Do I need a "good" bass for auditions?

[EatS1stBassist]

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.

It’s always been a great idea to have a P in your arsenal!

 

[Bass Viking]

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 so other garbage bias pops up. Will it be worth your effort and time in the long run?

Exactly. If they're dictating what bass you need to play what else are they going to dictate?

 

[tpaul]

Appearances count. They shouldn't, but they do.

Study after study shows that humans discriminate based on all sorts of things - much of the time, unconsciously. Tall people get preference over short people. Blondes get preference over brunettes. People who are more symmetrical in their features are preferred over people who exhibit less bilateral symmetry.

What you pull out for the audition is part of your first impression and yes, it will count for something. If you pull out a Fender Precision or Jazz you will likely fit in pretty much anywhere. Pull out an Alembic and you're making a statement - whether it's going to be viewed positively or negatively depends on the context. Same with a cheap Ibby or Peavey or Danelectro. They might all be fantastic instruments but they also signal things about you, just like the clothes you wear to the audition, the car you drive to the audition, your haircut, etc. etc. etc. The other people in that room are going to get those signals and process them. It may be a conscious process and it may not, but it all contributes to their impression of who you are and what you will bring to the table.

 

[JYD]

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?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If you're asking, you know it matters. The only question is how much does it matter? An audition really comes down to looking the part, being able to play the music and how you mesh with the other members of the band (including availability to gig and similar outlooks on pay / rehearsals). Showing up with the right gear is probably the easiest of the three, don't blow it by saying "if they don't like my gear, they're probably a bunch of jerks that will X, Y and Z."

 

[JYD]

While I'm at it, some of the ugliest Upright Jazz Basses have the best tone you could possibly achieve. It's on the player to achieve the tone but if dudes are like "this man can play his tail off and his sound is bangin" but his priceless Juzek/Wilfer/etc. looks like garbage. Unless the group is doing photo shoots for Esquire magazine........... again wrong focus....IMHO.

Appearances count. They shouldn't, but they do.

Study after study shows that humans discriminate based on all sorts of things - much of the time, unconsciously. Tall people get preference over short people. Blondes get preference over brunettes. People who are more symmetrical in their features are preferred over people who exhibit less bilateral symmetry.

What you pull out for the audition is part of your first impression and yes, it will count for something. If you pull out a Fender Precision or Jazz you will likely fit in pretty much anywhere. Pull out an Alembic and you're making a statement - whether it's going to be viewed positively or negatively depends on the context. Same with a cheap Ibby or Peavey or Danelectro. They might all be fantastic instruments but they also signal things about you, just like the clothes you wear to the audition, the car you drive to the audition, your haircut, etc. etc. etc. The other people in that room are going to get those signals and process them. It may be a conscious process and it may not, but it all contributes to their impression of who you are and what you will bring to the table.

 

[ModuMan]

Every time I pull out the Fender Jazz (Geddy USA) I get a "Hey, nice bass!". Which it is, but obviously one of the most basic-looking of basses.

Ah, but when I pull out the pink Lakland 5-string... the ones who say "hey, nice bass!", those guys know what's up. So, there's that.

Realistically, bring what you think suits the music. Turns out the Fender Jazz (or P) suits a LOT of music. And the people you audition for probably get a feeling of comfort that YOU know what suits the music. You can always change it up later if it seems appropriate.

 

[74hc]

I would notice it because I always check out what fellow bassists have in gear, but it would have no bearing on the audition.

 

[Scott Loveless]

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.

This is 100% correct about 90% of the time. There's nothing on the front of your Ibanez that screams "this is the cheap model!" Unlike, say, an Epiphone or Squier or Lyon or whatever, no one's going to be able to tell at a glance. Roll the dice and run what you brung.

 

[Yonni]

Study after study shows that humans discriminate based on all sorts of things - much of the time, unconsciously.

Of course! Unconscious bias! I should have thought of this. Ironically, tomorrow I’m going on a leadership course and we’ll be discussing this. That’s exactly what I’m getting at and many have alluded to; we don’t like to think we’re prejudiced, but to some degree we all are about something. As musicians, gear probably resonates with us whether we are aware of it or not. I know that I have a completely irrational aversion to Markbass just because the few times I’ve tried one, I couldn’t EQ it the way I wanted. Could have been me (probably was), could have been the bass, but when I see Markbass I get uncomfortable. Doesn’t make any sense because I’ve seen great players with killer tone using it. At least I am aware enough of it to check myself and wait to be proved wrong.

 

[Kmonk]

Go ahead with audition and bring what you have. You can always tell them exactly what you posted here. You sold Lakland and are looking for another bass. If you are a good player, your bass probably won't matter.

