Do I need a "good" bass for auditions?

[MultiScaleMale]

Nobody is saying that a $10k Fodera is necessary, but when a Fender P bass can be had for under $800 - go ahead, don’t show up with one. It’s like not dressing up for a job interview. Sure, you may have skills but your first impression is that you’re a contrarian. Why make it difficult for yourself? If you’re going for the audition, you’re interested in the position.

Yes. You need good gear. It doesn’t have to be super high end, but it needs to look the part, sound good and be reliable. Stack the deck in your favor.

 

[fabubass]

Yep it matters. But maybe depends on the players a lot.

Just remember: A professional has professional equipment..... just like a professional in the business world doesn't show up with a 40 year old suit from Goodwill.

Hate to say it, many times to get the part, you have to look like the part.

Now if the audition is for a bunch of amateurs in a young band with pieced together equipment and inexpensive instruments, totally different story.

I was always taught "Dress to Impress". Same thing for equipment. But don't need to always look at run of the mill ideas.

Personally I play Spectors, a little different from the rest. I have some inexpensive ones and then some custom ones. But I also have some cutting edge amp and equipment. Most anyone can tell the difference quickly. So I feel life is too short for short cuts. And I owe it to myself and my art to have good equipment.

Other players see that.
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Great Reply!!

 

[Planespotter]

The short answer is yes.

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?

 

[lfmn16]

However, if you choose to base your hiring on superficial criteria, you may miss out on a great player.

And you can miss out on a good band by your refusal to recognize the realities of the audition process.

Sometimes people just need to be educated. There's not always malice involved in gear snobbery. I really don't see it as any different than any other thing I don't agree with people about. I've played with people who are on the other side politically. I don't know why people get so militant about gear choices.

I don't think we're going to come to agreement on this issue, but I do appreciate your civility.

 

[spade2you]

Sometimes yes. Sometimes no.

I took some harsh feedback when I was a beginner and didn't have $. Got some really nice gear after I got a job and somehow was pissing the same guys off because they thought I was trying to be better than them.

One "band" "leader" (there was no band, LOL) asked me what gear I used. I had just scored a Peavey Cirrus custom shop 4 string with a Kahler trem. I was stoked about that bass. I tell him about the bass. "NO beginner gear!" I explained that it was a USA made custom shop bass and a little more expensive than a USA Fender. Again, "NO beginner gear!" Then he hung up on me.

Incidents like this bothered me until I realized that many of these bands weren't actually bands. Many of these guys didn't get a band formed or get out of the basement.

 

[fabubass]

Ooh like if Jaco showed up with his road beaten Jazz bass. Group would be like that dude can play but his bass is trash. Let's pass on him/her. I'm sure it happens but I have also seen dudes/dudettes that pull into a rehearsal or gig with the best equipment money can buy and they can't keep time or walk a bass line worth listening to. They often make the group TEMPORARILY.

I agree short sighted bias does occur but that indicates the groups not about the music. That's a receipt for a frustrating existence in a group that probably wont stay together long term. See my previous response: is that going to be worth your time and effort?

If Jaco showed up for a classic rock/oldies gig, I'd show him the door!

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I have a parts Jazz that looks very expensive. I spent time building it myself and not only does it look badass but it sounds badass.

Do you think they'll care about the fender waterslide decal on the headstock? LOL.

I made this bass because I never had a jazz bass my entire life and it's really fun to play with the Precision neck I put on it. (Jazz necks weren't for me).

I achieved my goal and not only getting something I personally love to play but also something that looks really nice and can be gigable for weddings and the such. I believe that every player beyond a regular hobbyist should have a bass just for this purpose: classy, auditions, and high-end gigs.

If they ever ask, just tell them it is a custom shop fender jazz bass that was made for your for $$$$$.

 

[lfmn16]

Yep it matters. But maybe depends on the players a lot.

Just remember: A professional has professional equipment..... just like a professional in the business world doesn't show up with a 40 year old suit from Goodwill.

Hate to say it, many times to get the part, you have to look like the part.

Now if the audition is for a bunch of amateurs in a young band with pieced together equipment and inexpensive instruments, totally different story.

I was always taught "Dress to Impress". Same thing for equipment. But don't need to always look at run of the mill ideas.

Personally I play Spectors, a little different from the rest. I have some inexpensive ones and then some custom ones. But I also have some cutting edge amp and equipment. Most anyone can tell the difference quickly. So I feel life is too short for short cuts. And I owe it to myself and my art to have good equipment.

Other players see that.

You said what I've been thinking, but unable to put into words.

 

[fabubass]

It struck me that the majority of respondents said something like “those guys aren’t worth your time.” It’s like a test, part of your audition of them.

it’s important to draw a distinction between weekend warrior/hobby play (which is what I do) and true professional musician. In the former, play what you want! In the latter, you best have a Fender P, J and then some.

I also find it fascinating that a Fender bass is the standard. In most cases a MIM will do, a bass I can pick up used for $500 any day of the week. High end Fender clones will not turn heads like a “real” Fender. So much of this is about image, and if the band organizers are trying to cultivate a certain image.

Right ON! Can't go wrong with one of these!

 

[Afc70]

Speaking from experience, you definitely want to show up with nice gear, not junk. As was previously mentioned, it doesn’t have to be super hi end boutique, (like Fodera)but you want to sound good & make a good impression during your audition. Having good gear says a lot... How you dress, being on time, (obviously being able to play well)
your personality, all ties in (usually)
on getting the gig. * as a side note- there probably are exceptions- if you were showing up to audition for a punk band- then showing up w/ a cheap bass might actually be in your favor. Probably wouldn’t want an Alembic or Fodera for that audition...

