Do I need a "good" bass for auditions?

[Yonni]

I recently sold my Lakland Skyline as I couldn't stand the weight anymore and started looking for a MIM Fender P to replace it. While I'm waiting to find the right one I thought I'd upgrade the pups on my first bass, an Ibanez GSR180. I installed a set of Fender Pure Vintage 74s and it sounds so full and great, especially with the bridge soloed. I'm now in no rush to get the Fender. I still want a P but the question is, do I need it right now? The Ibby honestly sounds massive for a lightweight and what you might call "an entry level" instrument. But there are expectations when you audition. What you pull out of the gig bag surely goes some way to the band members forming their initial perception of how good you are, or am I wrong?

Does bass prejudice exists when auditioning?

Should I have an instrument with some status to help me get in a band?

 

[two fingers]

The short answer is "it depends".

Anyone who says it doesn't matter is naïve. Sure, it SHOULDN'T matter. But it does. But that's only when talking about FIRST impressions.

You may get some eye rolls when you whip out your entry level Ibby at the audition. But here's the thing. Can you play? Do you have chops? How's your other gear? Is it reliable, loud, and pleasing to the eyes/ears? How do you carry yourself? How do you dress for performances?

First impressions can be wiped away by great tone, killer chops, and awareness of what's going on around you. Also, your PERSONAL appearance matters as well. You show up knowing the material, and ADDING to the band, and LOOKING like a musician, you'll get the job. If nothing else, you'll get "Hey we really like you and your playing. Any chance you can upgrade your bass?". Then it's up to you if you wanna play with people like that.

But, again, saying it doesn't matter with regard to FIRST impression is ridiculous. It does. You just have to be good enough to destroy those first impressions. You bring the look and the chops and you'll be fine.

 

[JRA]

What you pull out of the gig bag surely goes some way to the band members forming their initial perception of how good you are, or am I wrong?

eyes vs. ears =

Should I have an instrument with some status to help me get in a band?

take some 'fingers with status' and the ax you play won't matter. good luck with your audition!

 

[godofthunder59]

Sadly it matters. As others have stated you can trump misconceptions with chops and looks but lets be honest you will be judge by what you pull out of the case.

 

[Bass Viking]

Post some videos on YouTube of you playing the bass. Then they’ll hear how good it sounds and know what to expect.

I play for fun. Frankly, any band that will reject me because of the brand I’m using is not a band I want to join.

 

[brianrost]

Brand prejudice does exist but if you can make a cheap bass and amp sound killer, it's hard for anyone to argue with that.

 

[ACWild]

If you play well and sound great, it really shouldn’t matter. The audience definitely can’t tell. That said, I played with a guy who brought a Squier Strat and I’ll admit that I had some wrong impressions. When he played and made it sound amazing, he got bonus points. Ymmv.

 

[Nevada Pete]

I think it works both ways. Prospective band mates might be impressed by a high status flashy expensive bass, only to change their mind as soon as they hear the owner play it. Happens all the time. I'm not even sure how much other instrumentalists / vocalists even know about the various bases, anyway.

Nothing says you can't take the initiative and say something like: I sold my Lakland Skyline because it was too heavy, and while I was fixing to replace it, I installed Fender Pure Vintage 74s on this Ibanez. I think it sounds really great! Check it out... The rest is up to you. I think you'll be fine.

Besides, when you flip your SVT off standby and the lights dim out in the rehearsal space, they won't dare say anything about your instrument.

 

[Gringo Basso]

Back in the 80's I remember the "Bass Player Wanted" ads requiring SVT/Fender P or don't bother to show. Being a Ric player, I answered a few ads and was surprised just how set these bands were on bass gear. We didn't have Squier yet, so the headstock decal switch option wasn't there either. There has been some progress, but I still think your chances are better with the name brand gear. You have to remember just how dense most musicians are. And if you knock their socks off with your technique - it tends to scare a lot of people, who just want the bassist to sit in the back......but I think we're in better shape in 2020 than in 1980 when it comes to gear prejudice.

 

[Luckydog]

Yeah unfortunately prejudice exists in some situations. A couple of gigs that I’ve done with my Sadowsky PJ some people have come up to me and said wow your bass sounds really good what kind is it. When I tell them what it is they say well it sounds pretty good anyway even if it’s not a fender. I understand preconceptions and the prejudice that it might bring but I just smile and say thanks. I should keep a crappy bass with fender decal laying around for thief bait just in case.

 

[Barisaxman]

Prejudice may exist, but if your gear is adequate and you can play, it'll be fine for any band you would actually want to be a part of. A high-percentage of true gear snobs are more "gear collectors" than players, so you don't want to be a part of that anyway. Personally I enjoy pulling out my Reverend any time I'm subbing or something and the inevitable "what is that?" that comes along with something that isn't an obvious Fender or Fender-like instrument.

 

[moogieotter]

We had some guitarists try out. More than prestige, I was looking at the practical matter of practicing and performing with each person as they tried out.

There was really only one consideration. A nice guy and fine player brought a somewhat janky stereo rack system with a custom duct tape pedal mechanism. There was also a custom 12 speaker box. At first I just wanted to hear it, but bringing it along for the ride messed something up. He jiggled with it for a bit, and thankfully had a Plan B.

He brought in a very vintage Fender 112 Combo - it sounded good, but was also someone delicate. Glad he brought a backup.

Just some considerations for you. Good luck and please please keep us posted. We like stories.

 

[707GK]

The short answer is "it depends".

Anyone who says it doesn't matter is naïve. Sure, it SHOULDN'T matter. But it does. But that's only when talking about FIRST impressions.

You may get some eye rolls when you whip out your entry level Ibby at the audition. But here's the thing. Can you play? Do you have chops? How's your other gear? Is it reliable, loud, and pleasing to the eyes/ears? How do you carry yourself? How do you dress for performances?

First impressions can be wiped away by great tone, killer chops, and awareness of what's going on around you. Also, your PERSONAL appearance matter as well. You show up knowing the material, and ADDING to the band, and LOOKING like a musician, you'll get the job. If nothing else, you'll get "Hey we really like you and your playing. Any chance you can upgrade your bass?". Then it's up to you if you wanna play with people like that.

But, again, saying it doesn't matter with regard to FIRST impression is ridiculous. It does. You just have to be good enough to destroy those first impressions. You bring the look and the chops and you'll be fine.

Great post! My last audition, the band hadn’t heard of the brands of my gear. I could tell they were a bit skeptical. But then I plugged in and played a riff that for some reason no other auditioning bassist could get right. In that moment I think they forgot about my no-name gear and basically gave me the job on the spot.

Go in and do your thing and blow them away. You’ll get the job

 

[mmon77]

I play cheap basses/guitars, and some expensive ones. I like the way they sound and feel, and that's why I play them. Some people care about stuff like brands, and some don't.

In a perfect world, you'll blow them away with your playing ability, and it won't matter. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. If they care, and you don't get the gig, I'd take that was a win for you. People that concern themselves that much with trivial things will never be happy anyway.

 

[stingray69]

Sadly it matters. As others have stated you can trump misconceptions with chops and looks but lets be honest you will be judge by what you pull out of the case.

Well, when things are that shallow at the audition - you will be judged WAY before you pull anything out of a case.

I say don't worry about it - if your chops are strong, talent speaks for itself. I'd rather NOT be in a band where posers>talent.

Obviously, have enough sense not to bring a 15-string boutique monstrosity to a blues/country/etc. gig, but other than that, be yourself on your own gear.

 

[gln1955]

Yeah unfortunately prejudice exists in some situations. A couple of gigs that I’ve done with my Sadowsky PJ some people have come up to me and said wow your bass sounds really good what kind is it. When I tell them what it is they say well it sounds pretty good anyway even if it’s not a fender. I understand preconceptions and the prejudice that it might bring but I just smile and say thanks. I should keep a crappy bass with fender decal laying around for thief bait just in case.

Yes, I was thinking if the OP still had the Lakland, there would be people who would ask him why he didn't have a Fender. A lot (most?) muscians are pretty clueless about bass gear.

 

[Fresh Eddie]

I like Japanese BC Riches a lot, but I would never bring one when meeting anyone for the first time. It would be like wearing vinyl pants to a first date. Luckily, I also like P-Basses.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

I have been in bands that didn't care or know what I was playing and I have tried out for bands that asked me what I was playing as soon as I walked in the door. In my opinion it matters, the way you dress and present yourself matters, your personality matters, those that say it doesn't are not being realistic.

 

[GretschWretch]

Sadly it matters. As others have stated you can trump misconceptions with chops and looks but lets be honest you will be judge by what you pull out of the case.

And when you break out the T'bird, do people ask why you didn't bring the Klira?

 

[Charley Umbria]

Yes, I was thinking if the OP still had the Lakland, there would be people who would ask him why he didn't have a Fender. A lot (most?) muscians are pretty clueless about bass gear.

Agreed. Most non-bassists couldn’t tell a $200 bass from a $2,000 bass. If the band is only willing to entertain a FENDER P-BASS player, that’s on them. Be early, know the tunes, and sound great!