Kids with expensive basses...

[jlepre]

Just wait until the kid stops playing bass, and it's collecting dust in his parents house. Then offer him half the price for it.

 

[Chef]

This is exactly right.
Inexpensive basses can be set up to play perfectly well.
A strong skill set will carry you to jobs that will get you money to save, for new gear, off in the future..
When I was young, I played plenty of low end stuff...but, I could read, and play most anything anyone threw at me, and that proved to be worth something eventually.
Keep up the good work!

I think if you can avoid caring about what other people have, you'll be better off. Just keep practicing. It's better to be better than him than to have a better bass.

 

[1958Bassman]

One of the few other bassists at my high school just got a new bass; a Rickenbacker 4003.
This kid is thirteen, and is genuinely awful- doesn't know what notes he's playing, can't play eighth notes etc.
Now, obviously I wish I had been able to get equipment like that when I was his age, and I'm a touch jealous, but does it irk anyone else that it always seems to be the sub par musicians that can afford the nice gear? I'm not the best bassist in the world, but I've worked hard and am doing grade 8 next year on an OLP MM2. My parents would love to get me a P-bass, but can't afford it; all of my gear, bar my starter bass and my starter guitar (£100 each) I have had to work and save for. And I know better musicians in crappier positions than me.
This was really just a rant, but feel free to comment or whatever.

Connor

If you want to feel bad about this, you're on your way, but as others have posted, don't bother trying to have the same things. Things don't make someone better than someone else- it just means tehy have more things to be paranoid of losing.

If you really want to win, be the best on whatever equipment you have access to. Then, when someone says "That guy sucks!", the answer to "Who?" will be "The guy with the expensive equipment".

 

[Hellbastard]

One of the few other bassists at my high school just got a new bass; a Rickenbacker 4003.
This kid is thirteen, and is genuinely awful- doesn't know what notes he's playing, can't play eighth notes etc.
Now, obviously I wish I had been able to get equipment like that when I was his age...

Connor

First, You're not really that old. Second, who cares how much an instruments costs. Is what you a musicians can do with it. Maybe you can't afford one a Rickenbacker now, but if you are Give Wooten a Squier and he'll sound just a great as with one of his Foderas.

Take this as an example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pckE_VNU9MQ Benny Greb is an amazing drummer, check him out playing a cheapo Spongebob drumset.

 

[pedroims]

Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Nicolas Cage and even Pope John Paul II own (ed) a Ferrari Enzo. Do they have the skills to drive it? probably no, but guess what? they have the money. Same here.

 

[synaesthesia]

If the kid is bad as the OP says, the OP should make friends with him and stick close... there is a bargain 4003 in there somewhere in the next few moons.

 

[WoodyG3]

Look at it this way. His parents could afford an expensive bass and wanted to get their kid a quality instrument. I don't have children, but if I did I can certainly understand wanting to get your kid the best you can afford. Parents are like that.

 

[svt1233]

Look at it this way. His parents could afford an expensive bass and wanted to get their kid a quality instrument. I don't have children, but if I did I can certainly understand wanting to get your kid the best you can afford. Parents are like that.

This too. And who knows the kid may be serious about playing. Learning on a good instrument from the start helps develop good habits. I think that whether or not someone "deserves" fine quality instruments should be based on experience, skill, or even the desire to have experience/skill, not age. If the 13 yr. old kid has been playing bass for years and is serious about it then why not?

 

[silentmike]

Dude, you're going to be doing your Grade 8 exam. You're no slouch on the bass. Take pride that you're as good as that! I've been playing for 12 years, and I'm very sure that I'm not at that level! Of course, to do grade 8, your theory level has to match as well. That is a hell of a lot of extremely useful knowledge.

Also, I'm not sure how old you are, but I know it's harder at school. However, as soon as you get out of high school, the price of your gear suddenly becomes a lot less important. People become a lot less interested in the price of your gear and a lot more interested in your ability. Just stick it out and it'll all come good in the end.

Additionally, If you really want new gear, how about getting a part time job? I know you've probably heard it a thousand times before, but it is really satisfying playing something that you've earned.

I don't mean to be condescending, just trying to help you think about it in a different way.

