Ibanez Endorsement

[Variant]

Originally Posted by JohnIce

As unhelpful as it may be, this still sums up this topic pretty well. Basically, endorsements don't come before success (in 99% of the cases or more, anyway). Ibanez is also, from what I've heard, very hard to get endorsed by either way, much moreso than ESP or Schecter for example.

- edit - However, smaller and less known companies are easier to deal with, if you're only looking for free guitars. They're also easier to contact. I got major discounts from a swedish guitar company for making soundclips of their guitars. I'll be doing some videos and clinics for them later this year (which, by the way, is an AWESOME way of promoting yourself), and after that I'm pretty much set as far as free instruments go. So unless you have to be endorsed by one of the giants right away, this is an alternative.

But then again, it's silly to be chasing endorsements before you reach any success with your music. Focus on establishing yourself and making good music first, then when you start touring for longer periods an endorsement may come in handy.

I'd rep you again if I could. Absolutely right. Already rich and famous people get free shit handed to the left and right, no one was there when they were coming up an really needed it... and, of course smaller companies are easier to get to help you out, and a lot of their custom shops are really good compared to their production shit. First Act, for instance.

That guy's vid was quite informative, and I applaud it... but keep one thing in mind, the amount of time and effort that goes into a lot of that might be better spent just working and saving for the guitar, etc. While there's a lot of overlap there with what your band needs anyway, 60 extra hours chasing an endorsement (which saves you $200 on that $800 guitar) might just be better spent working extra hours at your IT job where you yank down $20/hr. and just going to the guitar store and buying the damn thing.

[toolsound]

Another thing to note about endorsements is that it is a business move. The idea is this: If we give this guy free guitars and ask him to play them exclusively, more people will notice our name and be more likely to buy from us. You may be in a big band, or you may be insanely good at guitar, but if you don't give a company exposure then there's no point in endorsing you.

[B36arin]

Originally Posted by kung_fu

"We need a name! Give us a name!"

Sorry man, I can't. I don't know the guy well enough, and don't know if he'd be ok with me posting his name here. All I can say is that he's an amazing guitarist, which you're likely to be if you're being endorsed by Ibanez.

[kung_fu]

Originally Posted by B36arin

Sorry man, I can't.

I understand. Having just watched that particular episode of seinfeld (see picture), i was just looking for an excuse to say that.

[JohnIce]

Originally Posted by B36arin

Sorry man, I can't. I don't know the guy well enough, and don't know if he'd be ok with me posting his name here. All I can say is that he's an amazing guitarist, which you're likely to be if you're being endorsed by Ibanez.

I'm sure he doesn't mind publicity if he's trying to make it with his music, but yeah, if you have personal reasons not to show us pics of a brand new never before seen LACS guitar, that's... fine.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by JohnIce

I'm sure he doesn't mind publicity if he's trying to make it with his music, but yeah, if you have personal reasons not to show us pics of a brand new never before seen LACS guitar, that's... fine.

No, it's not, post some ....ing pics of this beast!

[B36arin]

Originally Posted by JohnIce

I'm sure he doesn't mind publicity if he's trying to make it with his music, but yeah, if you have personal reasons not to show us pics of a brand new never before seen LACS guitar, that's... fine.

He's doing quite well.

I don't have any pics. I'm not the photographer type, and I've only seen the guitar gigged once. I tried to have a friend take a picture with his cellphone, but it was from 20 metres away and with a really shitty camera, so it's a worthless pic.

[Rob Balducci]

Hey ya! I am new to the forum and have been looking around and I came across this post.

I am an Ibanez Endorsee and I have been for 15 years now. There is alot of things being said in these post that are not really true. So I will just tell you my story and maybe that will answer your questions.

First off I am endoresed with many companies and what I tell everybody is, even if I was not endorsed with these companies I would be using the product. There are to many players out there who I call endorsement whores... they want endorsements and thats it. That is not the way to go.

My Ibanez endorsement started about 15 years ago, I won a few guitar contests in New York and was able to secure a D'addario string endorsement and I was playing Ibanez guitars. I met one of the reps backstage at a Zappa Universe show. I had cass of my music and I handed him one. I followed up with him and was persistant in calling and got through and he liked my playing. I was teaching guitar and still do and I was in a band that was playing out a lot. Endorements usually start off with paying reduced prices and you work yourself up. My endorsement started with reduced cost on guitars. One thing I must say about Ibanez is they really support up and coming artists. They endorsed me at the time and I think it says alot about them standing behind players who they think are good and take a chance on them.

