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Do I need a "good" bass for auditions?
- Thread starter Yonni
- Start date
Budgets basses can be JUST THAT GOOD!
I wish I could double like this as my Ibby is ALL THAT!
Wish I could afford a Ric’ but in the UK they’re 4 or 5 times as much as a MIM Fender.
I'd have to agree with this - and with Two Fingers, as well. Everything else - chops, personality, appearance, etc. - should (and probably will) overcome the initial bad impression your bass might make, but... yeah, that bad impression will put extra pressure on you that will have to overcome.. So, be ready to do so...
I know they're expensive there. If the bass sounds good that's the main thing but people do have preconceptions but if you have to use it just make sure it sounds good, that's 90% of the battle, getting a good sound.
I attend blues jams regularly, and have yet to see that happen. I'd love to, tho!
Other than P clones and the occasional upright, the most "exotic" basses that show up are Ibanez, MM clones, and my motley collection of hot rodded misfits. Someone brought a white beatle bass once, but didn't play it.
Those who don't like you due to the brand name on your bass are posers.. a thousand times worse is any 'acceptable" bass that is noisy, typically due to active p/u interference.
How many auditions have you been to that the drummer had a kit that didn't fit the music (usually too loud) and no one said a peep..?
Or guitarists with too many gadgets that don't add anything tangible to the overall sound?..
Want to not care what brand bass you bring & still get work?.. Be able to sing, harmonize and consistently hit your note, (ask the singer what note would be best for the song)..Trust me, no one will care about your headstock..
How many auditions have you been to that the drummer had a kit that didn't fit the music (usually too loud) and no one said a peep..?
Or guitarists with too many gadgets that don't add anything tangible to the overall sound?..
Want to not care what brand bass you bring & still get work?.. Be able to sing, harmonize and consistently hit your note, (ask the singer what note would be best for the song)..Trust me, no one will care about your headstock..
Your post is pure hyperbole.
You are auditioning the group just as much as they are auditioning you.
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I used to bring them all the time in fact I was the house bassist at one jam with a Ric, I also had an upright though but people just don't associate Rics with blues for some reason.
We were support for an overseas act coming through town, we went in a day early to sound check. The touring bands bass player whips out an entry level Yamaha bass and it’s bright yellow.
We all kind of got that first impression that he can’t be very good but he proceeded to tune up and absolutely blow us away with amazing virtuosity.
When I asked the keys player who he is he said “one of the most highly regarded musical directors”. I realised that so much is in the player if the instrument is properly set up it doesn’t need to be high end.
First impressions count however if you can cut the gig and you sound good who’s to say what instrument you play.
We all kind of got that first impression that he can’t be very good but he proceeded to tune up and absolutely blow us away with amazing virtuosity.
When I asked the keys player who he is he said “one of the most highly regarded musical directors”. I realised that so much is in the player if the instrument is properly set up it doesn’t need to be high end.
First impressions count however if you can cut the gig and you sound good who’s to say what instrument you play.
I can vouch for the instrument making a difference. Played a 6 string Ibanez BTB and was shut down before I played anything because "we don't play jazz". Since purchasing my MIA Precision 5 I've gotten more gigs in the last 4-5 years than I've had in my entire life as a musician. Of course my technique has improved, but the tone and look are important factor in that.
I think "Hyperbole" was your intended spelling target?..
& Yes, I agree as a bassist you are auditioning the group as well as potential bandmates. Therefore to me it's about nailing the material, sounding great and being successful.
None of which is brand sensitive..
It does happen. I haven't run into too much of it myself. Possibly because I tend to dismiss things like that whenever I encounter them. (Probably not the wisest attitude to adopt when auditioning.
)On a positive note a PB is never the wrong thing to bring along. It may not be the perfect bass for a given band’s vibe. But it’ll never the completely wrong choice either. A Precision (strung with rounds or flats) pretty much works for every style or genre.
Read the room.
Whatever you have is fine, but the undercurrent will be how long you'll be there, or if they want to deal with you at all when you aren't playing.
If they're a broke hillbilly dive bar hair metal cover band, don't walk in with a gospel approved Roscoe 6-string with a cross on your strap expecting to play clean with musicians that study a lot.
"One of us" is more valuable than dude who covers the slot for a while until we find someone we can deal with.
Same goes for guys that drink, and the rest of the band doesnt.
Whatever you have is fine, but the undercurrent will be how long you'll be there, or if they want to deal with you at all when you aren't playing.
If they're a broke hillbilly dive bar hair metal cover band, don't walk in with a gospel approved Roscoe 6-string with a cross on your strap expecting to play clean with musicians that study a lot.
"One of us" is more valuable than dude who covers the slot for a while until we find someone we can deal with.
Same goes for guys that drink, and the rest of the band doesnt.
Same thing in the studio with brand specific perceptions. I was doing a studio gig and recording the bass lines with my Fender Precision which is beat up cosmetically) but is 100% functional. And I break a string. No problem I tell the producer, I have a backup P bass. (It's a G&L P bass that is pristine). I take it out of the case and as soon as the producer sees the headstock , he asks me to put a string on the Fender Precision. No problem that's what you are paying me for.
wow, I was GAS-free for a while. but now I've seen your picture and just want that damn bass.
Ask in advance! It's pretty simple. "Do you have any specific requirements regarding equipment? I have XXX and YYY basses and ZZZ and WWW amplifiers. Let me know which of these you would like me to bring to the audition. If we decide to work together, I can work on getting any other equipment you think I will need."
