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How important is expensive gear? (from SMG)
- Thread starter M.R. Ogle
- Start date
A decent guitar amp that sells for a lot of money because Stevie Ray Vaughan liked them.
He's right to a point.
Generally speaking the only people in the audience who can distinguish between a decent overall sound and a great sound with smokin' tone are the players in other bands.
However....
Better tone, which is quite often produced by better gear, does in fact allow you to play better, and therefore enjoy yourself and the experience more, and consequently give a better on stage performance which enhances the audience's enjoyment of the show.
But we all know that already.
Generally speaking the only people in the audience who can distinguish between a decent overall sound and a great sound with smokin' tone are the players in other bands.
However....
Better tone, which is quite often produced by better gear, does in fact allow you to play better, and therefore enjoy yourself and the experience more, and consequently give a better on stage performance which enhances the audience's enjoyment of the show.
But we all know that already.
He is right in some way. Many people wouldn't notice any significant difference in sound. I know a drummer that switches sticks from song to song. From 2B to 7A, from wood tip to nylon, and even different wood types. All based on the sound he wanted his drums to make. It took me a while to pick up on what he was doing, because I couldn't hear the difference, but I have no doubt that he could.
I could play my keyboard gigs with a much smaller setup, and just use midi to change sounds. And if I did that, very few people in the crowd would probably realize that I even changed sounds. But I show up with my '70s prog rock setup, and people notice, and react differently. The visual cues to a ridiculous keyboard setup, or a Marshall stack, or an SVT change people's expectations vs. a Nord, Line 6 and Markbass 1x12. The excessive nature of the former sets an expectation from the crowd as to what to expect. Before you even play a note, many will be more intrigued.
I could play my keyboard gigs with a much smaller setup, and just use midi to change sounds. And if I did that, very few people in the crowd would probably realize that I even changed sounds. But I show up with my '70s prog rock setup, and people notice, and react differently. The visual cues to a ridiculous keyboard setup, or a Marshall stack, or an SVT change people's expectations vs. a Nord, Line 6 and Markbass 1x12. The excessive nature of the former sets an expectation from the crowd as to what to expect. Before you even play a note, many will be more intrigued.
You need good gear, you don't need expensive gear. The audience can't tell good gear from great gear, but they can tell when the vocals are distorted because you cheaped out on the PA. They may not be able to articulate it, but I think they can also tell when a band is using cheap, underpowered, 'snap, crackle and poppin' distorting junk equipment.
I cannot seem to understand why so many people are drawn to and enjoy personalities that are abrasive, obnoxious, and base their entire shtick upon stirring gigantic pots of feces.
For me, it has the effect of causing me to either discount or completely ignore the message even if there is truth in it.
But I will say that it sells and we are doing exactly what is needed to help this person monetize his shallow opinions and adolescent rants.
For me, it has the effect of causing me to either discount or completely ignore the message even if there is truth in it.
But I will say that it sells and we are doing exactly what is needed to help this person monetize his shallow opinions and adolescent rants.
So, you didn't find his part about bass players hilarious?? I was laughing so hard when I heard that the first time.
He must be hitting a little to close to the truth for Tb.
No I didn't find it funny or in any way accurate. I don't play metal bass, but I'm sure given that this dude is a supreme douchenozzle and probably doesn't get any clients that actually know w.t.f. they are doing, it might be true for the bands he's working with...
But if we don't buy expensive gear, what the shag will we talk about?
Honestly, I buy expensive amps because they sound good, have crazy warranty, build quality, customer service, and won't fail mid gig.
I buy expensive guitars because they sound and play amazing and drives me to perfect my technique, learn new styles and motivates me to be a better musician. Plus they generally look a million times better
Honestly, I buy expensive amps because they sound good, have crazy warranty, build quality, customer service, and won't fail mid gig.
I buy expensive guitars because they sound and play amazing and drives me to perfect my technique, learn new styles and motivates me to be a better musician. Plus they generally look a million times better
I have good reliable equipment...not over the top. I buy what I have because that is what I want and I buy it for myself.
All I have to say is: when I had crappy gear, I would hear after a show "You were really rocking out up there - too bad I couldn't hear you"
Now I have better gear and I've noticed that when sound persons like my tone they put it in the mix. Now I hear "You were thundering!"
So... he's wrong in that respect about what the audience notices.
He's dead-on about one point though. The audience does NOT need to see you fiddling with your amp the entire set. If it's not completely broken, you're probably wasting time and having poor stage presence trying to get a studio-perfect mythical sound.
Now I have better gear and I've noticed that when sound persons like my tone they put it in the mix. Now I hear "You were thundering!"
So... he's wrong in that respect about what the audience notices.
He's dead-on about one point though. The audience does NOT need to see you fiddling with your amp the entire set. If it's not completely broken, you're probably wasting time and having poor stage presence trying to get a studio-perfect mythical sound.
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
Amp/cab (and/or DI feed to house) and good strings are probably more important for tone once you get beyond the bargain basement basses. Quality bass makes it easier to play well (mostly the neck). The rest is fine tuning in my opinion. But a serious musician ought to have a reasonably serious rig within what they can reasonably afford. I love expensive gear and tone quests but most of that is more for my enjoyment than those who will hear me.
Yeah.. most people don't get him. If folks watched all his vids, they'd realize that he is the guy in the recording/music industry that tells the hard truth. I've actually learned tons from glenn and enjoy the comedic aspect.
ABSOLUTELY $$$$$$$ NOBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow, this guy is really pissed off at Nobody for the Jerkweasel I guess.... haters gotta hate I guess
Wow, this got derailed pretty fast.
I agree with him 100%. You don't need expensive gear to get going. I certainly didn't which is good because my budget was near zero.
He's also correct that learning your instrument, learning your songs and learning your stagecraft are the most important things when starting out. The gear just has to work and not sound like total crap.
I agree with him 100%. You don't need expensive gear to get going. I certainly didn't which is good because my budget was near zero.
He's also correct that learning your instrument, learning your songs and learning your stagecraft are the most important things when starting out. The gear just has to work and not sound like total crap.
Right!!?? This guy is awesome, people need to lighten up...
So metal musicians are incompetent? Haha you're really charting new territory with that line of thinking
I love that people are upset that this dudes advice is to practice and write good songs before you worry about having expensive gear. That is pretty sound advice.
I think his comment was more around that good musicians wouldn't want to deal with him.
Personally, i know a ton of Metal guys that are identical to him. They would probably have a Bro-mance.
I think if people cant tell his tongue is planted firmly in his cheek they need to reevaluate themselves.
Yet metal was specifically mentioned, why?
That's rhetorical.
He's hilarious to me and id love to record with him because I know he wouldn't beat around the bush or sugar coat anything.
