Are you "That Guy"? I'm asking because I'm "That Guy"...

[pbass6811]

sure, but the OP kicked this topic off talking about his 4 Dingwalls, Kiesel, Valenti, and that lead to mention of Zon and such, so it kind of felt like we were talking about weird/obscure meaning more like high-end (pricewise) gear.

but hey, I play a Lull and a Turner Ren and have some other, less than common gear, so as I said, I am not immune to the coolness of unique/boutique/high-end bass gear. I also rock a dead cheap MIM Jazz and an even cheaper Rogue (!) fretless acoustic

I guess I kind of reacted to the "That Guy" aspect more than anything .. and mostly when I think of "That Guy" my experience says that it's not necessarily someone who knows how to play very well ... but more like someone who has some dough to throw around and picks stuff by its sticker price and feels as if the high-end gear buys them some kind of respect as a player. This is entirely my personal bias (and experience) at work.

anyway, I think were generally in agreement and I am not trying to make anything out of all this.
life is just too short for that

Since I'm the OP of this mess, I just wanted to touch bass with you, since we have very different ideas of what the spirit of this thread is all about.

I mention my Kiesels, Valenti's, and my on-order Dingwalls, because that's what I know. That's my reality. I could've talked about Rogue basses, since I don't know anyone that gigs one, but I don't own one. If there was someone gigging a Rogue bass, to me, he'd be "That Guy" as well. Playing gear that no one else around here plays. I'd like to think that if I were to ask him about it, he'd clue me in as to why he was playing that gear, just like I do when someone asks me about my gear. There was a bassist that I saw that was playing an Elrick. I've never seen one in the wild, especially around these parts. He was also playing an Ashdown rig. Again, those are not common here. I really wanted to talk to this guy. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance, but, to me, he was "That Guy".

I honestly don't discuss what I pay for gear, no one else needs to know how much or how little my stuff is worth. I don't feel like getting jacked in the parking lot because someone knows I'm carrying 3 or 4 $(X)k basses. At that point, if I'm not discussing how much money my gear costs, it really becomes a non-issue. If they choose to go and look it up, good for them. That, to me, means I've inspired them enough to do some research, just like I did.

I don't think of "That Guy" as a jerk, or a showoff, I think of him as a guy who plays what works for him and is cool enough to talk about it if the need arises. If you go somewhere, and you're playing Fenders and Ampegs, you might be "That Guy", because maybe no one else is...

 

[richntiff]

Since I'm the OP of this mess, I just wanted to touch bass with you, since we have very different ideas of what the spirit of this thread is all about.

I mention my Kiesels, Valenti's, and my on-order Dingwalls, because that's what I know. That's my reality. I could've talked about Rogue basses, since I don't know anyone that gigs one, but I don't own one. If there was someone gigging a Rogue bass, to me, he'd be "That Guy" as well. Playing gear that no one else around here plays. I'd like to think that if I were to ask him about it, he'd clue me in as to why he was playing that gear, just like I do when someone asks me about my gear. There was a bassist that I saw that was playing an Elrick. I've never seen one in the wild, especially around these parts. He was also playing an Ashdown rig. Again, those are not common here. I really wanted to talk to this guy. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance, but, to me, he was "That Guy".

I honestly don't discuss what I pay for gear, no one else needs to know how much or how little my stuff is worth. I don't feel like getting jacked in the parking lot because someone knows I'm carrying 3 or 4 $(X)k basses. At that point, if I'm not discussing how much money my gear costs, it really becomes a non-issue. If they choose to go and look it up, good for them. That, to me, means I've inspired them enough to do some research, just like I did.

I don't think of "That Guy" as a jerk, or a showoff, I think of him as a guy who plays what works for him and is cool enough to talk about it if the need arises. If you go somewhere, and you're playing Fenders and Ampegs, you might be "That Guy", because maybe no one else is...

