How Much Does Your Gear Really Matter?

cirrusb2002 · #1 03-10-2010, 03:36 PM

This may stir up some people, but my simple thought process is-
after a given point, the gear really doesn't matter. Sure, we all have things we like to use, it's quite natural for products of all kinds, but after a certain level of quality, how much is sourced from your technique, & hands. I believe that your hands are about 98% responsible for the sound you produce, & the gear counts for the rest. Sooo, give us some feedback & let us know what you think. I figure playing for 41 years should let me put that opinion out there. Ok, time to duck!

roccobladr · #2 03-10-2010, 03:39 PM

there are some setups/necks/basses that just dont feel right to me. i noticed when i bought my MM SR5 that i feel like ive gotten better. since the sound is so good to me, i just feel more comfortable/confident playing and everything just seems to be better.

i agree technique is huge, but sometimes the gear may not allow for your best technique to come through.

Gawd · #3 03-10-2010, 03:49 PM

The real substance of a player comes from themselves, regardless of gear. I think it's important to be able to play well, and have a good tone with any gear, high or low quality. From there the quality of your gear simply allows you to achieve what you want with less effort, so you can focus more on what you want to say, rather than how to say it.

steelhead2 · #4 03-10-2010, 03:58 PM

with 41 years under your belt you could probably play most anything with a washbucket bass!,no really! i'm impressed since i would have had around 40plus years if i'd have stayed with `guitars'

i do know a neck that bows(a bunch) when tuned is not something i want to play,and i have sold off all my pedals but one,, but enjoying the tones you are creating is important(to me),so i'd like a newer amp(not that i can't get `there' with my antique Peavey but seemingly only dimed out),,so since i'm out of my league and just up from a nap i'll quit rambling

YES technique is worth a LOT,not everybody has 40 years of it(wish i did)=my hats offto you

Phalex · #5 03-10-2010, 04:08 PM

I play a bunch of crap, and I'm working pretty steady.

cirrusb2002 · #6 03-10-2010, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the kudos, I'm not totally sure whether it's dedication or stupidity that kept it going, all I know is that I'm a bassist. Lucky enough to have some good influences & was awake enough to listen at the right time. Saw some other players along the way with gear I would have thought was inadequate, & my ears said otherwise.
Yep, I prefer extra long scale basses, (I'm 6'0") with a long reach, because I like piano type resonance. Beyond that, a transparent amp/cabinet rig & about 300 watts gets me where I like to be. The final thought for the moment, always pay attention to other players, because there's ALWAYS someone who knows something that you don't.
Hat's off to learning, it should never stop.

SteveC · #7 03-10-2010, 04:13 PM

I believe gear matters to a point. I have said many times, no matter what I'm playing, if you walk by, and you know me, you'll probably know it's me. If gear didn't matter at all, there wouldn't be a million options for us to choose from, right. I think that some people - myself included - can put a little too much emphasis on gear at times.

kesslari · #8 03-10-2010, 04:15 PM

I've sat in on gigs on basses/rigs that were HORRENDOUSLY different from my preferences (not necessarily bad, just not what I like), played well and gotten lots of props on my playing and on "my" sound. So the gear isn't that important, in a way.
In another way - I enjoy certain types of gear (and setups) much more than others, and feel more comfortable and confident on them. So it may make little difference to the audience, but it can make a big difference to me.

irishpride28 · #9 03-10-2010, 04:16 PM

I think that while a great amp truly showcases the sound of any particular bass, it all comes down to the skill and musicianship of the player themselves. No GC wanker will sound good, no matter if he's playing a rogue through a 20W combo, or a fodera through a full eden rig.

dvh · #10 03-10-2010, 04:22 PM

It's hugely important. If you're not playing something that functions for you and you feel a "kinship" with you won't play effortlessly to your full potential.

As far as what the listener hears: if you can play and it goes 'thump' the rest they won't even think about...

**251** · #11 03-10-2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirrusb2002

This may stir up some people, but my simple thought process is-
after a given point, the gear really doesn't matter. Sure, we all have things we like to use, it's quite natural for products of all kinds, but after a certain level of quality, how much is sourced from your technique, & hands. I believe that your hands are about 98% responsible for the sound you produce, & the gear counts for the rest. Sooo, give us some feedback & let us know what you think. I figure playing for 41 years should let me put that opinion out there. Ok, time to duck!

Sometimes I go to a store & play many basses with bass & amp EQ set flat. I notice the difference between what is in my hands & what I usually play. I always play with a strap on my bass. In the store I notice there is no strap (& the dumb thing is diving or sliding off my knee.) I notice that 21, 22 & 24 fret necks feel different. I can feel the set up & the action height & imagine that bass set up as I like.

If I focus, I can play what I usually play on any of those instruments. Whether they have a $7000 or an $80 price tag. Strings, neck, body ... it's a bass guitar & I can play it. It's a bit like riding a new to me bicycle. Now ask me to play music I have never played before or don't like & I may have some problems. Ask me to sound like some famous or other player & I may not know what to do. After 14 years, I will always pick the best instrument I can afford but, if you let me sit in on someone else ax, I'm cool. Let's play.

