Audition tonight and I have a question

banditcosmo · #1 04-24-2008, 11:53 AM

Hey guys I have an audition tonight and the guys house where the audition is told me he has a good bass rig that I can use and all I had to bring was my bass. But I'm thinking I should bring my own rig. I know my rig and I love my sound and no idea what he has. What do you think ? I don't want to insult the guy by bringing my own stuff but I think it would be best if I did. It's not like I have a large rig. Just a head and 2 x 1-12 cabs.

Elmo Oxygen · #2 04-24-2008, 12:03 PM

bring your rig along in the car. go to the door with your bass only and check out what he's got. if it's decent, that helps a quick escape. if it's not, just tell him that your sound is dialed in and you prefer to use your gear. hopefully he will respect this about you and not be a jack*** like some can be.

idorky · #3 04-24-2008, 12:19 PM

plenty a times i audition for various groups, i'm usually happy if they have an amp handy i can play on,
most of the time they're checking your chops, and if they have an amp handy, that means they are familiar to that sound, which is also a plus.
why carry more unnecessary gear if your only going to play 4 or 5 tunes with them.

just tweak the house amp to your liking and play your ass off,...with out scaring the drummer of course.

tomvelsor · #4 04-24-2008, 12:24 PM

it depends on your amp. if youve got an epifani rig, i doubt youll be please with what he has (most likely GK or ampeg?)

but regardless of what you have, and what he has, bring your stuff and leave it in the car if you dont mind what hes got.

Spinal Tapper · #5 04-24-2008, 12:30 PM

If it's at a practice spot, I wouldn't leave your own gear in your car though...someone might steal your sh!t.

Just bring your bass and play. I'm sure they have something you can play out of...

makaky · #6 04-24-2008, 12:39 PM

Just bring your bass. If you have a good bass, you should be getting a decent sound out of anything

phat daddy · #7 04-24-2008, 12:41 PM

I usually insist (in a polite manner, of course) on bringing my own gear. The first rule at an audition is to become as comfortable as possible, and your sound is key to that. We as bassists are sensitive to the sounds from an amp, as well as eq and speaker sizes, and if you're used to 2 12" speakers, he's not likely going to have that type of setup. I'm a 10's guy, and most people have got some kind've 1x15" setup if they're not a bass player per se, and I hate playing through 15's. So I always try to talk the guy into letting me bring my rig-- I'm a lot more likely to impress that way.

ashtray · #8 04-24-2008, 12:42 PM

Sometimes, when auditioning, it's best NOT to bring your prized possession. Also, planning a "quick escape" in case the whole ordeal turns out to be something you want no part of is a good thing.

I auditioned for a couple bands with my $100 Fullerton bass, leaving my $1k basses at home. Why? B/c of exactly that reason! Plus... I only sound marginally better on the more expensive bass anyways!

I'd play through their amp - it's just a couple songs - an hour or so... and if they're not bass players, they could care less if you had a $4k setup or a $300 amp, as long as they can hear it. I mean, if you walk in there and the guitarist has a Mesa blah blah triple blah stack amp, would you really care more than if he was using a Fender Deluxe combo?

lonote · #9 04-24-2008, 12:43 PM

They may have more than one audition scheduled and don't want to fool around with setting up and tearing down after each player. Just bring your bass and use what they have.

GreggBummer · #10 04-24-2008, 12:48 PM

Good advice from the previous posters.

My .02: The band is auditioning you as much as you are auditioning the band. Although this probably isn't the case here, if they are being jerks about something now... they probably will be later.

The band CAN fail YOUR audition.

Just my .02

makaky · #11 04-24-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreggBummer

The band CAN fail YOUR audition.

That is sooo true

Deacon_Blues · #12 04-24-2008, 01:34 PM

I would not bring my rig if they say they have one I can use. I will sound like me whatever gear I use, including the bass. The sound is to me very secondary. I'm not saying I don't care about my sound, just that I'm not very picky about it especially on rehearsals.

If I would go to your particular rehearsal, I'd expect them to have a decent rig after telling me so. If I go there and they have only a 30 watt practice combo, whatever the brand is, I know the next time (IF there is a next one that is) I should bring my own rig.

Laserman · #13 04-24-2008, 05:31 PM

Well,

I would have asked what kind of Bass amp and speaker cab set up they had to start with before I agreed to audition. While we're on the subject I always ask what kind of guitars, amps, PA ect stuff they have. That way I can at least avoid auditions with garage band type bands. If they have quality Equipment of their own the chances of them actually being able to play is better. If I hear Epiphone guitars and Crate or Behringer guitar combo amps, or cheap PA I'm suspicious right away. I Would carry my gear but leave it locked in my van and use theirs if it's OK so I can make a quick/polite getaway in case they suck and Fail MY Audition of them. Auditions are always two way streets.

