Hendrix Approved

[DrKev]

As somebody with an interest in how advertising is structured and worded and presented, this is a discussion I'm immediately drawn to.

Is the public really that stupid? That's a very good question. Certainly, there is some truth to the adage that advertising is a window into how companies perceive their customers. In general, it's not an endearing side of the industry, IMO. But no, I don't think the public are stupid. They don't necessarily know snake oil from real rocket science and have a tendency to misinterpret some things but not really stupid.

On first glance, seeing the brand name on the top of the Hendrix add makes me think that the advertising execs are stupid, or at least have no real knowledge of the market. If it was one or two of the older established names maybe it could have some 'cachet' to it but those guys? That's just seems a bit silly to me. I think much of the public will too.

But I can't help wondering if BP has somehow missed a point here. I don't actually see that advert as saying that Hendrix really WOULD be using those strings. I see it more as a statement of their faith in their own product, which is where the ad is actually pretty good. I'm not sure if the psychedelic image is necessarily a great choice though, seems it limits their impact to people who positively identify with that image.

What I don't think would be much good is two companies going head to head with similar advertising. That old claim and counter-claim thing never sits well in my mind and I can't help feeling that both sides are a bunch of losers. No such things as bad publicity? For a celebrity or a movie maybe but...?

Another thought is this - who actually made these strings? Yeah, I know, we won't get an answer to that question but it's an interesting slant on things.

 

[fogman]

........ IMO. But no, I don't think the public are stupid. They don't necessarily know snake oil from real rocket science and have a tendency to misinterpret some things but not really stupid.

NorM should be chiming in now!!!!

 

[Big Poppa]

Dr Kev...I have just a few Comunication Arts Awards, Print Magazine design Awards, Pacific coast design awards and Uk trade awards. Im self taught but think I am not missing the point at all.

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

 

[SteveB]

I think the only things that I'd really buy into concerning a Hendrix "endorsement" would be:

1) F@nder strat
2) Marshall amp
3) Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face
4) Whatever wah he used (Dunlop or Vox? I can't recall)
5) Zippo lighter fluid

Those are the images that I can recall for certain where he used a particular brand.

Anything else I'd be hard pressed to believe.

Again, it's shameful that everyone's been making money a dead genius for nearly 40 years and he only recently got a decent monument at his grave site.

I wish they'd pass a law saying that no more Hendrix albums can be made. I think his posthumous body of work (probably around 20 albums or more counting bootlegs) should be burned, and he'd probably agree.

(Do I have to pay Authentic Hendrix, LLC. a licensing fee to make that speculation? )

 

[DrKev]

Now I look in the guitar mags and the biggest endorsee seling products has been dead for 40 years. I think that it is aceptable if these companies align themselves if they were actually in business when Jimi was alive and Jimi really used their stuff.

BP, I am in total agreement. (And FWIW, I'm just an armchair hobbyist where advertising is concerned, I'm not calling you out!)

Let me play devil's advocate a little - who are we annoyed at here? The Hendrix Family Estate? Our competitors in the industry? And why? Are we annoyed that others are legally taking a slice of our pie or is it also the principle of the thing, having so many people cashing in on a dead name?

BTW, have any guitar companies ever said, Eddie Cochran or Johnny Cash or Elvis or John Lennon used our strings? Why is SRV not all over the place too?

 

[Jimmyb]

I think for them to say that he would be using a particular brand of strings/amps/guitars/hairspray etc, is a bit presumptuous.

After all, what's to say that he would even be playing the electric guitar now? Given some of the ways in which his playing was moving, maybe he'd have explored the possibilities that MIDI have to offer?

With the Hendrix thing, it has definitely gone too far.

Has anyone done the official curly lead yet?

Hmm..... Right, I'm patenting that one

 

[Norrin Radd]

I know this is hard to hear, but Jimi would be using that other brand. I just checked with Miss Cleo.

 

[brentrocks]

BP, i thnk your ad campaign is a fabulous idea, because the proof isn't in the pudding, it's in the sales slip!!!

Do it man!!! it would make a great billboard, or print ad!!

 

[Ali]

Even the companies that he DID deal with have probably changed beyond recognition. How many other companies have remained within the same management, have the same staff and make products of similar quality. EBMM is safe in that respect as a family owned company still managed within th e same family with the same ethos, but if you look at the F company, would Jimi still be playing them? Or would he have gone with Leo to Musicman. And would he have stayed there after his favourite string manufacturer took over? Now there's something to think about....

 

[Hookpunch]

I just read the blurb on the strings at the company involved.

Wow, they must have forensic investigators better than the ones at CSI to figure out which strings Hendrix would use some 35 years after he died.

 

[Shnook]

Well don't forget the Hendrix Vodka and Energy drink! I saw that string ad last month and thought it was pretty stupid. To be honest though, do most of the kids who read these mags even have much a handle on who Hendrix was and what he did for guitar/music? Anyone who KNOWS Hendrix knows he didn't use those strings. I'd say the ad is misleading at the least.

 

[brentrocks]

Well don't forget the Hendrix Vodka and Energy drink!

LMAO!!!

 

[robelinda2]

+1 on the finding synonyms for pathetic.

Synonyms: affecting, commiserable, crummy, deplorable, distressing, feeble, heart-rending, heartbreaking, inadequate, lamentable, meager, melting, miserable, moving, paltry, petty, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, plaintive, poignant, poor, puny, rueful, sorry*, tender, touching, useless, woeful, worthless, wretched

right on bro. absolutely pathetic indeed. I hate reading stories like this, about the good guys getting shafted, makes me sick.

Ernie Ball is such a great company, you rule guys!

 

[lenny]

Some people will do anything to turn a buck.....THEY know he didn't use em BP knows what he used AND has the Proof to back it up ,in my opinion its the Hendrix people who gave the licensing away to them when they knew that he didn't play those strings that are at fault first here,i mean back then there really was only choice for custom gauges......and then we are right back to BP's point in the first place ....MONEY.......you guys know what i always say......
"YOU CANT POLISH A TURD >>>IT JUST SMEARS......fancy marketing wont help

 

[doubleR]

Janie's been making money off her half-bro's name for years....

 

[threeminutesboy]

Who said competition is tough ? It's something I've learned to live with. I'm still trying not to loose my soul by doing the same "dirty thing" and keep on going in finding new ideas

Very irritating indeed, but that's human nature

 

[candid_x]

I jammed with Ricky Hendrix (Jimi's cousin) in Reno, who had some interesting stories to tell of Jimi's last days.

I have no problem with an artist's close relatives profiting from the deceased artist's name and works, so long as it's an honest representation.

 

[roburado]

I was sort of okay with Hendrix' family making money from reissuing/remastering recordings, etc., but this it's just getting ridiculous now.

 

[Axistence]

I was sort of okay with Hendrix' family making money from reissuing/remastering recordings, etc., but this it's just getting ridiculous now.

+1
Remastering records? OK!
but...
Jimi's "vodka & NRG drink", "strings that he didn't play in his life"... I wonder what's it coming next... you name it, I won't.

 

[kbaim]

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!!