Why do the logos on amps get covered up on TV?

[tedzepplin]

Why do the logos on amps get covered up on TV? When a band plays on a late night talk show often the amp names are covered up.

What's the big deal with this? When the name marshall or fender get black tape over them, I can still recognize the brand of amp. I still know it's a marshall or fender.

Do the bands do this because the amp company isn't sponsoring them with an endorsement deal? Is it the TV network that doesn't want a brand name on tv???

Does anyone know the story behind this?

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/2916/295fenderamptapecoveredcq1.jpg

[realityczech]

They know the pics will end up on TGP.
Really its a rage against the machine thing.

[jackevorkian]

Why not just remove the logo from the grill cloth and be done with it? It seems idiotic (and wasteful) to tape over it on a daily basis.

[daddyo]

Something about rights to display logos or unpaid advertising. Anyway, it's about money - as usual when some sort of BS thing goes down.

[Tuco]

I don't think it's the band's doing. You see it in other televised shows too with various products. I believe it's the manufacturers that are driving it. They want their products to be viewed in the best possible way and therefore want strict control over content, something they cannot get from the late-night shows.

[Ed DeGenaro]

Because the TV shows can charge good money for advertising/product displays. Not done by the band. That said, once you get to the level where you do Letterman chances are you got the endorsement end covered.

By the same token, let me be the devil's avocate...why should an artist advertise the gear they use for free?

[jaycee]

By the same token, let me be the devil's avocate...why should an artist advertise the gear they use for free?

This is what i always thought it was about. I never really thought of it from the manufacturer's or network's perspective.

[MetalGuitard]

By the same token, let me be the devil's avocate...why should an artist advertise the gear they use for free?

I'm with you on that.

[The Golden Boy]

I covered the SWR logos on my amp and cabs. I removed the badges from my other 2 cabs, and even taped over the screened logos on the back panels. I initially did it because I got exceptionally shitty customer service from SWR. I didn't want to advertise for them at all.

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10038/normal_fullrig.jpg

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10038/normal_rackface.jpg

[Phil M]

Did you get those stickers from Time magazine?

[MichaelThomas]

Also if an artist is working towards an endorsement with another company and he's playing on rental gear for a huge show or a tv apperance that company isn't gonna wanna see him advertising for another amp company.

I went to see a huge band on saturday, it wasn't televised but they are a huge act that does world tours to sold out stadiums. The guy had his Marshalls taped up. So I asked him about it. Basically he tried talking to marshall about an endorsementand they were kinda flakey about it. So why adverstise for marshall if they aren't helping you out in some way? Same thing goes with the dudes in Circa Survive, they always tape up their Fender and G&L logos on their guitars.

If you're an established musician touring for most of the year, don't let a company use you for advertising if you don't get something in return, if not, you're just being a tool for them.

[The Golden Boy]

Did you get those stickers from Time magazine?

I think I stole them from my son. I don't remember...

The rainbow puffy sticker on the tuner came from a friend's daughter, the POW sticker is a record flag for military medical records.

[Structo]

I would guess that it has something to do with advertising.

Kind of like in a movie and an actor is drinking Coca Cola, they always have the brand so it's showing in their hand.

But it would seem if that's the case, the product manufacturer would have to pay a musician some coin if the logo was visible on TV.

[MichaelThomas]

I would guess that it has something to do with advertising.

Kind of like in a movie and an actor is drinking Coca Cola, they always have the brand so it's showing in their hand.

But it would seem if that's the case, the product manufacturer would have to pay a musician some coin if the logo was visible on TV.

Funny, I was asked to do the same thing for a video interview. The kid was an intern at Spin Magazine trying to get a job there and he had to send in a video interview. I had a coke/mcdonalds cup and we had to cover it up. The whole time I'm thinking sheeeesh this thing isn't even gonna end up on the site! But he still made me cover it lol.

[reddgeetarzan]

Why not just remove the logo from the grill cloth and be done with it? It seems idiotic (and wasteful) to tape over it on a daily basis.

I'd say its more of a "statement" kinda thing. Its a bit more obvious to tape over it than just take it off completely. This is just a guess, but it would obviously make more sense to just remove it for pratical purposes.

[george4908]

I once took the Peavey logo off an amp of mine, but it didn't fool anyone.

[tmuka]

I once took the Peavey logo off an amp of mine, but it didn't fool anyone.

haha!

[Ken Ho]

By the same token, let me be the devil's avocate...why should an artist advertise the gear they use for free?

Because they are an "artiste", and above petty concerns about money.

No ??? Oh.......................................

