Hendrix Approved

[fogman]

It's a good idea for an ad.

An even better one might be,

If Fogman played one of our guitars, there's a 50/50 chance he'd use our strings on it too!!

100% chance!
Remember I won a case of EB strings last year for BP's avatar!?

Even before I discovered Music Man, Slinky's is what I used!

My Dargie's will be in my hands soon!!!

 

[Colin]

It's a good idea for an ad.

An even better one might be,

If Fogman played one of our guitars, there's a 50/50 chance he'd use our strings on it too!!

He'd probably have over 4000 pics of the strings as well...

 

[Big Poppa]

I was stirring it up.

WHere does the monetization stop? A close high level GC exec said that they have been approached with "JimiHendrix guitars" Energy drink? Vodka? A string that if you pay the estate their fee you get to use his pic



I have zero problem with competition and think the market will decide if any or all of these are valid.


my question is do you like the monetization of Hendrix?

Ps SteveB Dunlop bought the cry baby business way after Hendrix passed away.

 

[AVH]

Is the public really that stupid?

errr......in general yes!

Look at the society in general....Steve McQueen, Bogart...all used to pitch products from the beyond. I'm sure advertisers have done enough research to figure out that a celebrity (dead or alive) is certain eye-catcher and that is half the battle in advertising isn't it?

I think any one who is a true fan of Hendrix (or any idol) doesn't buy into this type of fake hype. With the internet and tons of books out there, it take minutes of research to find out what string/gear people "really" used. Quite a few "gear nuts" I that know really go out and seek out everything about their heroes used.

I lose all respect for any company that uses this type of ploy.

I would hope that EBMM stay away from using Hendrix in the future. It cheapens the accomplishments of the company to rely on past. Create a page on the website..post a giant picture of the Hendrix invoice.....make sure meta tags are there so anyone searching Hendrix and strings will hit on your page and let it rest. It would take guts and go against everything your advertising people might say but it would go a long way in saying the past is the past and that we don't rest on our laurels.

And while we're kind of on the subject of endorsements....ever consider offerring signature without the signature? I not trying saying screw the artist out of his royalties, but as much as I like some of the signature models, I would prefer not to have someone else's name on my guitar. For example, I love the feel and body shape of the Petrucci guitar but I'm not JP, don't want to be JP and don't sound like JP and don't want to be associated with JP (he's a great great player but I'm trying to be me). Sure I could re-paint the headstock but why not offer something like a JP-Stealth model without the signature script?

just 2cents on a quiet evening.

 

[Big Poppa]

And duplicate the HUNDREDS of products? We only offer around 90,000 combinations

 

[SteveB]

When Jimi's father first prevailed in securing the rights to his estate etc., I was really supportive of the idea. It seemed wrong that non-family members were controlling Jimi's image/memory and profiting from it. There were lots of low-quality recordings released as albums.. you all know the score.

Initially, Jimi's family seemed to be taking the high road by releasing some better quality recordings.. and not a lot of them.. and by being more thoughtful about how Jimi was marketed and remembered.

It seems that nowadays they have succumbed to greed and will license Jimi's name and image to anyone with a buck... without regard to what things are being imprinted with Jimi's name, and with no respect for his legacy. If there ever was an artist who wasn't a sellout, it was Jimi. He let his freak flag fly!

I'm really ashamed of the Hendrix family because Jimi deserves better representation.

BP, thanks for clearing up the Dunlop wah issue. I was not quite 7 months old when he died. But God do I love Jimi the man, and his music. It was his take on Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" that completely redefined my world. I had never heard anything like that sound, and it blew me away!

 

[SteveB]

And while we're kind of on the subject of endorsements....ever consider offerring signature without the signature? I not trying saying screw the artist out of his royalties, but as much as I like some of the signature models, I would prefer not to have someone else's name on my guitar. For example, I love the feel and body shape of the Petrucci guitar but I'm not JP, don't want to be JP and don't sound like JP and don't want to be associated with JP (he's a great great player but I'm trying to be me). Sure I could re-paint the headstock but why not offer something like a JP-Stealth model without the signature script?

just 2cents on a quiet evening.

We've had this discussion before. You'd be limited to very few guitars if you didn't want someone else's name on it. No Fenders, Les Pauls, G & L, Charvel, Jackson, PRS...

But let's get back on topic.

 

[NickDuBaldo]

I like to think of things like this in a matter as follows:

As I was cleaning up from the JP clinic, in the lower room where he had practiced and had eaten lunch was the remainder of his sandwich from one of our mom and pop shops in the area. Now, had I said "John, what did you think of that sandwich?" and had he replied, "Oh, it was great" (or something of similar meaning) would this constitute an endorsement of the sandwich place? Could that restaurant claim that John Petrucci eats there when in Manchester? Technically, yes...

People want to relate to the stars, people they idolize and idealize. What most companies don't realize is that just because someone uses a product or has used a product doesn't mean that they endorse or have an "official" product.

Now to hypothesize about the future...

Could this restaurant launch an ad campaign saying that he would eat here again if he was back in the town? Probably, but would most people know whether or not this was the only place to get a sandwich in the immediate vicinity and he wouldn't have had a choice to eat their food in the first place? Would people even care if that was the case?

