How important is the name of the gear you use?

[Jason2112]

I'm doing a bit of marketing research and I'm posting this among different forums I hang out at to see how the results vary. Thanks for being my lab experiment So my question is:

How important is the name (not brand) of the gear you use?

Should a product's name give an indication of what the product is or does (like a Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive pedal) or does the name really not matter (like a Big Muff)?

Does loyalty to a brand allow you to overlook details like this, or do these details essentially reinforce your brand loyalty?

[tony_clifton]

I have to say the name doesn't really matter as soon it's got a fairly accepted reputation (I would not buy Behringer amps/cabs for example). What's more important to me is aesthetics, I never buy stuff I consider 'ugly'.

Off course tone has to be right too, but I'm flexible with that. I'm not the kind of guy that is chasing a certain tone for months, spending a lot of money, only to be tired of it and moving on another 3 months later. Good tone = good tone, even though it doesn't do a certain amp/artist 1:1.


I don't really care for product names as long as they are not plain dumb, and I prefer slighty 'creative names' like Woolly Mammoth over a silly code with what it does like ODB-3 Bass Overdrive.


Brand loyalty: I'm pretty much 'fan' of the Orange company, because I love how their products sound. My TB is my first (real) amp, and I haven't looked at any amp since I got it (Orange or other brands).

[zachoff]

Weird question. As far as amps go, I'll probably never give up my SVT. As far as cabs go, I've not found something to rival my 810, but haven't played a NV610. As far as my bass goes I've not found something that will supplant my Yamaha BB800. As far as pedals go... I'm still searching. Tried tons... Loved none... Regardless of the sound or name on the box. I think there's a slighting scale depending on what affects your tone the most.

[m0nst3r]

As much as I hate to say it, I think the product name is important. I find that people take you more seriously when you're playing something that they recognize to be good.

[foq1978]

All I've got is a single "SX" and a "Zoom" pedalboard, so I am clearly on the "No" side. However, if I was in charge, I would try to give this products cooler names.

[Bassdirty]

Originally Posted by m0nst3r

As much as I hate to say it, I think the product name is important. I find that people take you more seriously when you're playing something that they recognize to be good.

Sadly, I agree...this does seem to be the case.

[Phalex]

I do think the product name is important, but maybe not in the way you mean. I absolutely LOVE Carvin amps. Great bang for the buck, and they've always preformed well for me. I think the average Joe has no idea what or who Carvin is. Not a status type thing at all, but they get the job done IME. I don't care how many bells and whistles a Behringer amp might have, my perception of them is not overly positive.

I guess I'm not inclined to make a purchase based on a name, but I am disinclined to make a purchase based on a name.

[dalkowski]

I am currently undergoing lengthy and costly therapy to cleanse myself of brand name bias, a lifelong affliction that is costly in and of itself.

That said, it's undeniable that certain brand names convey solid quality/service (Genz Benz, EBMM, Lakland) or a sui generis sound that can't be replicated any other way (Ampeg SVT, Rickenbacker).

[JoeVictim]

Carrots!

I am kind of in the middle on this subject.

The name of the gear you are using is only important to people that need an image. Most of the time, people want to give the image of a good band. For most bass players, that means Fender and Ampeg. I have often thought about taking my MIM Squier and putting a waterslide decal on it or just replacing the neck for a Fender. It's not because I feel that my bass will play any better (my MIM Squire neck plays pretty nice). I feel that people take you more seriously when you are using pro-level gear. Especially when you are not a bass monster, which I am not.

For those that can shut up a person with a Squier or other budget level instrument, Bravo!

[Yerf Dog]

It's important to my when I buying something. I'm trusting a companies track record.

Usually works... usually.

[Spraeg]

OK, well, since most people talked about brand names, not product names, I'll try to answer the question as I understand it... Product names to me are about 50-50. What matters most to me is to have something that sounds good and does what I want it to with a minimal learning curve (e.g., I would never buy a moog or a loop pedal because it would take me too long to really dig into it and figure out how to use it effectively). However, when searching for new gear, product names are incredibly helpful. "Fulltone Bass Driver" gives you a pretty giood idea of what the pedal does right off the bat, whereas "Boss ODB-1" could be a crapshoot for the layman. I generally do little research beforeheand, so I tend to gravitate more towards things that are kind of self-explanitory, but ultimately sound trumps all, so I'd say that in the end, what the manufacturer calls something doesn't matter, but it helps to find what you're looking for.

