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I'm a bass snob, but I suck...

#81
Personally I could care less what anyone thinks about my gear. I was that 20 year old kid over a decade ago with a German made warwick. Its your money buy what you want.

And really everything when it comes to music that people will "rate" is all subjective. I honestly don't like Victor Wooten's tone and from what I heard fron everyone else I would never buy a fodera. But Mr Wooten is obviously one of the best all around players out there, a great teacher, and a great human being. I'm sure if victor heard me play he wouldn't be a fan of my tone either.

As far as being a good or bad bassists that's completely subjective also. There's a lot of people that like stuff like Gotye's song "someone that I used to know" personally I would probably fall asleep onstage if I was his bassist. Everyone would think I was narcoleptic because I'd just fall down and start snoring half way into the first verse. Talk about a boring bassline. But there's people that like that kinda stuff that probably wouldn't like the way I play.

Music is art not a competition so just have fun with it
 
#86
As long as you don't THINK you know it all you'll be fine. If you keep learning no matter how small a thing it is you'll be fine. The case on my G&L costs twice what I paid for my first bass but I learned and played enough to get a better bass. My bass's are like ladders each one a little nicer. I've been lucky and played about as much as I could and still have a day job. I don't know if I play any better on my ASAT than I did on my P bass copy but I sure feel like it.
 
#87
My gear is way more than I am a player. However I am not apologetic in the least. I play all my basses regularly, either at home, at rehearsal, or at gigs.

You only go through life once so why not experience it with the people and things that make you the happiest.

Enjoy your instruments in good health.
Bones
 
#89
I'm happy people like the OP are buying high-end instruments. What irks me is when people with that kind of money to spend bid up the price of journeyman basses that happen to be a bit old and rare, even though they really aren't anything special in terms of the sound they produce.

When I get around to selling off some boy-toys I like having around but don't use much any more, I want to support great luthiers too.
 
#90
I own a Squier VM Jazz V. I really like the satin finish on the neck and the bass plays really nice. I have played this bass on gigs, but I bought to use as a back up. Didn't pay but a few hundred dollars for it.

I also own a FCS Jazz V. Playability and sound is unbelievable. Paid several thousands of dollars for it.

But, my main bass is an Am Stnd P-Bass V. Plain old passive p-bass with that thump that only a p-bass can deliver. Playability is close to the FCS, but not quite there. Paid a little over a thousand for it.

How good of a player am I? All I can say to that is I play in a weekend band with steady bookings in some of the best clubs where I live. So I guess I'm alright. I don't do anything special.....mainly play the groove....pretty much get as close to the original as I can.

My point is....it really doesn't matter how much your equipment cost or how well someone thinks you play. What does matter is you have a bass to play and you play it!
 
#91
You gotta stop seeing music as a competition. Music is a way of expressing yourself and a good musician is one who has something innovative to say. Gear does matter but it isn't a big deal.

When Marin Luther gave the I have a dream speech no one asked what mic he gave it on. Its weird how as musicians we get so caught up with the gear and not the technique and music theory.

Just spend time practicing with your instrument and you will get better at it. Also joining a band with more advanced players can make you grow considerably faster. As can picking up other instruments.

What helped me progress with the bass was learning to play guitar. It unlocked a completely new way of thinking, and getting familiar with guitar voicings for a chord makes it easier to find the right bass lines to back them up.
 
#92
Another thing that helps is listening to new styles of music. I listen to everything now from classical I like Mozart to dubstep.

Its crazy how these styles can open your mind. Its like readdung a book, the classics are basically like reading an encyclopedia.

Learning scales and modes are also use full they are basically like musical grammer all of this gives you new ideas and will come out when you play.

As for how good you are, I don't think any player truly thinks they are good. I judge my abilities based on being able to come up with things that fit, and being able to find what I'm thinking on the instrument
 
#93
I hope you have fun, no matter what. But if you really want to get decent at playing, I might recommend some lessons. If not, that's cool, but lessons from a good jazz dude who knows can really get you on the good foot.
 
#94
Sucking is the first step to being good at something. Get in a group. You'll get better faster. Who cares about your gear, I'm not going to be a "reverse gear snob" who thinks cheap gear is more "soulful" and better. You don't sound snobbish to me, it's OK to be well off. You put in the work, enjoy the rewards!
 
#95
Nephilymbass said:
Personally I could care less what anyone thinks about my gear. I was that 20 year old kid over a decade ago with a German made warwick. Its your money buy what you want.

And really everything when it comes to music that people will "rate" is all subjective. I honestly don't like Victor Wooten's tone and from what I heard fron everyone else I would never buy a fodera. But Mr Wooten is obviously one of the best all around players out there, a great teacher, and a great human being. I'm sure if victor heard me play he wouldn't be a fan of my tone either.

As far as being a good or bad bassists that's completely subjective also. There's a lot of people that like stuff like Gotye's song "someone that I used to know" personally I would probably fall asleep onstage if I was his bassist. Everyone would think I was narcoleptic because I'd just fall down and start snoring half way into the first verse. Talk about a boring bassline. But there's people that like that kinda stuff that probably wouldn't like the way I play.

Music is art not a competition so just have fun with it
Click to expand...


That's funny when we practice I have a tendency to stand in one spot on one leg. I am in a jam-style band and we could rip thru three songs that will last 45 min. I don't know why never on stage but at least 4 times in practice one of my legs will just go numb and look out cause in going down in anyway to protect my bass and hopefully don't have to stop till we are finished. But I'm not narcoleptic I'm grooving hard thinking of new ways to apply punch and help the leading instrument with chromatic climbs or holding the root back for a bigger peak. I feel like that about Yamar, or if you're just going thru the motions on funky bitch.

When I first stepped off I had a bucket full of thought.....

It's not a competition but it is awesome when your audience is having as much funds you are!
This is a YouTube of a song called insider mind. I love it.


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WpTsuLqhwrQ
 
#96
Fully understand how you feel - I've been playing 33 years, but it feels like I only "got it" and have been making real progress in the last 5 years - because finally I got to play with a good band that, very unusually, doesn't consist of several large egos clashing in a room! There's nothing like playing with others, and FOR others, to really make a bass player of you - I'm in heaven!

As for the gear - at first, after years in the closet, I was terrified of "subjecting" my precious collector's items to the rigours of performance, but now I'd say they enjoy it as much as I do, and every battle scar is just a sign that it's a real, living instrument. If you stay in the closet, there's still no shame - your instruments are beautiful things and if they never leave your home...wow, you're sitting on some serious investment one day! Like someone once said, rather collect guitars/basses than stocks and bonds - if the market crashes, at least you've still got a room full of instruments, not just worthless paper! But really, get out there and play, and don't worry about whether you're good enough!
 
#98
I have a solution to your problem:

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