Greg Heumann
2398 posts
Oct 04, 2013
3:22 PM
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For a long time I've wanted a BlowsMeAway T I could sell at harp shows, perhaps give away with certain purchases, etc. After a few years of no ideas, this one came to me. I've asked a few people and opinions are split. Is it too sexual? Would you wear one?
If there is enough interest I WILL have some made, but to stock a range of sizes in even small quantities is a significant investment so I am asking you all - you are the market!
Thanks in advance for your opinion...
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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Rick Davis
2502 posts
Oct 04, 2013
3:25 PM
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Is "harp gear" a copyrighted name?
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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FreeWilly
358 posts
Oct 04, 2013
3:42 PM
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The text might start a little lower. And I'm not sure about the dots. Other than that, I would gladly wear it.... to harp related parties.
Question is not: is it too sexual. Of course it is. That's the fun of it.
The experience of wearing this shirt might be quite like wearing a pink shirt. You must be either very gay or very masculine to pull it off with confidence.
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Frank
2906 posts
Oct 04, 2013
3:48 PM
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Can I get mine with the Rolling Stones Tongue emblem put on the back of the shirt:)
Or for the back... a picture of a jensen - with a caption that reads, 10 inchers rule :)
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 04, 2013 3:54 PM
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HawkeyeKane
2096 posts
Oct 04, 2013
3:50 PM
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I think it's a good design Greg. Who cares if it's sexual? One of the coolest movie lines of all time IMO is "Where I come from, you don't play no harp, you don't get no pussy." Go with it man! I'll be one of your first buyers.
Two more possible suggestions...
"Women don't like cock blockers....tongue blockers on the other hand..."
"Oh....the Heumannity!!!"
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Hawkeye Kane
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tookatooka
3525 posts
Oct 04, 2013
3:59 PM
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Greg. No! your products are too good to be associated with a cheap shot like that. You need quality and a classy design that people would be proud to wear. IMHO.
Give me a day or two and I'll try and see what I can come up with.
Last Edited by tookatooka on Oct 04, 2013 4:31 PM
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Frank
2907 posts
Oct 04, 2013
4:18 PM
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Or a big beautiful picture of one of your mics with the caption that reads - Shove it in your mouth if you want it to honk :)
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 04, 2013 4:18 PM
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Ray
454 posts
Oct 04, 2013
4:21 PM
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I agree with tookatooka.
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blueswannabe
291 posts
Oct 04, 2013
5:01 PM
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I agree with tookatooka. IMHO A nice logo is a better idea. Lone wolf blues has a cool logo.
That shirt would have limited appeal.
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Frank
2910 posts
Oct 04, 2013
5:09 PM
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Hawk - you could also put that on the black band that's around your hat for when you not wearing the shirt :)
Seriously ...I think Greg is "pulling off" : no pun intended, an early aprils fools joke, or maybe halloween gear?
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 04, 2013 5:13 PM
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nacoran
7195 posts
Oct 04, 2013
5:20 PM
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Hmm, that's a mouthful, er, um...
I think it's funny, and I suspect lots of other people will too, but I have some context. You have to be real careful with jokes that deal with sexual orientation, even if the underlying joke is the lingo of the harp. This might upset people on either end of the spectrum if taken out of context. It's hard to tell.
Suck, blow, tongue block, lip blocking, tongue split, tonguing, mouthing the holes, tonguing holes, 1 hole, 2 hole, bending, blow bending, overblowing, licks, scales (isn't everyone into lizard porn? Oh no, I've said too much). We have an instrument that sounds dirty to talk about.
Someone who doesn't know that? Well, most people will look at you weird and ask, and as all harmonica players know, asking a harp player about harmonicas is only asking for trouble. The trouble is those few people who will go off half-cocked (I knew that sentence was going to be trouble when I started it.)
The question is ultimately, are you comfortable with it? (Also, consider taking Tooka up. He's good!)
Wow. My brain is now going in all sorts of filthy directions. I think I'll move on before I post something that gets me in trouble.
