Does this REALLY happen?

wavey davey · #1 07-21-2010, 08:59 AM

So I've read more than a few post mentioning that people have been turned down by bands because they don't play the 'right' bass, by looks or brand or whatever.

I've been playing for the best part of 25 years in the UK and have never experienced this, or known another musician (yes - I'm including drummers and guitarists

) that has suffered from gear snobbery.

OK - So you're asking for trouble if you show up for a Sabbat Tribute audition with a pink Hello Kitty Guitar - but aside from that - if you can make that chunk of wood rattle some bones.... who cares if its an Encore?

Share your stories folks?

carlos840 · #2 07-21-2010, 10:03 AM

Im also in the UK, and i can tell you that when i used to turn up to auditions with that i got strange looks and few callbacks , now that i take a jazz bass it goes a lot better!

ridgeback · #3 07-21-2010, 10:10 AM

think it depends on your age..younger lads( no offence intended) i find do attach themselves to brands more than older lads that have tried most things..having the right gear/bass is just the same as having the right shoes jeans...you look more cool if you have a fender over having a squire..just my point of view....maybe this is not the same in the usa,culture is way different in the states( i said different not better) than europe i think..

phillipkregg · #4 07-21-2010, 10:13 AM

The last few musicians I played with - I couldn't even tell you the brand of guitars or drums they were using. The only thing I pay attention to is how they sound and how they play and mix with the rest of the group.

Neek · #5 07-21-2010, 10:15 AM

I had some people make fun of my Yamaha RBX-A2, but I've never lost a gig or band because of my gear.

doctorpunch · #6 07-21-2010, 10:20 AM

I got dumped on for my purple Gaveston for a while. Once I break my T-bird it's getting dusted off.

TolerancEJ · #7 07-21-2010, 10:21 AM

Well, try bringing this bass into a any gig to get their reaction.

Mothman sighting (with new Moth-girl photo)

Dr. Love · #8 07-21-2010, 10:22 AM

I've never experienced it personally that I know of. I agree that if you can play, most of the time they won't care, but as I see it: if someone is hiring you, they establish the terms (within reason) of employment and you decide if they are acceptable terms before accepting the offer. If they want something specific sonically or visually, they can ask for it.

wavey davey · #9 07-21-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorpunch

I got dumped on for my purple Gaveston for a while. Once I break my T-bird it's getting dusted off.

Didn't realise they made guitars - I thought they made this stuff:

Just leaving... I'll get my coat....

mellowgerman · #10 07-21-2010, 10:23 AM

I would understand if someone was turned down on the basis of only having a 65watt amp or something, but because of what kind of bass they play... that's pretty lame. Never happened to me... at least not to my knowledge.

TolerancEJ · #11 07-21-2010, 10:26 AM

Hmm... Well you probably shouldn't show up at a country band audition with one of those pointy BC Rich's.

wavey davey · #12 07-21-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

Well, try bringing this bass into a any gig to get their reaction.

Mothman sighting (with new Moth-girl photo)

If you auditioned with the mothman - you'd have the gig even before you realised that you were thinking of auditioning - Such is the power of the mothman

(note to mods - can we get a MothMan emoticon smiley thing?)

spade2you · #13 07-21-2010, 10:26 AM

I've gotten attitudes from a select few, but in a way, I was happy that I found out what sort of snobs or control freaks they were before getting too involved.

Oddly enough, the one time I brought a Fender to an audition was one of the few times I didn't get the gig! Go figg'r.

For the most part, I've gotten gigs because I show up on time and show up consistently. A lot of my competition was simply too flaky, which made it that much easier for me. The value I add is pairing the right tone and right bassline to the given songs. I had a few strange looks, especially because my main basses used to be the Peavey Cirrus and Millennium, but they simply loved how well those basses recorded.

AltGrendel · #14 07-21-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

Well, try bringing this bass into a any gig to get their reaction.

Mothman sighting (with new Moth-girl photo)

They would be quaking in fear. The only person to successfully play the Mothman for an extended period of time was Chuck Norris, and it was rumored that he actually broke a sweat.

TolerancEJ · #15 07-21-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

They would be quaking in fear. The only person to successfully play the Mothman for an extended period of time was Chuck Norris, and it was rumored that he actually broke a sweat.

No, it wasn't sweat. It was a single tear Chuck brought to his own eye from the beauty of the music he created.

jlane72t · #16 07-21-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

Hmm... Well you probably shouldn't show up at a country band audition with one of those pointy BC Rich's.

I will say, back in college I was starting up a classic blues-rock band, and a kid showed up to toting a BC Rich Warlock. Now I'm no gear snob - my main bass is a SquierVM, and I even owned a Warlock myself at one point - but there's a certain point where you're just showing up with the wrong tool for the job...and I don't want to waste my time with someone who doesn't know the difference.

MonkeyBass · #17 07-21-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

No, it wasn't sweat. It was a single tear Chuck brought to his own eye from the beauty of the music he created.

You almost made me spit coffee all over my computer!

AltGrendel · #18 07-21-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

No, it wasn't sweat. It was a single tear Chuck brought to his own eye from the beauty of the music he created.

I stand corrected.

Spraeg · #19 07-21-2010, 10:46 AM

There can be a lot of factors to getting turned down or accepted for a gig, and yes, I think gear can be one of them. People with better quality instruments generally have more time and money (and as an extension, again, more time) invested into their gear and are generally more dedicated. In my experience, someone who is going to take the time to practice and become skilled at playing, and has the desire to play professionally, is going to invest in the best gear they can. Now, I understand that many musicians fit in to the "broke musician" category, and can't afford anything better than that $100 SX (I was in that category myself for a long time), but if you're serious about doing something, in my mind, you will make the effort to invest in quality tools. Is that going to change my mind if they play well, have the necessary drive, and fit with the group? Probably not, but it might be the tipping point in someone without as many of the other qualifications. Thats more of a good gear vs. bad gear thing though, as far as specific brands go, it';s all more of a personal preference. I'm sure I'd get some really odd looks if I showed up to a Blues jam with my Schecter Hellraiser or my Dean covered in stickers, just like most metal bands would shy away from someone walking in with a seafoam green Fender Jazz. It's all about aesthetic at that point, and yes, to many people, that counts.

bassaroo · #20 07-21-2010, 11:02 AM

Well, I didn't lose the gig, but I am rather embarrassed now as I look back on a gig I did a few years ago - with the wrong bass.

I was playing a show for a week - the show was titled "Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber" (Don't shoot me - it was actually a fun gig!).

I was REALLY in love with my MTD 5 string at the time, so I played that bass on the shows. We played lots of songs from Jesus Christ Superstar and I tried to make my bass sound like that P bass on the original recordings. I gotta tell you that I have the greatest respect for whoever it was that played bass on those recordings. Unfortunately, I'm sure I didn't groove like the original, nor did I get the same P bass sound. Silly me - at least I could have shown up with the right bass!

Live and learn! (I hope!)