Help me stop the tube snobbery in my band.

[creis2]

So I have a few heads: Vintage Ampeg SVT, Ashdown ABM X2, and A Genz Streamliner.

The Genz seems to be my go to amp, it's size, weight and sound are a perfect compromise. With my VT pedal, I can get it to sound pretty darn close to my SVT.

I don't like to bring the SVT out for several reasons:

• It's rare, and very expensive.
• It's too damn heavy.
• It does the SVT tone very well, but it's kind of a one trick pony. I like to play and experiment with different tones, I feel the Genz does this best.
• I feel the SVT shines when turned up, way louder than I need it to. At lower volumes, it's no different than my other heads with the VT bass pedal IMO.

My bandmates, who are tube snobs, simply don't get how the bass industry is. With guitars, tubes kind of rule the industry. With basses, there's a variety.

My guitarist every so often tells me to bring my Ampeg, and when I try to explain to him my reasons, he starts soloing at staring into into space.

I know we all have opinions of what amp type is superior, and I just explained mine. How can I explain this to an airhead in a quick, convincing and polite argument.

[chadds]

You can't.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by creis2

So I have a few heads: Vintage Ampeg SVT, Ashdown ABM X2, and A Genz Streamliner.

The Genz seems to be my go to amp, it's size, weight and sound are a perfect compromise. With my VT pedal, I can get it to sound pretty darn close to my SVT.

I don't like to bring the SVT out for several reasons:

• It's rare, and very expensive.
• It's too damn heavy.
• It does the SVT tone very well, but it's kind of a one trick pony. I like to play and experiment with different tones, I feel the Genz does this best.
• I feel the SVT shines when turned up, way louder than I need it to. At lower volumes, it's no different than my other heads with the VT bass pedal IMO.

My bandmates, who are tube snobs, simply don't get how the bass industry is. With guitars, tubes kind of rule the industry. With basses, there's a variety.

My guitarist every so often tells me to bring my Ampeg, and when I try to explain to him my reasons, he starts soloing at staring into into space.

I know we all have opinions of what amp type is superior, and I just explained mine. How can I explain this to an airhead in a quick, convincing and polite argument.

Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time, and annoys the pig.

[20db pad]

Double blind listening tests - tube vs. SS in an ensemble setting?

[Unrepresented]

I purchased my GK head without warning the band, brought it to practice before they got there and played an entire set without them noticing. They'd been used to hearing my SVT-II.

When I pointed it out they didn't have too much to say. If they can't tell the difference or they'd rather listen with their eyes instead of their ears, feel free to offer them the opportunity to roadie your gear for you.

[creis2]

I'm trying my best to be nice to the guy. I have a tendency to get mouthy with people and it has gotten me in trouble in the past. I can easily tell him to take a tube and shove it where the sun don't shine, but it's taking every bit of energy not to do that.

Don't get me wrong, I love the band I'm in and the band members. The dude is a super nice guy, but kind of stubborn.

He's very naggy about it, and that is a pet-peeve of mine.

[Jazzdogg]

Says more about your band mates than it does about you, or your gear; disengage: it's not worth discussing with them.

[creis2]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Says more about your band mates than it does about you, or your gear; disengage: it's not worth discussing with them.

I'm thinking about a simple "I have an SVT, I prefer the amp I'm using at the moment, please either drop it, or ask me to leave the band".

[Vince Klortho]

Originally Posted by creis2

How can I explain this to an airhead in a quick, convincing and polite argument.

Why should you have to ? It's your equipment and your sound so use what you want to use. That should not be up to them to decide.

[kreider204]

Holy hell, why do guitarists think that they have the right to tell bass players what gear to use? Unbelievable ...

[fdeck]

Never complain, never explain. If somebody is trolling you, and you try to argue, you will seem argumentative. If you defend, then it makes you seem defensive.

Let them know that most guitarists actually sound better through solid state gear, because the ability to play at a sensible volume makes up for any shortcoming in tone.

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by creis2

So I have a few heads: Vintage Ampeg SVT, Ashdown ABM X2, and A Genz Streamliner.

