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Is anyone image conscious about their rig?

#41
the only thing stopping me from getting a 8x10 is how cheesy i think they look. im not bothered about weight or transporting

its the people who will ONLY play a ampeg svt AND 8x10

i was at a small 100 people gig and the bass player in the band was actually yelling at the club owner for not having a ampeg fridge

then said bass player started making fun of me for using my tatty old bassman with the commie patch
 
#43
thekish said:
When musicians try to convey an image, the music suffers.
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So you are saying all music suffers then?

Name one band that ever made it big that didn't try to convey an image, even if that image was to convey that they didn't care about image...:rolleyes:



I'm waiting.........


Face it; The music business is just as much about image as it is about music. The recording industry isn't, but the marketing departments of said recordings and live performances sure are. And it doesn't even matter what genre, from orchestral to jazz, rock to pop, it's ALL about image once there is a product to sell, even if your only product is your band doing covers. And it may or may not matter much what your rig looks like (although it will to some degree).
 
#46
Age has a way of changing your perspective on what looks good. Look at how many old guys drive trucks with mismatched canopies. I fall into "I sort of care" category these days however, I believe your gear should make you proud to stand in front of and represent "your sound". 35 years back I toted an SVT and 2 refrigerator cabs. The sound was bliss and I thoroughly enjoyed the envy of all other local bassists. These days, I find a Markbass SD-800 with two Accugroove Cabs (Tri 115L & Tri 112L) satisfy both my needs for cosmetic appeal as well as tonal bliss. Unsure if anyone else has pondered this setup but it's sure solved my GAS for the past couple years.
 
#47
JimmyM said:
...if it didn't sound good, i wouldn't use it. but it just so happens that the most badass looking rig in the world also sounds great ;)
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This pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter. I'm currently playing an 800RB because my SVT proved unreliable (I'm having it fixed up properly one day soon, and hopefully reliability won't be an issue anymore). Great amp. The sound is awesome, and it's a classic in its own right, so it's not as if I'm suffering or anything for the time being with my GK. Still...it doesn't look quite as cool as my SVT.
 
#50
Actually I have seen a VERY thight great sounding punk band play these.

The next day I bought one and went the CD in from a preamp.

Worked great.. nobody knew or cared

I dig the old cats who can show up with a showbox sized wards amp and out do every plexi holding nut.


Stanley Design said:
Gotta admit, if you saw a guitarist in a really heavy band with one of these dominating a 8x12 fullstack you'd probably chuckle.

3379-1-big.jpg
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#51
MNAirHead said:
Actually I have seen a VERY thight great sounding punk band play these.

The next day I bought one and went the CD in from a preamp.

Worked great.. nobody knew or cared

I dig the old cats who can show up with a showbox sized wards amp and out do every plexi holding nut.
Click to expand...
i have a wards amp! little 112 15w deal from 62! and i have a crate power block that i just happened to buy off you ;) and no, i ain't sellin' it back! that ltitle sucker works its ass off on my rainy outdoor gigs!

:bassist:
 
#52
I definitely liked the chrome grill on my old SWR Goliath III 4x10, and the presence of a large(ish) cab, but tone and practicality rule. And, after going through hernia repair surgery, light weight is key. Appearance is irrelevant. I'm darned happy with my G-K Neo112 cabs and diminutive MB-500 head, and when I can get away with it, I'll even use my Roland Cube 100 and run it through the PA.
 
#54
What i find most stupid is something like a rock bassist has a wall of Ampeg's onstage, but yet backstage theres something totally different like, a Markbass LMII going into an Aguilar 410 which is where the sound is actually coming from, What is the point?

I like to think i'm not image concious at all, but i am slightly, but only about how i look myself, not my gear. At the moment i'm wearing the Squier logo on the headstock of my Deluxe Jazz V with pride, its not the best looking bass, but it sounds good through my Line 6 LowDown LD150, looks arent everything. Your more likely to find me using an Ibanez Promethean with 410 and 115 than an Ampeg SVT with a fridge, because it sounds better, and fits what i play better.

Also, extra note: You are almost 100% Guaranteed not to see me using an Ampeg SVT and Fridge that belong to me, and arent just house gear. I will choose Ashdown over Ampeg any day, cheaper and better sounding to me.
 
#56
I've only ever gigged with combo amps. I feel a little naked without at least a 4x10 behind me, but the combos do the job and are easy to lug around.

Recently, I had a shot at an SVT-350 w/ matching 6x10 cab for $600. I should probably still try and get it to at least resell it for some profit. However, the reason I passed was because a $400 GK MB115 will do the job just fine for what I need.
 
#58
People will pay more for food at a nice looking restaurant, I think it works somewhat the same at gigs.

We do get a lot of people checking us out and asking us about the band because we have good gear as well as the bar owner inviting us back... but you still have to deliver.

When we go from a cover we just nailed to one of our less than stellar originals, they suddenly could care less about our gear.

Everyone has had a bad meal at a chic restaurant and at that time you could care less about the cool looking etched stainless steel artwork.
 
#59
I went from a 65 watt 12 inch speaker Laney combo to a Gallien Krueger/Laney fullstack. I'm pretty proud of it, but definitely no snob about it. It took me forever to get the money together for this and I appreciate it every bit. I would love a vintage Ampeg just to say I had one, but I get the sound I love with what I have.
 
#60
"We do get a lot of people checking us out and asking us about the band because we have good gear as well as the bar owner inviting us back... but you still have to deliver."

It definitely looks more professional. That generally matters more to patrons and bar owners than tone.
 

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