Bassists should be judged how they play and not what they play with

[MusicMan01]

Following a topic on why do you hate that squier.

I have to say the bassist should be judged how they play.

I consider myself intermediate. I can pretty much play anything by ear within minutes (except jazz). I have some theory knowledge and can read some sheet music. I can play some Jaco songs very well too (with music sheet).

I got my first bass in high school, a cheap Chinese made bass similar to a P.

Later on I bought 2 cheap basses. I got into fretless bass, so I defretted all my basses and also bought a squier.

They all have different personalities and I love how they sound. The oldest bass have a very upright bass sound. The squier has a Jaco sound, etc.

I really never cared or didn't have the money to spend more than $200 on an instrument.

From the bands that I played with recently, the 1st one was an amateur cover band. The guitard only noticed I had a squier after like the 4th rehearsal. On the 5th time I brought in my oldest bass, and he said "is that better that your squier?". I soon quit that band.

A 2nd band I auditioned, brought in my squier. And they looked at me like if I was a virus or something.

The 3rd band I am playing with haven't said anything. So I guess they really appreciate my playing and not my gear.

Do you have similar experiences, or you just hate people with cheap, unknown or squier instruments.

[kaputsport]

I think after a while, once you learn to play well, you should invest in some good gear...

Not saying that Squire is horrible, but you could move into a used bass, with plenty of tone and character for not alot of money.

YOU choose what to play. If you are getting along fine, then good. I will say this though. There are those that judge from the looks of things, before hearing a note...

Are you prepared for that situation?

[EagleMoon]

I think Squier had a rep for having only beginner instruments for a lot of years. It's only just recently that they've been pulling themselves out of that, with the VM series. And I think the new feeling is mainly only with bass players who know a good instrument when they hear/use one. At least for the time being, until the other instrument players hear enough good sounding Squiers, and or there are some really good visible players playing them, I think the Squier rep is going to hang around.

[BobaFret]

I've seen uber talented people play the hell out of a cheap bass. I've also seen people play like crap on a $2000+ bass. I judge only on what sound comes out. Check out the Jonathan Maron collection for proof.

Maron Solo

I don't see people around here gassing for a B2000 often.

[jgroh]

I recently got the Squier VM fretless and all the bass players I talked to think its a great bass. But when I mention it to prospective bands, I always feel I have to qualify it by saying how great it is "for a Squier". I guess I shouldnt care to be honest.

Now, playing out, I wouldnt care one bit that I was playing a Squier, Ill let my playing do the talking there.

[NJL]

right now i'm playing a MIM Jazz on my gigs. my Roscoe doesn't get me anymore money to play, nor would another highend bass. i can show up with my Brice and get the same amount of money at a gig as well..

JMHO

[Calvan]

when i saw the faceless play live (for those of you who might know them), the guitarist was playing out of a line6 amp. i know i'm talking guitar here and not bass, but i absolutely despise line 6 equipment. but... his rig sounded awesome. so... whatever works for you works for you, and screw everyone else, even me (i also hate squier).

[tranceFusion]

I think this is a problem with music in general.. I mean, do you really think that what you see on TV or hear on the radio are the most talented, enjoyable, listenable artists?

There is an image which goes along with music that, for many people, seems to supercede the music itself. I personally try to remove myself from that as much as possible. I don't care about the track names.. I don't care about the album cover.. I don't care about the hairstyle of the lead guitarist.. I don't care if the drummer is playing with his feet. I close my eyes and listen and if it sounds enjoyable, I consider it good music.

There are many, many people who see music in a different light than myself, and you are going to run into them throughout your life, especially being a musician. Whether you want to let their behavior shape your behavior, or not, is really your own decision..

[lonote]

Ahhhh...gear snobs. Get used to them because you'll meet them forever. As far as I'm concerned, it is all about the sound. When the gear snobs start buying my basses for me, then they can complain...and not before!

[ksandvik]

I deliberately take my B-stock Ibanez bass to jam sessions, besides, it sounds good.

[lamonica78]

I think it really has to do a lot with what exactly you are trying to do with your career. If you are a hobbyist and play gigs on occassion, then something inexpensive probably works for you. However, if you are trying to make music a career, you want the best possible gear within your budget to really make your instrument and your performance shine. There's a huge difference between a Peavey combo amp and an Epifani stack! There is also a huge difference between a Squier and a USA Spector.

It's the same as jazz or classical musicians. You would never see a professional cellist or saxophonist playing a student or budget instrument (the equivalent of a Squier) from a local music shop because it would have a huge negative effect on their sound. It's an investment in their career and their future.