The Genz seems to be my go to amp, it's size, weight and sound are a perfect compromise. With my VT pedal, I can get it to sound pretty darn close to my SVT.

I don't like to bring the SVT out for several reasons:

• It's rare, and very expensive.
• It's too damn heavy.
• It does the SVT tone very well, but it's kind of a one trick pony. I like to play and experiment with different tones, I feel the Genz does this best.
• I feel the SVT shines when turned up, way louder than I need it to. At lower volumes, it's no different than my other heads with the VT bass pedal IMO.

My bandmates, who are tube snobs, simply don't get how the bass industry is. With guitars, tubes kind of rule the industry. With basses, there's a variety.

My guitarist every so often tells me to bring my Ampeg, and when I try to explain to him my reasons, he starts soloing at staring into into space.

I know we all have opinions of what amp type is superior, and I just explained mine. How can I explain this to an airhead in a quick, convincing and polite argument.

Make him carry it but get him to agree ahead of time that if he drops it, he pays for it.

[kreider204]

Originally Posted by fdeck

Never complain, never explain. If somebody is trolling you, and you try to argue, you will seem argumentative. If you defend, then it makes you seem defensive.

Bingo. When they tell you to bring gear you don't want to bring, just say no. Don't explain or justify it - just say no. If they start arguing, just say "Excuse me, there must be some confusion; I'm not asking for your approval or permission, I'm just informing you." If they keep bugging you, just start soloing and staring off into space ...

[kai_ski]

Bring both, throw the svt up top but use the Genz. Let the compliments rain down. Tell the truth after rehearsal.

[creis2]

Originally Posted by kreider204

Bingo. When they tell you to bring gear you don't want to bring, just say no. Don't explain or justify it - just say no. If they start arguing, just say "Excuse me, there must be some confusion; I'm not asking for your approval or permission, I'm just informing you." If they keep bugging you, just start soloing and staring off into space ...

Or invite him to an old-fashioned gentleman's brawl.

[lowphatbass]

A vintage tube amp has a certain "cache" and is way cooler than a common model anybody can buy anywhere. I would just do the right thing and bring the Ampeg. Make sure it's powered-up and has a cord plugged into it, but leave it on "standby". Stash the GB down on the ground behind the cab so the band can't see it and go ahead and use it. You only have to pull this off once......after the gig show him what's really going on and tell him you've been duping him this way for the last month.

If you can't pull this off you may have to come to terms with the possibility that the old tube amp sounds better and you've spoiled your band and can never go back without some whining on their part.

[Interceptor]

There is a concept in politics that applies here; don't let the camel's nose into your tent.

Your tone and how you get it on stage is your business until someone else is paying. With two really big exceptions; you're working for a true bandleader or the band is working under the direction of a producer. If those are not the cases, you are the independent contractor of bass.

Otherwise, the converse needs to be in place. You get to stick your nose in his tent. A gentle reminder that you don't say boo about how he gets where he gets usually is all it takes.

Personally, I work with a true bandleader. All equipment and staging goes through him. It works great - he's both sensitive to what I say and always has the best interests of the band in mind.

It all comes down to who is in control.

[Russell L]

I once worked in a band that had a true bandleader. I got to play through some nice stuff although it wasn't what I would've picked myself. Even as strict as that job was, I still watched the guitar player explode in rage when he wasn't allowed to use his own amp that was in the trailer. It can be annoying.

But in a band where everyone is on their own there is no way I'd be sticking around if anyone disapproved of my equipment. Simple as that.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by kai_ski

Bring both, throw the svt up top but use the Genz. Let the compliments rain down. Tell the truth after rehearsal.

I like this reply the most...

Haven't played any of the Genz amps but from what I've heard they do a great job..

What amp is your guitarist running? Maybe you could carry his 40LB amp into practice and he could schlep your 90LB SVT, then maybe he'll change his mind.

I only own a lightweight rack to cop the SVT tone, but even if I owned the real deal I'd probably only bring it out on stage due to the weight of the thing.

[Marko5657]

He has ears, and I’m sure he hears how good the GB sounds, it could be the looks and/or image of the tiny head that looks to him like a toy on stage.

That said, I like the advice about just not discussing it with him at all.