My career progressed and I was about to do my first solo cd called Balance this was around 1994 or 1995 and I asked if I could get another guitar but one that was not an artist model etc.. i did not want to use another players guitar etc.. They said yes and I got a purple usa custom etc..

I started doing clincis and gigs.. and my relationship progressed. Now my guitars are made at the LACS and have been for some time. Ibanez makes the best guitars in the world and they very much support artists who are not selling millions. I do not sell millions, but I keep busy doing gigs, teaching, clinics etc...

Thank
RB

[JohnIce]

Originally Posted by Rob Balducci

Hey ya! I am new to the forum and have been looking around and I came across this post.

I am an Ibanez Endorsee and I have been for 15 years now. There is alot of things being said in these post that are not really true. So I will just tell you my story and maybe that will answer your questions.

First off I am endoresed with many companies and what I tell everybody is, even if I was not endorsed with these companies I would be using the product. There are to many players out there who I call endorsement whores... they want endorsements and thats it. That is not the way to go.

My Ibanez endorsement started about 15 years ago, I won a few guitar contests in New York and was able to secure a D'addario string endorsement and I was playing Ibanez guitars. I met one of the reps backstage at a Zappa Universe show. I had cass of my music and I handed him one. I followed up with him and was persistant in calling and got through and he liked my playing. I was teaching guitar and still do and I was in a band that was playing out a lot. Endorements usually start off with paying reduced prices and you work yourself up. My endorsement started with reduced cost on guitars. One thing I must say about Ibanez is they really support up and coming artists. They endorsed me at the time and I think it says alot about them standing behind players who they think are good and take a chance on them.

My career progressed and I was about to do my first solo cd called Balance this was around 1994 or 1995 and I asked if I could get another guitar but one that was not an artist model etc.. i did not want to use another players guitar etc.. They said yes and I got a purple usa custom etc..

I started doing clincis and gigs.. and my relationship progressed. Now my guitars are made at the LACS and have been for some time. Ibanez makes the best guitars in the world and they very much support artists who are not selling millions. I do not sell millions, but I keep busy doing gigs, teaching, clinics etc...

Thank
RB

Good of you to post, as you have first-hand experience! I'm kind of wondering though, relating to what I've heard about John Petrucci getting endorsed through a cassette aswell back in about 1990, is it possible that Ibanez as a company has grown to such proportions and is so established now that the chances of getting endorsed your way has slimmed out? After all, 15 years have passed in your case. I'm just asking in case you know anything about how they deal with new endorsements today.

[Mikeibz]

Hello all.....I'd be happy to try to answer questions as times permits. I work in Artist Relations at Ibanez....many of the threads hit on valid points, but the truth is, there are many different scenarios that come up and we do look at every endorsement package that comes in. GENERALLY, we do look for artists that tour extensively and are signed to major labels or major independent labels. Touring in small, regional circles is usually not enough as well. There are many very talented individuals who are just not at the exposure level that makes sense for us to become involved in an endorsement capacity. We utilize many of the endorsers in our advertising, clinics and promotional campaigns, and it wouldn't work if we based it solely on being proficient at the instrument. We do deals from every level, from cost on to the provided custom shop instruments that many of you see in this forum or on stages throughout the world.

The address to submit packages is on the website, so if you do submit something, please keep the above info in mind. In addition, it doesn't hurt if the artists are already using Ibanez gear. I can't tell you how many letters I get with people featured in photos with Strats or forget that the letter says "My band loves Schecter..." Please proofread your stuff before you send! haha

Mike

[vampiregenocide]

Originally Posted by Mikeibz

Hello all.....I'd be happy to try to answer questions as times permits. I work in Artist Relations at Ibanez....many of the threads hit on valid points, but the truth is, there are many different scenarios that come up and we do look at every endorsement package that comes in. GENERALLY, we do look for artists that tour extensively and are signed to major labels or major independent labels. Touring in small, regional circles is usually not enough as well. There are many very talented individuals who are just not at the exposure level that makes sense for us to become involved in an endorsement capacity. We utilize many of the endorsers in our advertising, clinics and promotional campaigns, and it wouldn't work if we based it solely on being proficient at the instrument. We do deals from every level, from cost on to the provided custom shop instruments that many of you see in this forum or on stages throughout the world.

