Yes, it is a jealous comment...and one of immaturity. Just shake it off, Jay!

-Mark

+1 with mark here !!!

Hey, Jay!

I don't blame you for getting "a tad ruffled". This arrogant, egotistical, obtuse, nonsense-spewing, jealous cretin is only trying to gain self-importance in his own eyes because he lacks the skill you have displayed in getting to your position! There will always be people who enjoy negativity for it's own sake. Ignore the fools!! Again, I congratulate you on this great honour! You must be a fantastic musician! You deserve the accolades!

Brian

That's great news. You clearly love the brand and will be happy to play and represent the product.

It's always a boon to musicians to be able to acquire instruments particularly consumables such as cymbals, and before the "I've never broken a cymbal in my life and if you have your rubbish" lot start, cymbals can break or crack through heavy use if your a touring pro, for any discount.

The business of endorsements is set up to flow both ways and you are expected to help influence their market share. The deal you get represents your perceived effectiveness at that of course. You know your discount and wether it's a slim deal, but companies don't give that away easily even then. Your doing great!

I've watched a major brand pull the vanity deal to the teachers here in the UK. Effectively shifting a lot of kits for trade under the banner of endorsement. It worked alright and a generation of young student drummers have been taught sat behind the brands gear. Brilliant. A considerable of galactic style named drums have been bought from that program. BUT you still had to be a ruddy good teacher/decent busy local player to get the offer.

Good luck to you, and I hope this opportunity helps you along in your journey.

Then when you get really famous you can come home to Zildjian.

JOKING!

How about this reply - Thanks, that's okay as my band is actually called "Classic Vanity Scam", so this fits right in.

Or simply ignore as you have done. :)

Mitch

Sounds to me like the mmmmm, earthling that wrote that,

Wasn't given the same endorsement that you were,

So he's stuck playing or buying cheap cymbals for himself.

As for your good fortune, Great news all around.!

Soul cyms are big up here in Canada,

There's a few big places pushing them, I've only played a nice ride from them & I loved it...just not enough to fork out $250CAN lol.

All the best.

Kelly.

Not knocking the endorsement at all.... They have some nice sounding cymbals... But do approach it with an open mind and read up as much as possible from other endorsees...

Each of you guys should peruse this thread from (the other side)..

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108474

Cheers

John

Congrats Jay

I'm with you on this. I haven't signed the contract yet, and actually was going to see if it can be slightly altered. I know a few guys who've been on their artist roster, and the only real negative I've heard is that if you break a cymbal, you're basically S.O.L. Granted it does say in the contract - " Soultone Cymbals are guaranteed for 1 year against manufacturer's defects only. Cymbals will not be repaired or replaced for any other reason. "

So I figured before I sign, I want to see if I can get an actual warranty on my cymbals. If I need to pay extra for it, I'm ok with that. I would have to buy it anyway if I bought any cymbal from a store. They offer a one time fee for having your personal signature stamped onto any cymbal you get from them, I'd rather have a good warranty.

Wow that thread started out strange, the OP really didn't think it through, but the following advice was good. Start by loving the brand. I think thats where Arch is coming from.

If you like a brand of anything whether Golf clubs, football boots, mountain bikes, clothing, car manufacturer or cymbal maker, and you get offered an exclusivity deal you do it because the criteria laid out suits you.

Usually starts by loving the brand. Ends up by being happy/paid/gifted/promoted enough to stay. Drums, Cymbals, heads and sticks companies are working to a niche market, and although are doing ok aren't shifting wares at the same level as say Nike or Mercedes. So no record breaking deals. Imagine a pro baseball player signing a deal for just a free bat. Oh and a cap. hmmm

Arch, if soul tone are offering a set or two of cheap cymbals maybe take em if you love em.

If you have to have your image up on their website for getting them, then maybe they have you, and whatever happens in your immediate career they have you for the price of trade cymbals. Of course, you move on and up in your career you can either stick and develop your relationship with the company, or twist, and move on.

Reading the thread and considering all angles maybe I can see the point from your poster dude from the other site and he might of had a point, and may be doing you a favour. Just make it work for you. Make sure you really want and need those cymbals and that they really are cheaper than you can get them anywhere else. Soul tone to a degree need you too, they are still struggling up to the top table. Mienl has recently pulled up a chair after how long? Its not easy.

Good luck mate.

Let us know how it goes.