OT: Question about Tim Foreman from Switchfoot. (EBMM staff should know)

**TSanders** · 07-28-2005, 03:39 PM

I know they are pop, but I like Switchfoot. Ive had a chance to meet them and theyre super nice guys.

Anyway, thats beside the point. Ive seen them live and bassist Tim Foreman has been a die hard Sterling player for a while.

A confused friend of mine (a StingRay fanatic) just e-mailed me a pic of Tim playing a Lakland 4 string in concert. Is he not playing EBMMs anymore? I hope not. His Sterling tone was great.

Any of you fellas at EBMM know?

If he switched, I wonder if he knows about the new Dual pup basses coming out.

Just say it aint so.

**jongitarz** · 07-28-2005, 04:12 PM

Derek would know....I'm sure he will answer soon

**Urwordsbreakmed** · 07-29-2005, 12:15 AM

Ya they're cool guys... alot of people dont know there Christians... However shouldnt this post be posted in the artist forum?

**TSanders** · 07-29-2005, 08:12 AM

I didnt even think about putting it in the artist forum. Sorry guys.

You around Mista Derek??

**Derek** · 07-29-2005, 08:18 AM

If Tim changed bass companies that would be news to us. I know they have not been touring most of this year as they were planning on taking some time off and start a new record. Tim has been a Sterling player for years as we started working together 4 years ago when they were relatively unknown. We have taken great care of this band and I know he is a die hard Sterling fan. Anything is possible especially when other companies throw tons of free gear just to get an endorsee.

We will check into this further and keep you all posted.

Derek

**TSanders** · 07-29-2005, 09:07 AM

Derek, thanks for the reply. PLEASE keep me posted. Tims tone was one of the first reasons I checked out EBMM basses. If hes considering a switch, I hope he at least knows that dual pup Sterlings are coming out.

I was surprised to see these pics, since he has been a Sterling player for so long, and since an artist agreement sometimes wont allow you to play other companies gear when you endorse another.

Here are pics from the 7/23/05 Underground Atlanta show. My friend sent me these in a panic:

**bassplayer7770** · 07-29-2005, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by ebmuscmanlvr83

Here are pics from the 7/23/05 Underground Atlanta show. My friend sent me these in a panic:

Why don't the strings line up in the second pic?

I used to listen to Switchfoot and saw them live supporting their "The Legend of Chin" and "New Way to be Human" albums. They were only a trio then...

**Derek** · 07-29-2005, 09:33 AM

We just sent Tim an e-mail. Hopefully he is not using them full time but maybe he is just trying something out. You know how artists like new goodies. He was definitely on the radar to try the new 2 pickup Sterlings but they just finished the design.

We will see what his reply will be.

Thanks for the heads up.

**TSanders** · 07-29-2005, 09:35 AM

Oh crap Derek. I hope I didnt get him in "trouble".

And thanks for updating us. Keep em coming.

**Derek** · 07-29-2005, 12:07 PM

Thanks Derek, good to hear from you. Things are great. I'd love to check out the H-S config sterling... that sounds really cool. That's one thing that I'm really enjoying -- the ability to get P-Bass, J-bass, and Musicman sounds all out of one bass. BTW, Musicman has some strong placement in our new album packaging... 2 pictures with sterling bass very visible, plus a mention in the thank-you's... I think you'll be stoked. New album releases Sept. 13, and the craziness has already begun. We're hopping around the US, Portugal, Australia and Japan until Oct, when we begin our US tour. Hope all is well, and let me know when the new sterlings become available. Thanks for everything,
-tim

Just an excerpt of the e-mail reply he sent over.(We need to keep this semi-private) Obviously he has been trying some new stuff which can happen when you record new material. We feel he will be blown away by the new Sterling. Keep you guys posted. Sounds like he may take a few other basses on the road....Hopefully the H-S Sterling will be one of them.

**TSanders** · 07-29-2005, 12:22 PM

Cool. Thanks again for the update.

That H/SC Sterling is gonna get him. I really bleeb that.

**peterd79** · 07-29-2005, 01:56 PM

Switchfoot is A killer group!

This is what I know about them...
They are a Christian pop band that finished their newest CD a few months ago and is set to hit the shelves within the next week or so. And they will be part of the YOUTH SPECIALTIES Conference. (Or at least scheduled to be) and they will be playing select cities for Youth Specialties... I think they are going to be in Sacramento in September. I'll have to double check.... hope this helps!

**Urwordsbreakmed** · 07-29-2005, 05:50 PM

Haha you email him about using the bass that would be funny as hell to be a rock star and get caught breaking contact i would start scream out "Why are that stalking me" lol

DEREK

When you endorsed by EB can you play other bass also or is EB the only one you can play?

**Psychicpet** · 07-29-2005, 05:53 PM

I think there could be contractual exclusivities BUT most of the time endorsement stuff stems from the Artist's affinity for the product being endorsed and usually there isn't a whole lotta hoopla but then again I think over the last 3years I've seen Chuck Rainey's mug with 3 different amp companies....

**Derek** · 08-01-2005, 07:49 AM

We do not have a contract per se. Its more of an agreement. With Tim Forman he was already playing the Sterling since we found out about them. There was never any agreement or paperwork on MM instruments.

He needed a backup bass which we provided and that was after 3 or 4 videos in which he was playing his Trans Gold Sterling. We did that deal on more of a "handshake"basis because we knew he would play it. We never stipulate that an artist has to play only our basses or guitars. If we send something to an artist and he is not playing it we may asked to have it back to use somewhere else.

Tim is a great guy and I am sure with all of our 2 pickup bass options he will be excited with what we have come up with.