**guitarded** · #12 03-10-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirrusb2002

This may stir up some people, but my simple thought process is-
after a given point, the gear really doesn't matter. Sure, we all have things we like to use, it's quite natural for products of all kinds, but after a certain level of quality, how much is sourced from your technique, & hands. I believe that your hands are about 98% responsible for the sound you produce, & the gear counts for the rest. Sooo, give us some feedback & let us know what you think. I figure playing for 41 years should let me put that opinion out there. Ok, time to duck!

Gear is a collection of tools. We use tools to get work done in an easier/specific manner. Having the right tool is important. Imagine trying to play a slap-funk gig on a Hofner with flatwounds.

Tim C. · #13 03-10-2010, 05:09 PM

I buy the gear I can afford and that I want to own. There's nothing else to say about it. I like Ashdown amps because they sound good to me, look cool as hell and I can afford them. I like Status Graphite products because they sound good to me, look cool as hell and I can afford them. I also don't have to worry about truss adjusments anymore whenever the weather changes. Which is good. One less thing.

My gear affects my tone/sound a little bit, but my playing is my playing. I get gigs as often as I want them, I get compliments about my sound and my playing, and I'm a happy boy.

stonedmotus · #14 03-10-2010, 05:26 PM

i used a gk 800rb head exclusively, until the first time i toured europe & they rented a mesa-boogie head, different sound from the gk but not a big deal at all. it was kind of cool to use something different for a few weeks. i think you can work with any set-up (bass + amp) as long as it's functional / playable.

hankazoid · #15 03-10-2010, 09:48 PM

I agree with the OP. For the most part, and I know I may get a bunch of guff for this, I've bought the basses that I have for reasons other than tone or playability. Mostly because of looks, or because I just think they're cool, or because I had the opportunity to get them at a good price. Either way I have enough basses to get a variety of sounds. As for my amp, I have a GK 800RB that I got because it was cheap, $200, and loud. Same with my cab: a Mesa/Boogie RoadReady 4x10 that a guy at my work sold me for a mere $300. When I plug my cheapo Fender Bullet into that rig I crank the highs and the upper mids on the eq of that amp, and hit the high boost the whole thing sounds amazing. I've had people come up to me after shows and tell me how great my bass sounds. I believe that if you can play well you can get a good sound out of anything.

Smallmouth_Bass · #16 03-10-2010, 09:52 PM

I enjoy gear so it is somewhat important to me. I like to feel comfortable and to have a good sound. In reality, gear should be secondary to learning and making music. They are just tools and most good players could make just about anything work and sound half decent.

TortillaChip520 · #17 03-10-2010, 09:53 PM

I feel my gear is pretty important, seeing as i can't hear myself live if i'm playing my bass acoustically.

JimmyM · #18 03-10-2010, 10:27 PM

gear matters a little. some gear makes certain things easier than others. but don't ever make an excuse for playing poorly because of crappy gear. you should be able to make a good sound out of any gear you have. i've seen dudes on the cheapest gear out there that'll make you sick with how good they are.

michaelgilleran · #19 03-14-2010, 09:32 PM

It depends. I think more than anything, your looking for a bass that plays very comfortably for you. I mean, lets pretend you couldnt hear the difference between a squier and an alembic. You could still feel the difference.

JazznFunk · #20 03-14-2010, 09:38 PM

Gear is a journey of finding what brings out the best sound in your head. Coming from the double-bass world, 'the sound is in your head'. 7 years ago I was fortunate to find a double bass that had 'that sound', and I haven't had GAS for a new double bass since.

While pickups, amps, strings, etc. all have a bit more impact on 'that sound' with electric bass than double bass, the concept is the same... you have to know what you want to sound like and then get the gear that helps bring that out. Now, after you have some years under your belt and you've played different basses, amps, etc. and developed your 'concept', you can start weeding out what works for you. For instance, I played Jazz Basses for years... got close to one aspect of the sound I liked. I played Warwicks and MusicMans for a time... again, close but no cigar. Once I got my hands on Laklands I hit on the feel AND tone(s) I was looking for in the -01 and -02 series basses. Since I finally found 'the basses', my GAS has subsided tremendously. Aside from augmenting the Lakland arsenal with an SX '75 Jazz and a fretless P-Bass (cheap ways to get the straight Jazz and Precision sounds I sometimes need/want without paying for a Fender again), I can't ever see making another 'long journey' with gear again, at least with regard to basses. As far as amps go, I have played SWR heads and cabs for over 11 years. I got a couple of Eden heads in the past 2 years but use the same cabs... I care less about amps than I do about the basses themselves. I'll gig with nothing but a DI into the PA if it gets the job done and I can at least hear 'my sound' in the monitors. 'Heaven' is when I have my amp behind me, but I can have a great gig without my amp.

In short... You have to go through a cycle of buying gear, living with it, and potentially selling it before you hit on what works for you. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion.