'Professional' bass guitars

[Robus]

There's no reason you can't play to a professional standard on the basses you have. Work on developing your musicianship. Better instruments will come to you in time.

 

[Ian the bassist]

I wouldn't be too worried. I used a pretty average Dean edge bass for many years, and was still considered one of the better bass players on the Irish rock scene(even above some bassists who used Rickenbacker and fender basses). It won't go against you if you play well.

 

[Malak the Mad]

You're going to find an obnoxious element of elitism in any field of study or profession, it's just something that one has to deal with. In my particular field, physics, there is no shortage of a**holes, they just seem to gravitate(pun intended) toward that field. Let your intrinsic interest in the bass be the guiding force as you progress through your studies and you'll be fine.

So, if I read your hypothesis correctly, you're saying, "Don't let the gravity of your situation tear apart your intrinsic field.", yes?

 

[stuntbass77]

Maybe someday you'll be the the guy people say "what Ibanez did he play on that album". Don't worry about it. People like Jaco would practice, practice, and practice some more. Yes, he was born with a talent but without all that practice he would have never been remembered. His bass was pretty ordinary (besides the epoxy fretboard but he was amazing even on the fretted bass).

 

[Big Hoss]

Whether your bass cost $75.00 at a pawn shop, or $7,500.00 from some boutique builder is far less important than how you can play it... There are LOTS of players getting paid well playing far cheaper instruments than you list...

And if they are looking down on you grab the cheapest bass by the headstock and give them a high velocity meeting of the body of your bass and their head...

 

[placedesjardins]

Hey folks,

So... I am hoping to go to University/College to study bass guitar performance and theory. I have a problem however.

I am not from a wealthy family at all, and have average bass guitars at the moment; an Ibanez SRX590, Ibanez SR300 and a P bass copy. We can't afford for me to get any more basses or upgrade, and I need to save up for university now, as I can't rely on my parents to support me.

The question: Will I be looked down on because of the gear I use at a more professional level, even if I 'gots the chops' to 'hang with the big guys'? I don't want my career to be cut short because of a lack of funds in my teens?

Thanks any comments or input is brilliant!

There's going to be musicians who have nicer gear. Doesn't really matter. You won't be looked down on unless you have immature freshmen rick kids. Ignore them.
You have to build your chops. Learn and study theory. Grow your knowledge and skills. That's what matters. You have the tools to do that. In traditional universities with a music performance program, there are musicians who don't have "professional" level instruments. Yes, some might but not every who plays trumpet has the cash for a $6,000+ trumpet.
Practice your audition pieces. Be confident. Once you get in, have fun.

 

[Red Four]

In the context of your studies, you'll be primarily judged by how you play, not what you're playing on. But when you play out, perhaps in different musical contexts and scenes, or go into a studio, your equipment will be part of how you're judged, for its image (on the social/club scene) and its tone (if you're recording). Depending on what type of music you want to play or are most likely going to be playing, I wonder if you wouldn't be better off selling all three of your basses and buying a good-quality Fender Jazz or maybe a Precision (used will get you more value). Something like that would be pretty much unimpeachable playing in any kind of band, or in any kind of recording studio, and will pretty much never get a funny look anywhere you go. And if it was good enough for Jaco, it's good enough for your studies. You definitely don't need the most expensive or deluxe bass out there, just get the best quality you can for your budget.

Just food for thought. If your current basses make the sound of your soul and make you want to play, go with them and stop thinking about it. You'll have plenty of time to upgrade later on. But if money is limited, having one bass that can handle anything you encounter could be nice.

Most of all, best of luck and kudos to you for pursuing your passion.

 

[Red Four]

You won't be looked down on unless you have immature freshmen rick kids.

Is this a Freudian slip? I imagine a gang of Ric-playing bullies.

 

[buldog5151bass]

You'll be fine. If anything, consolidate to one bass if you want something better. Start saving your pocket change religously, and the beer $$$. It adds up.

 

[MVE]

Thank you to everyone who has commented One thing that I would consider doing is selling my two Ibanez's for their new 6 string fanned fret. I feel with that it would cover so many possibilities both tonally and tuning-wise I would be pretty safe with it.

I would recommend against this.
As a bass player, it is almost a necessity to have a simple P style bass.
I have an awesome Alembic, but I still need the Japanese Fender with the P/J pickups that I got when I was twelve all the time.
Save up your money and get the fanned fret or any other fancy thing your heart desires, but always keep a good bass with a P style pickup in your stable.

Also, to answer your question whether people will look down on you, the answer is YES. But that's not important, it's how you react to it that is important. No matter what you do, someone will "look down on you". In fact, the more successful you become at anything the more some people will criticize you.

 

[sambass0124]

"what you play" is more important than "what bass you play". Think about:
1. Pino is playing a cheap bass
2. A non-skillful guy is playing a high-end bass
Who play better?

When I'm listening to a bassist I won't look at the headstock of the bass. What you play creates a solid foundation so that the band can rely on. Not the instrument itself.

Yes, people may look down you. But some people will look down anyone for whatever reason. Don't take it serious. Focus on your studies. Teachers at school judged you by your skill but not your bass.

 

[SirMjac28]

Yes you will be teased and ridiculed but if you spend more time on Talk Bass you will develop skin as tough as a rhino.

 

[Humbled]

The Ibanez models are great instruments, but if you haven't, I'd invest in a professional setup on the one you plan to be your main instrument. Just a suggestion.

Great idea. Ibanez makes some darn good basses. Nothing to be ashamed of there.

 

[davy4575]

neither your gear, nor your chops....its your personality that defines your professionalism.
Be cool and easy to work with, that goes a lot further than being Mr Chops.

 

[IncX]

hell no! if i had a choice, i'd rather have world class skill, than world class basses

 

[CGremlin]

I've actually seen the opposite happen. There was a student a couple years back that came into the school of music with a Fodera. He got heckled. A lot.

This is largely why, any time I go into a new pool hall for the first time, I use a house cue instead of busting out my 4-point Joss. Bring a really high-end instrument into the environment, and people will often have expectations to match, or you might be perceived as a show-off.

If your instrument(s) play in tune, and you're satisfied with the sound and feel, the name on the headstock shouldn't matter and you've got more important things to worry about, like your education. One's reputation at school will come from your ability to learn, (hopefully increasing) skill, and probably most of all, your temperament and attitude towards others. If and when your skill grows beyond the ability of your instrument to accommodate it, you'll know it, and your teachers will let you know as well.

 

[russpurdy]

too lazy to read the rest of the thread so sorry if this already came up but just play it off like you can afford better stuff but prefer what you have because of the feel or sentimental value or its ability to be cheaply replaced if stolen during a bar gig. I gig for some decent paying gigs with a Squier classic vibe and a Squier affinity and i've never heard a word about it.

 

[BassMagilla]

Do not ever worry about what others may think. EVER!! You havea BASS now and you should strive to meet your goal. I think we could all say we all started with one BASS.
I have been playing since 1968 and I get another bass every once in a while. The only BASS I do not have is my first one. I wish so much i still had that one. You Play what you have and get Very great at playing that one and when you can get another do so. Get a different style Fretless should come later on, but short scale, hollow body, there is a huge variety and get great with the one(s) you have. James Jamerson Motown MASTER had played pretty much 2 his entire career.

Do not worry what others think, amaze them playing what you have. Ok. OK

Høwrad

 

[Rich Terry]

I understand you wanting to study music in college but it's also good to get a degree in something that will support you in life.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

It's better to be better at bass than to have a better bass.

I'm one of those