Anyone else have Logo "Reverse Prejudice"?

[dave64o]

Through a pretty strange coincidence, my instructor and I both just happened to buy the exact same bass within a few weeks of each other. Nothing fancy or high end at all, just a Tobias Toby Pro. In my lesson this week he played his and it sounded absolutely incredible. I played mine and it sounded like I just made a pretty bad purchase decision. Then we played each others basses and guess what happened? Yep, mine sounded incredible and his sounded like he just made a pretty bad purchase decision.

I've also brought in my SX's to my lessons a few times and had the same experience. When he plays them, you'd never guess that sound is coming from a $100 bass.

Taking lessons has helped me in a lot of ways, but one of the ways I didn't expect to help was in how they shaped my attitude towards the name on the headstock of a bass. I've become convinced that, as long as you have a decently made instrument that's set up well and is in good condition, the primary factor in how a bass will sound is the player him/herself.

 

[Deleted member 92857]

They can afford it. People would just rather not pay for the US worker's living wage and health care.

Excellent Point!! The US worker should pay for that himself/herself.

Just a statement of the obvious... not political at all.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Maybe a little bit.

If I see a band and the bass player is really good, delivering just the right feel and chops as appropriate to the material presented, then maybe I'll check out what gear he's using (might learn something).

If he's got a Sadowsky, I may get the impression that he's a "learned" musician and is afforded the advantage of a good instrument and is probably performing at the top of his game. At least, the gear is not holding him back any.

But if I see the guy's using an SX and STILL delivering the goods musically, I may "suppose" that he's very good now, but might be even BETTER on some hi-grade equipment that he doesn't have to struggle with as much. This guy might be a real monster player in waiting!

IMHO.Of course, there are dozens of variances both ways.

 

[punkinfantry]

i think if you play something cheap until your ability surpasses what the instrument is able to provide and THEN upgrade, it is money well spent. buying a stack knob 60s J when you can barely play ramones covers, for example, is a Bad Idea(tm).

 

[ghostdog93]

By the way, does it make me one of the 'off brand bottom feeders' if I own a Peavey foundation S and a T-40?

Nope. Owning a T-40 simply means you know awesome when you see it.

 

[Twospot]

I am new to the bass but I used to play drums so I have been around the makes for years. I have to admit I would back in the day rag on people with a squier or Epiphone. However I have definitely changed my view reading reviews and also asking questions here on TB. These brands are solid affordable options.

I also believe that I can pickup a squier and it sound awful and I give it to someone that can play and it sounds awesome. I experienced that with a drum kit as well. I bought a cheap kit I hated because it sounded lame until a monster sat on it and tore it up. Sounded amazing. I think 75 - 80% of the sound is the player not the instrument.

 

[JMimbs]

I think 75 - 80% of the sound is the player not the instrument.

Absolutely. When I first started playing guitar I had an incredibly cheap starter instrument with a built-in speaker. The thing was barely playable and I struggled with it, but when an experienced guitarist picked it up he wailed on it. At the other extreme, I've seen kids in music stores play three thousand dollar guitars and sound like crap.

 

[Legattabass]

All basses appear equal under the harsh lights and poor care of guitar center. More often than not the cheap basses have a BETTER setup because they dont stay in the store as long

 

[JACink]

They can afford it. People would just rather not pay for the US worker's living wage and health care.

I can´t.

 

[MakoMan]

I'm not going to lie... I passed on a nice used Gretsch Junior Jet bass because it said Electromatic on the headstock. Instead I bought a new one with the Gretsch logo on the headstock.
Call me shallow LOL!

 

[Legattabass]

I'm not going to lie... I passed on a nice used Gretsch Junior Jet bass because it said Electromatic on the headstock. Instead I bought a new one with the Gretsch logo on the headstock.
Call me shallow LOL!

OMG SHALLO

 

[tracer03]

Yeah, the name on the gear does make a little difference, but ultimately, it's the musician that makes the difference.

If you think the name/quality of the item you are using makes you 'that much better', try replacing 'bass' and the context with other items.

Example: Does having an All-Clad or Calphalon cook set, rather than a cheaper set from Target make my wife a better cook? Oh HELL no...

 

[electracoyote]

Logo schmogo. People who worry about what's on the headstock are like people who constantly worry about their hair.

I got your logo:

 

[JMimbs]

Logo schmogo. People who worry about what's on the headstock are like people who constantly worry about their hair.

I got your logo:

Love it!

 

[gigslut]

Leave my hair out of this! It's part of my "image".

Cool logo, do you sell decals?

 

[dave64o]

Logo schmogo. People who worry about what's on the headstock are like people who constantly worry about their hair.

I got your logo:

I love that!

 

[THand]

Logo schmogo. People who worry about what's on the headstock are like people who constantly worry about their hair.

I got your logo:

Sweet!

 

[THand]

I'm not going to lie... I passed on a nice used Gretsch Junior Jet bass because it said Electromatic on the headstock. Instead I bought a new one with the Gretsch logo on the headstock.
Call me shallow LOL!

I picked up a used Getsch Electromatic Goldtop guitar for next-to-nuttin', and it's pretty nice...don't fear the Electromatic.

It IS an ugly logo though...

 

[cnltb]

I always hear musicians saying they're turned off seeing a Squier logo, or an Epiphone logo. Logo Prejudice.

I see a Squier logo and think "I can AFFORD that!" and am instantly MORE interested in the bass.

Anyone else feel the same way?

I don't mind what the logo says.
If the bass feels good and sounds ok it'll do for me.

 

[hover]

Too many people listen with their eyes and not their ears. that is the whole problem, the whole kit and kaboodle.

Play what you want, make music, be happy. screw all the other bull-****.

Pretty basic, almost Zen-like in its simplicity, yet so many eschew this over hangups and bias.