Remember: If Jimi Hendrix was still alive, he would be buying his guitars and strings from me.

 

[beej]

Is Jimi Hendrix being over monitized? Are some of them over the top? Those are the points 'm bringing up

Wow- interesting topic Sterling!

YES and YES.

It's extremely sad, and I feel sorry for the kids that buy products based on that sort of advertising. Hopefully one day people grow up and buy a quality product from a vendor that's deserving of their respect. (This is how I came to find Music Man guitars, for example ...)

Build a quality product. Build your reputation. Help the music industry move forward instead of backward.

 

[Big Poppa]

lets leave EVH out of this.

 

[beej]

Sorry BP, not cool I know. Post edited.

 

[slukather]

BP,

You should put on your string, "our endorsers actually use our strings, other string manifactors can't say the same", l guess that a bit low though. Or how about "our endorsers actually use our strings, other musicians wish they did"

But back to the Jimi Hendrix thing, Jimi's name has been used on everything possible now, I think he would be ashamed, EB strings not included, hehe.

Scott.

 

[robelinda2]

good one Scott!

 

[Shnook]

I think it's disgusting to use Jimi's name to sell things like strings he didn't use, VODKA(that's the most tasteless of all if you ask me,) and Energy drinks. Jimi was about MUSIC. I'd like it kept that way. Not some marketing ploy for someone with no talent to make stupid money with. And I do mean stupid. One of my favorite posthumous Hendrix purchases is the Hendrix Purple Box Set. Four discs of awesome music. I love Jimi's music and will buy it if it's not tampered with. I will never buy those strings, Vodka, or Energy drink.

 

[candid_x]

my question is do you like the monetization of Hendrix?

Hi BP,

That's a thought provoking question. Ethically, it bugs me, because my image of Jimi has nothing to do with him endorsing products, except perhaps purple haze. But I'd also understand it for what it is: an advertising ploy. Reasoning would temper my indignation. No, I don't like it, but I'd understand it.

My 2 cents on this particular string deal, from a marketing perspective: #1 should never even acknowledge #2 in their marketing presentations. #2, however, does well to directly go after #1's advertising claims. For #1 to engage #2 in warfare would only diminish #1's market position. So, I'd make no counter effort to XXX's claims, if I was EB. I'd only focus on strengthening the EB brand through its own credibility. That said, if EB were to use said proof of Jimi's purchases of EB strings, in an ad campaign, without alluding at all to XXX's marketing and packaging, that would still be fair game. But imo, it's dicey, because it can always be contested, making EB look like the bad guy. For instance: a set of Fender strings are said to have been found in Jimi's original black strat's case. One instance like that could erode EB's credibility, even if EB has strong evidence to support their claims.

ramble over...

 

[Big Poppa]

Candidx
thanks

I ran the Hendrix 'Jimi bought em, shouldnt you 6 years ago. It was translated into 7 lanuages and wond design awards.

I am not concerned with said company in the least. You know how you some times look for signs that the apolypse is near? When we pay money to create products in ANY sector that werent around when said artist was alive it is sad.

I only pointed out to you guys that I rest my head knowing that a lot of Jimi's music was made on Ernie Ball strings.

 

[Astrofreq]

This is an awesome thread! VERY interesting.

BP, rest assured. People who play EB guitars and products settle on them because after playing many other brands, they appreciate the EB quality. If the quality on the Hendrix-ized stuff isn't the greatest, the customer will eventually realize it and switch to something else. That's my guess, hopefully finding their way to EB products.

I wish the Hendrix family would use his image in anti-drug campaigns. That would have a great impact on kids, especially young guitarists.

 

[58super]

I just checked out those strings and talk about lame ass sorry ads! I've never tried 'em,never had to, and never will. Embrassing to read.

It's like the line about the wine endorsed postmortem by Elvis: "Elvis didn't drink wine but if he did he'd drink this one."

 

[Beth]

We were just talking about product endorsements in the office yesterday and the politics thereof... I alluded to those product "endorsements" that happen every time celebrities go to, say, the Sundance Film Festival and go to the "swag rooms". The companies put up THOUSANDS of dollars worth of product to give away to these swag-hungry celebrities just so that Star magazine will print a blip saying "Teri Hatcher snapped up over $25K worth of goodies including ____ brand of tennis shoes, ____ brand face cream and _____ handbags! Win one of these by sending us all of your personal information so we can sell your name to other companies to spam you!"

Ernie Ball/Music Man artists play our products because they want to. We don't chase them, we don't beg, and we don't offer cash for contract so that they'll go out and wave the EB/MM flag all over the place. They like our products and want to play them.

 

[kbaim]

I like to think of things like this in a matter as follows:

As I was cleaning up from the JP clinic, in the lower room where he had practiced and had eaten lunch was the remainder of his sandwich from one of our mom and pop shops in the area. Now, had I said "John, what did you think of that sandwich?" and had he replied, "Oh, it was great" (or something of similar meaning) would this constitute an endorsement of the sandwich place? Could that restaurant claim that John Petrucci eats there when in Manchester? Technically, yes...

Nick, then inspired, quickly snuck the half eaten sandwich and listed it on EBAY.