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Gear Snobs

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#21
klejst said:
How does everyone deal with gear snobs? Too many times I have seen bass players (guitar players as well) with large expensive rigs, however cannot play to save their life or have no rhythm or technique. Also when I first started out playing bass years ago I can remember people always telling me that I needed to upgrade my rig and to use more well known brand names. I take pride in my music and playing more so than really what I am using as long as it sounds great and works for what I need it for of course. Also I do stay within my financial means and the rig I have now is perfect for me. I actually do generally try to stay away from the norm, that is why I do not strive to have a rig that consists of a Ampeg 8x10 and a SVT. I have come to ignore gear snobs, however it is both annyoing and funny at the same time don't you think? :p
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I've had more compliments on my sound since going to two, (inexpensive), Avatar 210 Neo cabinets stacked as a vertical 410 than I've had in the past 40+ years of tryin' to play bass. (And, I've had some "very" expensive rigs.)
Proves to me you DON'T have to spend a fortune to sound good...
 
#22
Gear talk is boring. I do own a lot of stuff but for the most part I keep it to myself. I prefer talk about "playing" and nailing bass lines. Don't get me wrong gear talk is good to read esp. when you are burning to buy something and you need good honest opinions based on what Forum Members already own. When I started my playing return, it was bottom entry level with a Squire ($200) and a Fender Rumble 60 which worked fine.......................+1 on hearing/Youtube the smoking players on this site which is really what it is all about.............:cool:
 
#23
It amazes me that people give a crap about what other people think when it comes to their gear or playing. Does it sound good to you? Are you getting the sounds out of it you want? Are YOU happy with what YOU are doing? Is the audience into it? Did you do the best that you could? These are the things that matter. Everything else is secondary.

I've seen guys who were badass play jank rigs and vice versa. Also seen amazing technical players who didn't make me feel anything. Music isn't a one size fits all endeavor.

It's far easier to tear somebody down than it is to elevate yourself to their level.
 
#24
bassplayer8953 said:
Meh...play whatever you can afford, and what floats your boat.

My guitarist plays his vintage Marshall 1/2 stack when we play out, uses my pieced-together ss Crate 1/2 stack when we practice in my basement. Either way, it sounds like: him. I've played through megabuck bass rigs, and just like my Carvin stuff, I sound like me. The price you pay for the prestige of showing off high-line brands just isn't worth it IMO...

I've had people tell me I sound great, deserve to be playing through an SVT or a Mesa, but I'm quite content with my Carvins, thanks but no thanks on the advice...
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when i first stared out on bass carvin was the top of the line imp. of of course i was playing a peavey tnt115 that we found in the church's choir loft, dusty and home to many a gecko.:D
 
#25
I love talking gear with people. I sit around and read manufacturer's PDF files on various heads and cabinets just for entertainment. It is interesting to me.

I even enjoy talking to gear snobs. It's cool to have someone tell me about something so expensive and well designed. I could care less about ever owning it myself, but I enjoy hearing about cool, boutique gear.

I play out of an old Peavey 412 TVX cab and Hartke 5500 head.

I let my playing speak for itself.
 
#27
Ya gotta believe in yerself. There are always people around who try to build themselves up by tearing others down. Remember, your sound is grounded in technique, not gear. we all get obsessed with the notion that we can sound better if we could just find the right bass. But that ain't the case.Let the gear snobs live their deluded lives. Be true to your own self and you'll find your sound.
 
#28
bobodechimp said:
when i first stared out on bass carvin was the top of the line imp. of of course i was playing a peavey tnt115 that we found in the church's choir loft, dusty and home to many a gecko.:D
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Whatever you play, no matter how much or how little you spend, there's always something cooler, more expensive, more power, etc ...
...and as many here have stated, the important thing to remember is that a quality job on stage, or the studio, comes from a combination of factors, the most important being what comes off your fingertips. The cost of the gear taking that talent to the audience factors in, but having boutique equipment really makes very little difference, in the big picture. It just gives people (audience members, btw;)) something to talk about.
 
#29
I don't run into too many snobs with the bands I play with. We're all broke punk guys anyways, so no one cares about what brand we are playing with; we just care about the music and having a good time.

I love talking gear though, especially if someone is using something vintage or unusual.
 
#30
How do I deal with gear snobs? Easy, I agree with them. Makes them feel good, I might learn something and the bottom line is I'm on stage and they are not.

I grew up poor in a rich neighborhood and had mostly crap for gear (plastic Airline guitar $35 and Heathkit amp $100 that I built). Now, you might call me a gear snob cuz I own 25 guitars, 30 amps etc. But I still appreciate working with junk. The funnest gig I ever played was in a street band using a wash tub, stick and string (about $25 worth of gear).

Don't take what a gear snob has to say to seriously or personally. They are largely wannabees. And how do they know what you use??? Your the one on stage!!!
 
