adidas.

[BuddyGuit]

I've had a couple in the past. The companies approached me.

[mark norwine]

I had one.....a string endorsement......"TJ Strings" out of Florida, IIRC.

Around 1998, I was approached by the rep after playing a gig at the Rodeo Bar in NYC. We struck a deal, I got a case of strings (and they were decent, too!) and within weeks, "TJ Strings" sank without a trace.

[HurricaneJesus]

nah man those are worth NOTHING. but i collect them. you can send them to me. :)

Cool! I was gonna trade them for goods and services but apparently they're not worth enough....:(

[edwarddavis]

I have a hard time even buying my own stuff.

[JamminJeff]

They are more rare then you know. Unless your a VISIBLE walking billboard showing up in magazines and playing on national stages, it's nothing worth pursuing. Drummers can sometimes get a "stick testing" deal, etc. Whoopee !

It helps to have nice tits these days seeing that so many hot babes are getting endorsments. Can you say....CASTING COUCH ?

[Cap'n Fingers]

Most endorsements usually require a major recording contract.

I'm sure there are some that don't... but major ones seem to do.

Not really. A friend of mine has had an Ovation guitar endorsement deal
for 20 years. An Ovation rep saw her solo act in a hotel and signed her up.
She's had some great success but never a "major" deal of any kind.

[LocustXReign]

At the time I got mine, I was in a band that had come out of the ashes of another band that had been on a pretty heavy hitting indie label, and had seen a fair bit of solid tours. I called a few different companies and spoke with them about our plans and our past, and directed them to our myspace page where they could hear some of my playing.

It would turn out the only company who's gear i was really into gave me my only deal, and that would be Badcat. A lot of my favorite bands use Badcat's and I was really smitten with the ones I had played.

I called up James and gave him my schpeal, and in turn, he gave me a very solid discount on my rig, and has been nothing but helpful every step of the way since. It was a very kind gesture for him to set me up based on my word and some demo songs, and he's earned a lifelong customer because of it. I also tell everyone who will listen about his product and I'm sure in my travels I've made him at least a few customers.

Just my story

-DB

[bo13bo]

I worked in a guitar store for about 10 years then signed to a small indie label that had major distribution. I called up my DAddario rep and told him I was recording in Nashville and he sent me their top of the line Evans heads for our drummer and a box of strings for guitar and bass.

Sometimes you just need to network with the right people but playing out a lot is probably the biggest thing that helps. Even small bands can get endorsements (doesn't mean free, sometimes means just a discount).

Obviously the lower cost items are easier to get free/discounted stuff. Drum sticks, strings, picks, etc. are much easier than free guitars.

[devinb]

First, not all endorsement deals are equal, there are some very large companies with very high end instruments that's deal equates to 10% off...

I'm not sure spending a lot of time pursuing deals is really worthwhile, although depending on how many shows you do, if you're interviewed in gear magazines, perhaps if your youtube clips have millions of hits, it could be.

That said, I do know some people who have had success going to NAMM and making connections.

[MichaelThomas]

I want David Lee Roth to endorse me..

[Alvis]

I had Fender about 10 years ago .The artist relations guy at the time saw a gig and called me up.The gave me a tele and a reissie Sunn Model T and anything I wanted to purchase for 1/3 or retail. As soon as the artist relations guy changed it was like ,"who ? Never heard o' ya kid ,scram...." So that was that
Actually the artist guy was a younger guy geared toward the more MTV angst rock of that time so he wasn't into my s**t and could care less.If you weren't on TV ,you weren't gettin the deal

I've had a string deal with GHS for some time.I think we contacted them about some custom gauge for our repair shop ,then just happened to mention that I was in the record biz

Sometimes (not with Gibson though) you just ask and companies are happy that someone takes the time to call and wanna use their stuff.Im 6'5" and asked Ernie Ball for some xtra long straps .They were so cool .Sent me a box load

With Fraulini guitars , http://www.fraulini.com/
me and my (x-to be) wife were 'instrumental" in providing valuable construction info and measurements to get his project off the ground.I was a dedicated spokesperson for his wares.Word of mouth got out ,next thing you know ,Mark Knopfler bought one

[zenguitarguy]

Dimarzio, Groove tubes, Fuchs, Plush, solid cables, Stone picks, and a bunch of others I can't think of at the moment as I am senile. :NUTS:NUTS:NUTS

I play with some decent well known guys, and I am always willing to demo or create a demo for the person who helps me. Plus I have been a gearhound a long time and am lucky to have made a few good friends who help me out.

The endorsement deals of the past are evaporating and it seems now more about relationships and how their gear will be heard and or seen.

hope that helps!!

j

[shane88]

imo endorsements aren't worth anything
to get a discount on a guitar or amp + some free acc to me just isn't worth while
it seems that maybe if you're big enough to be a poster child then you wouldn't need an endorsement anyway
slash + zakk wylde annoy me because it looks like they will endorse anything

[playon]

With Fraulini guitars , http://www.fraulini.com/
me and my (x-to be) wife were 'instrumental" in providing valuable construction info and measurements to get his project off the ground.I was a dedicated spokesperson for his wares.Word of mouth got out ,next thing you know ,Mark Knopfler bought one

Hey those look pretty cool, I'm going to check it out. I love little guitars for fingerstyle, hardly anybody makes ladder-braced acoustics any more.

