Not sure what to make of this statement.

[Fynn]

Well, technically what he's saying has some truth to it. There are plenty of people who buy expensive stuff, because they believe it will directly make them better. Just that that's not a lot of people in general and the statement he made excludes all the actual talented people who like to buy expensive stuff.

Thing is, most factory made guitars nowadays are just fine and if you feel like you need something better (more expensive), because you think your gear is holding you back, then that's a bit delusional. But to me it seems like this guy is either very biased, ignorant, or simply trying to compensate for his own shortcomings, or he's just bad at humor.
Either way, I don't think it's worth becoming angry about it. You know, one of the great things of being a musician is that there really is no right or wrong. You can buy whatever you want and do whatever you want. Some people might not like it, but if you can do your own thing, then that's totally fine and pretty cool if you ask me

 

[BlueTalon]

...this guy comes out with "Well, you know people who buy expensive instruments are compensating for their lack of ability", with a smirk on his face.

"That sounds exactly like the sort of thing a guitar snob would say who can't afford good equipment."

Not a band member sutuation - but I gig with 3x115 and 1x112 mesa subway cabs. Theres always this one local musician who gives me veiled insults at gigs- the "man you sound so good, but what a waste to bring such expensive gear out to a bar", or my favorite "that rig must have cost you what, ______? My 810 does the job just fine".

"Obviously your 810 doesn't do the job just fine, or else you'd be playing on it here instead of me."

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Did you ask how many players he talked with that bought expensive guitars to compensate for their lack of ability? When he speaks of expensive how much doe are we talk'n? $1000, $2000, $3000, $4000 or more? How does he measure lack of ability? I have a buddy back home who has an $80,000 bass boat and hasn't fished in a couple of years. I like expensive food but I ain't a chef. I play 2/mo with some other old farts and have a blast and I own, what I consider expensive, Dingwall Jazz bass. So once again we have little to no info/facts ='ing broad baseless assumptions. Baseless...get it?

Lots of expensive basses are solid investments but some are bound to lose value if resold.

The boat comparison is a good one though!

 

[DavidEdenAria]

"That sounds exactly like the sort of thing a guitar snob would say who can't afford good equipment."

"Obviously your 810 doesn't do the job just fine, or else you'd be playing on it here instead of me."

Very few use 8x10's these days obviously....how about folks that take a cheap guitar and put a lot of money into it? I hear folks say its a waste of money... whatever.

 

[40Hz]

I've generally found the best way to handle people like that is to just look at them with an expressionless face and say nothing. Made it clear they now have your undivided attention. But say nothing. Let the silence sink in and wait as long as it takes. Silence invariably unnerves idiots like that and they'll start talking after too long a silent pause and either backpedal and try to walk their remark back or, more rarely, double down.

If they double down, remain silent but allow a slight smile to cross your face. Eventually they'll say something like "What?" or something equally clever. At which point you quietly ask: "Are you done?"

That usually gets the point across.

 

[Paul New]

Ignore it. The guy is just a geek who couldn't think of anything to say. Some people are nervous around new guys, especially if it's someone they would like to impress, and stupid crap comes out of their mouth. Don't ask how I know this.

 

[DJ Bebop]

You're my hero.
This is the way.

 

[MDBass]

I've recently started working with a drummer that "brought me in" to his group of two guitarists.
At the second jam, I was talking instruments with one of the guitarists, who has an affinity for 70s Asian knockoffs (lawsuit guitars, etc.). That's cool - I'm not a gear snob. When I started talking modestly about my collection (which he already hinted at having an American bias), this guy comes out with "Well, you know people who buy expensive instruments are compensating for their lack of ability", with a smirk on his face.
I was so amazed by his statement that I encouraged him to repeat it again... and he did! I played it off like it didn't bother me but it seemed RIDICULOUSLY passive-aggressive, and honestly, the drummer and I are playing at a higher level.
I mentioned a few reasons why I agree and disagree with what he said, but it still came across as a personal attack in the end.
I'm not worried about losing the drummer because he said he's been looking for a bassist like me for years.
I guess I'm kinda venting, but I'm on the fence with this guitarist now after his barbed statements. Very odd.
Have you run into anything similar?

He's either taking the piss and is looking for a laugh, or he's wildly insecure and projecting.

Friends talk trash to other like this so frequently that it's become a bit of a trope about men express their affection for each other.

Insecure and ignorant people also say similar things, just with a totally different intent.

Hard to say what the intent was without being there, but either way don't take it too seriously.

Either it wasn't meant to be taken seriously in the first place, or it isn't worth your time and emotional energy.

 

[walksupright]

This response

"Yes, but there are obviously exceptions to that rule."

