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Dealing with Gear Nazis

#21
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?
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that's different. I'd tell 'em to F off. Skylines are REAL man.

you could ask what they play and laugh in their face. That might make a brief conversation.
 
#22
R. Laevinus said:
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.
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Y'know I can see this plan backfiring somehow....
 
#23
I don't mind talking shop after a set provided the other guy knows what he's talking about. Case in point...

Did a benefit the other weekend and another bassist had an OK rig with a Behringer head, 2 X 10 cab, and some sort of 15" aluminum bottom cab. He EQ's by turning everything but the volume up to 10...literally. Let's just say I was polite.

Riis
 
#24
phillipkregg said:
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?
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Do you play out with a few pedals? That can induce the gear conversation...
 
#27
phillipkregg said:
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?
Click to expand...

boy are you ever on the wrong forum! :D
 
#28
I don't mind talking shop with other musicians when I'm gigging. It's when someone comes off as a gear braggart on what they own, while covertly or overtly, insulting some bit of gear I'm using that tries my patience sometimes. Usually the really crass ones are basement dwelling wannabes that most likely aren't in a band, or rarely gig. Hard working semi-pros and pro musicians want to talk about the music, and if they do talk about gear it's most likely to compliment you, not insult you, no matter what humble or funky bits of stuff you might be gigging with.
 
#30
wow!!!! there's a name for guys like you! D*CK! bass players have a cult thing going on. maybe you noticed the name of this site? If you don't like poeple why are you in a band? Oh I know cause you're the greatest player of all time and it's your duty let the little poeple hear you!!!!! Right?
 
#31
I like talking gear for a while, but not all night.

I once had some jerk-off ask me in a condescending way why I didn't play a Mesa Boogie rig while setting up my Eden rig. I politely explained that I liked the Mesa Boogie sound, but perferred what I purchased. He repeatedly asked me, in this disbelieving voice, if the Eden rig (which he had never heard of) really had a better tone than the Mesa Boogie.

Finally, I told him he was right. I wasted my money by spending more on my Eden rig than what I would have spent on a Mesa Boogie rig.

He shut up when we started playing. :D
 
#32
thumpbass1 said:
Usually the really crass ones are basement dwelling wannabes that most likely aren't in a band, or rarely gig. Hard working semi-pros and pro musicians want to talk about the music, and if they do talk about gear it's most likely to compliment you, not insult you, no matter what humble or funky bits of stuff you might be gigging with.
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This.
 
#33
IME, the more vocal cats who want to convince you that your bass is not as good (big) as their bass are usually wannabees substituting BS for any kind of cred. I'll chat with them to a point and then find something else I need to do.

The cats who can really play don't tend to get into the gear comparison thing, unless they see something you are doing that is useful, and want a little more information. Those can be very interesting conversations.

Gear is cool, but the playing is really what it is all about for me. Fortunately, our breaks are short and there is generally not a whole lot of time to get into d**k waving contests, as George Carlin would have put it. Plus, so many really awesome players are really just playing on mediocre to lower grade instruments, I just can't get too caught up in it. My favorite guitarist I've ever gigged with plays a Squire, and routinely blows away most other guitarists. My 2c.
 
#34
Talking about gear is an "ice breaker" . it's way to start a conversation with a stranger who shares a similar interest or profession.
That's all.
I don't particularly like talking gear with a stranger but It's better than religion or politics
 
#35
If you're playing bass in a band to scope out the chicks, you're playing the wrong instrument for the wrong reason...

That said, I played a gig the other night with an amazing organ player who had his "portable" Hammond and a real Leslie. He got most of the gear-head attention, and it was well-deserved (he's a B3-aficionado and used to own a B3 rental company in Southern California). I got a little gear attention, though, with my G&L L2500.

Mainly people were more complimentary on my playing. :)
 
#36
I like talking to players about gear and music if it's brought up. I'll also bring it up if I've never seen the gear before or if it's home-made. I'm happy with my woman so don't look for others at a show, and I can't stand drunken "philosophers" .... so it kinda fills in the "dead air".
 
#40
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...

Ah--now I see what you're referring to: anklebiters, not fans.

Hmn. Prolly they deserve Invalid Link Removed of response...
 

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