I’m gonna call myself out a bit. I initially tagged you as a gear snob. Having read your other posts - I’m thinking you sound pretty genuine. So - good on you man! Play the gear that makes you happy. Everyone plays this 4-5-6 string wonder for different reasons. I don’t play boutique gear - maybe I’m afraid it’s better than me, or that perhaps I’ll get sucked into a swirling vortex of GAS that has no happy ending. Lol. I dunno. . What I never want to be is that guy that people say ‘yeah he’s got great gear but he sucks!’ .

 

[GonePlaid]

Since I'm the OP of this mess, I just wanted to touch bass with you, since we have very different ideas of what the spirit of this thread is all about.

I mention my Kiesels, Valenti's, and my on-order Dingwalls, because that's what I know. That's my reality. I could've talked about Rogue basses, since I don't know anyone that gigs one, but I don't own one. If there was someone gigging a Rogue bass, to me, he'd be "That Guy" as well. Playing gear that no one else around here plays. I'd like to think that if I were to ask him about it, he'd clue me in as to why he was playing that gear, just like I do when someone asks me about my gear. There was a bassist that I saw that was playing an Elrick. I've never seen one in the wild, especially around these parts. He was also playing an Ashdown rig. Again, those are not common here. I really wanted to talk to this guy. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance, but, to me, he was "That Guy".

I honestly don't discuss what I pay for gear, no one else needs to know how much or how little my stuff is worth. I don't feel like getting jacked in the parking lot because someone knows I'm carrying 3 or 4 $(X)k basses. At that point, if I'm not discussing how much money my gear costs, it really becomes a non-issue. If they choose to go and look it up, good for them. That, to me, means I've inspired them enough to do some research, just like I did.

I don't think of "That Guy" as a jerk, or a showoff, I think of him as a guy who plays what works for him and is cool enough to talk about it if the need arises. If you go somewhere, and you're playing Fenders and Ampegs, you might be "That Guy", because maybe no one else is...

OK. What I have isn't REAL weird but it does get looks: Les Paul 5 string in flame amber. If I can figure out how,I'll post a pic.

 

[pbass6811]

I’m gonna call myself out a bit. I initially tagged you as a gear snob. Having read your other posts - I’m thinking you sound pretty genuine. So - good on you man! Play the gear that makes you happy. Everyone plays this 4-5-6 string wonder for different reasons. I don’t play boutique gear - maybe I’m afraid it’s better than me, or that perhaps I’ll get sucked into a swirling vortex of GAS that has no happy ending. Lol. I dunno. . What I never want to be is that guy that people say ‘yeah he’s got great gear but he sucks!’ .

Thanks. I appreciate that. I can see why people would think that, and I didn't make it clear that that wasn't what I was going for, but it really wasn't, LOL!

 

[Passinwind]

Since I'm the OP of this mess, I just wanted to touch bass with you, since we have very different ideas of what the spirit of this thread is all about.
<snip>

That's pretty much just what I thought. I play through a lot of DIY gear because I like designing and building it, and what it cost isn't really germane to most conversational contexts. And I'll always be "That Guy" in the sense of using unique stuff, because I don't build clones, even of my own builds.

 

[2F/2F]

I don't think I'm that guy.

Basses: a Music Man, a G&L, and four Fenders (two Ps, a J, and a Musicmaster)
Amps: two Ampegs (one of which had been my only amp for 20 years, and the other of which I just bought)
Pedals: Korg Pitchblack
Cables: black

I am "that guy" who keeps his bridge and pickup covers in place, and always plays muted and with flats, however.

 

[elkkid2]

I tried one not too long ago at the Sam Ash in Hollywood, it was *AMAZING"!!! Then I read they don't stay in tune with weather changes, etc which really bummed me out

Anyways I'm *sorta* "that guy" as I play older BC Rich basses exclusively, but I use my more conservative shapes like my eagle or shorthorn for gigs where that's more appropriate(from anyone who hasn't tried one the handmade ones are definitely boutique). For metal I play my TJ or one of my Iron bird basses. I also own a fEARful 12/12/6/1 with the Darkglass 900 head but I've yet to gig with that cabinet. So I'm *sorta* that guy(?!)

Those things never go out of tune!

 

[Wisebass]

"That Guy"?