[KazJY]

I once took the Peavey logo off an amp of mine, but it didn't fool anyone.

Plus, you can hurt yourself on those old school Peavey logos.

[kselbee]

I've wondered this as well... I've seen guitar logos with tape too. But I can only assume a lawyer is involved.... so forget trying to figure it out!

[StompBoxBlues]

Don't know if this is the place for it, but are they required to do it? Why don't they just pixilize them like they do every damned thing you see nowdays on TV.

Is there ANYthing more disctracting than some guy where his stupid sweatshirt logo, or on his cap is "bleated" out by pixiliazing?

Takes you RIGHT out of the show really....fast.

[jamess]

I understand the various reasons why logos are taped, but personally see it all as simple greed - from all sides.

Sad, really.

[Nelly]

I can understand a band doing it if they have an endorsement deal and can't hire the right amps for a TV performance.

I've done a few TV shows where someone has been told by the director to cover the logos on amps. I usually rip the tape off just before the performance, they don't put tape on the guitars or cymbals, so the no advertising argument is useless. Telling the TV people that the tape affects the sound is also an easy option!

The only time I've let them get away with taping over logos was for a charity single, but when I watched it back they hadn't taped over the Marshall logos! We were trying to get a Cornford deal at the time, the amp is in shot for half the video, it was number one for several weeks but you couldn't tell what amp it was, gutted!

[MBreinin]

By the same token, let me be the devil's avocate...why should an artist advertise the gear they use for free?

Because without it you can't make sound. Why does everything come down to, "Brand X isn't paying me to play this amp, so I am going to cover their logo." That is absurd, really. What ever happened to, "I love playing this amp and I would play it even if I have to purchase it." What ever happened to having pride in your gear and not demanding that someone pay you to play it?

Mike

[kimock]

Why do the logos on amps get covered up on TV? When a band plays on a late night talk show often the amp names are covered up.

Does anyone know the story behind this?

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/2916/295fenderamptapecoveredcq1.jpg

Maybe they were getting a flare off the chrome from the lights.

[cadduc]

i think it has to do with money

and a big wild burr

[Ed DeGenaro]

Because without it you can't make sound. Why does everything come down to, "Brand X isn't paying me to play this amp, so I am going to cover their logo." That is absurd, really. What ever happened to, "I love playing this amp and I would play it even if I have to purchase it." What ever happened to having pride in your gear and not demanding that someone pay you to play it?

Mike
Without advertising for the manufacturer? Come on I work for THD, lets get real here. When I get endorsement inquiries my first question is "what do you want, what do I get out of it. And why do you think that's worth anything to me"...

As for absurd...you think when say Robben Ford uses a say Zen Drive...this has no effect on sales of the Zen Drive?
You think when John Mayer plays a 2 Rock it dosn't? etc, etc...

And to answer the question, let me put that devil's advocate hat back on, there are many amps I play, I paid for, and I don't tape over the logo. As a matter of fact there are quite a few competing brands I use and speak highly of, often. BUT...I'm doing this because I feel like it. There is absolutely no other reason I should ever be expected to be advertising anything, for any one for free...ever...unless I feel like it. I also don't work for free FWIW. So, if my using somethin makes some one else money why exactly should I not profit?

[tedzepplin]

Here's what my Marshall JCM 800 looks like:
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4224/settingssl8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Of course now I'm advertising skateboard trucks that I don't even use.

[mitch236]

It always amazes me when people get upset at the musician who wants to run his/her career like a business. Everybody else involved in the music business understands this philosophy.

[MBreinin]

Without advertising for the manufacturer? Come on I work for THD, lets get real here. When I get endorsement inquiries my first question is "what do you want, what do I get out of it. And why do you think that's worth anything to me"...

As for absurd...you think when say Robben Ford uses a say Zen Drive...this has no effect on sales of the Zen Drive?
You think when John Mayer plays a 2 Rock it dosn't? etc, etc...

And to answer the question, let me put that devil's advocate hat back on, there are many amps I play, I paid for, and I don't tape over the logo. As a matter of fact there are quite a few competing brands I use and speak highly of, often. BUT...I'm doing this because I feel like it. There is absolutely no other reason I should ever be expected to be advertising anything, for any one for free...ever...unless I feel like it. I also don't work for free FWIW. So, if my using somethin makes some one else money why exactly should I not profit?

I think we are taking the word advertising to the extreme with an amp logo, to be honest. I fully expect a musician who plays for a living to be compensated and to run his career like a business. However, I do not feel that you should be paid to use certain tools as an absolute. If you can get an endorsement deal, great. However, if you don't get such a deal I just think is is ridiculous to tape over a logo...especially since most who are interested in your gear know what it is by sight anyway.