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Nate
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Harpaholic
387 posts
Oct 04, 2013
5:31 PM
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Hell no!
it basically says the person wearing it enjoys giving BJ's. That's how a lot of people wiil interpret it.
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Oct 04, 2013 5:38 PM
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Frank
2911 posts
Oct 04, 2013
5:50 PM
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Maybe change the ending a little...It drips off the tongue better with a rhyme :)
I suck
I blow
Good to go
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 04, 2013 5:53 PM
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sonny3
46 posts
Oct 04, 2013
6:20 PM
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Try Again! No! Maybe if it said, I inhale and exhale.
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Shaganappi
45 posts
Oct 04, 2013
6:46 PM
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Ask if one your favorite players wore one, would it improve or promote a better perception of harp players? I think you can do a lot better Greg. You are tops in your field. And will it improve your image? That is the bottom line for your decision.
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cyclodan
26 posts
Oct 04, 2013
7:51 PM
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Funny I recently came up with an idea for joke T-shirt...
Harmonica players suck.
And blow.
A lot.
Would I wear one? Maybe to a harp fest, but at least it has a context that even the casual observer would get the joke...where yours on the other hand, just looks like you are proclaiming that you enjoy giving BJs.
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KingoBad
1398 posts
Oct 04, 2013
7:55 PM
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I think it's funny, but I wouldn't wear it.
I'd love to sport a fine blowsmeaway.com shirt, but not that one...
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Danny
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harmonicanick
2043 posts
Oct 05, 2013
12:48 AM
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use 'blowsmeaway' as the strap line
that design does not do you any favours
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Kingley
3170 posts
Oct 05, 2013
1:15 AM
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Greg - Here's my thoughts on this for what they are worth. I worked in the design industry for a good number of years and if I'm brutally honest, it looks very unprofessional and doesn't do your business any favours at all. All you really need is "Blowsmeaway Productions" or "Blowsmeaway.com" on the t-shirt. If you made t-shirts with that on the left breast side and didn't make it too large, then it could look very classy indeed. Too often so many people splatter t-shirts with huge ugly writing or huge images and they simply look like crap.What you really have to do is look at your business and ask yourself what it is you want the t-shirt to reflect about that business. More often than not, less is more in the world of t-shirts and using a simple line of text in the right font can make it look like the highest quality designer clothes. Which of course is in keeping with your products. Pick the wrong font or make it too big though and you end up with a really dorky looking thing that only looks at home when worn by a homeless guy. Other than just a simple line of text, the only other thing that would look good in my opinion is some kind of logo. Maybe a stylised drawing of an Ultimate 57 with "Blowsmeaway Productions" underneath it or encircling it?
Last Edited by Kingley on Oct 05, 2013 2:21 AM
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Frank
2914 posts
Oct 05, 2013
6:21 AM
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Greg has'nt chimed in yet, and I think it is still safe to have a little fun with this...So may I suggest a little twist on the shirt design.
So I Suck
So I Blow
It's All Good
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tookatooka
3526 posts
Oct 05, 2013
6:35 AM
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Hey Greg, some design ideas are running through my head. Maybe if those that can create logos and the likes uploaded their ideas to this forum it could give you some ideas to work with. I'll try my best to upload something in the next day or two.
After all, you make the Rolls Royce of harp mics and your tee shirt design deserves to reflect that.
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harmonicanick
2044 posts
Oct 05, 2013
6:42 AM
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Frank, leave it mate..
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Frank
2916 posts
Oct 05, 2013
6:51 AM
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"Frank, leave it mate"
He'll never put that on the shirt Nick - it would'nt sell mics :)
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 05, 2013 6:53 AM
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blueswannabe
292 posts
Oct 05, 2013
7:29 AM
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Maybe a logo with a wooden mic with nice grill criss-crossed with a shure stick mic.
with website name underneath with cool lettering.
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Greg Heumann
2399 posts
Oct 05, 2013
7:50 AM
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Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the input. I wasn't joking. But i won't produce that shirt.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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easyreeder
407 posts
Oct 05, 2013
9:27 AM
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I think you want a logo that will immediately catch the eye of any harp player, and a shirt that nobody would think twice about wearing to a public event. A color drawing or photo of one of your beautiful bullet mics is probably the most iconic thing you could use and would grab the interest of any player. People are willing to be billboards for companies they like, so you might as well take advantage of it.