Hi pbass6811

I am a "::" player since 2003. There were only about 1800 "::" back then.
They used to build about 250 "::" per year...
Before I bought my first "::" I played a "Lag"

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass


And yes, I play a "Fender" too!

 

[bholder]

Hi pbass6811

I am a "::" player since 2003. There were only about 1800 "::" back then.
They used to build about 250 "::" per year...
Before I bought my first "::" I played a "Lag"

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass


And yes, I play a "Fender" too!

Sandberg? Nice!

 

[Wisebass]

Nice!

yes!

Lags were in the same league, but they don 't build basses anymore

 

[rtslinger]

Not this guy. Hell I’m just amazed anyone notices if I show up for a gig at all let alone care what I play. Last gig it was not till the end of the night one of the owners even knew I was in the band.

I've have that happen if I take off my hat and sunglasses. I went to the bar in a place I have played for years not a new bartender without my hat and sunglasses and she wanted to charge me for a glass of water (water is free for the band) I said really and she said yeah 3 dollars I said wait a minute and ran back to the stage grabbed my hat and glass and she was like jeez RT, I never saw you without your hat and glasses before I didn't recognize you , who am I Clark Kent?

 

[bholder]

yes!

Lags were in the same league, but they don 't build basses anymore

There's a Sandberg Thinline fretless in my future. Have to decide whether it comes before or after the Maruszczyk Frog Omega fretless (and now the Wallybird too). drool.

 

[Wisebass]

before or after the Maruszczyk Frog

go Maruszczyk first, (comma!!!!!!!) as long as they are still "cheap"

Wise

darn comas

 

[bassbully]

I've have that happen if I take off my hat and sunglasses. I went to the bar in a place I have played for years not a new bartender without my hat and sunglasses and she wanted to charge me for a glass of water (water is free for the band) I said really and she said yeah 3 dollars I said wait a minute and ran back to the stage grabbed my hat and glass and she was like jeez RT, I never saw you without your hat and glasses before I didn't recognize you , who am I Clark Kent?

Lol good one. Like I said nobody says anything about my gear. Truthfully I doubt most people even know I’m a basssit and I play bass not guitar.

 

[pfschim]

Since I'm the OP of this mess, I just wanted to touch bass with you, since we have very different ideas of what the spirit of this thread is all about.

I mention my Kiesels, Valenti's, and my on-order Dingwalls, because that's what I know. That's my reality. I could've talked about Rogue basses, since I don't know anyone that gigs one, but I don't own one. If there was someone gigging a Rogue bass, to me, he'd be "That Guy" as well. Playing gear that no one else around here plays. I'd like to think that if I were to ask him about it, he'd clue me in as to why he was playing that gear, just like I do when someone asks me about my gear. There was a bassist that I saw that was playing an Elrick. I've never seen one in the wild, especially around these parts. He was also playing an Ashdown rig. Again, those are not common here. I really wanted to talk to this guy. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance, but, to me, he was "That Guy".

I honestly don't discuss what I pay for gear, no one else needs to know how much or how little my stuff is worth. I don't feel like getting jacked in the parking lot because someone knows I'm carrying 3 or 4 $(X)k basses. At that point, if I'm not discussing how much money my gear costs, it really becomes a non-issue. If they choose to go and look it up, good for them. That, to me, means I've inspired them enough to do some research, just like I did.

I don't think of "That Guy" as a jerk, or a showoff, I think of him as a guy who plays what works for him and is cool enough to talk about it if the need arises. If you go somewhere, and you're playing Fenders and Ampegs, you might be "That Guy", because maybe no one else is...

its all good brother. I kind of had the same initial take on your thread as richntiff, and over many years of gigging, I have definitely had the experiences I mentioned with gear snobbery + $$$ trying to substitute for skill. But I get where you are coming from, thanks for the entirely reasonable clarification.
As I have said repeatedly ... play what you like, like what you play.
enjoy!

 

[bholder]

its all good brother. I kind of had the same initial take on your thread as richntiff, and over many years of gigging, I have definitely had the experiences I mentioned with gear snobbery + $$$ trying to substitute for skill. But I get where you are coming from, thanks for the entirely reasonable clarification.
As I have said repeatedly ... play what you like, like what you play.
enjoy!