Mike

[Ed DeGenaro]

I think we are taking the word advertising to the extreme with an amp logo, to be honest. I fully expect a musician who plays for a living to be compensated and to run his career like a business. However, I do not feel that you should be paid to use certain tools as an absolute. If you can get an endorsement deal, great. However, if you don't get such a deal I just think is is ridiculous to tape over a logo...especially since most who are interested in your gear know what it is by sight anyway.

Mike
Chances are when you play Letterman you are at a level where you can get endorsements. And I have no problem with your opinion. However, reality is, many folks that have reached that level would disagree...

[cadduc]

and there is a reason the logos are large, in front, and easy to read
just look at the olden days, until about 1955 there were no names on the faces of amps
and head stocks of guitars began to be recognizable long before then

it is about advertising
imho i think leo fender did it with his amps, and gibson, epiphone, and fender did it with head stocks

so the audience could identify them easier and ask for them by name so they could buy similar gear

i was aware that some artists would cover up names if the name conflicted with their endorsement agreement

[sinner]

Ever see a logo covered up on a guitar?

[skylabfilmpop]

This practice is called "greeking" in the set dressing world. Generally its done to avoid promoting a product without compensation or featuring a product without permission. The slang "greek" actually derives from greek meaning unfamiliar as in "its all greek to me".

[Ken Ho]

It always amazes me when people get upset at the musician who wants to run his/her career like a business. Everybody else involved in the music business understands this philosophy.

Nah, it's not that.
It's that we get puzzled that people in teh background think they are so damn inportant.
Ther eis a big difference between Robbe Ford and anonymous backing band guys.

It's like me covering up the logo on my car. I'm not doing free advertising for Toyota, unless I get an endorsement deal with them.

[MichaelThomas]

Because without it you can't make sound. Why does everything come down to, "Brand X isn't paying me to play this amp, so I am going to cover their logo." That is absurd, really. What ever happened to, "I love playing this amp and I would play it even if I have to purchase it." What ever happened to having pride in your gear and not demanding that someone pay you to play it?

Mike

Artists don't wanna get paid to play brand x, they just want brand x to promote them and their band/music on their site, or through other means. Endorsements aren't about getting paid to play brand x, today it's usually just some sort of artist discount and a name mention on their site.

[Dickie Fredericks]

Goes both ways...
"No endorsement asked for and none given"[/tommorello]

[S.W.Erdnase]

It would take 15 seconds to put gaffer tape on your amp logos. Why is this a big deal, timewise? 10-15 minutes to gaffer over the logos? Must be union members on a go-slow.

[unvs]

Ever see a logo covered up on a guitar? Yes! I remember playing in a band many years ago, and the other guitarist had a GESHON Let's Play. That got taped up pretty fast!

[Dotneck]

Nah, it's not that.
It's like me covering up the logo on my car. I'm not doing free advertising for Toyota, unless I get an endorsement deal with them.

I really don't like when a dealer puts his logo on the car. I've had them take it off before I take delivery of a car....

[The Golden Boy]

Ever see a logo covered up on a guitar?

There's the pictures from The Beatles in India- John playing Donovan's acoustic with white tape over the Gibson logo...

[Funky Chicken]

Why do the logos on amps get covered up on TV? When a band plays on a late night talk show often the amp names are covered up.

What's the big deal with this? When the name marshall or fender get black tape over them, I can still recognize the brand of amp. I still know it's a marshall or fender.

Do the bands do this because the amp company isn't sponsoring them with an endorsement deal? Is it the TV network that doesn't want a brand name on tv???

Does anyone know the story behind this?

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/2916/295fenderamptapecoveredcq1.jpg

I gotta say that the black tape is damn effective-
I haven't the foggiest idea what kind of amps those could possibly be.

[tedzepplin]

When I bought my car I actually did have the sales guy remove the dealer's logo/name from the car. and years ago I did put tape over the logo of my guitar - of course it was for a different reason - I was embarrassed to be playing a Hondo II guitar. ha!

[fullerplast]

I gotta say that the black tape is damn effective-
I haven't the foggiest idea what kind of amps those could possibly be.

:agree ....one of the silliest things I've seen lately. They ought to just take those logos off and sell them to some cloners who would pay good money for them and put them to good use... :p

[stevieboy]

OTOH, film companies can't have a corporate logo in a shot without a licence or they could be sued.

Regards.

Would you sue somebody for having your product logo appear in a movie? Companies pay to get that, I doubt they'd sue anybody for doing it for free.