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Fired/not recruited for playing the wrong brand.

Have you been fired of a band because you were playing the wrong brand if bass?

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    597
#261
Nek07 said:
I was twice.
The first time, the band I was playing was on an upward trajectory, I was in that band for two years, playing the band owned Squier Mickey Way Mustang Bass when at some point the band leader wanted me to change that bass for a more serious model as we were getting traction. So I brought my Yamaha BB614 just to be laught at, the band leader wanted a Rickenbacker (as the previous bass player used to own...well a cheap copy really). As I said that at that time I could not afford a bass that was two month salary for me, he showed me the door.

Second time, I show up to give a try to a band, nothing too serious, weekend warrior type with a few paying gig a year. I showed up with my Yamaha BB434M and was immediatly told "you do not have a real bass?". That band was loosing gigs because they cant find a bass player and they didnt wanted me to play with them because only Gibson is good enought for them (actual quote).

So I was thinking about that these days (the tread about the guitarist requesting the bass player to change his gear comes to mind, standing your ground) and I wondered if that happened to other peoples. I have noted Bass Brand, but it can be anything really, like people wanting you to play a certain rig.
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This is beyond ridiculous to the point I question whether these are true. This doesnt sound like actual humans.
 
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#264
Bass Viking said:
Even more intimidating: a bassist who's a better guitar player than the insecure guitarist.
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So true, when I picked up Bass, it was in a band lessons (my village paid a teacher for us, but only as a group lesson, so we became a band) and the teacher said that the bass player should be the best musician in the band as he is leading the playing. So as I was the best guitarist around (wich doesnt tell much in a 200 people village), I switched to bass.
But that does mean that I can hold my own with a guitar, and does not hesitate to show ideas or variations to the guitarist in the bands I am with. Most of them are fine, some really doesnt like it.
One of the last bands I played with was a cover band, and when I explained /showed the solo from Dani California to the lead guitarist, I knew I had to leave...he was not happy :laugh:
 
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#270
Sharko said:
Have you ever met humans? They are every bit this ridiculous
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Guitarists are very traditional and mostly stick to a small number of instruments and associate them with genres to some extent.

Les Paul - rock.
Flying V - metal.
ES335 - jazz, blues.
Telecaster - country.
Strat - blues, funk.
Anything pointy - spandex, big hair, masks.

Obviously you can play anything on anything but I would not take my Framus hollowbody to a metalcore audition and expect to be taken seriously. Even if I were in full studded leather wearing my Gorgoth the Destroyer mask.
 
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#273
RandomKaren said:
Guitarists are very traditional and mostly stick to a small number of instruments and associate them with genres to some extent.

Les Paul - rock.
Flying V - metal.
ES335 - jazz, blues.
Telecaster - country.
Strat - blues, funk.
Anything pointy - spandex, big hair, masks.

Obviously you can play anything on anything but I would not take my Framus hollowbody to a metalcore audition and expect to be taken seriously. Even if I were in full studded leather wearing my Gorgoth the Destroyer mask.
Click to expand...
I tried some Royal Blood tone on a Hofner Club Bass, it was just great at low volume, the hollow body did not like it when I pushed to band volume, but in a studio I would go for it if need be!
 
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#275
Many years ago, I was not hired because I played a Precision, and they wanted a Jazz bass. They were Allman Brothers fans and wanted a J bass, they asked me if I would get a jazz and I told them no, so they said thanks for coming by.

I then followed them in my area, and they did not last long anyway.
 
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#277
I imagine this comes up frequently with many jazz groups. I’m sure many excellent electric players may not be considered for gigs because the sound the band wants trends toward that great acoustic bass sound. I can certainly understand this for established, high profile jazz groups and festival gigs, etc., but for restaurant, lounge, wineries, and other local background gigs I never understood why it matters so much.
 
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#278
For a period in the late 80s I backed a (possibly The) southern rock drummer with a Kubicki ExFactor and never heard a word, never got a look. I also did some work at Southern Tracks with that bass. Weird, never got handed a P in real life. When you’re not looking at the headstock shape nobody cared.
 
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