 

[Waster]

Thanks all for your replies! Just to be clear, I wouldn't let jealousy get to me; I'm not really that kind of person. It's really just the initial sting; I'm relatively poor at a relatively rich high school (when I say poor I'm comparing myself to others at the school. I'm not living in poverty or anything). I see kids with high-end Gibsons and Fenders who can barely play, in some cases who literally couldn't play. It's annoying, but I'm happy enough.
I like the idea of buying it if he gets bored haha! You never know...

Connor

 

[Ezmar]

Dude, you're going to be doing your Grade 8 exam. You're no slouch on the bass. Take pride that you're as good as that! I've been playing for 12 years, and I'm very sure that I'm not at that level! Of course, to do grade 8, your theory level has to match as well. That is a hell of a lot of extremely useful knowledge.

Also, I'm not sure how old you are, but I know it's harder at school. However, as soon as you get out of high school, the price of your gear suddenly becomes a lot less important. People become a lot less interested in the price of your gear and a lot more interested in your ability. Just stick it out and it'll all come good in the end.

Additionally, If you really want new gear, how about getting a part time job? I know you've probably heard it a thousand times before, but it is really satisfying playing something that you've earned.

I don't mean to be condescending, just trying to help you think about it in a different way.

What is Grade 8?

 

[Dave Bassincus]

I wasted a lot of money of money on good gear when I was younger, and wish I hadn't. It shouldn't be too hard to find someone that wants to play an instrument, but can't afford anything. My grandma used to say "you look up, you see better; you look down, you see worse."

 

[Budbear]

Life isn't fair and it doesn't get any better. Get used to it or you're in for a life of sour disappointment.

+1

Also, he won't have the excuse of blaming crappy gear for his crappy playing.

 

[TAZ]

Son, think of it this way. Some are given an education but still can't think. It's not what you have, it is what you can do.

 

[Engine207]

For the record...you're envious, not jealous

 

[Ezmar]

Son, think of it this way. Some are given an education but still can't think. It's not what you have, it is what you can do.

Still, he's perfectly justified in being jealous. I'm sure he understands the difference between gear and skill. Otherwise he wouldn't feel resentment towards someone with less ability but a better guitar.

I mean, cone on. We'd all love to have the best bass possible. And it's painful to be stuck playing something you'd love to shed while a nicer instrument goes to someone who really can't utilize it.

Every player knows that it's skill that matters, I don't think there's any mistake there. Imagine you had a really crappy guitar, set up wouldn't work right, sounded like plastic, just crap. And you're a fantastic player, but you're playing this POS. You cannot upgrade or improve it in any way. Then there's this guy who can't play a note, no skill at all, playing the best instrument you can think of. Anyone would agree that that's a waste, in some sense, and that the bass would do much more good in the good player's hands.

It's pointless to dwell on this, of course, but that doesn't make it any less reasonable to feel this way.

 

[gip111]

I think if you can avoid caring about what other people have, you'll be better off. Just keep practicing. It's better to be better than him than to have a better bass.

That has always been my saying.... " I'd rather play real good with a crappy guitar than not be good with a nice ax"
And of course I still can't play to save my life

 

[Not yet]

Doesn't really change when you get older. Some old folks have warehouses of great gear and play with no soul or skill and you have a beater.

But your sound always comes thru the fingers...

 

[Diesel Kilgore]

Channel the aura of James Jamerson. He had a run of the mill (not back then) Fender P that was beat up and never cared for, who knows when or if he ever changed the strings. But he was the greatest bassist who ever lived. It didnt matter to him what gear he had and it shouldnt to you. As long as you can jam tasty bass lines.

 

[bstark]

Conner,

You have a very long road ahead of you, both in music and in life. I was in the same exact situation you are in when I was your age. I was jealous too, but I knew bass was my passion and I just stuck with it.

Practice hard, take full advantage of musical opportunites that get offered to you. if you're any good, believe me, you'll get those chances to prove your talent.

And have patience and don't be concerned with the other guy that can't play. Eventully you'll get all the equipment you desire, but it's not your time yet.

Keep following this road and eventually you'll get there.

Bob