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Do I need a "good" bass for auditions?

#121
Yonni said:
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?
Click to expand...

Take the best bass you have. It's ridiculous but first impressions seem to matter. Those hiring you may think you’re less than professional if you pull out something deemed amateur level equipment. You may be awesome but that first thought sticks in their heads.
I have are real nice Ibanez 2600, it’s beautiful, plays nice and I like playing it, but if I were going to audition, especially for the country type bands I tend to play in, I’d most likely take my precision just to avoid any preconceived notions that some have towards Ibanez. It’s not a rational bias, but just what it is.

Yes my playing should speak for itself, but it’s like the difference of handing in a well crafted resume vs. just filling out an application.

You may get lucky and find a group who's opinions haven't been shaped society's bigger is better.
I actually see ads of bands looking for someone with several qualifications and one being pro gear.

I could be wrong... just been my observation...
 
#123
Yonni said:
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?
Click to expand...


Yes, prejudice exists, it annoys me.

I tend to show up with something that plays easily and sounds good, that's is the criteria for me to retain ownership.

I can't say that what the others are playing is not importsnt, but I do expect them to play well.

Those that are asking "inventory" questions on my equipment will likely be asked those very same questions, especially if they seem like A**hats.

Usually, just tell them I have enough, do they have an expectation or requirement.............and why?
 
#127
Gear can/should be part of the pre-audition question set:

1. what tunes?
2. where?
3. what time?
4. is there a backline?
5. who else will be there?
6. any "look" preferences?

I played with a bandleader who didn't like me playing boutiques, and instead wanted "a P-bass." Since I'm not playing to make rent and he wasn't paying me enough to warrant the change, I smiled and just played what I wanted. Especially since he was the drummer and had an 8 piece kit with a half dozen cymbals :D. Some bands don't care at all, others care a lot. Neither is right or wrong, but if I'm auditioning I certainly want to know up front so I can either politely decline before wasting people's time or walk in with some knowledge of their expectations.
 
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#130
One thing to keep in mind when going to an audition is that it cuts both ways. They’re going to be auditioning you. And you them.

As was pointed out earlier by @two fingers, if you find yourself in a room with a bunch of gear snobs you might want to ask yourself if these are the sort of people you want to share a stage with. Because if you’re running into that sort of nonsense right up front, you can be sure there’s going to be more of the same sort of nonsense you’ll wind up dealing with down the road.

I believe in granting anyone who takes the time out of their day to audition for any band I’m with the benefit of the doubt. I assume they are professionals who have what it takes and know their gear better than I should ever need to - until they demonstrate otherwise. To me that’s the common courtesy and simple respect any musician should show to another. So if some guy shows up with some crazy instrument, or a weird amp, or a bunch of homebrew pedals, I’m not going to take issue with it right up front unless there’s an immediately obvious problem.

I’m a fundamentally lazy person in some respects when it comes to music. I don’t believe in treating something as “a problem” until it actually becomes a problem. YMMV. ;)
 
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#132
So Anyway, everything matters... especially if it's a cold audition and no one knows you.
Personally, I think good equipment can be one indication that you're serious about playing music. You're investing part of your treasure to make sure you sound good... and good equipment is less likely to break down on the gig.
I showed up to my first musician union gig audition with a Les Paul Triumph bass and a big Acoustic amp. It turned out to be the same set-up that the bass player in the top local lounge band used... and these guys were trying to get on the same circuit. It helped me get the gig.
Another time a BL I'd never worked for called me and asked if I had a yellow shirt. When I said yes, he told me about a gig he had that night... and the band was wearing their yellow shirts. (He'd heard me play with another group). This led to a year's worth of steady gigs. Maybe I was the first guy he called... or maybe the first one who had a yellow shirt.
So everything matters.
 
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#134
Yonni said:
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?
Click to expand...
Mr Jerry Scheff told me that his Lakland sig. bass was loaded with lipstick pickups because he loved the tone of the Danelectro or Jerry Jones basses, and he recorded with them. But when he was on stage especially with Elvis, it was mandatory that he played "the Fender Bass" ie P-Bass. Otherwise he probably would have backed the King with a longhorn.

A friend of mine told me he was turned down from auditions because he'd show up with his beautiful Ken Smith. He then found a junked up Indonesian J-bass, and found a decent Fender neck on ebay. put it together and got some beat up vintage style case. Walked in for another audition rehearsal and Bang! hired right off the bat.

YMMV
 
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#135
If I was asked why i didnt bring a Fender to the audition, I'd ask "why, please explain your rationale"... if they spewed out some bogus reason I'd be out the door.

But the reality for me is that I play in an area where all the working musicians already know me so that wouldn't happen. I could show up with a Chapman Stick for a Country gig and wouldn't hear a peep.
 
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#136
Yonni said:
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.
Click to expand...
For the casual/hobby/weekend level of playing, I wouldn’t worry too much. If they do care, you probably don’t want to play with them anyway! In the slim chance they bring it up, tell em the truth: you just sold a Lakland and are shopping for a P bass.

I auditioned for my current band with a dean acoustic/electric and an Ampeg BA 108. I feel despite my gear, I got the gig because of my preparedness and positive attitude. I maintained the gig with my work ethic and commitment to improvement. It’s even led to a second band, and my calendar is full.

I eventually got a Fender (neck) and I feel I am now a little shielded from the worry. But in recent years, I get far more compliments/attention for my solid bass playing than I ever do on my gear.
 
#137
It exists, and from all angles. I have a purple sparkle EBMM Bongo bass and MarkBass amp and cabs. So much color! I've been asked to play in a traditional music band (banjo, fiddle, etc) but only if I use an unamplified acoustic upright. I've been asked to play with a blues band (but do you have a "normal" bass you can use?). Keep your gear in good order, have a positive attitude, be on time, know your parts, etc - that will get you in good with bands you want to be in.
 
#138
As a guy who plays both, I usually feel this is an issue more for guitar players than bassists - if only because there's usually another guitar player ...

I play a cuppla headless basses that I like a lot, but get really funny looks.

My reco - when you can - bring one standard (P, Jazz, etc.), and yer fave. If it ain't going well, switch to the standard.
 
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#140
Yonni said:
Does bass prejudice exists when auditioning?
Should I have an instrument with some status to help me get in a band?
Click to expand...

1. Yes
2. Depends on what you mean by "status"

Auditioning for a band of old guys who think anything made after the 60's is junk.
My first audition, took my Sadowsky - "Huh ... S - A - D - O - W - S .... never heard of it"
Second audition, took Mexican roadworn Fender "Ah that's the stuff, cool bass"
 
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