Oh yeah my #1 is a squier vmp5 now.. hahahaa
If i had a fodera i would be self conscious,i would never take it off.
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Do you ever feel self-conscious about your gear?
- Thread starter eekamike
- Start date
If i had a fodera i would be self conscious,i would never take it off.
The only time I've ever felt a little awkward about what I was playing was in the 80s. I was going through a Geddy Lee phase and absolutely had to have a white Steinberger like the one he had on the Grace Under Pressure tour. Somehow I managed to track down an XL2A and traded a couple MIJ P basses for it. I really enjoyed playing it, but I was in a metal band and my band-mates gave me all kinds of grief about playing "that damned boat oar". When I played it live I got more than a few comments from the motorcycle jacket clad audience members wanting to know if I joined DEVO and stuff like that. I got tired of it and eventually traded it for an SVT 8x10 with the tube head. That damned bass is worth around $4000 now.
I've never - on my own- given any thought to what people may think. Of course I think all my stuff is awesome. Once in a while someone will comment on my gear and that's a positive experience. A fellow bass player oohed and ahhed over my 5-string Ampeg Baby Bass last night. I got a kick out of it just knowing that she shares my appreciation.
Not once have I wondered if anyone thought my gear was too expensive or too cheap.
Not once have I wondered if anyone thought my gear was too expensive or too cheap.
I used to be to some extent. For a short while I had a Rickenbacker and felt it was an ostentatious and perhaps self-centered display bringing a shiny new 4003 Fireglo to rehearsal/jams, when I was playing with musicians far more dedicated who could play laps around me with Squires, MIMs, and other sub $500 instruments.
I returned not too long after I bought it because at the time it indeed was too much bass for me. My skill has improved in the last few years, but I personally still like a more subtle look when I play with others whether in a garage or on stage, and for that reason I bring one of my MIM Jazzes or my MIM 50s P to everything. I do for more a personal statement though, rather than acting with consideration of other people's thoughts.
IMHO I think an instrument should somewhat be appropriate for the skill level. I think a crappy player with a several thousand dollar instrument looks like far more of an imbecile than a crappy player toting around a MIM Fender or a Squier. Conversely, I love seeing talented people playing beaters because it reminds me to not lust over gear too much. There are numerous exceptions to my opinions though and at the end of the day, people should play whatever the heck they want.
I don't personally think a USA Fender is over the top. If anything it might make you look more conservative - you had a grand to spend and spent it on a timeless and simple design among many other options at that price level. JMTC.
I returned not too long after I bought it because at the time it indeed was too much bass for me. My skill has improved in the last few years, but I personally still like a more subtle look when I play with others whether in a garage or on stage, and for that reason I bring one of my MIM Jazzes or my MIM 50s P to everything. I do for more a personal statement though, rather than acting with consideration of other people's thoughts.
IMHO I think an instrument should somewhat be appropriate for the skill level. I think a crappy player with a several thousand dollar instrument looks like far more of an imbecile than a crappy player toting around a MIM Fender or a Squier. Conversely, I love seeing talented people playing beaters because it reminds me to not lust over gear too much. There are numerous exceptions to my opinions though and at the end of the day, people should play whatever the heck they want.
I don't personally think a USA Fender is over the top. If anything it might make you look more conservative - you had a grand to spend and spent it on a timeless and simple design among many other options at that price level. JMTC.
Out of all the bands I have played with, I have only ever had one guitarist match instrument/amplifier quality and one drummer. Even when I was in high school, I played a professional quality trumpet. The great thing about buying quality instruments is that you buy them once, barring theft or catastrophic damage. In the long run, it's a no-brainer.
I buy what I like and I play what I buy. I spend way more money than I should but hey life is short and awesome gear makes me and everyone I play with/for happy.
I feel differently than many of you. I believe there should be some correlation between a players abilities and quality of instrument they should play (which also correlates to cost). Victor Wooten deserves to play a Fodera if he chooses to play one and so on..... That said, an MIA Fender bass is not a premium bass in the grand scheme of things so from my point of view it's not unreasonable for intermediate players to play one..... I await the incoming salvos.
I would think that if anything other musicians "in the know" about basses would be able to both appreciate how much you've invested in yourself by buying (what I'm presuming) is the best that you can afford AND would respect someone that takes themselves seriously enough as a musician to have the best tools for him or herself. If the other musicians do start talking trash about your gear, no matter the dollar value, that would amount to strikes one and two in my book.
I guess I should give you the entire story: the only guitar that I've ever seen hanging off of the lead player is a blonde Squier telly and the singer plays some Epiphone semi-hollow thing so the combined stink of overseas instruments prevents the joint from filling up in the first place.
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It's a bit insulting. Nonetheless, it is your opinion.
You know at first i was a little confused by this topic. Thinking about it though, i did get a brand new jet glo rick last year and recall thinking it is good that i know how to play bc it gets a lot of attention and so in a weird way it's like i have to prove i deserve to be playing it. I feel that i do prove it though. Not to sound like an arrogant d*ck but im just being honest. The whole thing is kind of a trip. God i love this bass though.
I used to.
But lifes too short to give a chit.
Started a thread before about taking crap for playing a Peavey Fury at a tryout.
Its been quite awhile now and the band is going nicely playing with his drummer and guitarist without him.
But lifes too short to give a chit.
Started a thread before about taking crap for playing a Peavey Fury at a tryout.
Its been quite awhile now and the band is going nicely playing with his drummer and guitarist without him.
To the OP: you only think of a MIA Fender as expensive because you can now get cheaper Fenders and Squiers. When there was nothing but MIA Fenders and the only choice was color and fingerboard (maple vs. rosewood) no one thought of them as expensive.
This is only remotely related to the OP's post. His MIA Fender is superior and more costly than his other bandmate's equipment. Further, I doubt a Fender P Bass in 1958 had a price tag of $1,300.
Heh. I *just* bought a really nice Ibanez six string, and yeah... I'm gonna feel a little self conscious about that for a while. 
I've got band rehearsal today with a new band that I've pulled together. The drummer is also a bassist, and in fact he's a better/more experienced bassist than I am. However, he's not gear obsessed like I am. I'm feeling a little embarrassed about bringing my MIA Fender, because it probably cost more than all of his bass gear combined, and it'd probably be better in his hands lol.
To make things worse, the rehearsal is at his uncle's house, and his uncle is the very very frugal father (musician) of my SO. I'm not really trying to make an ostentatious display, but I feel like I would be if I'm bringing a $1k instrument.
I haven't decided what to do yet (feel free to give input lol). 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!
If you feel this way, why did you buy the bass?
And really $1000 isn't so much for a bass that people are going to be talking about it.
