I could care less of what others opinion is about my gear, they don’t pay my bills...
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Being embarrassed by basses you love?
- Thread starter keyofnight
- Start date
25 years ago I took lessons from one of the top players in Houston who used the highest of high end gear. He still plays today and uses a Ibanez TMB-100, Squire Jazz and Yamaha RBX basses live. He still has a couple of the high end basses, but rarely plays them. It's not the instrument, it's the player!
I see It as an ability to recognize good gear, people who lack this ability stay in the safe spot and buy the brands... It's like people ordering the most expensive wine in restaurants thinking it's the best they can have, while an oenologist (I had to pay big bucks for this word, just to say, someone who knows their wines) knows it's a crappy wine, they sell to the ignorant who like to impress...
I love my 1986 Foundation S. I bought it new and I went thru darn near every bass in the store at the time and picked this one. It was better built, sounding and playing than ANY of the Fenders that were out then and I liked it better than the Ibanez's and whatever else was on the wall at the time. So I've had it for a good long while and it's the main bass I play in one of my bands. After having it so long it feels like home whenever I pick it up.
Oddly enough there are genres where playing a Peavey is super hip. I also own a Fury. I love it. I wanted an old school passive pbass clone.
I was keeping my eye on craigslist for a used glitter Daisy Rock bass. No luck with that, fortunately because I ran across someone selling a US Peavey B-Ninety in Raspberry Pearl - for $170!
Attachments
I did the same thing to a natural ash finish bass but filled the holes with sheared-off hardwood toothpicks. The holes are not as apparent that way. I'd much rather look at some nice wood grain than cheap plastic.
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....
Side note, if anyone comes across another one of these, im looking for another....
practice/chops is the great equalizer and render all opinions either moot or relative. players want to play instruments that feel good to them.
all you have to say to the people that judge you by what you play is: "Thanks for reinforcing that judging people by what they have is just wrong. Have a nice day!"
Enjoy the B Ninety. Kind of jealous, mine is black.
Ever seen one of those people who are eccentric, march to the beat of their own drums, have unique sense of fashion and taste, and they totally own that $hit and don't care what others think, and just enjoy what they enjoy? Be that. You'll be happier for it.
Also, context matters. As others have said, unless you're trying to fit in, such as joining a band with a very specific image, you're not obligated to please other people. You do you and be happy.
The people who have made fun of you--they don't even give a second thought about you the moment you have left their sight, so why waste time thinking about them? And think about the times you might have made fun of others--do you think it's worth it for them to stay bothered by what you have said, when you probably don't give the slightest damn about them? And if the people you have made fun of weren't bothered at all and owned whatever uniqueness about themselves, wouldn't that actually make you respect them more?
Also, context matters. As others have said, unless you're trying to fit in, such as joining a band with a very specific image, you're not obligated to please other people. You do you and be happy.
The people who have made fun of you--they don't even give a second thought about you the moment you have left their sight, so why waste time thinking about them? And think about the times you might have made fun of others--do you think it's worth it for them to stay bothered by what you have said, when you probably don't give the slightest damn about them? And if the people you have made fun of weren't bothered at all and owned whatever uniqueness about themselves, wouldn't that actually make you respect them more?
OP, why do you care? What you play is nobody's business. The world is full of critics. No matter what bass you play, there will always be some jackwagon out there that will be critical of it for one reason or another. Play what you like.
Here is my story, I once had a guy tell me my bass was too bassy!? My response...it's a bass. That bass has been with me nearly 23 years, a 1997 Lakland 5594.
Here is my story, I once had a guy tell me my bass was too bassy!? My response...it's a bass. That bass has been with me nearly 23 years, a 1997 Lakland 5594.
I just spent a ton of money on a nice American Fender Jazz Bass. And then significantly less money on a handmade-in-Japan “no-name” brand and the quality blows it out of the water. Not to say the Fender is bad, it’s actually very nice. But there are other high quality builders out there that may not be charging top dollar for their stuff. You just have to keep your eyes peeled.
But be careful of the “name-brand-bug” and don’t buy something just to have the logo. Sometimes it’s worth it, but not always.
But be careful of the “name-brand-bug” and don’t buy something just to have the logo. Sometimes it’s worth it, but not always.
my Number one is a Kramer. Low action and never seems to need adjusting, rarely even needs to be tuned actually. I know a lot of people think it's an "80's hair band". Probably true in some respects. I've played and owned a lot of basses, and the few that equaled this bass in sound and playability were many times the cost of this one.
I started on a $100 pawn shop Samick. At first I was playing on my won, learning how to play, and so forth.
Eventually, after getting a Boss chromatic tuner pedal, I realized that my bass was garbage--it would constantly go out of tune. I went to have it set up, and even the tech had a hard time keeping the thing in tune. He kind of got the intonation, but told me he had to fight the bass to make it happen.
He didn't shame me for having a Samick, but he did ask if I was on the look out for another bass. Told him I didn't have the money at the time, but seeing as the bass going out of tune frequently was becoming a barrier to learning, I started to save up some money for a new bass.
