Keeping up with the Joneses

Ive been here for a while and I still only own one bass. I have a nice amp set up but I cant say this site has really skewed my sence of what I need. You need to take the site and its contents for what its worth. I really dont think others peoples gear makes me feel compeled to own more stuff.

 

No, not really. The only influence TB has had on me is introducing me to luthiers who I might purchase a bass from (and almost did get an FBB...). I use TB as a reference, not as a guide.

 

There is a risk of being swept away with all the influences you get from TB, reviews, ads, seeing players on TV, etc, and your have a great point there. It could pay to stop and really think about what you need versus what you're GASsing for.

Seriously though I buy gear to make myself go ooh and ahh. Some stuff I buy even get a from my band mates, but they are things I just gotta have even if there's no immediate use for it. I also buy lots of really boring but useful stuff, like a reverb for the PA, it's just harder to spend the money on that.

I don't think I'm buying anything based on what other people think though, TB is a source of information only, my own taste rules what I get. How much that taste has been influenced by TB? Who knows.

 

I would say that TB doesn't affect my sense of what I need, but it has really affected me in knowing what I can get.

Before this site, the only amps I'd heard of were Fender, Laney, Peavey and Hartke. I didn't know there were companies like Sadowsky or Fodera - or even Overwater, in my back yard! (almost).

Thus, I'm not going to settle for the second-rate gear sold in the shops around anymore, which I might have done before.

 

I agree with this entirely - TB has opened ny eyes to which basses are available and to how good they can get - same with amps/cabs.

In England, you can get stuck with a very limited range of gear - so most shops have Fender, Gibson Ibanez basses with Peavey and Trace Elliot amps.

When I started playing bass again after a long break - I had no idea what was available and just went along to my local shop and tried everything and bought what sounded best to me.

But this meant I was stuck with gear that was very poor for what I wanted to do - especially the Trace Elliot combo, which turned out to be viratually unusable and lost me a lot of money when I traded it in for something else!

So - finding TB meant I was suddenly aware that ther were lots more possibilities and that there were shops in London that I could get to and get what I really wanted (or better!)rather than what happened to be in stock locally.

So - rather than spending every practice time, jam and gig thinking about the deficiencies in my gear - why can't I get the clarity of sound I want, how can I get it to be less noisy etc. - I can now think about making myself a better player and know that it's not my gear that's holding me back!!

 

I concur with Parrott and Bruce.

 

Sure, and it obviously has even more on other members.

One word: Avatar

 

For me, no. The only thing I've bought since I joined TB was my Warwick, but I've wanted one since before I even had a computer, so that doesn't count.

 

It has some influence, but doesn't force me to rush out and buy lots more gear. I've been here since April 2002 and have purchased the following items:

1. Sei Flamboyant 6 string (April 2002 - I was in the process of getting this before I signed up, so it doesn't really count)

2. Ashdown rig - Mag 250 head and mini 1x15 cab (July 2002 - Ashdown was a front runner because of what I'd tried before - a range of different Ashdown setups belonging to various friends over the course of several years... I also tried out several other roughly equivalent setups in the Bass Centre)

3. Sansamp Bass Driver DI (March 2003 - I didn't really notice how much they got mentioned until I was an owner... it was trying one belonging to a friend that turned me onto it)

Therefore, things I've tried rather than things I've just heard about has been the main influence so far. On the other hand, I'm sure it has a subtle effect - for example, if I see a Basslab bass:



it will be hard to resist trying it since I've been intrigued by them, after discovering them here.

Wulf

 

It has probably influenced me some. Then again, I have bought a Peavey bass and a Peavey amp since I came here. If I bought into all the garbage that gets posted about Peavey on this site, I wouldn't have ever considered them.

And brianrost, I hear you on the 'Avatar'.

 

I think what ANBassist said is probably true in a few cases. No, I do *not* have anyone in mind... it's definitely a mistake to conclude that any particular individual is buying gear to keep up with the Joneses (or maintain status as Jones!)

Re gear, the great majority of us are here to learn what's out there, and learn more about it even if we already know it's out there. And while elitism exists in every forum, I think peer judgment here is typically based on how you behave and what you contribute, not how many fancy toys you own (and that of course is how it should be).

As for me: I can't keep up with the Joneses so I don't even try. Although I did snatch up a Bergie 610 pretty quick... partly because of the very limited issue red tolex, but also partly because it was kinda cool to be the first regular on the block to gig with one.

 

If it wasn't for Talkbass, I don't think I would own my G&L. I had never heard of them before, and no stores in my area carry them. I'd probably be stuck with Stingray or something.

 

It is interesting to see what others are playing and buying, but I'm not influenced by it. My three primary basses are not terribly popular here in general. One is my RIC 4003, as many are waiting to tell me it is ugly as agree with me that it is a wonderful instrument. Another is my G&L L2000, most seem to ignore the whole G&L line here. The third is my PRS Bass, which is another folks will line up to tell me how awful it is (but I am very fond of its tone, looks and feel). Strangely, my least played bass (a 5 string Spector) would have the most fans here. The Aria Pro-II I keep at the office would probably be found historically interesting, if nothing else. So, while the trends here are interesting, and some really nice basses get showed, I'm here more for the community than the hardware (in spite of folks seeming to think me an ogre).

 

I agree with Parrot, TB has influenced as much as what's out there, but I've never been one to run out and buy something just because someone else has it. (with anything that is, just not music gear) I may only go in the basses and amps forum about once a week. While I can be a bit of a tone freak, I was never really a gear head. (Is that a contridiction?) I know what I like and what I don't like. I also play basses that aren't very respected here. (Soundgears) I really don't care cause I'm to much worried about being a good player rather than buying a new Warrior. Not to say I wouldn't mind a new Warrior, but I rather take the money, buy a nice Carvin or Fender and spend the rest on lessons. I believe that some people overemphasize gear. On the other side of the spectrum, it is difficult to play a bass with action 2 inches off the neck, with bad intonation, through a 15 watt amp. While I don't have top of the line gear right now, I always find a way to make it work and I much rather have someone come up and complement me on my playing rather than say I have a nice bass.

 

to me TB is more about getting the most out of what you've got..... If your current gear isn't going to cut it, then TB is about helping you make an informed decision to get that bass sound out of your head and through your speakers instead.

Personally, I haven't bought a single piece of equipment since joining TB in Dec 2002.... And I kinda like the fact theat people have never even heard of the brand of amp I play. Does that qualify as staying "ahead" of the Jonses