Nice equipment is awesome but jako had a jazz bass. And ripped the frets off it. Used wood putty or some crap like that. One of the best. Lessons are great to get proper technique, but find a drummer with a really expensive Neil pert style set that can play 1 beat. You will rock out with each other and get better with each other.
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I'm a bass snob, but I suck...
- Thread starter khui
- Start date
KHUI - I know exactly where your coming from. I have very nice gear, but am by no means a good bass player (let alone great). That said there are so many things I enjoy about bass. I love practicing/playing. I love reading about my gear. I love reading about the vintage gear as well as the latest gear. Having nice gear doesn't mean you should be touring with Steely Dan or be a first call session cat......ha ha ha
Musicianship and bank accounts should´nt have to be mentioned together. Music is art, money is money. Keep doing your thing, and enjoy it..
I'm in the same boat. The value of my gear exceeds my talent, I hate playing at Guitar Center, etc. I am taking lessons, however. I am always improving (even if it isn't at the pace I would like) in tangible ways. I can read and play faster and more fluidly than before (three years ago I couldn't read at all). I'd like to join a band, but I'm not in a hurry.
In the meantime, I enjoy my gear. And when I go to Guitar Center, I play nice, simple Motown songs and try to hear my playing through the cacophony of chunka-chunka and wheedle-wheedle-wheedle-wheeeee.
In the meantime, I enjoy my gear. And when I go to Guitar Center, I play nice, simple Motown songs and try to hear my playing through the cacophony of chunka-chunka and wheedle-wheedle-wheedle-wheeeee.
I've been a drummer since the Beatles were still releasing records, I started gigging on drums in 1975. It took me a long time, but I have amazing drum gear. Although my drumming isn't as sharp as it was before my strokes, I'm still a capable and serious drummer and my gear compliments my playing.
I dabbled on the bass for many years, I got serious about the instrument a couple of years ago. I bought a few cheaper basses to figure out what I liked before diving in to more expensive gear. Now I own one vintage Fender Tele bass, an American 60th Anniversary P, an American Standard Jazz and an older EBMM Stingray.
When I started playing better I wanted to have nice gear. My playing after two years is starting to come around. Someday I intend to play well enough to as proud of my playing as I am of my gear.
I dabbled on the bass for many years, I got serious about the instrument a couple of years ago. I bought a few cheaper basses to figure out what I liked before diving in to more expensive gear. Now I own one vintage Fender Tele bass, an American 60th Anniversary P, an American Standard Jazz and an older EBMM Stingray.
When I started playing better I wanted to have nice gear. My playing after two years is starting to come around. Someday I intend to play well enough to as proud of my playing as I am of my gear.
During an interview, John Mayer said "Of course I'm good. I sat in my room smoking dope and playing guitar for 12 hours a day for years" (not an exact quote).
Bottom line, quit your high paying job and play bass for 40 hours a week. After many months, you will likely be incredibly better than today.
I have great gear, practice a few minutes here and there and can hold my own. If I spent hours a day playing, I would be in awe of myself.
Bottom line, quit your high paying job and play bass for 40 hours a week. After many months, you will likely be incredibly better than today.
I have great gear, practice a few minutes here and there and can hold my own. If I spent hours a day playing, I would be in awe of myself.
Nothing wrong with collecting things, man. And basses are often pretty gorgeous items to look at, and they aren't as expensive as cars, for instance. Some people collect cars but they can't drive them. And at least you are collecting things that have a practical function.
If not playing well is really that embarrasing for you, then do what everyone else does (even the kids on youtube): practice, practice, practice.
I agree with the general sentiments, you earned your money, you spend how it you like.
But, that doesn't mean I don't have an opinion on the situation beyond that. To be frank I think it's kinda lame to see somebody pull out a $5000 bass and not be able to play it, I simply look at it as a waste of their own money (again, their business) and depending on the person/situation probably a sign that the person looks for approval from others a little too much. Kinda like 'look at me and what I own', hoping for 'oohs' and 'aah's'. When you get praise for an instrument, it's short lived and not really directed at you. Praise for playing well has the opposite characteristics. Armchair psychology that doesn't apply to everyone, but maybe some people.
But, that doesn't mean I don't have an opinion on the situation beyond that. To be frank I think it's kinda lame to see somebody pull out a $5000 bass and not be able to play it, I simply look at it as a waste of their own money (again, their business) and depending on the person/situation probably a sign that the person looks for approval from others a little too much. Kinda like 'look at me and what I own', hoping for 'oohs' and 'aah's'. When you get praise for an instrument, it's short lived and not really directed at you. Praise for playing well has the opposite characteristics. Armchair psychology that doesn't apply to everyone, but maybe some people.
