aren't we all image conscious about our rigs? Thats why I love the funky yellow cones on my markbass and the shiny silver on my hartke cones
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Is anyone image conscious about their rig?
- Thread starter Din Of Win
- Start date
Does anyone else not use certain pieces of gear because of the image they put forth?
Yes , unless it a supplied backline. Even then I'd still refuse it if it sounds too bad. I mean beyond hope.
Does anyone use sup-par gear because it puts forth a 'better' image than other pieces of gear?
No. I just don't think you're gonna sound any better than a SVT or a B-15. I do like my Markbass though.
Does anyone really care about what gear the bassist uses besides other bassists?
Yes they do. I've heard so many comments from drummers and guitar players about how someones amp looks or sounds like poop.
Is this sentiment a cross-genre thing, or only in certain genres?
I think it would look a bit silly for country or blues guy to be useing a 3' rack system with Bergs?
You asked and I responded. But ,this is just me.
Yes , unless it a supplied backline. Even then I'd still refuse it if it sounds too bad. I mean beyond hope.
Does anyone use sup-par gear because it puts forth a 'better' image than other pieces of gear?
No. I just don't think you're gonna sound any better than a SVT or a B-15. I do like my Markbass though.
Does anyone really care about what gear the bassist uses besides other bassists?
Yes they do. I've heard so many comments from drummers and guitar players about how someones amp looks or sounds like poop.
Is this sentiment a cross-genre thing, or only in certain genres?
I think it would look a bit silly for country or blues guy to be useing a 3' rack system with Bergs?
You asked and I responded. But ,this is just me.
I will buy the cab of my choice if it was only the sound. A guitarist in one group i play with thinks the hartke 410 xl sounds best,, so I use it,,even though it's heavy,,,I must admit though,,when I look at those aluminum coned drivers,,, I think "I'm gonna makes those metal things wail",,,hence I play better. It's just music,,,you can make the cheapest of things sound good if you put your feelings into it imo
100% true. but since i have a choice in the matter, i like using rigs that look cool as well as sound awesome.
however, i must admit to using a crate power block as a power amp on my very tiny gigs or on outdoor gigs where it looks like rain. so there are times where pragmatism takes over and looks can get f'd
There is definitely some ugly bass equipment out there - the modern stuff that looks like a space-age gymshoe really turns me off. Stuff where the logo is huge, or they use garish colors (exception made for Orange amps I guess... hmmm)
That being said... if you play the hell out of the bass, nobody will focus on what your gear looks like. And if you have the best, coolest looking gear, and can't play bass worth a crap, your cool gear doesn't help at all.
As long as you sound decent, the most important thing is your songs and your delivery. I've seen a bunch of 'fly-in' bands who used borrowed gear (different stuff each time) and the gear is really irrelevant. Hey, I'm a bass player and I don't bother looking at what exact amp somebody else is playing unless they sound exceptionally good (or bad). I watch other bassists play the bass, watch the drummer, etc.
That being said... if you play the hell out of the bass, nobody will focus on what your gear looks like. And if you have the best, coolest looking gear, and can't play bass worth a crap, your cool gear doesn't help at all.
As long as you sound decent, the most important thing is your songs and your delivery. I've seen a bunch of 'fly-in' bands who used borrowed gear (different stuff each time) and the gear is really irrelevant. Hey, I'm a bass player and I don't bother looking at what exact amp somebody else is playing unless they sound exceptionally good (or bad). I watch other bassists play the bass, watch the drummer, etc.
Nope... can't even see my rig on stage with my current gigs. No one but the band and supporting people know I have and SVT and 4x10...
This is a much more complicated question than it seems...here are some thoughts:
Yes, I care what my gear looks like and the image it puts forth, but that will mean different things to different people. There are people who look down on Ampeg, while other people think Ampeg is the be all/end all... There are people who look down on ratty beat up cheap gear, and people who look down on someone who 'wastes' money on big expensive gear because they think you're stupid for "paying for the name". You could walk into a fancy coffee house jazz gig with a beat up Peavey combo and stickered up Ibanez Gio and be laughed at or walk into a local punk gig with the same gear and be right at home. That same punk gig with a custom 6 string bass and a Phil Jones briefcase might get you laughed at there, too...