[duderasta]

To me the name only matters for 2 things, It lets you know who to complain to/about when things don't work... and who to recommend to others when things work well.

[colcifer]

I have a bit of brand loyalty but I wouldn't say the name is a big factor for me.

[Blueszilla]

Originally Posted by Jason2112

How important is the name (not brand) of the gear you use?

To whom? I assume you mean to each of us individually. For me, mostly not important. I might go for a company whose products I've had success with before, but if it works, it works.

Originally Posted by Jason2112

Should a product's name give an indication of what the product is or does (like a Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive pedal) or does the name really not matter (like a Big Muff)?

I don't know, I suppose. I think it helps if the name infers its' intended use. I might pass on something that I'd need to work at to find out what it does because the name gave me nothing. Like Big Muff.

Originally Posted by Jason2112

Does loyalty to a brand allow you to overlook details like this, or do these details essentially reinforce your brand loyalty?

Yes, and yes. I would think, like lots of folks, if a company makes something I like, I'll tend to trust them when choosing other/similar products.

[touji]

I'd rather have obscure random names for products I own... it's more fun when people don't know what my stuff does

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by Jason2112

I'm doing a bit of marketing research and I'm posting this among different forums I hang out at to see how the results vary. Thanks for being my lab experiment So my question is:

How important is the name (not brand) of the gear you use?

Should a product's name give an indication of what the product is or does (like a Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive pedal) or does the name really not matter (like a Big Muff)?

Does loyalty to a brand allow you to overlook details like this, or do these details essentially reinforce your brand loyalty?

I prefer model names to be some indication of what the item does only because for me, personally, it makes research and shopping a little easier. A Danelectro "Tuna Salad" or "BLT" doesn't tell me anything at all about the pedal. Makes me have to do more work to find out what kind of pedal it is before I even start researching specs to decide if I like it. It's not a deal breaker for me, though. I don't really consider myself to have much brand loyalty, although, I do like the quality and reputation of Fender equipment. That said, I don't run out and buy something simply because it's Fender.

I own Boss pedals, Danelectro pedals, Dunlop pedals, etc. So I'm not really a brand loyalist. As far as name brands, perhaps I just don't know much. I bought a Genz Benz amp based on features, price, and a solid rep with some bassists I respect here on TB. At the time, I didn't even know that Genz Benz is considered a high quality amp company. Actually, I had never really paid much attention to them before. So research trumps name; sound/performance/features trump all.

I tend to research what I'm going to buy so in reference to your original question "How important is the name (not brand) of the gear you use?" Not very. As long as a name isn't obscene I'm okay with it. If you'd be embarrassed to use it at church then I might hesitate to buy it.

[selowitch]

I'll play any bass in the world as long as it's a Fender. MIM, MIA, MIJ, It's all good!

[capnsandwich]

I voted No, but the name usually depicts the quality, in amps at least. I know I'll get a good, dependable amp with good tone if I buy "_______" amps. I know I won't if I buy "_____" amps.

With basses it's a little different, since I've played basses that sounded great and then basses that sucked royally, all the same make and model.

All in all though, if it sounds and plays well and is dependable, I'll play it, despite what's on the headstock, faceplate or grill.

[SnakeKappele]

Most pedals have strange or cryptic names and it doesn't matter. I use a pedal based on the sound, not the name. Although I have to admit I would be hesitant to use a Swollen Pickle or a Communist Pig.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by Jason2112

How important is the name (not brand) of the gear you use? ...reinforce your brand loyalty?

Name matters not one iota. I used a stock OLP bass for the last two gigs, and aside from all the people in the room, I know there were at least three good bassists there who knew what I had. I cared not one bit what they or anyone else thought about this OLP, or the fact that I used it exclusively, on those gigs.