I see it differently. Why can't people who collect cars drive them? You don't have to be a Grand Prix class driver to know how to use a standard and drive a Ferrari down the street. I mean it only does one thing. Drive. You either tear it up on private/empty roads or tracks or you show it off around town (or both for some).
With a bass, it's hard to get much functionality if you can't play/don't practice, pick it up for 5 minutes or only know a song or two...You get bored of your own purchase very quickly. You'll get much more from a high performance vehicle that you can't really use to it's full potential in my mind, at least you can drive it around your neighborhood for hours a day. If you played your bass for hours a day, you're likely to...get better!
Hey I own some nice equipment which I can afford now that I couldn't back when I got out of college. I did play in a few bands after that but life has a way of taking you through marriage, children and working your butt off to take care of your family. Everyone has the right to your opinion, just don't tell me what to do and how to do it unless you are either paying or supporting me. Coveting another's personal belongings has gone on since the beginning of time. Plus the profession you decide to enter comes with both pain and reward. I agree that EFFECTIVE practice allows you to better your craft, the gear is a mere tool, albeit better tools assist in the process. Putting down the other guy based on the gear he has is just not cool.
I didn't mean to say ALL people who collect cars do not know how to drive, but some do. And it's OK. They like cars, some cars are also gorgeous items, so I see the point.
I agree, though. Basses require some minimum level of musical/ technical understanding to be used, but not all people collect basses to use them, right? Again, some just do because they like basses as objects and/or decoration and/or because of the historical/ sentimental / whatnot value of some pieces.
MikeBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 4, 2003
- 11,943
- 3,140
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- Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
There is another TB'r here who is sorta like you, but doesn't really admit or acknowledge that yes, he has very very nice gear, but can't really play too much at all.
But he will talk like he's "something" because he has some very high end gear.
Even to the point of having the dreaded "snob" approach in the sense of "mine is better" snotty attitude.
As long as you understand that the bass does not make the player.........
But he will talk like he's "something" because he has some very high end gear.
Even to the point of having the dreaded "snob" approach in the sense of "mine is better" snotty attitude.
As long as you understand that the bass does not make the player.........
Don't sweat it there are plenty of us out there. I try to match my abilities on bass to my equipment. I play passive P basses with simple amps. All of my equipment is good to decent in quality and I love guitars and basses probably more than I love playing them..no harm no foul.
I would feel stupid with a Fodera and a I cant pronounce the name of fancy amp since I play roots and country music don't slap and am not a bass guru.
The funny thing is I don't want to be fancy. I know my fretboard , some scales and how to play in the pocket and groove. I have been told I'm good but trust me most here on TB would smoke me..but I don't care. Youtube is full of show offs let me see them playing a band then I will decide.
I saw BB King tonight and his bassist who is very good played 90% in the first position 1-5 fret. He is very good but played in the pocket a solid as a rock...why? He severed the music not his ego..rock on.
I would feel stupid with a Fodera and a I cant pronounce the name of fancy amp since I play roots and country music don't slap and am not a bass guru.
The funny thing is I don't want to be fancy. I know my fretboard , some scales and how to play in the pocket and groove. I have been told I'm good but trust me most here on TB would smoke me..but I don't care. Youtube is full of show offs let me see them playing a band then I will decide.
I saw BB King tonight and his bassist who is very good played 90% in the first position 1-5 fret. He is very good but played in the pocket a solid as a rock...why? He severed the music not his ego..rock on.
If be lying if I said I was content. Do I love my rig? Yes. Do I love my bass? Yup.
Do I want more of both? Hell yes. It's like having a super hot girlfriend or a relationship where you're really attracted to the other for one reason or another. While in that case, we may only be able to look and not touch other women/men, with gear, we can keep looking and touching and .......you get my drift.
And spare me the prostitute analogies
Do I want more of both? Hell yes. It's like having a super hot girlfriend or a relationship where you're really attracted to the other for one reason or another. While in that case, we may only be able to look and not touch other women/men, with gear, we can keep looking and touching and .......you get my drift.
And spare me the prostitute analogies
Join the club. I'm the same way, but I play well enough to always be in a band. Or three.
I'm a quick study, have good rhythm and a good attitude - just like Nathan East. The biggest difference is that Nathan can play bass.
I'm a quick study, have good rhythm and a good attitude - just like Nathan East. The biggest difference is that Nathan can play bass.
But better gear is MOTIVATING. High- end instruments just feel good in the hands. Makes you WANT to play more, practice more, hear more. For these reasons, the extra $$$ spent for good gear is worth it.
No worries, mate.
For the record...
So? It's interesting enough that there are 20 posts in it today.
