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How important is expensive gear? (from SMG)

Expensive gear isn't necessary, but reliable gear is. I'm with Jimmy M; you try to get the tone that pleases YOU, because you're the one riding that sound. Grooving when you really dig your sound is the center of the bullseye. That's why we chase the tone(s) in our heads. Same with effects.

And although I agree with much of what that bozo says in his videos, I think that lowering your standard--in any regard-- because the audience won't notice anyway, is a lousy attitude.
 
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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.
+1

For some reason people think there is something inherently good in stating your honest opinion. Well, if you are a dufus with an IQ small than your inseam, I'd rather you keep your mouth shut. I'd rather listen to someone that thinks before they speak.
 
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This guy's an idiot. I don't play what gear I play to please an audience. I play what I have to be able to play the songs to my satisfaction, thereby hopefully making the audience happy. I get the concept he's saying as applies to someone up and coming who cannot yet afford better gear. but to tell me nobody in the audience cares? Like I care what they or anyone think of my gear? I play what I need to get the job done as best as I see fit.
 
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What a ridiculous video. He's right, but it's still ridiculous. Why? Because I don't choose my gear to please the audience. I choose my gear to please ME.
That's exactly his point, that it's nice to have good gear but being only able to afford the basics shouldn't stop you from playing out and doing it well.

As much as I hate his constant rage toward minor details, he's often spot on, including his constant ranting against lazy bass players who happen to be in the band because the spot was available.
He puts out practical tests. his comparative demo of the b7k is very well done.
 
One thing I've learned in life is if I listen without emotion. I just might learn something. The best teachers I've had in life had lousy delivery but incredibly reliable information and truths that kept me alive and able to navigate in this cruel world. Truth is truth. No matter if it sounds like Joel Olsteen or DMX.
FF
 
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I hate this guy. He's like a teenager living in the exterior shell of a 50-something dude...Like an "audio" equivalent of the comic book store guy in the Simpsons, only with less social skills. Most of his videos are about how everyone (besides him) who ever walked in his studio (i.e. his clients) are know-nothing idiots that only waste his oh-so-precious time. All he does is whine, very loudly. If I hated my line of work so much, I'd do something else for a living.

He even wore a t-shirt that said "Your bass player is a useless c***t" in one of his YouTube "editorials".

Seriously, f*** that guy.
 
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I hate this guy. He's like a teenager living in the exterior shell of a 50-something dude...Like an "audio" equivalent of the comic book store guy in the Simpsons, only with less social skills. Most of his videos are about how everyone (besides him) who ever walked in his studio (i.e. his clients) are know-nothing idiots that only waste his oh-so-precious time. All he does is whine, very loudly. If I hated my line of work so much, I'd do something else for a living.

He even wore a t-shirt that said "Your bass player is a useless c***t" in one of his YouTube "editorials".

Seriously, f*** that guy.

Worst. Video. Ever.
 
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I have 4 nice basses, a guitar, a nice rig, an audio interface, a computer, some keyboards, some mics, and some percussion stuff,
and I likely have less than 2 grand invested, total.

I am not a bad player by any means.

I am content.
 
Well, the one thing I don't recall being stated is that better gear does NOt instantly make you a better player, which is something experienced players already know.
It can/will help, but YOU still have to provide the skill...
As someone once said.. "Can I have a little more talent in the monitors please!".
 
I think for the most part, he is referring to young players who feel they need the best gear to get started. Not so much, people who have money and want to buy top shelf gear.


95% of his videos are geared towards helping young guys just starting out in bands and recording. He did an amazing series on hiw to record heavy drums which is something that most recording pros don't want to talk about.
 
Well, if there are any bassists seeing this video that find it offensive, DON'T watch this...


There's nothing wrong with most of what he says here, even if his delivery is obnoxious. And honestly in the genre he seems to deal with most there are a lot of just completely useless bass players. However the way he actually mixes bass seems pretty questionable, at least to me, and maybe even helps perpetuate the idiot bass player myth.
 
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Reactions: VWbug
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.

I feel the same way, which is why I don't find comedians like Lewis Black or George Carlin funny at all. Yelling angrily isn't humorous.
 

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