Matt Garstka Moves To DW

Bo Eder said:
Not to sound jaded, but why is this big news? This is simply one contract running out, and another one beginning. I’ve long since stopped believing drumming artists when they tout one brand and then find them with another brand some years later. The only one I really believe is Charlie Watts, and he actually bought his iconic set.
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Except thaat the new contract is with DW. That means his next kit will be a Gretsch USA kit.
 
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iCe said:
Not the first time that an endorser plays something else and goes 'i like this more' and switches brands. I also read a lot that endorsers follow the rep when (s)he switches to another brand because of great artist relations.
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There are many reasons a player makes a switch, and with pandemic conditions, it's possible he just couldn't get new Tama product/hardware/parts from Asia.


Bo Eder said:
Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think artists get stuff for free
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Few artists get a completely free ride, and I guarantee that DW is not giving Matt any kits. They may have comped him a snare or some pedals, but he's buying everything else (at a nice discount, of course!) But DW drums are not inexpensive, so it's doubtful Matt made the change in order to save money. I have to assume he switched because he likes DW's sound better, which is a good reason.

BTW, I'm one of those who didn't know his name although I've heard of the band. Doesn't mean he's not a good player or that he doesn't have good exposure to the band's fans.
 
bermuda said:
I'm one of those who didn't know his name although I've heard of the band.
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Funny, after what felt like years of reading his name over and over without context, I finally got around to checking him out on YT no more than a month or two ago. That's when I realized he was part of Animals as Leaders...which I'd also been hearing about for years without actually knowing what they sounded like. I felt like I was one of the few around drum forums who wasn't quite familiar with him. Guess not.

One of the strange things about being almost entirely removed from drumming for much of the 90s and all the 00s was coming back and learning about people and products that had by then been long-established but which were completely new/unknown to me, like Benny Greb or Jojo Mayer. Or Meinl, which was pretty much just a budget line the last time I was reading Modern Drummer and by the time I came back was now the It cymbal. Trippy experience.
 
I always assumed that an instrument "sponsorship" was the same as a non tour golf pro's "sponsorship": It means they still buy their items but at PUD (Professional Use Discount)
In golf, that equates to a significant savings over MSRP.
 
someguy01 said:
I always assumed that an instrument "sponsorship" was the same as a non tour golf pro's "sponsorship
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MI companies don't sponsor artists per se, unless they're promoting a clinic tour. The artist endorses the brand or specific product, and is entitled to consideration for that endorsement, typically a discount on the product. Sponsorships in other events/activities involve a broader level of financial support.

In the distant past, MI companies paid a few of their artists for their endorsements. The last such instance I know of was about 10 years ago when cymbal company lured a name drummer away, paying him $1,000 a month, which is an embarrassingly low amount especially since the drummer didn't need the money. Said drummer later wanted to get back with the cymbal company he left in the first place.
 
IBitePrettyHard said:
This is big news to drum nerds like us. It's our way of gossiping about drummers.

Some people talk about the Kardashians. We talk about Vinnie kicking Ludwig to the curb.
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This.
Superman said:
No, you definately sound jaded. It's a drum forum, what else are people supposed to talk about? I personally find it interesting when artists switch brands. It can certainly affect a company. Greg Bissonette leaving Mapex was definitely a blow to them and a big boost to Dixon.
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And this.
 
I got to see A as L at a 300 cap. club I was working at around 2010, they absolutely blew me away. Matt's playing was insane. I actually got to talk to him a bit during load out, we chatted about his mic set-up that he brought to the club and how great they sounded. Then he just had a 5 or 6 piece and a few cymbals. Incredibly nice guy to go along with his incredible playing.
 
I commented on his YT video revealing the DW kit. I said it's just one contract expiring and a other beginning. A business decision, essentially. He actually commented back and said it is the same deal he had with Tama. He said he should be playing the best sounding drums, and over the years, it became increasingly clear that it was DW drums. He said he spent years in studios and DWs always sounded the best.

He said some guys make business decisions, but for him, it was all about the drums. Not sure I believe it, but kudos to him. Huge loss for Tama.
 
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Superman said:
No, you definately sound jaded. It's a drum forum, what else are people supposed to talk about? I personally find it interesting when artists switch brands. It can certainly affect a company. Greg Bissonette leaving Mapex was definitely a blow to them and a big boost to Dixon.
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Mapex also lost Matt Halpern and Anika Nilles, both big losses.
 
Ah well, looking back it's the same with every endorser switching brands and all the same posts and arguments fly by.
I just do this:
popcorn-eating-popcorn.gif
 
Scottie15 said:
Mapex also lost Matt Halpern and Anika Nilles, both big losses.
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I'm not surprised. Mapex has been floundering for years. I've ranted about this in the past, but ever since they basically let Russ Miller run wild Mapex has been going downhill. Nothing against him as a drummer (he is amazing) or person or anything, but he approaches drum concepts from such an engineering viewpoint that they've completely lost sight of aesthetics, which is a huge factor in how attractive a kit is to buyers. Oh, and their logo looks cheap as hell. I say this as someone who owns and loves mapex kits.
 
Just curious, does anyone actually care who plays what? i'm not picking on this thread, but i am honestly wondering if "this player plays crush, so i have to play crush!" people exist? I mean, you put vinnie behind any kit and he will sound like vinnie.. I always just assume whoever they go with gives them the most money and/or support in gear.. (Except yamaha players of course.. they are just there cause yammy is the best made)
 
Icetech said:
Just curious, does anyone actually care who plays what? i'm not picking on this thread, but i am honestly wondering if "this player plays crush, so i have to play crush!" people exist? I mean, you put vinnie behind any kit and he will sound like vinnie.. I always just assume whoever they go with gives them the most money and/or support in gear.. (Except yamaha players of course.. they are just there cause yammy is the best made)
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Only when they all play Stage Customs, because we all know that's the best kit.
 
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