One thing to remember here is that an attitude of "I don't care about my image" IS itself an image!!! I have only ever met a VERY few people who truly didn't care what their gear was or what it looked like. Real absent minded professor types who honestly didn't give a thought to anything but playing. They're often awesome players, but you usually end up having to set up their gear for them, because they don't care enough to know how since they're so 'inside their own heads'...
I love to see and hear great gear. I also love to see a dude with a cheesy setup surprise everyone and absolutely KILL!!!
One other thing worth thinking about is that you sometimes will be judged on your gear before people even hear you. This may not seem 'fair', but I think of it as the same logic that dictates that you dress appropriately for a job interview. You wouldn't show up for an interview at a law firm in ripped jeans and a Metallica T-shirt, but neither should you wear an Armani suit when interviewing for a Laborer position at a construction site... People might go take a smoke break before your set if you have crappy gear. You might think "hey, their loss", but in the end that's more people that didn't hear you play...don't we all at least want to be heard?
FWIW, I am currently playing loud heavy music through a brand new Ampeg SVT-VR with a SVT810AV (probably considered 'awesome' by most folks who would see it, though I'm sure there are plenty who would sneeze at it, too), but I'm also playing a bass I built myself from parts. It's a fantastic bass, and has a lot of high end parts, but without a Fender name on the headstock probably most people at first glance would think it's some cheap clone or even a Squier I was embarrassed about and scratched the name off the headstock (Moses graphite neck with no logo). I think more people notice your instrument than your rig. I like the "I built this myself because I was too cool and picky and couldn't find what I wanted off the shelf" image, and it's a great conversation piece with people in the know...but I know I also 'lose points' with people who only notice it's not a 'real Fender'...
At the end of the day, Yes, I think about what my 'image' is since live music is a visual as well as sonic experience and image is a part of that, but I place MUCH more importance on tone and songwriting.
-JV
Yes, I care what my gear looks like and the image it puts forth, but that will mean different things to different people. There are people who look down on Ampeg, while other people think Ampeg is the be all/end all... There are people who look down on ratty beat up cheap gear, and people who look down on someone who 'wastes' money on big expensive gear because they think you're stupid for "paying for the name". You could walk into a fancy coffee house jazz gig with a beat up Peavey combo and stickered up Ibanez Gio and be laughed at or walk into a local punk gig with the same gear and be right at home. That same punk gig with a custom 6 string bass and a Phil Jones briefcase might get you laughed at there, too...
One thing to remember here is that an attitude of "I don't care about my image" IS itself an image!!! I have only ever met a VERY few people who truly didn't care what their gear was or what it looked like. Real absent minded professor types who honestly didn't give a thought to anything but playing. They're often awesome players, but you usually end up having to set up their gear for them, because they don't care enough to know how since they're so 'inside their own heads'...
I love to see and hear great gear. I also love to see a dude with a cheesy setup surprise everyone and absolutely KILL!!!
One other thing worth thinking about is that you sometimes will be judged on your gear before people even hear you. This may not seem 'fair', but I think of it as the same logic that dictates that you dress appropriately for a job interview. You wouldn't show up for an interview at a law firm in ripped jeans and a Metallica T-shirt, but neither should you wear an Armani suit when interviewing for a Laborer position at a construction site... People might go take a smoke break before your set if you have crappy gear. You might think "hey, their loss", but in the end that's more people that didn't hear you play...don't we all at least want to be heard?
FWIW, I am currently playing loud heavy music through a brand new Ampeg SVT-VR with a SVT810AV (probably considered 'awesome' by most folks who would see it, though I'm sure there are plenty who would sneeze at it, too), but I'm also playing a bass I built myself from parts. It's a fantastic bass, and has a lot of high end parts, but without a Fender name on the headstock probably most people at first glance would think it's some cheap clone or even a Squier I was embarrassed about and scratched the name off the headstock (Moses graphite neck with no logo). I think more people notice your instrument than your rig. I like the "I built this myself because I was too cool and picky and couldn't find what I wanted off the shelf" image, and it's a great conversation piece with people in the know...but I know I also 'lose points' with people who only notice it's not a 'real Fender'...
At the end of the day, Yes, I think about what my 'image' is since live music is a visual as well as sonic experience and image is a part of that, but I place MUCH more importance on tone and songwriting.
