Do you ever feel self-conscious about your gear?

[hondo4life]

Sometimes I feel like people are staring at my rack because it is too small.

 

[Johnny Crab]

But either way, I wanted to ask TB, do you ever feel self-conscious about your gear? (whether too cheap or too expensive) Post your story!

No.
Long stories short, the gear used here is a mixture of both. Whatever basses I feel like playing AND will suite the venue acoustics are the ones that get brought.

This week, an acoustical nightmare was served well by bringing a $216 Peavey Foundation and a $125 Rondo Jazz bass short scale plugged into about $4k worth of other stuff(Line 6 HD500X, wireless, MXR EQ to fix some of the headache, and a BOSE system with 2 "bass" bins). Different venue and it could've been a Gibson and a Fender Geddy(one for bassy songs, one for more present/up-front bass songs).

A real sharp guy/physics genius wrote a book with a title addressing this question:
"What Do You Care What Other People Think?": Further Adventures of a Curious Character: Richard P. Feynman, Ralph Leighton: 9780393320923: Amazon.com: Books

As you get older, you understand this point of view better, trust me.

 

[catcauphonic]

... The fact that you have a Premium Bass, and that you skimp on other items in life, indicates that you care about your image as a musician. Further, you probably are similar to most of us TB'ers regarding your pride. Investing in that type of gear, shows that you're dedicated, and there can be no higher way to express that to yourself and others. Just don't ever tell them that you change your Rotosound Stainless Steel strings every 2 weeks, and try not to polish it the day before practice!

Not necessarily. I picked mine for the sound, looks, and playability of it. You'd be surprised how many musicians never even heard of Spector ... which I only talk about when someone asks.

I'm more proud of the fact that I can personally look so rad on a budget

 

[Doner Designs]

I would probably be a little embarrassed to play something like a Sadowsky or ___________ high end bass in view of my sucky playing, but since I build my own and self-brand them, it's more like a demo of my builds.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

I think you should focus exclusively on what others think of your gear. It totally will help you play and sound better.

/smartass

Seriously, though, just show up and play. Anyone worth a damn will care about your chops or your ethic (depending on the situation), and not what you brought to play.

 

[basspraiser]

Great... Nope

Playing... All of the time!

Enjoy playing your gear and do the best you can with it...

If the drummer gives you hints... Take them..

If he wants to play your bass... Let him

Enjoy and be proud of what you did to earn what you got

 

[beaglesandbass]

$1k isn't even expensive for a quality instrument.

That entirely depends on your definition of quality.

 

[spaz21387]

Nope my ric doesnt get me feeling embarrassed. My ric makes me happy...

 

[Kmonk]

I am an admitted gear snob but also believe that people should play what they like and can afford. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

 

[madmanmerc]

Nope, whether it's cheap or expensive gear. When I spend my money, I don't care what others think.

Buy and play what works for you. If others disagree, ask them to fund all of your future purchases.

+1

 

[theduke1]

Short answer #2 never

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

Nope!
Rondo

 

[bolophonic]

The logic behind this is way too convoluted. Nobody is going to spend that much time thinking about how much your gear probably cost. Redirect your focus onto your playing.

 

[Divine Vermin]

Short answer, no.

Long answer: nooooooooooooooooooooo.

 

[pbass6811]

I stopped caring what anyone else thought of my gear when I started buying my own gear. Heck, my pedalboard is probably worth more than most other bands gear(my guitar player and my drummer, both, have killer gear.)in this area. I play what I feel works best for what I do and what I want to achieve. Do I worry what people will think if I show up to bar gig and play a $2,500 bass, through a $3,000 board, into a $2,600 rig? Not even sorta...

Your gig. Your gear. Rock it.

 

[JimmyM]

Never have I felt self-conscious about my gear whether to was beaten up and crappy or whether it was nice. Playing is what matters.

 

[Unemploid]

at gigs, the other band's bassists usually have better amps then i.

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

I used to sell instruments and honestly, I've sold $7,000 dollar cellos to middle school students. Don't be ashamed of your gear. 1k is really nothing for what you get out of a nice bass guitar.

 

[Smashsquatch]

I'm not in the slightest, nor should you be....

 

[jjmuckluckjr]

Never