Barry

steve66 · #14 04-24-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonote

They may have more than one audition scheduled and don't want to fool around with setting up and tearing down after each player. Just bring your bass and use what they have.

+1

Stumbo · #15 04-24-2008, 06:24 PM

Be sure and get there early so you play spend some time adjusting the rig they have.
You'll also learn a lot from what they expect from you.

LiquidMidnight · #16 04-24-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtray

I mean, if you walk in there and the guitarist has a Mesa blah blah triple blah stack amp, would you really care more than if he was using a Fender Deluxe combo?

Yes, I would.

Well, I'm not particuarly saying that if they have a specific type of amp, then I'm not going to play with them. The Fender would sound killer in a blues, classic rock, country, or jazz setting where high gain is not needed. If you're playing a style of music that requires high gain (e.g., modern rock, modern metal, even some of the more contemporary country), then the Mesa is going to be much more suited to the job, period. I've seen so many guitar players sound like crap because they think that their Marshall JCMs are high-gain amps with a tight bottom, ala Mesa or VHT. It usually sounds like crap, and they crap up the sound even more by thinking the answer to make them sound like Mesas and VHTs is to scoop the mids. Bleh! Bass amps for the most part are more "multipurpose." Guitar amps are much more suited for specialties.

I'm to the point that I won't play with a guitarist if I do not like his or her tone. When I consider a player, I look at everything from chops, feel, musicality, personality, and yes, tone.

I agree with the posters who say to bring your rig. I believe that a pro should be able to make just about anything sound good, but only worry about that when you're at a gig and are told that there's backline that you have to use. If you have a choice in the matter, use what's comfortable to you.

banditcosmo · #17 04-25-2008, 07:31 AM

Thanks everybody, lot of good posts. I ended up bringing my rig but using theirs.

It was kind of a tight space and they were already playing so I figured it would be much easier for everyone for me to use their rig. It was a decent rig. The head was a YS (at least I think that's what is was) head and a Yorkville 410 cab. Never heard of YS heads but it sounded pretty good.

If it works out and I get in the band I won't have to lug my rig to practices. Think it went well so we will see.

lowb1970 · #18 04-25-2008, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmo Oxygen

bring your rig along in the car. go to the door with your bass only and check out what he's got. if it's decent, that helps a quick escape. if it's not, just tell him that your sound is dialed in and you prefer to use your gear. hopefully he will respect this about you and not be a jack*** like some can be.

+1 to this.

It's always a great idea to have your own gear as a back up in these situations. Never leave home with out. Well unless you're traveling by plane to get to the gig. In these cases it's always better to use their stuff....

Joe Nerve · #19 04-25-2008, 07:58 AM

Happy it worked out for you, and glad you didn't lug your rig in there. I want to add my $.02 here.

If the guy auditioning told me NOT to bring an amp because he's got one, I wouldn't bring an amp. Why?

1. He doesn't want me to.

2. It's going to take a bunch of time he and the band probably doesn't want to deal with.

3. Makes me look unprofessional, and perhaps a bit desperate. Sorry to the guys who think it shows professionality - someone who gigs a lot jumps at the opportunity to not have to lug their rig, and know how to get the best out of whatever the house rig is.

4. Bringing your own amp when asked not to could give the idea that this may one day be a problem. There are people who refuse to play on backlines, and I've seen that cuase problems.

5. If you know their stuff and you're a good player it's not going to matter how perfect or not your sound is.

6. If you have to have your exact sound for the stuff to sound good, it means you're lacking somehow.

7. They're obviously happy with the sound of their amp or they wouldn't have offered it and told you NOT to bring yourd.

8. It's kinda awkward when you're meeting a bunch of new people to lug heavy equipment in, find a spot for it, move things around.

9. It does make for an uncomfortable escape if necessary. Uncomfortable exit if they don't like you, also.

10. It's always best to keep things as simple as possible on an audition. Nobody is hearing the intricisies that you are out of your bass. Most basses and amps do fine set flat with a minimal of tweaking. Most people will prefer a guy who can plug in and say lets go, than a guy who's going to be tweaking tweaking tweaking. Bringing your own amp could give the impression that you're that guy.

11. If the amp they have is a 40 watt combo I'd know these guys weren't a band I'd want to deal with as they don't know their stuff.

I could go on and on and on....

PS. And I always have my own gear in the car as a backup anyhow.

NickyBass · #20 04-25-2008, 08:16 AM

I'm glad it work out, too. I agree with Joe on alot of points.

Basically, if I'm auditioning for a good project, I am as agreeable as possible. The answer is always 'yes', except when it's 'no' - and in that case, the answer is still 'yes.'

Long before you plug in, they are getting to know you. If you're going to spend alot of time with people, then you have to mesh on a personal level.