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Kids with expensive basses...

#41
I actually find it amusing when I witness something like that. I usually laugh at the fact that as nice as that piece of gear is, that type of musician will likely not appreciate it for what it is and will not learn the value of truly earning it.

FWIW I have sold many of my expensive instruments lately and am currently playing a Squier VM '77 Jazz, a MIM Precision, and a second hand Carvin B5. I have never been happier with my tone.
 
#44
What bugs me is when these kids that can barely play destroy their nice instruments.

One guy at school just started out playing and during a basketball game (he couldn't read music, so he guessed at the notes) he just started banging the bass against the gym floor when he disagreed with a call made by the refs. The thing was so beat by the end of the season that it was unplayable.

That was a higher end-ish 5 string ibby. Now he plays a 60's jazz bass that his dad had in the closet for a long time. I don't see him any more, so I don't know what condition that classic bass is in now... I kinda don't wanna know. Maybe he learned how to treat a bass properly.
 
#45
You're in high school, of course you care. You wouldn't be normal if you didn't. Worry about it if you don't outgrow that sort of thing. You'll eventually acquire whatever gear you want and trust me, someone will always have nicer stuff. There's really no glory in playing well with junk, nor shame in playing poorly with top end gear.
 
#47
You know whats funny? My second bass was an OLP MM2. That was in 7th grade. I paid for it myself and got an incredible deal at a going out of business sale.

One other kid had rich parents who bought him a brand new Parker, Gibson SG, full Yamaha dual 15"s, 1000W PA head, mics, tube amps, you name it. But I didn't get discouraged, I just kept on learning and playing and getting better on my 10W amp.

In 8th grade, I sold all my basses (making money on them) and, with a loan from my supportive father, bought a used Music Man Sterling, one of my dream basses (also got a great deal - and don't worry, I had to pay on that loan monthly).

Long story short, I've kept buying/selling/trading, and now I play a Ritter, Pedulla, and Benavante among other things. I'm proud to say my parents have never bought a bass for me, besides paying for half of my first little Ibanez. All the while I have become a very skilled bassist, increasing my chops with every better bass. I'm not trying to brag, and in no way make a ton of money. I just love music, love playing bass, and love beautiful instruments; its my whole life.

Work hard, never give up, and play in every extra moment you have. Nothing can stop you.
 
#48
I'm 14, I have a Carvin B40. Only $900, so not quite in the price range of a Ric, but I've been playing since I was 9 and bust my ass all day on the thing. It was completely funded by me, working every weekend for a summer painting decks and fences around my neighbourhood to earn enough to buy it. I do consider myself a good player, but I'm still just a kid with some (what I think is) pretty nice gear. If the kid is going around saying "look at my bass, I'm amazing", and trying to pass himself as a phenomenal player just because of his gear, then yes it would bother me, but if he just plays and keeps to himself then live and let live. Who knows, he may work just as hard as you and just not be gifted with music, and he got it to keep him playing so he didn't give up.
 
#50
I'm surprised no one suggested that maybe it's his parents' bass? My 13 yr old son has a Franken-P and a Squire VM fretless jazz. But sometimes he'll play one of my Music Man basses. Or, on this rarest of occasions, he's playing one of my Alembics.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qM-awj0Wbdo

Since I know he can play, I'll let him use my gear, but I would never have subjected him to the criticism of playing one of my more expensive basses if he was a slag.

As others have said, care not about who is playing what. Focus only on your skills. If you truly develop your skills, the right gear may find you.
 
#51
malthumb said:
I'm surprised no one suggested that maybe it's his parents' bass? My 13 yr old son has a Franken-P and a Squire VM fretless jazz. But sometimes he'll play one of my Music Man basses. Or, on this rarest of occasions, he's playing one of my Alembics.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qM-awj0Wbdo

Since I know he can play, I'll let him use my gear, but I would never have subjected him to the criticism of playing one of my more expensive basses if he was a slag.

As others have said, care not about who is playing what. Focus only on your skills. If you truly develop your skills, the right gear may find you.
Click to expand...

It isn't his parent's bass- it was bought for him to learn on.
 
#52
Just save up the best you can for what you want. In the meantime learn how to do your own setups and keep that OLP playing best you can.

Don't get too envious. Just keep your bass in good shape and keep rockin, man.:bassist:

You will eventually get what you want.
 
#53
rockinrayduke said:
Just save up the best you can for what you want. In the meantime learn how to do your own setups and keep that OLP playing best you can.

Don't get too envious, half the time a young player gets a nice bass and loses interest and it goes in the closet or under the bed. Just keep your bass in good shape and keep rockin, man.:bassist:

You will eventually get what you want.
Click to expand...

Ditto.

Played a crappy squier for years, just picked up my awesome MIA Fender Jazz. Next stop, fretless Zon Legacy Elite. Hyperbass after that. :D
 
#54
Who cares if his parents bought him a nice bass... he probably loves and cherishes that thing, and he's probably trying to get better just like you are. Some people have better fortune than others, and the only correct response is to be happy for them. Have a blast with your bass, and here's hoping that kid has a blast with his too!
 
#55
Reminds me of this kid that pulled up to a light with a sweet BMW 650i. He asked if I wanted to race my Dodge Charger against him. I said sure but he needed his daddy's permission first. Left him at the light with his friends laughing at him and my tail lights in his face.
 
#56
Waster said:
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
Click to expand...
MAybe in 6 months he will give up on it and you can trade him your Xbox 360 for it:hmm:
 
#58
This a weird thread. The kid with the hot Rick is supposed to feel guilty because he has nice stuff? And other TBers are weighing in that they're just like that kid and so they're feeling guilty, too? And others are sympathizing? Pleeeze! I thought that's the kind of negative attitude TB is supposed to famously suppress. You know, more power to that kid for getting a Rick! Does he deserve it? Who are any of us to pass judgment on a kid we don't know? I'm happy for him. I had crappy stuff when I started. Now that I'm an aging baby boomer, I go out and compensate by acquiring gear. Talk about flawed personality traits. Believe me, there are acquaintance who think I don't deserve it. But I get pleasure from playing and it relieves stress. We all play at our own levels. Let's use this forum to help reinforce each other.
 
#60
My first bass was also a Rick as an 18 year old....I'd never even touched a bass before that.

Still have it as my main bass 34 years later.

I would tell anyone to get the best bass possible from the start. I knew I was severely outclassed by my own bass and it made me work that much harder - to deserve it.

And I never wasted any time with GAS - trying - buying - selling - trading - answering ads - modding, upgrading - comparing - borrowing, etc....

Once you have the bass you feel is worthy of your long-term commitment - you'll never even care what someone else is playing.

Start working on getting that bass ASAP - then it's 100% focus on playing.
 

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