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Are you a Bass Snob ?

Are you a Bass snob

  • Would never play live with a Squier

    Votes: 78 14.2%
  • Would worry me either way

    Votes: 43 7.8%
  • Wouldnt think twice if it sounded great

    Votes: 430 78.0%

  • Total voters
    551
Saying there is No sense playing a high end bass in metal is similar to the mindset of "Stanley couldn't play what he does without an Alembic, so thats the only bass for that kind of virtuoso playing". It's like reverse bass snobbery to say that a cheap bass is right for punk or metal or what have you.

I play metal on an Elrick and a Ric, and used a Lakland before that. I play punk with the Ric and used to use a Modulus. You play what you like to play with what you have.
 
Saying there is No sense playing a high end bass in metal is similar to the mindset of "Stanley couldn't play what he does without an Alembic, so thats the only bass for that kind of virtuoso playing". It's like reverse bass snobbery to say that a cheap bass is right for punk or metal or what have you.

I play metal on an Elrick and a Ric, and used a Lakland before that. I play punk with the Ric and used to use a Modulus. You play what you like to play with what you have.

I think I understand him to mean, a hi-fi sounding bass, rather than high end, now, as in a modern, clean tone.

Which, while a valid choice for some, is not what I'd choose either, I prefer a big grindy neck pickup sound, like a P bass, which I can also get from my high end instruments.
 
it's funny,

I've been playing for a little over a year. My primary bass is a Squier VM (fretted) with a BAII and tort pick guard....... I LOVE how this thing sounds.

I've been playing at a blues jam (for fun, and to conquer stage jitters early on). the house player seems to really like how my VM looks and plays. to the point that I brought a different bass (Ibanez SR505) and he said "dude, where's the fender, I really liked that bass". I told him it was a squier and he kind of gave me a "whats your point" look.

I came back the next week and the first thing he asked me was "what bass did you bring. the 4 or the 5" I said the 4 and he smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

a cheaper instrument that I and apparently other people appreciate? sh*t, how can I lose on that deal


If I like it, I play it. wanna think I suck soley based on the Squier on the logo? knock yourself out.
I can easily buy another more expensive bass, but I have to REALLY like it to buy it. As I progress maybe I'll find that high price or even boutique bass that I like, I just havent found one that I like yet.
 
I wish I could justify $1,000 or more on a bass. But the truth is that I am just an average bass player. I get together with a group of guys that I jam with maybe once a week or every two weeks. I don't do professional (or even amateur) recordings and I haven't played a gig in a long, long time. So the necessity for a high-end name brand bass isn't there. I recently purchased a 5-string to mess around with. It is an ESP LTD. Do I care that the LTD is on the front of the headstock instead of "ESP"? Not really. Nobody sees this bass except for me. Do I criticize people for owning high $ basses? Nope. I wish I could practically afford them myself. Do I criticize people for playing low $ basses? Nope. So play whatever makes you happy.
 
Well, my primary is a Roscoe LG which I'm sure qualifies as a boutique bass, but I recently bought a Squire VM fretless and am pleased with it as well.
No, it does not have the over all playability of the Roscoe, the balanced tone across the finger board and well, almost everything the Roscoe has in spades... but I still like to play it.
I find that most people don't know or care about what people play... as long as you can play it!
SO, to answer the O.P. ... no I don't care what the head stock says!
Fishheadjoe
 
I really like Fenders, and play them exclusively now that I can afford them.

I love the way they look and feel and sound...but I've jammed on/owned Ibanezes, Squiers, Schecters, Deans, and SX's, wouldn't buy them, but I'll play anything if that's the only bass around.

As soon as its in my hands, the only thing that matters is that I'm playing bass, everything else goes out the window.
 
Nop, that means you have a very good wife!:p:p

Jeez with 12 k I could buy around 44 excellent squiers, maybe Im the snobist!!

Yeah, the wife does rock!!!

But the reality is the Sadowsky is sold. Shipping this week- need the money because we're moving.
The Warwick may be close behind.

I'm not sold on a "name". But in the last 24 years of playing, both bars and on tour, I figured out what works for me.
And after that long, you save money and just aquire other stuff!:D

Hand me a Sadowsky Jazz, and I pretty much never think about it for the rest of the night.

My old Fender the same way.

Could I do that on a less pricy Squire bass. I probably could.
But in front of 5000+ people, I'm not wiling to take that chance.
Would a MIA Fender Jazz do it? Yeah, and I would feel more comfortable than with the Squire.

Things change in a big way when you get on a huge stage with a big FOH PA.
Short comings that may be not that apparent in you house/GC/bar become REAL obvious.

Then you get burried in the mix and it doesn't matter anyway!!!;)
j/k!!

Call me a snob, but in terms of the level/quality of bass I would trust walking on stage with- at the very least a MIA Fender/Music Man level quality bass.
That just comes from my experiences. Yours may (and hopefully do) vari.
 
Hey, I look at it this way, with the plethora of instruments available, you have absolutely no shame in liking whatever it is. If I choose to play nothing but Rics, you have no right to tell me I am wrong. I am just denying myself other instruments for reasons all my own and I'll be damned if I'll justify it to anyone. Same goes for all you budget instrument guys. I can try and hate on your SX, but who gives a rats? If you are a gear snob, a color snob, a cheap bass snob, a jazz snob, a 3 toed sloth snob, good on you. Nothing wrong with being loyal to the products that have served you well.
 
If a Peavey owner can be a snob, then yes.

I sold my first bass, an SX Jazz; and now I exclusively own and play Peaveys - none which cost me more than $550.

My story (and I try to stick to it) is that I prefer the feel and tone of the Peaveys. But, honestly, there was some snobbery involved as well.

The good news is that I know better to be snobby to anyone toting a lower-priced bass than mine, because odds are they are a better player than I.
 
Wouldn't play it since there are no Squire six strings out there.

However, there was a Squire five string at the local Music Go Round that had a set of Bartolini pickups in it. Sounded great! If I was a five guy, I'd have picked it up to use it on stage in a bar or for outdoor gigs. That way if it gets stolen, crushed, wet or some drunken idiot knocks it over, I'm not out a couple grand.

Save the good stuff for the studio and Church.

Z