Slightly OT, but I'd also pay attention to the quality of the shirts. I have a pile of shirts from companies I like, but I won't wear the shirts because the cotton is exceptionally rough and downright unpleasant to wear. Almost all of these shirts are from a company called Gildan. They're EVERYwhere, and I've stopped buying logo shirts because of it. When I get one for free, I just cut them up and put them in the rag bin.
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1847
1168 posts
Oct 05, 2013
9:36 AM
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rumor has it .. the pope himself
is quite the harmonica player
i can totally see see him, wearing one of those
cruising around in the pope mobile on a saturday night
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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nacoran
7200 posts
Oct 05, 2013
9:57 AM
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On easyreeder's comment, make sure they are thick too. There are a lot of thin, poor quality tees out there. You want one that says quality.
I know color costs more, but it also pops more. (Hmm, if you go to places like Cafepress, you can get a lot of other items. I'm not usually one for coffee mugs, but if you had one that was the right size for the 'cupping the harp' trick, that might be cool.
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Nate
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FMWoodeye
798 posts
Oct 05, 2013
10:20 AM
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Thumbs down on that particular design, although I will say that I'm always in the market for harmonica or blues-oriented clothing. I would be happy to purchase and wear a Blowsmeaway shirt or light jacket, as well as Lone Wolf gear or whatever else is cool (to me).
Last Edited by FMWoodeye on Oct 05, 2013 1:14 PM
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ReedSqueal
478 posts
Oct 05, 2013
10:35 AM
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I wouldn't wear it for sure.
I saw a harp shirt design a while back with awesome artwork/graphic of a shadowy harp player with a fedora,at night with cool shadows. The graphic (to me) really captured the emotion of the blues harp player. But the caption was "Blow Daddy" and that was reason enough for me to not buy one.
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"You hear that cat...On the Harmonica?....That's the Canned Heat!"
-John Lee Hooker, Boogie Chillen'
Last Edited by ReedSqueal on Oct 05, 2013 11:45 AM
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Rarko
50 posts
Oct 05, 2013
10:52 AM
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No, no, definetely no, Greg.
hey, guys, I dont want to hijack this topic but do you guys know some good harmonica t-shirts(or we can start a new topic...)?
I only found this one http://rlv.zcache.co.nz/support_your_local_harmonica_player_t_shirts-r9227d58fe3a240c1b397838f8a22aea3_va6lr_512.jpg
Last Edited by Rarko on Oct 05, 2013 1:45 PM
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SuperBee
1456 posts
Oct 05, 2013
1:34 PM
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What a shame. I guess it's true you are probably pitching to a pretty conservative crew. I liked the left field approach and the fact it would take balls to wear that shirt.
There are a lot of harmonica-based t-shirts. All corny-as. I wouldn't wear any of them. The one above; I'd consider. It has the wtf? factor.
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tookatooka
3528 posts
Oct 05, 2013
2:54 PM
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@Greg. What about something along these lines? I'll throw some more ideas into the pot if you like but it took me longer than expected. Any comments or alternate ideas/modifications invited.
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Frank
2923 posts
Oct 05, 2013
3:01 PM
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Nice Tooka...And like Kingley mentioned, put that on the pocket of the shirt - very stylish indeed :)
If something is also put on the shirt, my suggestion is to keep it simple - where it causes intrigue because it is so cool.
Easyreeder mentioned already, something that looks like a work of art....A photo of one of your masterpiece mics is perfect!
And this may be a cool offer to - the buyer gets to choose from a list which mic they want on their shirt, BINGO - I'll take 2, where is the order form :)
Another ideal - a photo of a great pro in action using one of your mics on the shirt?
