Being embarrassed by basses you love?

[thisonegoestoeleven]

When I was young i filled in in a country band for the bass player
He played standup...I played a Gibson Explorer.
Nobody said a damn thing.

 

[arts]

My very first bass was a cheap,no name plywood explorer copy with black tapewounds. It had three strings.No E.
So,I did what every poor kid who couldn't afford a pack of strings did,I used a length of black zip-cord (probably off an old toaster) to fake my way along.Played that all the way through high school,using only the G-D-A.

This likely explains the bass players that influenced me the most......E!?!?!? I don't need no stinkin' E!!!
(and I'm snaggin the second half of the guitar solo too,loser)

 

[PhillipHolbrook]

That bass is gorgeous! I would proudly play that beauty.

 

[Ganelin]

Streamlines are such beautiful instruments. The amount of comments I get when I play my NS-designs headless could fill a pool. People just don't "get" headless basses. I've even had bass players in other bands joke about how odd it looks and it must be "weird" to play. Then I let them play it. That always shuts them up.

I play Washburn Status S1000 Headless. We play punk, and most of the bassist in the scene would use P Basses, some J, mostly Fender. But all of them remember my Headless
When i bought it and found out hat it is on a heavy side, I wanted to sell, but gave it a try on one of the shows, since with 5 ppl on stage it's much safer to have a smaller instrument (yes, I am an engineer, and I apply logic everywhere hahah). It sounded a killer, so I play it for the last 3 years. All the touring USA big bands we opened for complemented on on my bass. Either the sound, the fact that it is headless, or on both. So play whatever you feel like...and play with confidence!

 

[Bass4natic]

The only reason the Sire bass sales so well is because people think it will make them sound like Marcus Miller...if your bass feels good play it well and you might convince other the buy Schecter.

 

[Barticus]

Just play the crap out of whatever you have, if it makes you happy and you play it well... that usually shuts up the critics

I remember a schoolmate back in junior high that couldn’t afford a good drum kit and had a hodge-podge kit he cobbled together... he was ingenious in how he tuned it to make it sound good, but had black gaf tape wrapped on the shells to give a consistent color, a set of rototoms with cylinders taped on, cymbals with drilled holes to stop the crack from going further, wood blocks made in woodshop, yada-yada, you get it, totally homemade and not a pretty kit...

I remember another kid/drummer with a massive 13 piece Tama kit (his parents bought) making fun of it... then at the talent show (dating myself here) the kid with junk-kit proceeded to play Neil Peart’s live solo from Working Man... the room went crazy as he totally crushed it!

The kid with the crappy drum kit then became a somewhat of a local legend... I’ve heard others still referencing this story 40yrs later.

So if you’re happy with your gear, play the crap out of it and spend your time on skills, not trying to please others...

That’s my $.02

 

[vstrode]

When I was 18, I bought my first bass an Ibanez Acoustic. I loved it because I didn't need an amp to play it, had very flat action, and had a tuner built in. But from day 1, I had to defend myself from folks who argue, "acoustic bass is useless." I'm still defending myself. A couple years later, I bought a used 5-string Schecter. I really loved this bass, because it felt like I was getting so much for the price. But Schecter as a brand hasn't really held up. So many folks think of them as the old numetal sponsor or the new djent sponsor. The last time I mentioned that I had a Schecter at a guitar shop, folks laughed and joked about how it must be covered in abalone inlays.

I've thought about replacing both of these basses with more premium basses, but I won't replace them unless the replacements are better quality. It seems, however, like I'd have to pay a great deal of money to get instruments that feel better to me. The Schecter, in particular, came from the Cort factory and was finished in Schecter's shop. It's still feels quite nice in my hands, and I genuinely find it more comfortable than the higher-end Fender, G&Ls, and Gibsons I tried in shops. The instruments that tempt me are things from Wal, Modulus, Mike Lull, etc. Even still, I can't shake the competing feelings that (1) I can do better than my basses, and (2) these are my trusty companions that I shouldn't replace.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this problem. Tell me your stories, and tell me what you do/did in situations like these.