[SGNick]

imo endorsements aren't worth anything
to get a discount on a guitar or amp + some free acc to me just isn't worth while
it seems that maybe if you're big enough to be a poster child then you wouldn't need an endorsement anyway
slash + zakk wylde annoy me because it looks like they will endorse anything


selling out IS Rock and roll.

[datguytim]

Current: Gibson, GHS Strings
Past: Schecter, ESP, more that I forget & don't matter, & tons of clothing companies (Etnies, Caffeine, BQE, Shut, etc., etc.).

Nowadays endorsements from certain BIG companies don't mean squat. They pull some foul sh*t on people that they should be THANKING for playing their products!

No - you don't have to be a mega-star either. Just be out there & be cool with people. Don't expect anything. It's about relationships as much as ability, probably moreso.

The only amplifiers I'd ever want to endorse don't give endorsement deals - to ANYONE!!! I own & buy the amps I love & pay full price (or buy 'em used) for 'em.

[JohnnyGtar]

I've got endorsements with DiMarzio and Cleartone.

[MrMike]

I should have a deal with Monster Energy Drinks and Columbian coffee. I pretty much keep both of them in business.

[90wreck]

Back in the day...I had an endorsement with KMD amps. LOL!!!!
Me and I think it was Sambora or the Bon Jovi bunch.....
I have the paper work somewhere and the amps......Mosfet was where it's at in the late 80's.........LMAO.
I also had a deal with Rolling Rock beer....Imagine that.
All the free RR I could drink and promo at every venue sent ahead by the Rep.
That was a better deal than the KMD's. LOL!
The KMD deal came down when I was playing in Nashville with all these "has been" 60's act and I knew the rep.....So there you go on that one.
He wanted his amps "out there" and I did have to sign an artist endorsement contract...I didn't even read it, just give me the amps.
Now here is the positive side.
I have had that KMD 80 watt amp for YEARS...It has always been in the trailer as a backup. Everytime I pull it out,,,It works and does sound smokin for SS.
To KMD..Thanks, I did use the amp for several years before I stashed it as a backup.
It hasn't been used in years, still in the trailer and I bet I could go out right now, fire it up and it would still work.....So Kudos to them.
Here is a bit more..I only used at the time my 69 Plexi and 62 Bassman which I kinew were getting old and I was offered something for free.
The Mosfet circuitry did sound warm and I have yet had a solid state amp that I have liked more, The speaker is a Celestion GH80(I think).
Asking does not cost a dime and I better have one with Matchless coming up very shortly...If not I will be listed on the artists page.:dunno

[Ed DeGenaro]

I had Fender about 10 years ago .The artist relations guy at the time saw a gig and called me up.The gave me a tele and a reissie Sunn Model T and anything I wanted to purchase for 1/3 or retail. As soon as the artist relations guy changed it was like ,"who ? Never heard o' ya kid ,scram...." So that was that
Actually the artist guy was a younger guy geared toward the more MTV angst rock of that time so he wasn't into my s**t and could care less.If you weren't on TV ,you weren't gettin the deal

I've had a string deal with GHS for some time.I think we contacted them about some custom gauge for our repair shop ,then just happened to mention that I was in the record biz

Sometimes (not with Gibson though) you just ask and companies are happy that someone takes the time to call and wanna use their stuff.Im 6'5" and asked Ernie Ball for some xtra long straps .They were so cool .Sent me a box load

With Fraulini guitars , http://www.fraulini.com/
me and my (x-to be) wife were 'instrumental" in providing valuable construction info and measurements to get his project off the ground.I was a dedicated spokesperson for his wares.Word of mouth got out ,next thing you know ,Mark Knopfler bought one
A very familiar scenario...back in the days had a Steinberger endorsement and when Gibson bought them it went to a Steinberger/Gibson?ramirez/Epiphone hang, after my West Coast A+R guy left they stuck me with the East Coast guys, when that one left I got the "huh, why should we send you anything...."

The stuff I endorse is in my sig...
It's simple, it's a matter of what can you do for a brand and what do you want for it. I also deal with endorsements at THD and it's amazing how few folks have an answer to that question.

[90wreck]

The stuff I endorse is in my sig...
It's simple, it's a matter of what can you do for a brand and what do you want for it. I also deal with endorsements at THD and it's amazing how few folks have an answer to that question.
OH CRAP!
Do I still have the KMD/Rolling Rock beer endorsement????????
I haven't gotten anything in years.(SIT did send me strings for free untill they realized they didn't need to....:roll)
Do I still need to disclose??????????:o
:roll
We are talking deals I made years ago, but never terminated the contract.
I bet...THEY DID!!!
:o :roll:dunno

[Jazzydave]

Guitardude is right, make a noise and put your feelers out. I am currently endorsed by Peavey. I've been playing their Classic and Delta Blues series for over 16 yrs now and just love them. I approached them and let them know how much I loved their amps. The cool thing about Peavey is that they don't lock you into anything like Fender, Gibson, etc.