The address to submit packages is on the website, so if you do submit something, please keep the above info in mind. In addition, it doesn't hurt if the artists are already using Ibanez gear. I can't tell you how many letters I get with people featured in photos with Strats or forget that the letter says "My band loves Schecter..." Please proofread your stuff before you send! haha

Mike

Thanks for that post man! Great insight!

[Xiphos68]

Originally Posted by Mikeibz

Hello all.....I'd be happy to try to answer questions as times permits. I work in Artist Relations at Ibanez....many of the threads hit on valid points, but the truth is, there are many different scenarios that come up and we do look at every endorsement package that comes in. GENERALLY, we do look for artists that tour extensively and are signed to major labels or major independent labels. Touring in small, regional circles is usually not enough as well. There are many very talented individuals who are just not at the exposure level that makes sense for us to become involved in an endorsement capacity. We utilize many of the endorsers in our advertising, clinics and promotional campaigns, and it wouldn't work if we based it solely on being proficient at the instrument. We do deals from every level, from cost on to the provided custom shop instruments that many of you see in this forum or on stages throughout the world.

The address to submit packages is on the website, so if you do submit something, please keep the above info in mind. In addition, it doesn't hurt if the artists are already using Ibanez gear. I can't tell you how many letters I get with people featured in photos with Strats or forget that the letter says "My band loves Schecter..." Please proofread your stuff before you send! haha

Mike

Thanks Man!!!!

[ZOMB13]

Great info.

[Scar Symmetry]

Originally Posted by Mikeibz

GENERALLY, we do look for artists that tour extensively and are signed to major labels or major independent labels. Touring in small, regional circles is usually not enough as well. There are many very talented individuals who are just not at the exposure level that makes sense for us to become involved in an endorsement capacity.

/thread.

[Cheesebuiscut]

We couldn't even get an ibanez rep to respond to anything on the ibanez forum yet we got 2 legitimate responses to this thread on a completely outside forum.

Man I love ss.org.

Thanks for the info guys!

[Adam Of Angels]

This place does rule.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Mikeibz

Hello all.....I'd be happy to try to answer questions as times permits. I work in Artist Relations at Ibanez....many of the threads hit on valid points, but the truth is, there are many different scenarios that come up and we do look at every endorsement package that comes in. GENERALLY, we do look for artists that tour extensively and are signed to major labels or major independent labels. Touring in small, regional circles is usually not enough as well. There are many very talented individuals who are just not at the exposure level that makes sense for us to become involved in an endorsement capacity. We utilize many of the endorsers in our advertising, clinics and promotional campaigns, and it wouldn't work if we based it solely on being proficient at the instrument. We do deals from every level, from cost on to the provided custom shop instruments that many of you see in this forum or on stages throughout the world.

The address to submit packages is on the website, so if you do submit something, please keep the above info in mind. In addition, it doesn't hurt if the artists are already using Ibanez gear. I can't tell you how many letters I get with people featured in photos with Strats or forget that the letter says "My band loves Schecter..." Please proofread your stuff before you send! haha

Mike

I totally knew who you were when you joined this place.

[Dusty201087]

Woah, glad I came upon this thread. Being as I'm currently a "lifer" some of this info will come in handy

Originally Posted by Variant

That guy's vid was quite informative, and I applaud it... but keep one thing in mind, the amount of time and effort that goes into a lot of that might be better spent just working and saving for the guitar, etc. While there's a lot of overlap there with what your band needs anyway, 60 extra hours chasing an endorsement (which saves you $200 on that $800 guitar) might just be better spent working extra hours at your IT job where you yank down $20/hr. and just going to the guitar store and buying the damn thing.

But if you don't have an IT job and your job is marketing yourself and your music, then it could pay to get an endorsement.

[Vstro]

Originally Posted by Rick

You need to be incredibly lucky to get an Ibanez endorsement.

or play tons and tons of shows!

[Rick]

^Exactly.

[screamindaemon]

Originally Posted by Cheesebuiscut

We couldn't even get an ibanez rep to respond to anything on the ibanez forum yet we got 2 legitimate responses to this thread on a completely outside forum.

Man I love ss.org.

Thanks for the info guys!

So true. Maturity, humour and intelligence goes along way.

Now back to practising on my S.