Stop removing the Squier logo and doing the Fender waterslides , wear the Squier logo with pride.......let your talent and awesome tone rule .
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Gear Bias
- Thread starter BaltBass5
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My gear bias has been completely dependent on what I could afford. My playing has been completely dependent on how much work I put into it. How I sound has been a combination of both, but at live gigs, nothing covers up the limitations of so-so gear.
As far as judging before a gig, actually I don't pre-judge at all. I wait to see what players do, and start looking at the gear more after seeing what they are or aren't good at TBH. There are good players who don't know the first thing about gear, and bad players who have the best of everything.
As far as judging before a gig, actually I don't pre-judge at all. I wait to see what players do, and start looking at the gear more after seeing what they are or aren't good at TBH. There are good players who don't know the first thing about gear, and bad players who have the best of everything.
I'm not sure I have a bias about more affordable instruments on other bassists. Nor relic'd instruments. Or really whatever. I just like gear so I occassionally will rubberneck past the stage to oogle. Sometimes a closer look if an effect is going and I really like the sound. I do have a bit of a personal bias with my own instruments that was not shared by my bandmates though. I've got 2 American Fenders, a Dingwall, a '77 Ric, and a '75 Ripper. One of the Fenders cause it was my second instrument (first ones neck twisted) and I saved up for it. The rest just cause I thought they were neat and sounded nice.
When my singer wanted to get a new guitar (only had an old ibanez acoustic), we went to Guitar Center together. He asked the rep for the cheapest guitar they had on the premises and proceeded to buy this $70 Hamer that was missing a strap button without even playing it. No case, threw it in the backseat and off we went. The other guitarist had an Epiphone and a Gibson Les Paul. The Gibson was the backup which we had no shortage of other bands gawking at that situation. Then he "had" to play the Gibson cause the Epiphone was stolen out of his car lol.
When my singer wanted to get a new guitar (only had an old ibanez acoustic), we went to Guitar Center together. He asked the rep for the cheapest guitar they had on the premises and proceeded to buy this $70 Hamer that was missing a strap button without even playing it. No case, threw it in the backseat and off we went. The other guitarist had an Epiphone and a Gibson Les Paul. The Gibson was the backup which we had no shortage of other bands gawking at that situation. Then he "had" to play the Gibson cause the Epiphone was stolen out of his car lol.
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Snobbery is a big fat waste of cash for me. Check the Westone Thunder 1 (about 200 quid)........what a totally inspired choice of instrument (my Thunder II is epic). Oh and what a player.....
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I actually agree with your premise on a subconscious or first-blush level. It happens. However, I ask myself - and this forum - the following.
Why assume or automatically expect a hobby band to be somehow inferior? I know several hobbyists who are absolutely amazing musicians and performers.
That said, I'm reminded of the following quip... "I don't need running shoes to run - but they sure do help!" I suppose higher end gear falls into that category at times, too.
Why assume or automatically expect a hobby band to be somehow inferior? I know several hobbyists who are absolutely amazing musicians and performers.
That said, I'm reminded of the following quip... "I don't need running shoes to run - but they sure do help!" I suppose higher end gear falls into that category at times, too.
Ah, no, that's definitely not me - I am almost always the most active on stage! I take excellent care of my gear, but would never let that get in the way of a gig, my playing, or having fun.
When I gigged, I only worried about reliability.
I preferred to 'storm proof' my gear, and if I still gigged today, I'd be happy as a clam to go out with my Squiers after I replaced the pots and wiring with CTS and Switchcraft, checked the shielding, and made sure the good-enough keys and bridge were tight and lightly lubricated: None of the costs a lot. Squier, like any quote/unquote 'cheap' bass, makes sure they look good and skimp on the internals, every company does this, but as I said, a handful of good pots, a jack, and a thorough installation is cheap insurance. A few drops of CLP in the bridge screws, a little white grease in the keys, I'm ready for Hurricane Season.
I never used cheap cables, as they just break and/or make noise. I learned Mogamis or better yet, cables from my friend Butch at Bayou Cables was worth it to forget about cables. And I totally take to heart @agedhorse's warnings about bogus SpeakOns.
I always bought good amps and cabinets and only got burnt-but-good after buying Eden in the midst of the sale from the original owners to the new buyers (I'm still angry enough I can't say the names out loud). I tended to stick to items when I could that were proven on the road by those who would put them to a far harder use than I ever would.
Generally these strategies worked, and I suppose I was a gear snob in the sense I didn't want to spend money on iffy gear, I just didn't want to have to nurse along this or that on stage. I'd seen too many guys do that, and it didn't look like fun.
And one thing I'm completely convinced of: You show up, and it's obvious you can play the gig like a Boss, NOBODY cares what you brought.
