Afraid to use your nice gear?

[Wanker_Joe]

Interesting discussion. I have a slightly different point of view. I bought my "good" bass purely as an indulgence to play at home for my own enjoyment. I didn't buy it to gig with it. I have my gigging basses for that. My nice bass is for me, not anybody else. I like to practice and record with it because it sounds and plays so well, but I have zero desire to bring it to a gig where it might get beat-up/stolen/etc. I mean, it probably won't (knock on wood in 20+ years of gigging I've never had any accidents or thefts), but that's not the point. Especially given how I've bonded with the instrument I feel it's irreplaceable and therefore treat it as such. What's wrong with that?

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I'm selective for sure, but yeah what's the point of something nice if you never use it?

Practice at home, definitely use the nice bass. Playing a gig I know I'll enjoy, bring along the favorite bass. However, if it's rehearsal with the guys or a questionable at best gig...may help to bring the B-stock in lol.

 

[kevinpmajka]

Due to the heat of Phoenix, AZ - I have a Squier bass with same electronics as my main P for when it's super hot. Cuase even in the car for 10 minutes it gets up to 140 degrees if parked.... Or to leave at a rehearsal spot and not be super sad if it walked away.

I didn't play Gibson enough to justify keeping it because I was always worried about it.... Sold it!

 

[mikeyjm2]

I don't own anything high-end enough to be considered a "collector". I'm more of an "accumulator" of basses. I gig some a lot more than others, but not so much out of fear of damage as some are just more practical than others. For example, I bought an ABG a while back but it just isn't really a practical instrument. So I play it quietly in my living room from time to time. There is one though that I don't gig and that's because of sentimental attachment. It's the first bass I had and it was a gift from my dad, so I'd be beyond devastated if something happened to it. Plus, it's a short scale (started playing as a youngster) so that kinda goes back to the practicality thing.

 

[DirtDog]

I'm with you @Paulabass. When I was racing mountain bikes, I didn't take my beater out on the course when training...I took my race bike! If nothing else to make sure it was going to function as expected on race day!

As far as instruments go, the same - I have owned some "unobtainium" stuff in the past but pretty much everything I own now is "journeyman/workingman" level and could be replaced easily tomorrow if damaged or stolen today. If not, it doesn't leave the house (e.g., my 1963 and 1964 Gibson Falcon amps; those are house kittens!)

 

[arbiterusa]

I was talking players who own a Fodera, a gig a Squier. That I'll never get.

Very simple. I gig a lot, and most of those places are not high paying gigs. My Steinberger is expensive, and more to the point, cannot be replaced. They don't make new ones. Yes it's insured, but getting a fat payout does me no good if I can't get another one. So I don't take it out to lo-rent gigs that pay little. Big gigs, recording sessions, anything involving media, yeah, I'll take it. Otherwise, to my trusty Corts I turn, and they are VERY trusty and great basses in their own right. They also happen to be pretty damn cheap when you buy 'em used, but that's not their fault.

 

[Ben B]

My practice gear is my gig gear. I don't have any boutique gear that I consider too valuable to leave the house. I understand the collector mindset and wanting show pieces, but it's just not for me.

 

[SpyderX]

Interesting discussion. I have a slightly different point of view. I bought my "good" bass purely as an indulgence to play at home for my own enjoyment. I didn't buy it to gig with it. I have my gigging basses for that. My nice bass is for me, not anybody else. I like to practice and record with it because it sounds and plays so well, but I have zero desire to bring it to a gig where it might get beat-up/stolen/etc. I mean, it probably won't (knock on wood in 20+ years of gigging I've never had any accidents or thefts), but that's not the point. Especially given how I've bonded with the instrument I feel it's irreplaceable and therefore treat it as such. What's wrong with that?

Nothing wrong with it at all. Makes perfect sense when you word it like that.

 

[Mr.Ace]

Every gig, every rehearsal.

 

[bikeplate]

I dont like having anything gear wise or in general if im not doing to use it. That being said, i have an old Precision that is worth quite a bit due to its near mint condition. Ive only gigged it once

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

Outside of my other basses, my “best gear” is my ONLY gear.
It’s been onstage at ampitheatres, dive bars, back yard parties, festivals, playhouses, everywhere.
And my #1 is pretty much the only bass I play at gigs, aside from my 5er.
I own gear to play it.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I have a Wal. It's an '85 Pro 1 so only a base model but still worth far more than its intrinsic value, and pretty much irreplaceable. If I take it anywhere at all I worry about it being stolen or knocked over... I've used it at most recent gigs though, I just worry about it. If I need to go anywhere even for a few minutes I have to appoint a guardian to stand over it.

 

[jeff62]

Put me in the camp of gigging the gear I own, regardless of value. I don't own a Fodera (or similar) but my basses are not low end (sub $1K) either. Well, except for my Aerodyne.

I chuckle at the comments about "my bass can't be out in the heat/cold/etc". Really? It's wood and metal (rain excluded, of course).

 

[saabfender]

^ true, but it is semantics. Practice/rehearsal. I'm talking a little more about people practice rigs made out of old radio shack gear cause who cares what practicing sounds like? I do.

As ye practice, so shall ye perform.

 

[Altitude]

There are a lot of people on here who are collectors, not musicians. They spend more time sitting around looking at their possessions than playing them.

My thought too.

Also - don't we love instruments that look beat to hell from years of use? Your jazz bass won't ever look like that hanging from a hook in your basement.

I play in one bar where the instruments sit 6 or 8 feet from the people nearest the stage. And the "stage" is raised about 4 inches from the rest of the floor. That place gets so full of people that we case our instruments between sets - just to avoid someone tripping onto them or some idiot trying to show off to his buddies while I'm around the corner having a beer. But I've had my $4500 Skjold in there many times - it sounds great in that room.

I take everything I have out and play it.

 

[Starford]

I have 1 bass and 1 amp ( my new Peavey Headliner) thru 2 Markbass cabs. That's all I have. It comes out for every rehersal and every gig, which is quite often.

 

[J-Mags]

I'm selective for sure, but yeah what's the point of something nice if you never use it?

Practice at home, definitely use the nice bass. Playing a gig I know I'll enjoy, bring along the favorite bass. However, if it's rehearsal with the guys or a questionable at best gig...may help to bring the B-stock in lol.

Never hurts to let the people know whether they're on your A list or B list.

 

[DrayMiles]

It's the same mentality of folks that buy a nice living room suite... and, are not only afraid to sit on it, they have everything covered in the most ungodly plastic. Then the plastic turns yellow and rips and they drop dead leaving the outdated relic furniture to their kids...

Who promptly have it sent to the nearest dump...

IMO...

Play it, enjoy it, because when death calls you're going to leave it...

 

[Passinwind]

Pretty simple in my world: use it or lose it.

 

[31HZ]

From now on, for every gig, rehearsal and audition, I'll be sure to consult my internet friends to make sure that not only will the gear I will be bringing will be acceptable to them, but that it is at an appropriate place along the quality spectrum of all the gear that I own.