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Crappy bassists with expensive gears?

#161
NecroticImbecil said:
435906_stock-photo-gold-gear.jpg
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I see what you did there.

<golf clap>
 
#164
I don't know if I'd consider myself a crappy bassist necessarily, but if we're using value to determine skill, I'm definitely not at a level I should be to own the basses I do. However, I do own them, so I guess I'll just keep on practicing on them and trying to get to that level!
 
#165
Eons ago an evil luthier tricked mankind by giving away free Warwicks. Those accepting them were deceived into believing that they would instantly become the next Jaco. Little did they know that accepting them would make them crappy bassists for eternity.

One Warwick to rule them all
One Warwick to find them
One Warwick to bring them all
And in the darkness bind them

The one Warwick must be found and ... well, you know the rest
 
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#166
Well my Ibanez has whatever gears they put in the tuners from the factory. Should I be looking to have them replaced with something high-end as I improve as a bassist?

AFAIK there are no gears in my amp, so I should be okay there for a while.
 
#167
FourBanger said:
Well my Ibanez has whatever gears they put in the tuners from the factory. Should I be looking to have them replaced with something high-end as I improve as a bassist?

AFAIK there are no gears in my amp, so I should be okay there for a while.
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tumblr_lryc0cmE8V1qbt8o1.jpg

_______________________________________________

I will say, like most others, I thought this was a club. I would definitely join! I play a warwick through a 1001RB, and i'm nowhere near as good as most other guys with a similar setup.
 
#168
The only people who care about what equipment you use, unless it's just really sub-standard, are sales people, the wonkiest of fans, and other musicians. The proof is ALWAYS in the playing. And even then, most people don't really know.
 
#169
ilovenofrets said:
I am in agreement on this thread. Rick Laird made mention in his Improvising Jazz Bass book that a big-money bass will not sound better in the hands of an inept player than a bargain bass in the hands of a seasoned pro. I'm not saying that you shouldn't spend your hard earned cashola the way you want, but I would think that if you are spending anything over a grand on a bass, you should be at least a mid-level intermediate player that can lay a solid groove, keep a good rhythm and lock in with the drummer.
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I agree to some extent, but sometimes you have to remember decisions can be more calculated than that. For instance, I haven't been playing long (7 months), but there is no doubt I will be sticking with it. So i bought a bass I will want, not just one that suits my needs now. If you have budget constraints, you can get a much better (single) bass that you will be happy with as you improve than you can getting a cheap beginner bass, and then later wanting a better one. Example, I almost picked up a $400 bass, then I realized I was going to want a nicer one in a year or two, why not just put that $400 towards that bass. Otherwise I would have to start saving from scratch for the bass I actually want (minus, resale, sure, but who knows what that will be on a cheap bass in the first place).

Im not disputing that the player makes the bass, but if you know you're going to want another one soon, and can afford it now, just save the money and skip intermediary.
 
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#171
dose said:
I think people sometimes forget the #1 rule in music.
It's all about FUN.. gear doesn't matter and neither does talent.
If you can keep a beat ad enjoy yourself thats all thats important
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Thanks for saying what you did. It is all about fun, isn't it?

Personally, I'd rather hear a bassist play only the root note for each chord in a song than hear another bassist be "all over the map".

Also, I feel that when we recognize what our true ablities are on the bass and stay within our limits, playing bass is fun! (of course it doesn't hurt to try to improve)

As for the original thread, sometimes it does seem like a poor playing bassist will compensate by owning really expensive equipment or a massive arsenal of equipment. And, I'm not saying that's wrong.

I think most of us are bass hobbyists because of our day jobs and there is the thrill of owning bass equipment over being a professional musician. I guess we are wanna be bassists.

I don't feel guilty at all owning too much stuff. It's a much cheaper vice than owning a bunch of automobles and motorcycles!
 
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#172
Just goes to show that you don't have to have talent to own an expensive bass. You just need a lot of money! ;)

But there is also something to be said for buying a quality instrument that doesn't get in your way!
 
#173
Quit worrying about what the other guy is playing... IT'S HIS MONEY!!!
Not trying to hurt anybody's feeling but how juvenile... Should only expert drivers own a Porsche? Only CEOs can have a nice suit? Quit being jealous and save your own money... Then you can buy whatever you want...
I learned this in kindergarten :(
 
#174
Edward G. said:
The only people who care about what equipment you use, unless it's just really sub-standard, are sales people, the wonkiest of fans, and other musicians. The proof is ALWAYS in the playing. And even then, most people don't really know.
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ha ha ha Ya gotta a belly laugh out of me on your wonderful comment!

Very true! Most people in the audience don't really know about what the bassist is doing or what kind of stuff he's using or anyone else in the band for that matter.

Actually, nobody really cares as long as there is alcohol.
 
#177
LakeEffect said:
I agree to some extent, but sometimes you have to remember decisions can be more calculated than that. For instance, I haven't been playing long (7 months), but there is no doubt I will be sticking with it. So i bought a bass I will want, not just one that suits my needs now.
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That's the approach I took many years ago. Played a crappy starter bass for less than a year then decided to upgrade to a G&L ASAT in the $1k range.

A year after that I realized that I didn't know what the hell I was doing when I picked out that ASAT. Awesome bass, but not for me - too many controls, way too heavy and I didn't like the way it hung off a strap (since there's no upper horn).

I would have been better off waiting as long as possible before upgrading or at least upgrading to something less expensive so I wouldn't be so invested in it once I realized it wasn't for me.

YMMV of course. I'm sure this approach worked out great for many.
 
#179
rabidwolverine said:
ive always found that along with learning to play, any bassist should learn to set up his or her own bass. its saved me money and allowed me to have a nice set up on all my basses.
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+1
So true...
*cue the 'gettin to know you' song !!!

Not only economic but, a fantastic way to understand your instruments....and I just like to do it myself sort of self soothing.

Wish however I had those same minerals for amp twinkerin !
 

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