 

[two fingers]

This bass might play and sound fantastic, but I’d never take it to an audition. Even if it was my only bass.
View attachment 3616566

I feel like you're ducking the real issue.

That bass just might fit the bill,

Take that bass to the audition and just wing it.

 

[Paul Corrosion]

How about you preemptively just ask "Do you guys value a certain brand of bass or amp over another?"

Yep, exactly this. Check with the band before the audition if there's a particular sound and look they're after - and whether the audition itself is "dress" or more informal. You'll sound more professional and you'll be packing the right tools for the job before you've even set foot through the door.

 

[Scott Loveless]

I feel like you're ducking the real issue.

Well, this thread just flew south.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Of course! Unconscious bias! I should have thought of this. Ironically, tomorrow I’m going on a leadership course and we’ll be discussing this. That’s exactly what I’m getting at and many have alluded to; we don’t like to think we’re prejudiced, but to some degree we all are about something. As musicians, gear probably resonates with us whether we are aware of it or not. I know that I have a completely irrational aversion to Markbass just because the few times I’ve tried one, I couldn’t EQ it the way I wanted. Could have been me (probably was), could have been the bass, but when I see Markbass I get uncomfortable. Doesn’t make any sense because I’ve seen great players with killer tone using it. At least I am aware enough of it to check myself and wait to be proved wrong.

It’s not you on the MB! Personally I Never cared for them! I’ve always brought the bass/Amp I felt supported the Image/Music

 

[groove pump]

Some years ago when I'd only been playing for a little while, I caught a terrific blues band while I was on a trip to Florida with some pals. Pro band with great sound, tight rhythms, and a front man with loads of charisma and a huge voice. A real next-level act that could probably rock any club in the lower 48. We went back to see them again the next night (and maybe a third night after that?).

Eventually I noticed that the bass player was using either a Mexican Jazz or a Squire. It wasn't really a jaw-dropping surprise, but more a sort of relief. Here was a guy who was "that good" and he was playing a true budget bass. Just killin' it!!

At the end of the show on that first night, I gave that bass player a hand-shake and said thanks for a great show. Also told him I needed to go home and practice a lot - he took the compliment with a wink and a grin. Never brought up the gear, etc. It didn't matter. But I do remember how that experience changed my perspective.

...enough about me...

 

[arbiterusa]

Does bass prejudice exists when auditioning?

To an extent. Some people will notice Fender/notFender. Some exceptional individuals might notice a bit more. But you gotta ask yourself if you want to be in a situation where you can't use a bass you feel really comfortable with.

I showed up to a network TV audition with two fretlesses, a giant wood sandwich scroll bass and my Steinberger. The bandleader, after our first rehearsal, points at the wood sandwich and said "thank God you didn't use that, I hate guys coming in with a fretless and slopping everything up."

I just walked over to his keyboards, held up my Steinberger, pointed at the naked fingerboard and said "this one is too" and that was the end of any discussion about what I might "slop up".

If he'd said "oh that won't work" well, I was prepared for that, as in "get someone else" prepared. And I don't mean this in a "look how awesome I am, everyone kneels to Zod" kind of way, it's just that if I'm playing an instrument with frets I can't bring the same quality bass experience to the table. And I won't do that, not to my audience, not to my bandmates, and especially not to myself.

Plus, then as now, I didn't have anything with frets!

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Some years ago when I'd only been playing for a little while, I caught a terrific blues band while I was on a trip to Florida with some pals. Pro band with great sound, tight rhythms, and a front man with loads of charisma and a huge voice. A real next-level act that could probably rock any club in the lower 48. We went back to see them again the next night (and maybe a third night after that?).

Eventually I noticed that the bass player was using either a Mexican Jazz or a Squire. It wasn't really a jaw-dropping surprise, but more a sort of relief. Here was a guy who was "that good" and he was playing a true budget bass. Just killin' it!!

At the end of the show on that first night, I gave that bass player a hand-shake and said thanks for a great show. Also told him I needed to go home and practice a lot - he took the compliment with a wink and a grin. Never brought up the gear, etc. It didn't matter. But I do remember how that experience changed my perspective.

...enough about me...

Budgets basses can be JUST THAT GOOD!

 

[Charlzm]

I showed for an originals audition with this bass:

Luckily, it was a Rush/King's X inspired band so when I showed up and pulled out my bass, it was thumbs-up all around.

Didn't get the gig, sadly.

 

[bobyoung53]

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?

I would get a Fender P for auditions, ever bring a Rickenbacker to a blues jam? Even though they can definitely cut it people have preconceptions about instruments.