 

[cchorney]

I had just scored a Peavey Cirrus custom shop 4 string with a Kahler trem.

It sounds sweet. Still have it? Got pics?

 

[mcnach]

It's strange to me that people would self-sabotage an audition by being defiant about a generally accurate indicator, such as the one you just pointed out.
I like franken-basses these days, but I also have some US fenders, Lakland and warwick basses.

For most players, the gear is indicative of their level of commitment to the craft, that includes cheaper basses that are absolutely killer, you need to know a thing or two to find those gems.
There's no moral victories if I show up to an audition with a bass not suitable to the genre, get rejected, then complain that the people hiring are rigid.
They wouldn't accept me being sloppily dressed or looking messy, nor having terrible attitude just because my playing is a redeeming feature.

Now you're going to extremes that do not apply to the OP at all.
Self-sabotage, moral victories... it is a little overdramatic, don't you think?

 

[mcnach]

Sometimes yes. Sometimes no.

I took some harsh feedback when I was a beginner and didn't have $. Got some really nice gear after I got a job and somehow was pissing the same guys off because they thought I was trying to be better than them.

One "band" "leader" (there was no band, LOL) asked me what gear I used. I had just scored a Peavey Cirrus custom shop 4 string with a Kahler trem. I was stoked about that bass. I tell him about the bass. "NO beginner gear!" I explained that it was a USA made custom shop bass and a little more expensive than a USA Fender. Again, "NO beginner gear!" Then he hung up on me.

Incidents like this bothered me until I realized that many of these bands weren't actually bands. Many of these guys didn't get a band formed or get out of the basement.

You're right, usually the worst people, for gear snobbery, are inexperienced bands with members who have enough disposable income to afford all the cool toys. We all like cool toys, that's not a bad thing, but it is a bad thing when the main interest revolves about the gear and not the music.

 

[CallMeAl]

Right ON! Can't go wrong with one of these!

I love that transparent red!

 

[gln1955]

Sometimes yes. Sometimes no.

I took some harsh feedback when I was a beginner and didn't have $. Got some really nice gear after I got a job and somehow was pissing the same guys off because they thought I was trying to be better than them.

One "band" "leader" (there was no band, LOL) asked me what gear I used. I had just scored a Peavey Cirrus custom shop 4 string with a Kahler trem. I was stoked about that bass. I tell him about the bass. "NO beginner gear!" I explained that it was a USA made custom shop bass and a little more expensive than a USA Fender. Again, "NO beginner gear!" Then he hung up on me.

Incidents like this bothered me until I realized that many of these bands weren't actually bands. Many of these guys didn't get a band formed or get out of the basement.

That's one case where you were better off not being hired by that band. Having some ingrained expectations is one thibg, but being unwilling to be eduated and even a little bit flexible is asinine. I have little patience for controllong behavior rooted in ignorance.

 

[Bassdirty]

Anyone who says it doesn't matter is naïve. Sure, it SHOULDN'T matter. But it does.

^^This right here^^
I feel like you already knew that, though. The question is: "Do YOU care about the fact that it matters?"

T$

 

[spade2you]

It sounds sweet. Still have it? Got pics?

Not at the moment thanks to Photobucket being jerks.

 

[DeepFriedBass]

I tried out for a rock/country band one time. The current bass player had a custom shop 5 string jazz burst with an orange ad200 on an orange cab, but had some attitude problems.

I show up with a 4 st. p bass and a behringer frankenrig. Instantly got the gig after a couple songs when the band members were like "holy crap I can actually hear the bass, I never even knew that's what the bassline was etc.."

So you get judged initially. My bass had a sticker on it and the amp had broken knobs and was beaten to hell, not to mention junk, but a good player knows how to make the best of the equipment. It's about how it fits in the mix, not how it sounds on the company website review videos. And oftentimes, people really dont know how to use high end gear and cheaper gear actually sits In the mix with less fuss.

I wish I had that other guys rig!

 

[chris_b]

Does bass prejudice exists when auditioning?

Depends. Auditions can be odd things.

There are bands who decide based on what clothes you're wearing, your star sign or on the bass you are playing.

The good ones will decide if you are right for them based on what you say and what you play. The best auditions will be those where you have done your homework and you knock it out of the park. You still may not get the gig but you'll know its not your fault.

If I'm auditioning someone I want to know they can play and they are serious at what they are doing.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Nice! What is the head?

The head is a Bergantino B|Amp..... most versatile head ever played with. It replaced a Genzler MG 800, that had replaced a Demeter HPB1 Preamp with a Crown XLS1500 power amp. Like I say professional stuff.

https://www.bassplayer.com/gear/review-bergantino-bamp

I too have a Boss GT-1B. I'ts in my closet. It's a hell of a piece of equipment. I fear it. I am trying not to go9 down that perceived "rabbit hole".

To answer your question, we still live in a Fender world so to speak. I broke down and purchased two MIMs (P and J) and an awesome MIJ Bacchus Jazz this past year. People know the sound. Plug and play.

Nice! What is the head?


I too have a Boss GT-1B. I'ts in my closet. It's a hell of a piece of equipment. I fear it. I am trying not to go9 down that perceived "rabbit hole".

To answer your question, we still live in a Fender world so to speak. I broke down and purchased two MIMs (P and J) and an awesome MIJ Bacchus Jazz this past year. People know the sound. Plug and play.