Do you ever feel self-conscious about your gear?

[Basshappi]

Nope, not at all.
My gear is my gear, I'm the one who paid for it and I am the one playing it. What other people think about my gear is irrelevant.

 

[Braden Persch]

Maybe it's my personality (flashy) but I like nice things. I also like showing off said nice things. Don't be embarrassed to have nice gear.

 

[DiMarco]

My only doubt ever is do I bring the Ric, the Zon or both along with the upgraded (Lollar + John East) Japanese Marcus Miller Jazz. The Mesa Prodigy and Barefaced cab are always dragged along.

 

[Anglerfish]

Here is my funny story about "a poor player with a cool bass".

I joined my band being a complete noob after posting an ad at our local music forum where I fairly described my current level. Later our BL told me that when he saw me first time in the metro (a short, skinny guy looking much younger than my actual age) he was disappointed and started thinking about how to tell me politely that I won't fit the band. But after discovering in my bag a 600$ '86 Greco SG (surprising choise for a "complete noob") he immediately changed his mind and decided to accept me even before listening to my playing. He said it was a sign of the attitude he was looking for.

---

When my bandmates bring some cool gear I respect it as their contribution to the band's sound and look, not as something they should be ashamed of. We all are not very skilled but I don't think it would be better if our guitar player used a crappy noname cheapo instead of his Gibson. That Gibson is sweet. I really like it.

 

[madbass6]

If it bothers you that much just pick a squire Bass for rehearsals and save the MIA beast for shows!

Even thou you shouldn't be feeling like that
infact , I think you should be very proud of your gear!!

 

[madbass6]

The gear doesn't make the player.

Same logic, different situation.

Would you act like a beginner around a bunch of beginners because you didn't want to feel like you were showing off?

Sorry but i just dont see the same logic in coparison .. personally I would act like a beginner in front of a bunch of beginners .. "at a practice not a show"
but I'll do it thru one of my
foderas/ smith or my custom modulus TBX.

 

[madbass6]

Nope, I buy what I like, basses that work for me or amps I like the sound of when I am playing them. And when other view my choice as a negative, it matters not to me. Opinions are just that opinions. look at it this way Sir Paul turn the music world on it's ear playing a cheap pawn shop bass =$42.US

1. $42 .US wasn't that cheap for the time
especially in another country..

2.it wasn't sr Paul's Bass that turned music world on its ears.. it was his playing and I think that little band he was playing with at the time mite have a little something to do with it as well.

3. Sr Paul also played a RIC..

 

[kevteop]

I had one expensive bass once (sold it last summer) but it was one I had wanted since I started playing, and it didn't look all blingy so nobody really noticed.

I'm doing well financially these days but I don't like to 'wear' it. I grew up in a home with no car, no phone, no nothing, so I don't spend more than I need to on stuff. And honestly I do look down a bit on people who buy expensive cars or wear jewellery. I suppose I'm just a big soppy lefty still.

 

[RedVee]

I was, but I'm happy with what I've accumulated for an 'economic' sum. Put it this way, my gear isn't my biggest shortcoming
Would I love a MIA P bass, a Warwick, a Dingwell ??? You bet I would, but that's not going to happen for a while so I'll keep rockin what I've got... And keep an eye out for value purchases in the meantime.

 

[RedVee]

1. $42 .US wasn't that cheap for the time
especially in another country..

2.it wasn't sr Paul's Bass that turned music world on its ears.. it was his playing and I think that little band he was playing with at the time mite have a little something to do with it as well.

3. Sr Paul also played a RIC..

3. Argh, yes. But he didn't pay for the Ric. Should he have been embarrassed playing 2 basses that cost him $42 together? Not in my my book.

 

[baileyboy]

...do you ever feel self-conscious about your gear?

No.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The only time I've felt self-conscious about my gear was when my amp was really, really subpar. And I was kicked out of that band, my first band. That experience probably fuels my GAS to some degree.

 

[gully_jones]

Only when my shoes don't match the color of my strap. Other than that who gives a rat's behind.

 

[Thumper19605]

No, because I can make frugal equipment sound good.
It is all about the sound.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Yes, but specifically only in the talkbass double bass forums.

+1... yep, just add me to that list.

 

[lfmn16]

do you ever feel self-conscious about your gear?

Never. I don't talk about my gear unless I'm asked. I've worked hard my whole life, got my bachelor's and master's degrees at night, on my own dime, and I don't owe anyone an explanation about why I play expensive instruments.

Frankly, in the real world, I've never experienced any of the nonsense I hear about on TB. If someone's rocking a Squier, I don't think about the Squier. If someone sucks on a Les Paul, I don't think about the Les Paul. When I go to a club, I always look to see what the bass player has, but not in a judgmental way and I don't think more or less of them whether they have a Squier or a Fodera. IMHO, we need more of that on TB.

Frankly, this idiotic notion of 'earning' your instrument smacks of insecurity on the part of the people passing judgement.

 

[buldog5151bass]

^ This. I like to look, because I like toys and talk about them. But play whatever makes you happy.

 

[bonin in the boneyard]

What others think of you is none of your business.

I think this is my favorite thing I've read in the past week. And I read a lot.

 

[CGremlin]

I don't ever feel self-conscious about gear, nor anything else unless I don't feel like I'm playing up to my ability. I suppose if it really becomes a problem, you could always put a Squier decal on your Fender.

 

[Joybass]

My band members don't care about my gear. And if they would, then I wouldn't.