harpdude61
1959 posts
Jan 25, 2014
6:24 AM
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I've heard several players on this forum mention over the years that they get discounted harps from the manufacturer. I'm not talking about Kim or Cotton but some pretty darn good player/teachers on the forum.
Do you have to be a customizer? a well known player to other players at all levels? an online teacher? run a harmonica website? Play in a national touring band? Is it a "pay your dues" thing? Be seen and heard by those in the "click"? Be an innovator? What?
I'm not saying at all that I deserve a discount. Just wonder how close I am getting and what to do to take it up a notch to even be considered?
My meager qualifications.....I front a regional band as a non-singing harmonica player. We play 40+ shows a year and starting to add more as we are getting demand outside our little 100 mile box. For a Fri,Sat,Sun band we are very pleased with the crowds and pay........ I teach a grand total of 6 students...all sold on Hohner products......I myself have purchased 48 Golden Melody harps over the years. I have purchased probably a hundred Piedmont and other inexpensive Hohner harps which I hand out to children.
Anybody else wonder when and if their day will come?
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Frank
3749 posts
Jan 25, 2014
6:33 AM
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Nic Clark became a Hohner endorser at 14 years old :)
Apart from the advise you'll get here, I would contact them personally - try the product manager, their A&R rep and express your desire - get the info from horses mouth and you'll have the roadmap to get you there :)
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The Centipide Saloon
Tip Your Waiter Please
Last Edited by Frank on Jan 25, 2014 7:14 AM
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harpdude61
1960 posts
Jan 25, 2014
7:12 AM
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Good Frank! What is A&R rep?
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Frank
3752 posts
Jan 25, 2014
7:19 AM
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I'm guessing that Hohner would have some kind of talent scout so to speak that would help you secure an endorsment with them?
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GMaj7
341 posts
Jan 25, 2014
8:49 AM
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Good question and topic.
Most of the companies have an "ENDORSER" program although most incorrectly refer to themselves as "ENDORSEE".
Although there are some extreme exceptions such as Howard Levi, Mickey Raphael, James Cotton, Stevie Wonder, Charlie M. and others who receive a stipend and free gear, most endorsers are on a program that gives them a free t-shirt, stickers, and a slight discount on harps. Certainly don't know the terms for all companies but they must not be that great since the larger harmonica retailers report significant sales of products to the actual endorsers which means the deals the endorsers get from manufacturers must not be that great
It is many times on a sliding scale and if one looks at a player like Kuds and Todd Parrot who obviously play great, have huge followings and promote the brand, there are probably a few extra well-deserved perks.
Interestingly enough, the company reps report the number of players requesting endorser status who have little or no exposure and are relatively unheard of.
One of my favorite ENDORSERS is Gary Allegretto who is not only talented but has used his musical and acting/modeling/fitness success to promote the instrument and take it to places it would not otherwise be (3rd World Countries, Jails, Low Economic Status Neighborhoods). Whatever he gets from Hohner is well-deserved and would be at twice as much.
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Greg Jones
16:23 Custom Harmonicas
greg@1623customharmonicas.com
1623customharmonicas.com
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barbequebob
2454 posts
Jan 25, 2014
8:49 AM
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On endorsement deals, the general discount is rarely ever beyond 45-50% of the MSRP. If you get it direct, the stock is often fresher wheras stock in brick and mortar retail stores can be there as long 10 years and then you'd risk getting crappy stock nobody wants a lot sooner.
For most endorsement deals, you'd usually have to send them a press kit (but NOT an electronic press kit at all) to whoever may be in charge of doling them out, and with each company, it's obviously different.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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nacoran
7509 posts
Jan 25, 2014
12:21 PM
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Another thing you could look into... if you are giving harps away to kids and such, I think Hohner has some programs for charities and educational causes. It's in their best interest to get harps out into future customers hands. :)
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Nate
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joshnat
219 posts
Jan 25, 2014
3:37 PM
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Greg thank you for clearing up ENDORSER vs. ENDORSEE. It's been driving me crazy on this forum for years! I worked at Ibanez for 5 years, and Steve Vai and Joe Satriani weren't endorsed by us, we were endorsed by them!
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Rick Davis
2915 posts
Jan 26, 2014
7:52 AM
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I was the person who four years ago suggested to Hohner that they recruit Nic Clark as one of their artists. I dealt with Andy Garrigue, the Harmonica Marketing Manager at Hohner USA. Not sure he is still there.
I asked him about the Endorser vs. Endorsee usage and he said they were interchangeable. He uses both words to refer to Hohner artists.
Here is the story I published in the Blues Harp Amps Blog at the time.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Jan 26, 2014 7:58 AM
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