 

[gln1955]

View attachment 5034621

 

[51PRI]

I've recently started working with a drummer that "brought me in" to his group of two guitarists.
At the second jam, I was talking instruments with one of the guitarists, who has an affinity for 70s Asian knockoffs (lawsuit guitars, etc.). That's cool - I'm not a gear snob. When I started talking modestly about my collection (which he already hinted at having an American bias), this guy comes out with "Well, you know people who buy expensive instruments are compensating for their lack of ability", with a smirk on his face.
I was so amazed by his statement that I encouraged him to repeat it again... and he did! I played it off like it didn't bother me but it seemed RIDICULOUSLY passive-aggressive, and honestly, the drummer and I are playing at a higher level.
I mentioned a few reasons why I agree and disagree with what he said, but it still came across as a personal attack in the end.
I'm not worried about losing the drummer because he said he's been looking for a bassist like me for years.
I guess I'm kinda venting, but I'm on the fence with this guitarist now after his barbed statements. Very odd.
Have you run into anything similar?

Lesson learned! Don't tell people about what gear you have, especially people you just met. For several reasons.

 

[fishdude101101]

I've recently started working with a drummer that "brought me in" to his group of two guitarists.
At the second jam, I was talking instruments with one of the guitarists, who has an affinity for 70s Asian knockoffs (lawsuit guitars, etc.). That's cool - I'm not a gear snob. When I started talking modestly about my collection (which he already hinted at having an American bias), this guy comes out with "Well, you know people who buy expensive instruments are compensating for their lack of ability", with a smirk on his face.
I was so amazed by his statement that I encouraged him to repeat it again... and he did! I played it off like it didn't bother me but it seemed RIDICULOUSLY passive-aggressive, and honestly, the drummer and I are playing at a higher level.
I mentioned a few reasons why I agree and disagree with what he said, but it still came across as a personal attack in the end.
I'm not worried about losing the drummer because he said he's been looking for a bassist like me for years.
I guess I'm kinda venting, but I'm on the fence with this guitarist now after his barbed statements. Very odd.
Have you run into anything similar?

I'm the guy who can't resist punching back. I'd say something like:

"Knock offs are bad if that's all your budget allows"
"It's not that much money, I blow that every month on dumb stuff"

 

[fishdude101101]

Last time somebody said something like that to me, I just owned it. "Yes, that's exactly why I buy expensive instruments", and left it at that. Left them mostly speechless afterwards.

I've said something like "well the worst part about having expensive gear is dealing with jealous people"

I don't know why anyone puts up with crap from guitarists players, they are a dime a dozen. I work with 5 guys who are great guitar players. Seriously.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've recently started working with a drummer that "brought me in" to his group of two guitarists.
At the second jam, I was talking instruments with one of the guitarists, who has an affinity for 70s Asian knockoffs (lawsuit guitars, etc.). That's cool - I'm not a gear snob. When I started talking modestly about my collection (which he already hinted at having an American bias), this guy comes out with "Well, you know people who buy expensive instruments are compensating for their lack of ability", with a smirk on his face.
I was so amazed by his statement that I encouraged him to repeat it again... and he did! I played it off like it didn't bother me but it seemed RIDICULOUSLY passive-aggressive, and honestly, the drummer and I are playing at a higher level.
I mentioned a few reasons why I agree and disagree with what he said, but it still came across as a personal attack in the end.
I'm not worried about losing the drummer because he said he's been looking for a bassist like me for years.
I guess I'm kinda venting, but I'm on the fence with this guitarist now after his barbed statements. Very odd.
Have you run into anything similar?

"Well, you know people who buy expensive instruments are compensating for their lack of ability"

Squiers are expensive to me

 

[fdeck]

"Well, you know people who buy expensive instruments are compensating for their lack of ability"

"This isn't an expensive instrument."

 

[DJ Bebop]

 

[Marko 1]

He's obviously very insecure.

I'd just continue as normal, and wouldn't bother sharing anything that would spark his insecurity.

And maybe compliment him whenever I can.

If that doesn't work, just tell him that you're sorry he's a loser and see what happens.

 

[Spidey2112]

"Well, you know people who buy expensive instruments are compensating for their lack of ability"

Join me on my YouTube channel, and learn comebacks to responses like this, that makes them question their very own existence.

Maybe, he's very sarcastic?

 

[BobKos]

Actually to a degree just the opposite is true. If you have poor playing habits and technique, NOTHING will bring them front and center for the whole world to hear better than a high quality bass and amp. Anybody can hide behind a crappy soulless bass and amp and just float along.

I'll never forget the 1st time I played my Alembic. UGH! I was terrible! That bass showed off EVERY horrible gaff I could dish out! It taught me a lot.

 

[E2942]

I would have just stopped talking & gotten away from that person as quickly as possible.

Maybe he's just bustin' balls, & that will probably be his excuse if challenged, but that's a very uncool thing to say.


My other choice would have been to ask: What the $#@! is wrong with you?!