Question about endorsed guitarists

[Tokkes]

Hi guys,

maybe this has been asked before, but I didn't find anything like it through the search function (if there is, post the link would ya?).

So, what I'm wondering about: guys like Steve Morse, Steve Lukather, John Petrucci are all endorsed by MusicMan and Ernie Ball. Does this mean that they get their instruments and strings for free or do they just get very good deals? Don't get me wrong, I'm not hoping for an endorsement, but it's something I have always wanted to know. I just saw pictures of Steve with one of the Y2d prototypes (from the last (if not thé last) developing stages) from the DP shows in Scandinavia and that's when the question hit me again. I would think they get the prototypes for free (I seem to remember Morse writing that he gives them away to his less fortunate guitar playing palls), but what's the situation with the guitars and strings?

It's not that important, I know, but I just want to know how those things work out. If anyone can give some insight or comments on this, I'd appreciate.

Thanks, Tom.

 

[tommyindelaware]

confidential.......

 

[kbaim]

I think Benji Madden gets to shave Big Poppa's back once or twice a year.

 

[AxSport4me]

I think Benji Madden gets to shave Big Poppa's back once or twice a year.

OH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[francric]

I think Benji Madden gets to shave Big Poppa's back once or twice a year.

Can't wait to see BP's reponse to this one...........

 

[GWDavis28]

I think Benji Madden gets to shave Big Poppa's back once or twice a year.

OUCH!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[Raz]

I'm staying away from this one...Fo SHIZZLE!

Oh and Keith, it was nice knowing you...(insert scary music here)

 

[kbaim]

 

[fogman]

KBAIM you have now been re-classified to NorM status. Sorry about your luck!!!

I would guess that a signed artist gets a designated amount of free guitars, strings, etc.... as to help promote the new product. Plus either a certain amount of cash or royalties per guitar sold.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I think Benji Madden gets to shave Big Poppa's back once or twice a year.

 

[Ali]

Don't they get a % of the guitars worth...how else can anyone explain a Jem 777VWH coisting 40% more than a Luke Vai must be one hell of a negotiator

And Keith...living dangerously again?

 

[ArthurS]

Don't know about EBMM, but since someone mentioned Vai: Steve doesn't get his JEMs for free (at least not all of them). He has to pay for them like the rest of us (though he probably does get some kind of discount )

 

[Tokkes]

Hm,

it seems that I'm not the only one who doesn't know how these things work out .

It's interesting though. It just intrigues me. And if it's confidential as Tommy said, well, that's ok with me. If it's not, someone will know how EBMM serves his endorsees.

Cheers, Tom.

 

[ernie1966]

Hm,


If it's not, someone will know how EBMM serves his endorsees.

Cheers, Tom.

I believe they serve them medium rare with a side of sauted veggies and your choice of potato.

 

[Tokkes]

I'd rather have my 'Steve' well done

 

[AxSport4me]

*LOL*

 

[NorM]

KBAIM you have now been re-classified to NorM status. Sorry about your luck!!!

WHAT?!

 

[Jimi D]

Don't know about EBMM, but since someone mentioned Vai: Steve doesn't get his JEMs for free (at least not all of them). He has to pay for them like the rest of us (though he probably does get some kind of discount )

Steve's cut on Jem sales amounts to multi-hundreds of dollars for every Jem sold, and I seriously, seriously, seriously doubt he has EVER paid for even one of the ones he uses (most are Proto's and one offs anyway, so how would they bill him). I remember one interview when his tech mentioned that Ibanez once shipped them a crate full of necks because Steve was whacking them about so bad on tour.

 

[ArthurS]

Steve's cut on Jem sales amounts to multi-hundreds of dollars for every Jem sold, and I seriously, seriously, seriously doubt he has EVER paid for even one of the ones he uses (most are Proto's and one offs anyway, so how would they bill him). I remember one interview when his tech mentioned that Ibanez once shipped them a crate full of necks because Steve was whacking them about so bad on tour.

I'm no expert at all, so I won't say there isn't a good chance you're right. My post was based on what I heard from the guy who sets up my guitars. This guy has apparently acted as Vai's guitar tech twice, when Vai visited Holland to play with the Metropole Orchestra (obviously not on a 'regular' Vai tour). He told me that, the first time (in 2004), he received some new JEMs from the Dutch Ibanez importer for Vai to use (perhaps as backups, don't remember). These were, as he told me, brand new, in the box and were regular production models.

He said Vai particularly liked one of the guitars they sent, wanted to have it and asked the tech how much it cost. The tech didn't know and said Vai would have to contact Ibanez about it. If I remember correctly, the guitars were in the end returned to Ibanez.

Granted, it's all a bit circumstantial and second-hand info, but I thought I'd share nonetheless. Here are some pictures of Vai with the tech in question to back up this (perhaps somewhat unbelievable) story.

 

[blackspy]

Wouldn't suprise me, if he (Vai) were dealing with an individual dealer, and found one of "his" guitars he liked, that he'd have to pay for it. Directly from Ibanez though, throught the appropriate "artist" channels, I doubt he does. I'm impressed he'd even be willing enough to ask how much.