I was approached by Fender twice last year but I don't play them enough to justify it. Not to mention they put some MAJOR restrictions on their guys. Ever notice that when you see John Mayer in the studio he's sporting ES335s, PRS, etc, but when he's on stage he's playing either a Fender or a guitar from a company owned by Fender? You can't be seen playing anything other than Fender gear. Mayer cracks me up, even uses a Fender guitar strap...haha.

I'll tell you what got me in the door of nearly every opportunity - MYSPACE. Once I broke the 5,000 freinds mark the offers started trickling in. Once I passed 10,000 they sped up...they really do watch all of that!

Hope this helped!

[screamtone]

Back when I had a record deal, I had an Ernie Ball endorsement. We basically got strings for $1 a set. The best part was all of the Ernie Ball accessories (cables, slides, etc.) were free. I was talking to Gibson, but that one never materialized. The artist development guy at our label work out all of the endorsements. Dunlop, Hughes and Kettner, and a few other companies gave us stuff to use in the studio, but they weren't really endorsements.

[dixied]

Ovation guitars and InTune guitar picks. Working on strings now. I won the Acoustic Hero (Emergenza) competition last year, and it was sponsored by Ovation. I contacted them afterwards, and they took care of me. InTune was just a few emails away. Most places just want to know that you're halfway decent, and that their stuff will be seen/heard. They usually require a 100 show per year minimum. It doesn't hurt that I do over 300 every year, lol.

[jjboogie]

Currently Gibson, Mesa Boogie & Ernie Ball

And am very grateful for all of them!

At one time I had a relationship with EMG but that fizzled out eventually.

[Laroosco!]

Just picked up Reverend today

[TomK]

From the manufacturer / facotry side of the equation:

For the brief time I owned / ran pedalboard.com I was contacted several times a week for endorsement deals. As Ed Degenaro echoed, no one ever really articulated to me how they could improve my market visibility. I really thought that 95% of them were just looking for free gear - forget the fact that most artist endorsements simply involve a discount structure when it gets to capital equipment like amps and guitars. I never did an "official" endorsement deal but I did offer some discounts to players who I thought had the right attitude and were genuinely helpful. I also gave extra support to that handful of players - I put a couple of guys up at my house when they were in town! I was privelaged to work with some really high profile artists (Aerosmith, LIVE, Verve Pipe, 3 Doors Down, Wallflowers, Pearl Jam, Hiram Bullock, Peter Stroud, etc.- my dog, Sebastian really liked Peter!) but not ONE of the high profile guys ever asked for anything - they paid for my services and products. In exchange for a solid product and support they allowed me to list them as users of my product and many of them actively promoted me by word of mouth. That's the way it ought to work IMHO.

When asked what my endorsement policy was I had a quote that was attributed to a well known boutique amp builder: "You endorse the check and I cash it."

As a side note: I found that the attitude of the artist was inversely proportional to their stature in the industry.

[TomK]

OH CRAP!
Do I still have the KMD/Rolling Rock beer endorsement????????
I haven't gotten anything in years.(SIT did send me strings for free untill they realized they didn't need to....:roll)
Do I still need to disclose??????????:o
:roll
We are talking deals I made years ago, but never terminated the contract.
I bet...THEY DID!!!
:o :roll:dunno

Kegger at your place this weekend!!!
I've never used a KMD but I have used SS amps when provided as backline and some of them really sound good!

[BigJamesyBoy]

Guitardude is right, make a noise and put your feelers out. I am currently endorsed by Peavey. I've been playing their Classic and Delta Blues series for over 16 yrs now and just love them. I approached them and let them know how much I loved their amps. The cool thing about Peavey is that they don't lock you into anything like Fender, Gibson, etc.

I was approached by Fender twice last year but I don't play them enough to justify it. Not to mention they put some MAJOR restrictions on their guys. Ever notice that when you see John Mayer in the studio he's sporting ES335s, PRS, etc, but when he's on stage he's playing either a Fender or a guitar from a company owned by Fender? You can't be seen playing anything other than Fender gear. Mayer cracks me up, even uses a Fender guitar strap...haha.

I'll tell you what got me in the door of nearly every opportunity - MYSPACE. Once I broke the 5,000 freinds mark the offers started trickling in. Once I passed 10,000 they sped up...they really do watch all of that!

Hope this helped!

On the contrary, I've seen him play onstage with gibsons and prs' among others...

[Jazzydave]

Yes, awhile back he was doing that but I haven't seen him doing it recently. There are a few here and there but anything 'officially' taped he's holding a Fender or Fender owned guitar.

[jazzgtrl4]

I had an endorsement deal with Elixer strings. It was pretty much when they were starting out. It then dried up once they got all these lame MTV bands on there roster and was wondering why they were giveing real musicans strings.

[dixied]

Well, things have changed since my last response. Now it's Ovation, InTuneGP, Fuchs Audio Technology, Mesa Boogie, PRS Guitars, Digitech, and GHS Strings.

[teanett]

gibson are pretty cool with endorsements.
if you have something out, approach them. you might get a sg special or 50% off whatever from them.