Other bassists gear.

[Sneakypete]

Am I alone in finding that when I go to see other pub/club bands the bass player almost always seems to have more interesting gear than I do? Not just more stuff than I have but it's generally bigger, shinier, has more lights, switches, knobs, cables, takes five times as long to set up and there's usually some mysterious bit of kit I can't even identify. The same thing happens in supermarkets - the food in other peoples baskets always looks tastier. I know there's no direct correlation between equipment level and playing level but should I become a born-again bass-player and blow the kids inheritance on some flashy gear in a sort of belated mid-life crisis?

[HolmeBass]

Yeah, you should. Life is short, go for it.

[Bredian]

Recently read an interview of Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, guitarist for Steely Dan and Doobies. Never really endorsed any guitars, loved junk guitars, used something kind of scrapped together for much of his studio work.

Decent pickups and action, tone usually comes with the pickups, the rest comes from practice and ability. OK, you get a few more percent from fabulous equipment.

[Bassmanbob]

If this is a problem with EVERY other bass player AND at the super market, perhaps therapy is in order.

Be happy with who you are, what you have and what you do.

[simonwong]

It's the same reason why other people girl friend is always better looking than yours.

[turbo chicken]

I know how you feel... but it's cause i have cheap simple gear

If i had the cash though... i'd just get a backup Peavey Combo300 and probably just stack it on top of the one i have, and get a bronco bass and mod it... oh and a compressor... i want one so bad... those things are like magic ...

that being said... that stuff does look awesome... it would be nice ... but meh ... im a minimalist... i'll just drool over the other guys stuff...

[Muttleybass]

It's weird. Typical "grass is greener" scenario. I get compliments on my sound all the time, but when I see other players, they always seem to sound better.

...Gotta keep telling myself it's all in my head.

[Russell L]

Not me. I usually feel sorry for the other guy because he doesn't have what I have (see my sig). Less is more to me. I mean I gotta have enough power and speakers, but knobs? Naw. I wouldn't care if all my amp had was two knobs, one for volume, one for tone. Heh, heh.

[Waffles and Scotch]

My gear is played by me, so it's inherently the most interesting gear out there.

On the inheritance thing, yes, you should buy the most ridiculously priced gear you can find, then leave 10% of it to 10 different people in your will. I'd keep it interesting and include a couple people you've never met as well.

[Sneakypete]

Originally Posted by TF Ghost

My gear is played by me, so it's inherently the most interesting gear out there.

On the inheritance thing, yes, you should buy the most ridiculously priced gear you can find, then leave 10% of it to 10 different people in your will. I'd keep it interesting and include a couple people you've never met as well.

Hmmmm....like TB'ers who provide the most interesting, informative and entertaining threads? Now there's a thought for those old farts like me whose daughters have no interest in bass and grandchildren are too young to know - leave your gear to your online buddies! Plus a bit of cash to cover shipping, new strings and a couple of beers of course. Bassists have such generous natures I'm sure this idea will go viral very soon!

[countrybass007]

So which one of the TBers am I leaving my PJB gear to? Since I am an old fart with no children who play bass, and it looks like my grandkids have no interest.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by Sneakypete

Am I alone in finding that when I go to see other pub/club bands the bass player almost always seems to have more interesting gear than I do? Not just more stuff than I have but it's generally bigger, shinier, has more lights, switches, knobs, cables, takes five times as long to set up and there's usually some mysterious bit of kit I can't even identify. The same thing happens in supermarkets - the food in other peoples baskets always looks tastier. I know there's no direct correlation between equipment level and playing level but should I become a born-again bass-player and blow the kids inheritance on some flashy gear in a sort of belated mid-life crisis?

Originally Posted by simonwong

It's the same reason why other people girl friend is always better looking than yours.

I think these are "Grass is Greener" situations. I'm using extreme cases here, but youget the picture.
- Other peoples equipment looks/sounds better but perhaps they require an abnormal amount of expensive regular maintenance. lol If something goes wrong with the rack, they'll be fiddling with patch cords for an hour to track down the problem. Plug straight in, and only worry about the electrical source, the amp volume, the cable firmly attached to your bass, and the volume control of the bass itself.
- Other peoples' food looks better but you don't know whether they're required to eat only that specific food otherwise they could result in a severe allergic reaction.
- Another person's gf might be better looking... But you hadn't a chance to receive a lengthy nagging session or maybe discover her habitual tic which results in her punching you in the face while you're driving. lol (Note above disclaimer re: extreme cases.)

[Waffles and Scotch]

Originally Posted by Sneakypete

Hmmmm....like TB'ers who provide the most interesting, informative and entertaining threads? Now there's a thought for those old farts like me whose daughters have no interest in bass and grandchildren are too young to know - leave your gear to your online buddies! Plus a bit of cash to cover shipping, new strings and a couple of beers of course. Bassists have such generous natures I'm sure this idea will go viral very soon!

That's a great idea!!!

[erigod23]

I feel opposite. I rarely think someone has better gear than me. My stuff's not even that impressive. I love hearing other bass players through my rig.

[spaz21387]

heres one for the most gear packed on a tiny stage haha. you cant really see it but off to the left we have another guitar full stack that wouldnt fit on the stage that we left on the floor.
IMAG1026 by spaz21387, on Flickr

[aqsw]

Originally Posted by Sneakypete

Hmmmm....like TB'ers who provide the most interesting, informative and entertaining threads? Now there's a thought for those old farts like me whose daughters have no interest in bass and grandchildren are too young to know - leave your gear to your online buddies! Plus a bit of cash to cover shipping, new strings and a couple of beers of course. Bassists have such generous natures I'm sure this idea will go viral very soon!

+1- Hey Buddy!

[RustyAxe]

I don't care what bass or gear someone uses. Really.

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by simonwong

It's the same reason why other people girl friend is always better looking than yours.

Someone once said, "no matter how attractive that girl looks to you, there's some guy somewhere who is sick of her crap".

[Billnc]

I just had this conversation an hour ago with the guitar player in a band I play in. I like as few knobs as possible, so does he. The gear should sound good and not require endless tweaking.