#33
here's what gene simmons said in an interview with Thomas Wictor. he's talking about recording as well, but it's just as relevant.
from - genesimmons


"What about pedals and effects?

Nothing. You can push an amp--any amp. I've used SVTs, Trace Elliots, even Marshall guitar amps, and they all sound just as good.

What do you use now?

Literally any combination. On some of the songs on the new album I used a Roland guitar amplifier with a 12, so obviously I distorted it. I also used a 200-watt Marshall Major head, a Laney, and an SVT. It really doesn't matter. I challenge anyone walking on the face of the planet to listen to a record and say, "Oh, that's a so-and-so amplifier." You can't, and it's often difficult to say, "Oh, that bass? That's a . . . ." Sorry. Any bass will do the job, and any amplifier will do it.

You're dismissing the work of hundreds of luthiers and engineers.

It's a matter of taste! That's why I think all musicians' magazines dealing with technical stuff are complete ********, a waste of time. It's contemplating your navel; it avoids the main issue, which is the song. You can play it on a banjo or just hum it, and if you've got the right sense--if you've got the tune--they will come. You can use a Fender, a Silvertone, anything--it doesn't matter!

I sat in on some film classes at school, and they got trapped in the same thing: "What lens did he use?" They're missing the point; it begins with the word. Whether you use this lens or that lens, whether it's a down shot or an up shot--it's not style that matters, it's substance! And if you have substance, you can use a lot of different styles to get impact.

Still, musicians are interested, just as an artist wants to know what brushes other artists use.

But it misdirects all that energy. Musicians should spend the time trying to figure out what goes into the songwriting or singing--not the technical stuff.

Link Removed

I dunno, sounds like he might be on to something there...:cool:
 
#34
Nothing looks cooler to me than seeing some bass player getting a killer sound from some peice of crap little bass amp. That will drop alot more jaws than seeing someone getting a good sound from good equipment because its expected when you see good gear.
 
#35
klejst said:
How does everyone deal with gear snobs? Too many times I have seen bass players (guitar players as well) with large expensive rigs, however cannot play to save their life or have no rhythm or technique. Also when I first started out playing bass years ago I can remember people always telling me that I needed to upgrade my rig and to use more well known brand names. I take pride in my music and playing more so than really what I am using as long as it sounds great and works for what I need it for of course. Also I do stay within my financial means and the rig I have now is perfect for me. I actually do generally try to stay away from the norm, that is why I do not strive to have a rig that consists of a Ampeg 8x10 and a SVT. I have come to ignore gear snobs, however it is both annyoing and funny at the same time don't you think? :p
Click to expand...

If they are obnoxious...I say "Oh I'm sorry you're deaf? I play with my ears not my eyes."
Wish sometimes I still had the old V4B, I would have it powered on in standby sitting on top of an Acoustic Control 215 that I put an Ampeg badge on. Always had people come up to say how they loved the "Ampeg" tone! The ACC cab was being powered by a G-K 800RB on top of the V4B. :D
 
#36
The tone of my gear speaks for its self. No one talks bad about my gear after they hear it. P bass through a hartke lh500 into an swr goliath sr 6x10... Or for the big shows p bass into a carvin bx something 600 im not sure the model number. into 2 2x15s on one channel and my 6x10 and 2x10 on the other channel.
 
#38
klejst said:
How does everyone deal with gear snobs? Too many times I have seen bass players (guitar players as well) with large expensive rigs, however cannot play to save their life or have no rhythm or technique. Also when I first started out playing bass years ago I can remember people always telling me that I needed to upgrade my rig and to use more well known brand names. I take pride in my music and playing more so than really what I am using as long as it sounds great and works for what I need it for of course. Also I do stay within my financial means and the rig I have now is perfect for me. I actually do generally try to stay away from the norm, that is why I do not strive to have a rig that consists of a Ampeg 8x10 and a SVT. I have come to ignore gear snobs, however it is both annyoing and funny at the same time don't you think? :p
Click to expand...

Really good bass players are not always going to have great gear, they find ways of making whatever they have sound great.

Great gear is never going to make a marginal player sound anything other than marginal.

blue
 
#39
There are some players out there with a whole lot more money than talent and those guys can be suckers for flash and fancy with all the bells and whistles but none of it helps their playing. One of the best bass sounds I've ever played came from a friends 63 P-Bass and an SVT amp with an 8/10 cabinet that he's had since Moses parted the Red Sea. To me there's nothing in modern technology that could improve on that sound.

But that's me and that's what I like because I'm pretty much a plug and play guy. I'm sure there are those who would argue differently. I'm far more concerned with a good set up, proper EQ for the room and technique than I am whether or not I'm playing the lastest thing. A lot depends upon what style your playing but a good musician can get great sounds out of most anything he plays.
 
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