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Dealing with Gear Nazis

phillipkregg

phillipkregg

Jun 8, 2010
3,681
5,824
Nashville, TN
#1
Almost everytime I play somewhere, I get accosted after the performance by some bass player in the audience who wants to spend hours talking about gear.

It may be about what gear I have - or should have. Or it could be about his gear (yes, it's always a guy).

It occurred to me that I could just pretend not to be a bass player and not know anything about gear.

For instance, I could say, "Well, you know, I don't really even play bass. My main instrument is <insert anything other than bass here>. I just fill in on bass every once in a while."

I mean I don't like being rude, but I just want to play (and scope out chicks mainly) - not talk about gear all night.

I've also noticed that this never happens to the guitarist, vocalist, drummer, or keyboardist. It's always me.

Anyone else have a die hard strategy for dealing with the Gear Nazis? Or does it even annoy you?
 
#4
Frankly, I love talking gear with other players even more than I enjoy scoping the ladies.

I mean, chances are great that I'll learn something new about my instrument or amp that I'll use and apply for years to come... but if a chick at a bar gives me something that lasts for years, I'm probably gonna regret it, yaknowwhatimean?

If it bothers you, though, I'd suggest pretending to be gay and hitting on the dude. If you claim to play another instrument, he'll probably just start asking you about what sax/guitar/keyboard you play. Pretending to be gay, however, will likely get rid of him real fast, and may also up your chances with the ladies.
 
#8
You could just be honest with the person and say you aren't much into the gear side of things. Or, yes, any number of clever lies could be cooked up. I did like yours, I thought it was humorous - that you weren't really a bassist.

I for one love to talk with my bass-gear-loving brethren, one of the best ways to get feedback from someone who might actually have been listening to the bass at the show.
 
#11
I'm a gearhead so I don't mind it either but only to a certain point.

There comes a time after a gig where you want to walk around and acknowledge and spend some time with friends and other people who may have come to see your band. To talk about the music rather than the gear.

So my advice is to politely say that you want to make your rounds and thank everyone for coming... I'm sure any gigging musician no matter how big a gearhead they are would be more than cool with that.
 
#16
I get the occasional gear talker, most bands bassist must think I'm the "make-a-wish bass foundation" to let them play through my rig (Orange Tube Amp, and 2 Orange 15s), I've never had so much attention with any rig I've ever owned.
 
#17
phillipkregg said:
Maybe it's just me.

I used to not think anything of it, but it's when you get those certain guys who start taking digs at you because you aren't using a certain kind of bass or amp that annoy me.

Or they say things like, "Oh, you just have a Skyline - that's not a real Lakland you know." I mean, really, what does it matter?
Click to expand...

That *is* annoying. I love to talk gear at a gig, but if someone just wants to diss your stuff that's another matter entirely. You should just spill your beer on someone like that.

/rick
 
#18
Unfortunately the people on this site are probably "those guys"

99% of the people in the crowd can't hear the subtle difference of just the bass gear as they are listening to the whole body of music.

After being married I'd rather talk gear than scope chicks but you'll learn that later!
 

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