I preferred to 'storm proof' my gear, and if I still gigged today, I'd be happy as a clam to go out with my Squiers after I replaced the pots and wiring with CTS and Switchcraft, checked the shielding, and made sure the good-enough keys and bridge were tight and lightly lubricated: None of the costs a lot. Squier, like any quote/unquote 'cheap' bass, makes sure they look good and skimp on the internals, every company does this, but as I said, a handful of good pots, a jack, and a thorough installation is cheap insurance. A few drops of CLP in the bridge screws, a little white grease in the keys, I'm ready for Hurricane Season.
I never used cheap cables, as they just break and/or make noise. I learned Mogamis or better yet, cables from my friend Butch at Bayou Cables was worth it to forget about cables. And I totally take to heart @agedhorse's warnings about bogus SpeakOns.
I always bought good amps and cabinets and only got burnt-but-good after buying Eden in the midst of the sale from the original owners to the new buyers (I'm still angry enough I can't say the names out loud). I tended to stick to items when I could that were proven on the road by those who would put them to a far harder use than I ever would.
Generally these strategies worked, and I suppose I was a gear snob in the sense I didn't want to spend money on iffy gear, I just didn't want to have to nurse along this or that on stage. I'd seen too many guys do that, and it didn't look like fun.
And one thing I'm completely convinced of: You show up, and it's obvious you can play the gig like a Boss, NOBODY cares what you brought.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
A bassist who is now inactive on TB, and who will go unnamed, was definitely more of a bass collector than a proficient player.
At a meet-up, I saw his gear collection and was duly impressed. But, his playing was dreadful. No matter how many posts a TBer has made, I now avoid conferring credibility until I've heard them play.
Gear bias, no. The gear does need to be cared for and well setup. The band needs to not be visibly intoxicated.
Didnt read every post here so if I just repeat someone else...well...too bad =)
When I started in the mid 80s, lower end cheap gear was largely not that good. Lots of exceptions of course, but these days, a less expensive bass or piece of gear is more than good enough to gig. Would I play large gigs with my $300 bass? Sure would, no one would even know besides a few people online.
When I started in the mid 80s, lower end cheap gear was largely not that good. Lots of exceptions of course, but these days, a less expensive bass or piece of gear is more than good enough to gig. Would I play large gigs with my $300 bass? Sure would, no one would even know besides a few people online.
95%? You know 60% of all statistics are made up. What is "expensive gear"? Less than $2000? Less than $1000? Mike Rutherford from Mike and the Mechanics plays a Squire strat. Lots of musicians don't play Gibson or Fender. I see Jackson, Charvel, ESP/LTD, Yamaha, Washburn and Peavey instruments commonly used by professionals.
I have a LTD B4E I got 2nd hand for $400. I recently acquired a Geddy Lee Signature Jazz. I prefer the sound and feel of the LTD.
Our PA gear consists of passive Yamaha mains, Crown and QSC amps and even our guitarist is happy with his sound when going DI.
As long as the gear can be set up properly and is in good repair, a good musician can make good music.
I disagree, many guys just love to have expensive coffee table basses with weird shapes and 20 knobs, custom made basses from Fender or any other “Classic oriented” builder.. And I think its just great, they dont have be good players.
Just like car or plane enthusiasts don’t have to be pilots
I'm going to go on a limb here (Well not really, because I already know the stats) and tell you that if you just start listing touring ROCK bassists that are in some of the biggest bands in the world right now (Robert Trujillo, Nate Mendel, Adam Clayton, Jeff Ament, Flea, Mark Hoppus, Mike Dirnt, Duff McKagan) not a single one of them is walking onto a stage with a bass that costs less than $1500....about half of those listed are more like $3K. When you add in multiple basses, amps and effects, wireless etc...well you get the point. The guitarists are even worse.
I'm not saying that you can't or shouldn't play gear that makes you happy (Even if it's cheaper) what I am saying is that most players that can pick from their choice of gear are not walking onto the stage with a $300 bass and a $300 amp.
Since my original post in which I asked people to list A-List professionals (who have the choice of ANY gear) to name some folks that are choosing to stick with "lower end" gear. I named one in the original post. You listed one in your response but, in 8 pages of this thread there were only about 3-4 other names thrown out.
I am a gear snob, but I’m also hoping to be pleasantly surprised.
If I walk into a show and I see a real Blackface Deluxe Reverb, an Ampeg B-15, an old Rogers kit and a Sho-Bud peddle-steel I am expecting a great band. If I see a cheap solid-state amp and an ESP guitar I have a different, lesser expectation. But, I am open to being blown away by either band and I will put effort into becoming the champion of either band. I always root for the under dog.
I love vintage gear and I love a stage full of it.
If I walk into a show and I see a real Blackface Deluxe Reverb, an Ampeg B-15, an old Rogers kit and a Sho-Bud peddle-steel I am expecting a great band. If I see a cheap solid-state amp and an ESP guitar I have a different, lesser expectation. But, I am open to being blown away by either band and I will put effort into becoming the champion of either band. I always root for the under dog.
I love vintage gear and I love a stage full of it.
1. Artists do NOT get free basses.
2. Most of these guys were playing very close to what they are playing now before they were millionaires. In fact some are playing the same stuff they were before recording their first albums.
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