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 05, 2013 3:25 PM
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Georgia Blues
95 posts
Oct 05, 2013
4:12 PM
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Greg... don't do it. :o) Smiley face 'cause I say this after a double bourbon... but don't. Do a logo or logo-type featuring your company. Or if you must, say something like: Harp players don't always suck... sometimes they blow. The "I" makes it personal and overtly sexual. Play on the fact that lots of things suck... or blow. Like life... How about "Life can suck, but I can blow". Or something... :o)
Bourbon #3 is comin' up!
A
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Alex
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tookatooka
3529 posts
Oct 05, 2013
4:28 PM
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Last one today it's getting late.
Last Edited by tookatooka on Oct 06, 2013 10:29 AM
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blueswannabe
294 posts
Oct 05, 2013
5:29 PM
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Nice job tookatooka. Maybe a line like the below.
"custom gear for harmonica players"
As opposed to harp gear which may conflict with another business.
Or
" custom microphones for harp players"
Should include "blowsmeaway.com"
I know it's conservative but it would be a t-shirt that you could wear in a restaurant or be seen with your kids or be in public in general.
Last Edited by blueswannabe on Oct 05, 2013 5:45 PM
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nacoran
7202 posts
Oct 05, 2013
6:30 PM
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Tooka, that second one is really nice, but maybe a shot that makes it more clear it's about the microphone? A distance shot with the mic on a stand, or a shot from the other side where the hand isn't in the way so much? Maybe a shot kind of like that, only with the hand down the side of the mic stand, maybe turned a little more face forward so the mic is more in front, like he's about to grab the mic but hasn't yet- leaving the mic all visible.
Drat, my mind is still in the gutter. I just pictured a full color version of a nice shot of one of the wooden shelled mics with a 'Got Wood' tagline. That first one is nice too Tooka, but the grill looks a bit like a targeting sight, which, when combined with 'Blows Me Away' takes on a whole different set of connotations!
Or, I could rework some of my artwork, replace the harp with a mic? (Unreworked)
Hmm, on second thought, maybe Greg ought to go with your artwork. :)
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Georgia Blues
102 posts
Oct 05, 2013
6:31 PM
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Looks good TookaTooka.
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Alex
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nacoran
7204 posts
Oct 05, 2013
9:14 PM
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(That's not me in the picture, by the way. I've got brown eyes and I don't have that much hair, and I'm not yellow... even if some people say I am yellow. Let's see them call me that to my face, muhahaha!)
I'm also going to say, I'm not big on pockets on T-Shirts. I tend to like shirts a size too big (a good grooming tip is baggy clothes hide Thanksgiving Dinner better than tight clothes) and when you wear tees with pockets a size too big the pocket sits too low and it looks like you have saggy breasts- even if you are sporting a perky manboob.
Something about this thread... perky manboob? What am I saying?
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Kingley
3172 posts
Oct 06, 2013
12:38 AM
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Greg - A few things to bear in mind about printing are that you need the highest quality image you can provide for the printer to obtain the best quality print for you. Vector based images rule and can be blown up to any size required without any distortion issues. Raster based images on the other hand are next to useless for anything other than smallish items. Raster images often distort horribly with even the small enlargements to them. If you use raster based images they ideally need to be at least 600 dpi and be of a very large physical size to be useful for anything other than mugs, business cards and key fobs. You will all have witnessed the problem with raster based images when you have zoomed in or blown up a picture. You get that awful pixelation that just destroys any clarity in the image. Vector based images on the other hand are far superior and don't suffer those same problems. Personally I'd avoid pictures and have some kind of stylised logo and some simple text. I'd also suggest sticking to Pantone colours for printing as that gives a better more reliable print. When you print with a four colour process (CMYK) you get huge variations in the colours. Black often turns out grey, red becomes pink, etc, etc. With Pantones you get vivid colours and are guaranteed to get great results every time. Granted Pantones generally cost a little more (only a few bucks though) , but the trade off in quality is well worth any extra cost.
I'd also agree with the comments about t-shirt quality. Find a good quality cotton t-shirt. Ask for a sample t-shirt from the supplier and wash it a few times to see if it fades quickly, loses shape, etc. I would avoid the big online printers. In Cali I'll bet there are quite a few small outfits who do printing who have the same passion for it that you have for building mics. I'd hunt a few of them down and chat to them about possible printing projects.