Yeah, play what you want. I have cheap basses that I like and expensive ones I like. If you see me at a gig I could be playing my Ric or Fender Jazz or a Douglas or Ibanez 100.

 

[thisonegoestoeleven]

I used to own a bass just like this one. In the early 90's I went to a audition for a thrash band with it while wearing a Poison concert shirt. I was mocked from the moment i walked in... a few spectators even laughed and made jokes about the last guy who listened to Poison that they jumped, held down and cut his hair off... They begrudgingly showed me a few riffs to one of their songs and 5 minutes after we started playing together, i was offered the job. Truth is, its not who you listen to or what brand of instrument you play, its who you are as a musician that matters. Don't be ashamed of what gear you have. Show them that you are more than the name on the headstock or the look of the instrument.

Side note, if anyone comes across another one of these, im looking for another.... View attachment 3619747

I've got it in bubblegum pink. Platinum series. It was a backup for my booger green one. Still have both.

 

[Charlie28711]

My advice to you, "F-'em" Guitars/basses are like lovers. We love who and what we love and nobody gets to tell you otherwise. At least in the 'home of the free.".
One of my regrets is selling my Schecter Stargazer.
So back to that lover analogy. If you have one or two that you love. Hold them like you'll never let go.

 

[matthewwithanm]

I think sometimes people aren't really serious, they're just using it as an in for a connection. I used to get jokes about my short scale Mustang (this was back before their spike in popularity!) but nobody _really_ cared. They were happy when I said "no way!" and showed I was passionate about it. It's more fun for everybody to hear somebody get excited about their gear—especially when it's something different!

 

[GTA4lifehomie]

When Fender first started selling Japanese made instruments, all the bad ass rockers in my neck of the woods slagged that “MIJ junk” almost as hard as they did my “wet farts in a bathtub” Peavey basses. No need to tell you what the opinion of Japanese Fenders and American made Peaveys is these days. ignore the experts. If your basses bring you joy they are doing the job just fine.

Ye i have one of them peavey t40 and a peavey t45 bass and i think theyre absolutely killer for the money, both made in USA and both mocked by people all around the world in the early 2000s these peavey t40s where going for as low as $150 if not even lower then in like 2010 it rose to 400 or something and now in this day those peavey t40s bass are worth near $1,000 if you can get your hands in 1 of those bad boys, it may as well be the only bass you could play for years on end and not get any GAS for realz man people simply arent ready for what the peavey T series is capable of. For example check out this photo where i compare how mahoosive the peavey t40 bridge is compared to the tiny little punk ass worthless piece of bent steel bridge that is on the fender jazz and precision basses STANDARD. Not only is my bridge bigger but my pickups are bigger, louder, splitable, and phasable trust me after you had your first peavey t40 you will neber want to go back to anything else except maybe a wal bass the ones that cost an arm a leg and a kidney to purchase

 

[Wanker_Joe]

I play Washburn Status S1000 Headless. We play punk, and most of the bassist in the scene would use P Basses, some J, mostly Fender. But all of them remember my Headless
When i bought it and found out hat it is on a heavy side, I wanted to sell, but gave it a try on one of the shows, since with 5 ppl on stage it's much safer to have a smaller instrument (yes, I am an engineer, and I apply logic everywhere hahah). It sounded a killer, so I play it for the last 3 years. All the touring USA big bands we opened for complemented on on my bass. Either the sound, the fact that it is headless, or on both. So play whatever you feel like...and play with confidence!

Those washburn status basses are so unusual! Like, why did Washburn make a recreation of a Status? Super cool basses.

 

[PhillipHolbrook]

I started playing at age 9. My older brother played bass and guitar. When I first started learning I used an old guitar my brother no longer wanted. It had 2 strings, it's low E and A. The following week I played at church.
This quickly got old. My cousin had an old Kay electric bass that weighed 15 lbs and looked absolutely horrid. A steel, rust-pitted pickguard 1/4" thick and a worn sunburst finish. But the worst of it was its headstock: It had been broken off just above the nut, then he glued and duct taped the headstock back on, and believe it or not, it played perfectly in tune.
That is the bass I started playing in church. I was only 10 years old (and dreamed every day about getting a 70's Fender Jazz).
You can imagine my embarrassment...