I ended up in my high school's jazz band and got to play a MIM Fender Jazz Bass for a year. Opened my eyes up to the POS I had at home. From that moment on, I only paid for my car insurance and nothing else from my job as a grocery bagger, and then as a barista at Starbucks.
I went to get a new bass, picked out a Ric 4003, and got some crap from one of the salesmen working the bass department. I blew them off and bought the bass. Turned out it developed a huge neck problem that forced me to return it.
The same salesman was there when I returned it and gave me the "told you so" look. So I asked him what he would recommend. He pointed me to a Warwick Corvette. I tried it out; it sounded good but was heavy as all get out for being rather small. Being naive, I accepted the trade, and went home. The Corvette lasted a week--I couldn't play it for very long due to the weight and neck dive--I tried it out sitting down, but played in school standing up--and back it went to the guitar shop.
To say I was a bit pissed would be an understatement. I found a different salesman, told him my issue and situation, and he suggested I try out a StingRay. It was along the lines of "here's what Fenders should be" or some other boast/put down of Fender.
But I tried it out and fell in love with it. Wasn't as heavy as the Corvette, but better balanced, and that growl--dayum!
I've been playing a StingRay ever since. Have gotten a few looks and comments, especially from people in my jazz band in high school--"You should be playing a Fender Jazz bass, you know." Crap like that. And sure, they may have had a point that a StingRay isn't a "jazzy" bass, but it felt the best and sounded the best TO ME, so I said screw 'em and went on doing my thing.
The tl;dr--I was annoyed by my first bass, bought a bass based on looks and was given some grief for it, turned out to be somewhat justified, and eventually found a bass that wasn't a "good fit" for a HS jazz band, but stuck with it and haven't had any issues since.
The point is--play what you want and like. If I was more concerned about what others thought, I'd still be playing a J bass or that awkward Corvette--neither are bad basses by any stretch, but they just weren't ME.
You gotta do you.
Eventually, after getting a Boss chromatic tuner pedal, I realized that my bass was garbage--it would constantly go out of tune. I went to have it set up, and even the tech had a hard time keeping the thing in tune. He kind of got the intonation, but told me he had to fight the bass to make it happen.
He didn't shame me for having a Samick, but he did ask if I was on the look out for another bass. Told him I didn't have the money at the time, but seeing as the bass going out of tune frequently was becoming a barrier to learning, I started to save up some money for a new bass.
I ended up in my high school's jazz band and got to play a MIM Fender Jazz Bass for a year. Opened my eyes up to the POS I had at home. From that moment on, I only paid for my car insurance and nothing else from my job as a grocery bagger, and then as a barista at Starbucks.
I went to get a new bass, picked out a Ric 4003, and got some crap from one of the salesmen working the bass department. I blew them off and bought the bass. Turned out it developed a huge neck problem that forced me to return it.
The same salesman was there when I returned it and gave me the "told you so" look. So I asked him what he would recommend. He pointed me to a Warwick Corvette. I tried it out; it sounded good but was heavy as all get out for being rather small. Being naive, I accepted the trade, and went home. The Corvette lasted a week--I couldn't play it for very long due to the weight and neck dive--I tried it out sitting down, but played in school standing up--and back it went to the guitar shop.
To say I was a bit pissed would be an understatement. I found a different salesman, told him my issue and situation, and he suggested I try out a StingRay. It was along the lines of "here's what Fenders should be" or some other boast/put down of Fender.
But I tried it out and fell in love with it. Wasn't as heavy as the Corvette, but better balanced, and that growl--dayum!
I've been playing a StingRay ever since. Have gotten a few looks and comments, especially from people in my jazz band in high school--"You should be playing a Fender Jazz bass, you know." Crap like that. And sure, they may have had a point that a StingRay isn't a "jazzy" bass, but it felt the best and sounded the best TO ME, so I said screw 'em and went on doing my thing.
The tl;dr--I was annoyed by my first bass, bought a bass based on looks and was given some grief for it, turned out to be somewhat justified, and eventually found a bass that wasn't a "good fit" for a HS jazz band, but stuck with it and haven't had any issues since.
The point is--play what you want and like. If I was more concerned about what others thought, I'd still be playing a J bass or that awkward Corvette--neither are bad basses by any stretch, but they just weren't ME.
You gotta do you.
1. I have never met or seen a bassist that was "better than their bass" so long as that instrument didn't have major structural or electronic problems. Take that money you're thinking about spending on a Wal or whatever high-end bauble has your attention and spend it on lessons instead. It will be a far better investment twenty years from now than any bass.
2. I have no hesitation about getting rid of any piece of gear that doesn't work for me. That being said, it sounds like your "trusty companions" are working for you just fine.
I have some nice US-made instruments, but I have no problem dragging out my Rogue VB-100 or modded Squier Affinity P.
I just want to say I really dig the graphic on the Ray. Assuming decals, or painted?
I just want to say I really dig the graphic on the Ray. Assuming decals, or painted?
Those that focus more on the music & technique, and less on the equipment & brands, are musicians. Those that concern themselves with other's opinions on their gear are just collectors.