Just my .02 (FYI....I happened to be very persistent with finding used gear and found some amazing deals on my current set up....you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to upgrade your gear)

[Atomik Rooster]

Originally Posted by BobaFret

I've seen uber talented people play the hell out of a cheap bass. I've also seen people play like crap on a $2000+ bass. I judge only on what sound comes out. Check out the Jonathan Maron collection for proof.

Maron Solo

I don't see people around here gassing for a B2000 often.

I'm always skeptical of someone, usually a bassist in the crowd who comes up during a break to inspect the gear, who looks down his nose at a garden variety bass. When he starts reciting his own list of gear as if that somehow demonstrates his skill, I tune out and nod along until he goes away.
My low end bass is a short scale Gretsch 4-string, made in China, that sounds great and plays well considering the price ($230). My fellow bandmates gave me weird looks the first time I brought it to a gig, but once they heard it and saw that I wasn't struggling with it, all was right with the world. Screw the rest of 'em. If I need an expensive bass to impress someone, they're not listening anyway.

[Dave Muscato]

I can't recall one instance where I've judged a player that way based on his gear, rather than his playing.

[kmanley_29649]

I've never experienced someone looking down on me because of my bass, but I can imagine it happening one day. I play a bass that, as far as I can tell, doesn't even have a model name. All the headstock says is "Lyon by Washburn," and I know Lyon is basically Washburn's "Squire." It's a cheap bass, but everyone that plays it and has heard it played says that it sounds and plays incredible, especially after dropping in some DiMarzio Split-Ps and a Badass II (and the custom pinstriped pickguard just looks sick). I wouldn't trade this bass for anything, and it will always be my number one go-to bass guitar (but I'm an upright player at heart).

Don't let people boss you around because of your gear. If it sounds good, that's all there is to it.

[fitbass3p]

People are judged every day based on their cars, their clothes, shoes, haircuts, and choice of beverage, among anything else you can care to name.

You should get over yourself if you think people are above judging you for the instrument you play. It has nothing to do with whether it's the way it should be. It's the way it is. The only thing you can change is whether that affects you or not.

[tomvelsor]

if someone showed up to an audition with a squire, i would definately have to roll my eyes. but i definately would atleast listen to them play. if they play and sound fine with a squire, god bless them.

[thumpbass1]

I'm just a simple Fender guy with Ampeg and Peavey amp gear who has been playing scince 1972. I'll be 52 years old in a few days and I'm still gigging. To be honest most people in the general audiences I've played for over the years couldn't give a rat's patootie over what brand or model of instrument or amp I happened to play at the moment. Also other musicians tend to come up and compliment the band's playing, and a lot of times I'll get a direct compliment on my playing. Rarely will anyone ask about my gear; not that I havent run into the occasional gear hound or their rude cousin, the 'gear snob' over the years.

I tend to find that a lot of gear snobs tend not to be in a band or capable players to begin with. Oh, they may have a little bag of ' gee whiz ' licks and tricks that they whip out to impress the kids at GC, and they love to talk about the cool gear they have, botique or vintage, etc, while just pulling short of directly taking a 'whiz ' on your humbler fare. It's the old bit of they have to shore up their lack of confidence of being a person or a capable musician with the cool stuff they own. True collectors including those who are musicians tend to love to talk about music and making music more than just talking shop about gear which can be a lot of fun by the way. Most of all they don't slag on you for what you happen to own and use, even if it ain't gear that they would choose to use. That's my 3 cents worth of personal observation.

[Phalex]

I had an old guitar player that had (has) a Squire strat. I bet he's played that thing for the past twenty years. It's the only electric he owns. I think he bought it from a pawn shop back in the 80's. It sounds great, and it plays real nice too. I tend to be a little heavy handed with six strings, and seemed to knock it out of tune with my ferocious string bending, but that could just be the puny little strings.

Hell, my nephew plays a fisher price kiddie keyboard in his band. It's great schtick!


Nothing wrong with anything you play, as long as you can play it.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by fitbass3p

People are judged every day based on their cars, their clothes, shoes, haircuts, and choice of beverage, among anything else you can care to name.

You should get over yourself if you think people are above judging you for the instrument you play. It has nothing to do with whether it's the way it should be. It's the way it is. The only thing you can change is whether that affects you or not.

+100

[rakirksey]

I'll admit that I've judged people on their gear.

We had a guitar player tryout and the first guy to show up had a Squier. He really couldn't play though. I remember thinking to myself, what is that horrible squealing. Which to my surprise was the room that the tryout was in. So I guess I judged the bad playing first.

One point I did want to make though is that better instruments actually do sound and play better. Essentially, a pro level instrument (not that I'm a pro) allows you to play what you need to without having to fight with the instrument. If you've never had a chance to play a professional level instrument, it may be a good thing ... because as soon as you get a taste of really pro gear you're ruined on lower cost gear.