 

[robmclucky]

When I was 18, I bought my first bass an Ibanez Acoustic. I loved it because I didn't need an amp to play it, had very flat action, and had a tuner built in. But from day 1, I had to defend myself from folks who argue, "acoustic bass is useless." I'm still defending myself. A couple years later, I bought a used 5-string Schecter. I really loved this bass, because it felt like I was getting so much for the price. But Schecter as a brand hasn't really held up. So many folks think of them as the old numetal sponsor or the new djent sponsor. The last time I mentioned that I had a Schecter at a guitar shop, folks laughed and joked about how it must be covered in abalone inlays.

I've thought about replacing both of these basses with more premium basses, but I won't replace them unless the replacements are better quality. It seems, however, like I'd have to pay a great deal of money to get instruments that feel better to me. The Schecter, in particular, came from the Cort factory and was finished in Schecter's shop. It's still feels quite nice in my hands, and I genuinely find it more comfortable than the higher-end Fender, G&Ls, and Gibsons I tried in shops. The instruments that tempt me are things from Wal, Modulus, Mike Lull, etc. Even still, I can't shake the competing feelings that (1) I can do better than my basses, and (2) these are my trusty companions that I shouldn't replace.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this problem. Tell me your stories, and tell me what you do/did in situations like these.

No matter what kind of bass you play somebody is not going to like it. I've bought basses I thought I 'should have', and never wound up using them much. Be true to yourself.

 

[dmcelroy]

You and me both pal I have my1976 Ripper since high school in 1978. I love it to death and ultimately will be buried with it... I just wished that my heavy metal adicted younger self didn't rip out the original electronics and have active EMG's put in! That wouldn't be so bad except I told the guy who d id it to keep the old crap! What an ass I was... Nonetheless this basis the God of thunder and is uniquely mine!

yeah...mine is 100% original except the strings obviously. Nothing out there sounds anything like it. It’s a heavy big bodied beast that I’ll never trade. I also have a 94 Les Paul bass with the active electronics and Bartolini pickups. It has a beautiful sound. My dream bass is a pre-cbs Fender Jazz.

 

[Ronnie Davis]

I play a Fender acoustic electric bass and love it! One of the cheaper models to $299. I also have a DeArmond 5String electric that I’ve been playing since 2002. I like what I play and play what I like, no one else’s approval is needed! Unless of course they’re willing to buy it for me. Any takers?

 

[Atomic Highway]

I bought a schecter 5 string 20 years ago when I wanted to learn the five. The quality, construction, sound, finish was amazing. Absolutely great bass. It took me a while to appreciate everything it was. I got an MTD 5 fretless, a TBC 5 short scale, and that schecter kicked their ass. Gone back to 4 string, I happen to love my MIM fender Jazz I found in a music shop for $350, the neck is perfect for me...sold all my 5's because I am back in love with 4 string. Also bough a squier for $40 from my drummer...great for learning slap. I don't give a shite what anybody things of what I play. Like many others, its the player and knowledge of their instrument that creates the sound. I guarantee you could give a top player a crap bass and they would make it sing. Enjoy what you have, dont worry about shite heads who dont know what they are talking about, or who are brand conscious. Just like anything in life, if you are worried about what others think, you have bigger problems than what someone things about your bass choice

 

[ClayD]

My first Bass! Hondo 2 SG short neck 4 string... I wish like hell I could find one!
I gutted all the parts off of it, including the neck and transfered them to a bass i made in woodshop in 1985... lol

 

[dmcelroy]

The evolution...the silvertone (I was 14), ripper and les Paul.

 

[Gwyn ap Nudd]

You could just say, "I know what you mean. You probably want to upgrade your girlfriend/significant other because of her looks, but she feels great when you hold her, you know exactly how to make her sing, and better looking women always cost you so much more."