There are also probably quite a few graphic designers, or specialised logo designers in Cali amongst the blues scene, even if you're not currently aware of them. A little digging would bring them out of the woodwork. Maybe you could do a mutually beneficial deal with one of them. My only other advice would be to take your time with it and don't jump on the first design that appeals to you. Spend some time (a couple of weeks or so) with a print of it in a prominent place in the workshop and see how it "fits".
Last Edited by Kingley on Oct 06, 2013 12:42 AM
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Stevelegh
856 posts
Oct 06, 2013
4:54 AM
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Greg:
You are playing to a somewhat conservative audience here. I've always thought that harp players sucking and blowing is funny as hell, but more in a self deprecating "I suck" kind of way, rather than blowjobs, which wasn't on my radar.
Whilst I think it could be incorporated into a range of branded clothing, I wouldn't use this as a flagship to carry your brand. Too risque and has the obvious potential to offend your client base. True story: A buddy of mine refurbishes shockers for London cabs. He sent out nudie calendars to all his clients. Real hardcore stuff. He didn't realise that his clients were mom and pop businesses with the wife doing the books and opening the mail. He lost half his customers overnight. Really not worth running the risk of offense.
What I would do is hire a marketing company or a at least a good graphic designer. You make great mics. Ad guys are good at their jobs. You wouldn't expect a marketing executive to make a beautiful wooden bullet or hot rod a SM57 would you?
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Frank
2927 posts
Oct 06, 2013
5:48 AM
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I showed my wife the shirt and asked her opinion…
Her interpretation was,
(I suck)… meant – I ‘m not good…
(I blow)….meant – something similar to... I’m not good “at something” in other words a negative connotation.
(It is Good)…Meant – So what if I suck and blow, I could careless one way or the other – it’s still good whether I do or don't…
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 06, 2013 5:51 AM
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Zadozica
272 posts
Oct 06, 2013
7:31 AM
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Greg, I was at Disneyland yesterday and I did not know it was GL day. Other than the color of your shirt (theirs were all red), I would not be able to tell you were selling harmonica microphones. In fact, worn anywhere I would not really know that. IF your intention is to have some return on your investment, I would make sure your message was not so subtle and one that could not have multiple meanings that take away from your brand positioning.
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tookatooka
3530 posts
Oct 06, 2013
10:29 AM
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Last Edited by tookatooka on Oct 06, 2013 12:47 PM
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nacoran
7205 posts
Oct 06, 2013
11:30 AM
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Tooka, another good one! Despite what I said about pockets above, that one actually might look good on a pocket. It's got nice, clean lines.
I don't know how graphic prices scale, but I was also thinking of sort of a Hollywood Squares layout, 9 panels with images of a custom mic in each one, on the back of the T-shirt, something like that on the front. Color probably costs more though. I used to have a great surf shop t-shirt with a great color image (a stylized local map of the beaches) on the back. One of my favorite t-shirts, even though I don't surf.
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tookatooka
3531 posts
Oct 06, 2013
11:45 AM
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Hi Nacoran, I just thought I'd throw these up as I think of them. Don't know if Greg still wants to pursue the idea of T shirts but as I have a little time on my hands these may provide him with food for thought.
I noted your previous comments about the mic etc but I can only work with the images I find and there were none which were as good as that one.
Maybe Greg could consider one good design for promoting his brand and then have a range of comical ones just for the fun of it and giveaways ?
May have another design idea later.
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Pistolcat
532 posts
Oct 06, 2013
11:50 AM
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What about an exploded technical schematic of a nice bullet mic or an ultimatized, bulletized SM57? Its a bit nerdy but I do believe Gregs buyers are a bit of gearnerds, erant they?
Something like this. But, ya know, a harp mic?
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tookatooka
3532 posts
Oct 06, 2013
12:47 PM
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Last one for now.
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Frank
2931 posts
Oct 06, 2013
2:42 PM
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Yes?...No?
Last Edited by Frank on Oct 06, 2013 3:05 PM
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