Endorsements

[lionambience]

So i'm new to even thinking about endorsement. I remember a couple years back a friend took a Fender endorsement and it was cool, but nothing big.

Anyway.
My main point is a question.
I play bass in a band [in the sig] and i've been wanting a nice ampeg head [SVT?]. I already use a solid state Ampeg, and love Ampeg and everything about their stuff. I've been tempted to submit an "application" for an endorsement, but never felt courageous enough, i suppose.

So...
What are the upsides and downsides to endorsements, and what kinds are there?

Should I even consider asking for one?

Thanks for any and all feedback
-alain

[solphilcox]

there are several types of endorsement, one where you sign a contract and agree to use their stuff exclusively; usually with the bonus of a signature model and/or a salary of some sort, where you will be on the company's payroll to do clinics and trade shows etc. Think Johnny Hiland with PRS and Greg Koch with Fender. These agreements are usually always with the the big conglomerates and you would really be signing your life away to an extent; but it has helped to boost artists such as johnny, and you can be sure that they would give you anything you want.

variations of this are the non-contractual ones, where smaller companies work with a big artist to help boost their sales and create a 'poster boy' (brad paisley+drz, john mayer+two-rock)

The best (and probably easiest to obtain) is with medium sized companies, you can just write them an email expressing how much you want to use their gear, show them your credentials (it helps if you have a record out/are in a touring band/backing a big artist, but you can get them from things as mundane as just having a large youtube or myspace fanbase or being a widely-known gearhead). A lot of companies are all fighting for their share of the market and all want as many people as possible to use their products; so most will give you at least a discount if you play your cards right. You won't have to sign anything or even use the stuff exclusively but they will feature you as an artist on their website and sometimes even give you first try of any new products.

I don't want to dampen your dreams or anything, but ampeg have been going strong for forty years and already have a reputation for making the best rock bass gear around; as well as having a huge userbase of players in big touring bands. I doubt they would be willing to just send you an SVT, but on the other hand; most larger companies will kiss your feet just to boost their customer service reputation so if you really badger them I'm sure they will give you some sort of discount. The fact that you have been playing a solid-state ampeg for years is a massive plus, tell them this and explain why you want to upgrade. It may not seem like it, but they are essentially losing a long-term customer if you were to upgrade to a different company's products.

another thing worth trying is contacting independent distributors. Often (particularly in countries where the company isn't actually based) a seperate distribution company will deal with the sales for that country and it can be very easy to get discount by just writing to them. There is a company in England called John Hornby Skewes who distribute mxr, dunlop, kustom and vintage (among others) and they will give artist pricing to just about anybody. Just look into it and give it a try.

you don't stand to lose anything by trying, it's not as if they're going to laugh at you or anything. Write a short, polite and well-constructed email telling them who you are, why you like their company and what you have to offer them. Include links to your band's website and attach a few professional photos. You might be surprised at what can happen.

good luck!

[lionambience]

thanks!!
oh yeah, i wasn't expecting an SVT right off the bat.
maybe a discount.
I was also really curious as to how they worked exactly.
and you explained everything super welll
thanks for that

[ImmortalSix]

I have a buddy with a Splawn endorsement, and they built him a head that they asked for his input in building, so it's dead perfect for him.

He has to play the head at every show he plays (which he has no problem with, it's an awesome head, perfect for his style), and he is so happy with the agreement that he tells a lot of folks "you gotta get a Splawn."

What's $2000, maybe $2500 when you have an energetic young guy out there rocking hard and sounding great, touring the country, and telling every kid he talks to "Splawn is it."

Again, nod to Sol, this type of agreement is much more common with a smaller builder who is trying to increase their brand visibility than a well-established company like Ampeg.

[The Golden Boy]

My only endorsement deal was for a shoe company.

[Dickie Fredericks]

If you want an endorsement just call em up and ask. Our last bass player was using everything Carvin. Carvin bass, Carvin Amp, Carvin Cabs. His amp took a dump one night and he wanted one with more power anyway.

I told him to just call Carvin, tell them who you play with, pass em the websites and maybe a show schedule and then ask them for an amp.

He called and asked for the amp and they sent it to him the next day. He sent the one that went down to them and they repaired it for free and shipped it back to him on their dime so he'd have a spare just in case.

I just happened to be on another forum discussing how to record heavy guitars when I ran into Tom Deering there. I emailed him about his amps and he emailed back stating he was looking for someone to front the amps.

He sent one for me to evaluate and I loved it. Still have it and use it at every show. Not sure how much revenue its generating for him. Its generating 0 income for me. I just use the amps cause I love them.

Pretty much the same deal with OceanEFX. Got some pedals to evaluate and just kept em. They still are on my board.

I had the first Pearl Drive on my board for a bit and then I sent it back so Corby could pass it on to some other players to work with it.

I dont get paid from either company. I just dig their products.


I have a buddy with a Splawn endorsement, and they built him a head that they asked for his input in building, so it's dead perfect for him.

He has to play the head at every show he plays (which he has no problem with, it's an awesome head, perfect for his style), and he is so happy with the agreement that he tells a lot of folks "you gotta get a Splawn."

What's $2000, maybe $2500 when you have an energetic young guy out there rocking hard and sounding great, touring the country, and telling every kid he talks to "Splawn is it."

Again, nod to Sol, this type of agreement is much more common with a smaller builder who is trying to increase their brand visibility than a well-established company like Ampeg.

Yup...what he said.

[The Kid]

All good advice above. It never hurts to ask.

Heck, if they turn you down, you can always put tape over the logo, take a pic at your next big show and send it to them with a caption that says, "This could have said Ampeg."

(I'm mostly kidding.)

[rmconner80]

Maybe get an endorsement of some type with a guitar string company first.

It will be easier, and is an endorsement resume builder. If one company already sees you as fit to endorse, the next will wonder what they are missing out on. :)

[lionambience]

All good advice above. It never hurts to ask.

Heck, if they turn you down, you can always put tape over the logo, take a pic at your next big show and send it to them with a caption that says, "This could have said Ampeg."

(I'm mostly kidding.)
hahaha.
i was imagining what their reaction would be.

haha
i'm almost tempted to if i don't.
but i most likely won't.

Thanks again to everyone for their input.
it helps a ton!

[Dickie Fredericks]

All good advice above. It never hurts to ask.

Heck, if they turn you down, you can always put tape over the logo, take a pic at your next big show and send it to them with a caption that says, "This could have said Ampeg."

(I'm mostly kidding.)

In fact, I do use Marshall cabs and I put tape over the logo on em. Um yeah, Marshall never sent me anything so...

[The Kid]

In fact, I do use Marshall cabs and I put tape over the logo on em. Um yeah, Marshall never sent me anything so...

My point exactly. All due respect to Jim Marshall...

[2 Loud 4 You]

I've got friends who have a lot of endorsements. Their band has Dean Markley strings, had Warwick but now Spector, had Hughes & Kettner but now Diamond, I forget the drum, stick and cymbal endorsements, No Fear, different clothing brands, etc....

These guys are unsigned but play A LOT and tour. Their most recent tour was with Taproot. They've put A LOT of work into the band and it shows. They don't get free gear but do get it at cost.