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Not sure what to make of this statement.

#142
Wambemando said:
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?
Click to expand...
Have him buy you a lesser priced instrument so that you can rise up to his expectations.
 
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#150
dagrev said:
I would give the guy another chance at not being childish. If he blows it again, life is too short to play in bands with such goofballs who are over-impressed with their own self-importance and opinions. (Having opinions and being opinionated are not the same.) If he started off that way it likely isn't goin to get better. Unless I was getting paid I ton of money and getting a lot of exposure, I'd pass if he fails at being mature again. Maybe he just had a bad week. If he's having a bad decade, I'd move on.
Click to expand...
Agree. Give me another chance. If he has another crack move on, if you can then see it's just his humour then stay or not
 
#151
OK, here's the other side of it. Or something.
We auditioned a guitar player/singer and a singer (two people) this last weekend. The guitar player/singer couldn't have been nicer. He was solo act and had never played with a band. It wasn't going to work out as was pretty apparent early on. He had a really nice Pennsylvania Martin D-16. Anyhow, we all tuned down a half step for the singer on one tune*. He said, "oh you don't want me to downtune, it'll take all day to get it right." And started digging for a capo. Since he opened the door, I walked in with "that's what the man at Guitar Center is for, right?" and we all laughed.

*Well, I tuned my E to Eb and my A to G instead of Ab and we couldn't figure out why it didn't sound right. :) Ooops!
 
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#152
3Liter said:
OK, here's the other side of it. Or something.
We auditioned a guitar player/singer and a singer (two people) this last weekend. The guitar player/singer couldn't have been nicer. He was solo act and had never played with a band. It wasn't going to work out as was pretty apparent early on. He had a really nice Pennsylvania Martin D-16. Anyhow, we all tuned down a half step for the singer on one tune*. He said, "oh you don't want me to downtune, it'll take all day to get it right." And started digging for a capo. Since he opened the door, I walked in with "that's what the man at Guitar Center is for, right?" and we all laughed.

*Well, I tuned my E to Eb and my A to G instead of Ab and we couldn't figure out why it didn't sound right. :) Ooops!
Click to expand...

This is a story for: The One Brain-Celled Bassists' Club (Pt. 2)
 
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#153
Wambemando said:
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?
Click to expand...
Oh yeah? You know, people who buy cheap instruments are poor.
 
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#156
Wambemando said:
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?
Click to expand...
Dismiss it. That attitude is for some reason, and represents a weakness which will come around and bite him in the arse, more than likely.
 
#158
As a a good rule of thumb in bands and in general I find assuming good intentions is a good way to be. It sounds like he's teasing in a band setting. I have never played in a band where this didn't happen. He may be trying to treat you like "one of the gang" and you're taking it poorly.

Maybe he is just an ass, in which case you will find out soon enough and can move on. Or, maybe he's trying to be welcoming with some good natured ribbing. Cut him some slack, and see if you enjoy playing with them.
 
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