I admit to trying to substitute expensive basses for skill - doesn't work, but does help inspire me to practice more! So there! (And I really try not to be a gear snob, I enjoy showing off all my gear - the "special find" cheapies just as much as the $$pensive ones...)

 

[Kubicki Fan]

...Unique or boutique gear is great, particularly if the cost of the gear is equivalent to the playing skills, but sometimes the investment in gear far exceeds the owners playing skills.

again, I am totally in the "play what you like, and like what you play" camp ... but sometimes I do see expensive, custom/boutique gear (which someone is very proud of) trying to substitute for skill.
...

We are at different stages on the road toward proficiency, self actualization. It is not a bad strategy to remove the bass (gear) as a limiting factor in the beginning of our journey. Having great gear provides a budding musician certainty that sound and technique are there in exactly the measure that the player brings to the stage. In other words, one can't blame the gear for any shortcomings in performance. This also helps with self doubts during a time when muscle and sinew are not yet inured to the 'unnatural' demands the instrument imposes.

I went this route and I was keenly aware that I was being judged (and sometimes I actually was). It created a lot of anxiety in me which, added to the ever present stage fright, made performances not enjoyable. I saved up the sh!tload of money a Kubicki cost back in 86 doing minimum wage work; I earned it. I bought a Kubicki not to be different or special but because I loved the way it felt, sounded and looked. I don't claim to be completely free of vanity but it never figured in the selection criteria of my bass.

Point is: If I saw a musically talented neophyte rocking a Ritter, or Fodera, I'd say "Good on you sister!". We all catch up to our instrument sooner or later. Why not be supportive instead of judgemental?

...
I prefer to listen to the killer player with "average" gear over the average player with killer gear every time...

Who doesn't? ;-)

 

[pfschim]

We are at different stages on the road toward proficiency, self actualization. It is not a bad strategy to remove the bass (gear) as a limiting factor in the beginning of our journey. Having great gear provides a budding musician certainty that sound and technique are there in exactly the measure that the player brings to the stage. In other words, one can't blame the gear for any shortcomings in performance. This also helps with self doubts during a time when muscle and sinew are not yet inured to the 'unnatural' demands the instrument imposes.

I went this route and I was keenly aware that I was being judged (and sometimes I actually was). It created a lot of anxiety in me which, added to the ever present stage fright, made performances not enjoyable. I saved up the sh!tload of money a Kubicki cost back in 86 doing minimum wage work; I earned it. I bought a Kubicki not to be different or special but because I loved the way it felt, sounded and looked. I don't claim to be completely free of vanity but it never figured in the election criteria of my bass.

Point is: If I saw a musically talented neophyte rocking a Ritter, or Fodera, I'd say "Good on you sister!". We all catch up to our instrument sooner or later. Why not be supportive instead of judgemental?

well, to be clear, the kind of situation I was referring to was not "a musically talented neophyte rocking ..." high-end gear, it was more about largely talent-free people, apparently with way more money than skills, who seemed to feel that the simple fact of ownership of such high-end gear should automatically endow them with respect as a player ... vs respect earned through some actual demonstrated talent. So, quite a different situation than what you are posing.

either way, you must have missed my many repetitions of "play what you like, like what you play" ... which I also firmly believe in.
peace

 

[plankspanker13]

I can kinda understand a bit of the OP's vibe. Sometimes, I've been rocking a 'wick or a G&L, and have been asked about it. It likely has more to do with the demographics of the folks asking the questions. Older people don't know these brands as much as younger folks do. Perhaps there's an Ibby player out there who could add to this.

 

[candiehappy]

A few more of my "less usual" basses:
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I have a white Hondo Flash ( by Harry Flieshman ) bass that is almost identical to your black one. Instead of knobs that stick out mine has rollers that are almost flush with what little body is on the bass.

It sounds great and plays great except that it is way neck heavy and wants to naturally point to the ground. It took a good bit of experimenting with straps and what not to get it where I did not have to constantly feel like I was holding the neck up with my left hand.

Nice collection of oddball stuff you have!