How about you preemptively just ask "Do you guys value a certain brand of bass or amp over another?"
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Do I need a "good" bass for auditions?
- Thread starter Yonni
- Start date
I have never worked in a band where the non-bass players knew enough about bass guitars to care. I would expect that to hold true in most weekend-warrior/dadband deals. Just make sure it's solid, it sounds decent, and you can play it.
Now... if I were to walk into an audition for a Rush tribute and pull out an entry-level Ibby, then yeah I'm probably going to have a problem. Tribute bands and their audiences are a bit more fanatical about the non-music details and expect that you'll align yourself accordingly.
Now... if I were to walk into an audition for a Rush tribute and pull out an entry-level Ibby, then yeah I'm probably going to have a problem. Tribute bands and their audiences are a bit more fanatical about the non-music details and expect that you'll align yourself accordingly.
Yes. People will judge you on gear and I will judge them for doing so.
This is one of many reasons I rock a no-name parts bass.
(It should be noted that the parts bass in question is far superior in playing, tone and overall cost of parts than the typical American made Fender.)
This is one of many reasons I rock a no-name parts bass.
(It should be noted that the parts bass in question is far superior in playing, tone and overall cost of parts than the typical American made Fender.)
When going into a job interview, or looking for a promotion, the rule of thumb is to dress for the position you want to occupy.
As much as it goes against my personal ethos, a lot of folks do care about gear brands, and consider the well known 'accepted' gear as being more legit. If you really want the gig and are willing to accept that you would be playing with folks that care about such superficial matters, then by all means get a Fender/SVT rig, or whatever floats their boat. When auditioning, you typically aren't going into it as the only candidate, so if it boils down to a toss-up between you and someone else and they have the better 'look', then you may lose out. Again, would I want to be in a band that cared about that? NO. But, YMMV...
As much as it goes against my personal ethos, a lot of folks do care about gear brands, and consider the well known 'accepted' gear as being more legit. If you really want the gig and are willing to accept that you would be playing with folks that care about such superficial matters, then by all means get a Fender/SVT rig, or whatever floats their boat. When auditioning, you typically aren't going into it as the only candidate, so if it boils down to a toss-up between you and someone else and they have the better 'look', then you may lose out. Again, would I want to be in a band that cared about that? NO. But, YMMV...
I've had multiple auditions where I was asked why I didn't have a Fender despite the exceptionally high level gear I brought instead. I've been turned down for gigs because of it. But you should play what you play, imho. They're going to find out I play a lavender Modulus sooner or later.
I never bothered owning a Fender strictly for band business but it certainly is something that can win you a gig.
A P bass player has more than decent chances to sound good and not play obnoxious lines. It shows a good sign.
A P bass player has more than decent chances to sound good and not play obnoxious lines. It shows a good sign.
A couple of clarifiers:
There is no audition lined up it’s a theoretical question, but...
Amp is a Rumble 500
Pedals are Boss GT-1B set up as stomp boxes with external foot switch.
Genre is variable but anything from Rick to Motown, to pop covers.
I’ve not been playing long, <3 years. I don’t need to earn cash from this.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I certainly wouldn't buy a Fender in anticipation of a non-existent audition. I happen to like Fenders/Fender shaped basses, and have played them for close to 40 years. But play what you like.
I never cared one way or another what someone showed up with for an audition as long as it was adequate to the task and they could play it well.
Experience has taught me that I'm in the minority however.
On a practical note, I think your wisest move is to always to audition with whatever you're expecting to play in that band.
Experience has taught me that I'm in the minority however.
On a practical note, I think your wisest move is to always to audition with whatever you're expecting to play in that band.
- Sep 4, 2010
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
In my current musician-centric scene people couldn't care less. But that is not the same everywhere.
If presentation is important (Such as in a tribute band with a theatrical show) than yes, it can seriously matter.
If presentation is important (Such as in a tribute band with a theatrical show) than yes, it can seriously matter.
I wouldn't worry.
Some people may care what brand/model you play. Some may be prejudiced. Frankly, if they cannot see beyond that, you're better off without them as you can imagine the amount of BS you'd be exposed to in their company.
Yes, some may notice what you take out of the case, but once you have played a couple of songs with them, it won't matter.
Make sure your bass is in good condition, doesn't buzz, socket won't make noises, etc... and let your playing, your attitude and personality do the talking, not a 10 cent decal on the headstock. Use a bass that you're comfortable with and sounds good.
Personally, while I've encountered many people commenting on my choice of instrument, nobody ever said they didn't like me because of it.
I didnt read all the responses but here is my two cents.
If your a competent musician that gives the group what it needs in the low end section and the group is biased against the type of tool you pull out of your bag............... it's just a matter of time before some other garbage bias pops up. Will it be worth your effort and time in the long run?
If your a competent musician that gives the group what it needs in the low end section and the group is biased against the type of tool you pull out of your bag............... it's just a matter of time before some other garbage bias pops up. Will it be worth your effort and time in the long run?
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Yes, it surely does. This was a very good and insightful video about gear expectations of when heading into a studio gig. It's safe to say that band leaders probably have these same expectations when it comes to what players show up with. Of course, you want to make sure that your instrument holds court with the genre your playing.
Oddly enough, I don't think Billy Sheehan is given looks when he shows up with his gear.
Sometimes you gotta play it safe.
I've been playing bass for 50 years. If I'm auditioning for a band and they don't like my equipment, they are disrespecting me. F*** 'em.
That’s the thing, if I was playing Motown or an Elvis Costello cover I’d really want to do it on a P bass. If I was playing jazz (I really don’t have the chops, yet) or rock it’d probably be the Ibanez. So I want the versatility of having both. I guess that means I’d buy and play the P for auditions and get the Ibby out later. I thought folk would have some stories about being judged but didn’t expect it to be as common as folk are saying.