-JV
Image used to matter to me when I was a teenager/early twenties. Then around my 30th birthday I decided that it was not really all that important. Now I prefer to let my playing do the talking. 
I think it depends on the type of music and venues you play. I play mainly country/sixties/middle-of-the-road, so my street cred is non-existant anyway!!
I think it depends on the type of music and venues you play. I play mainly country/sixties/middle-of-the-road, so my street cred is non-existant anyway!!
No. I don't care what it looks like. I care about:
-sound
-ergonimics - I'm an old fart with a bad back. I'm not moving 8x10s around unless I have to. That said, if that's what it takes, that's what it takes
-cost - I'm an old fart with a tired wallet. I'm not paying a crapload of money unless I have to. That said, if that's what it takes, that's what it takes =
Bottom line - if I can find something that's easy to move around and is of reasonable low cost that will give me the sound and coverage I need for the type of playing I'm doing, then I'll buy it. If not, I'll bite the bullet and spend more or buy something bigger if necessary.
Fortunately, I don't play metal or rock and roll so I can get away with smaller rigs...
bigtiny
-sound
-ergonimics - I'm an old fart with a bad back. I'm not moving 8x10s around unless I have to. That said, if that's what it takes, that's what it takes
-cost - I'm an old fart with a tired wallet. I'm not paying a crapload of money unless I have to. That said, if that's what it takes, that's what it takes =
Bottom line - if I can find something that's easy to move around and is of reasonable low cost that will give me the sound and coverage I need for the type of playing I'm doing, then I'll buy it. If not, I'll bite the bullet and spend more or buy something bigger if necessary.
Fortunately, I don't play metal or rock and roll so I can get away with smaller rigs...
bigtiny
yeah,,thats why i have started to think about replacing all the drivers in these 100 lb cabs to neodium
pablomigraine
Commercial User
I am ABSOLUTELY image-conscious about my rigs. That's why I have two...
for the Main Band:
Ampeg SVP-Pro / Power amp etc
Ampeg SVT810e
Spector Basses
For everything else:
Brubaker Brute
Genz Benz amps and cabs
for the Main Band:
Ampeg SVP-Pro / Power amp etc
Ampeg SVT810e
Spector Basses
For everything else:
Brubaker Brute
Genz Benz amps and cabs
even tho' i'm the only one who sees it i still like the looks of old school gear.....i'm still looking for a fridge or a matching 2x15 for my v4b,and another mesa cab for my 400+
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
I'm image-conscious about my rig(s), but I'm in a different camp I think. I love the look of a nice, clean SWR or Eden stack behind me. Usually a 1x15 and a 2x10, or just a single 4x10. I personally hate tolex covers (they tear easily and expose the wood), and prefer 'rat fur' covers and durable plastic corners that can be replaced easily. I love using my Eden WTX-500 (with my VT Bass) with my old Goliath 4x10. Gets some funny looks sometimes with the size difference, but then people hear it and they love the sound of it. I guess I love the SOUND of vintage gear, but not the looks of some of it.
I'm not conscious about my image at all. Most people who go to shows, 1. don't really recognize the bassist's gear anyway, and 2. if they did, they wouldn't know one brand name from another brand name. Bass gear is hardly talked about outside of bassists.
I have 3 rigs. My first rig is a GK 700rbII complete with a compressor and a Sonic Max. (for venues with horrible acoustics), a Tube Works 410 cab, and either an SWR 18" cab or an Avatar B212. My second rig is at church and is an EA iAmp 350 going into an Avatar B212 and an SWR 210. My 3rd rig is a GK MB212 combo. Either one of these rigs will do the job for me. They look like sin on stage but they sound like Heaven to my bands and to the crowd, or so I've been told. You can look as cool as you want on stage but if your tone sucks, you suck, IMO of course.
I have 3 rigs. My first rig is a GK 700rbII complete with a compressor and a Sonic Max. (for venues with horrible acoustics), a Tube Works 410 cab, and either an SWR 18" cab or an Avatar B212. My second rig is at church and is an EA iAmp 350 going into an Avatar B212 and an SWR 210. My 3rd rig is a GK MB212 combo. Either one of these rigs will do the job for me. They look like sin on stage but they sound like Heaven to my bands and to the crowd, or so I've been told. You can look as cool as you want on stage but if your tone sucks, you suck, IMO of course.
