'Professional' bass guitars

[Eidolon0274]

Bruno Mars Locked Out of Heaven Bass Improv by Jo…:

Josh young, up and comer. Plays a cheap ibanez.

There are far more players that can afford a fodera than can actually play a fodera. Let your hands speak for you.

 

[DavC]

never ever live any part of Your life by what you think others' expectations might be ... !! be yourself ... be happy and thankful for what you have ... you sound like a very ' stand up ' young man ...

I spent way to much of my musical life trying to play the way I thought other folks wanted to hear ... when I realized that was stupid , I could finally play like ME ... !! remember , nobody likes a show-off either ...
'over playing' to often can be problematic ...

a fancy bass doesn't make you any better ... !!!

 

[bassburner]

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

Say that three times fast.

 

[EZA]

Its the bassist that makes the professional not the bass.

 

[friendlybass]

As a fellow student I understand where you're coming from, for me its challenging too because I've been a gear geek a lot longer than I've had the money to have gear. I've been blessed enough to acquire very good sounding (and good looking) gear in the last few years but I've still spent more of my career on a cheap Ibanez and dean than on my mid range fenders, Gibson, or carvin.
A good player is always a good player, but a bass only sounds as good as the player playing it.
Save up and pay your dues on what are honestly very good instruments (almost any Ibanez soundgear is worth its salt after a solid setup) and if you want a little wow factor take baby steps, slap a boutique preamp in it, put some high end pups in, but remember that if we put your bass and a muuuuuch higher end bass with similar pups and electronics back to back in a dark room veeeery few people would be able to definitively say which was which
Best of luck brother and never let other people make you doubt your gear!

 

[gnarlyWarlock]

Tbh squier VM and CV can be godly machines in the hands of a virtuoso. Theres a lot of excellent low cost gear out there that could be considered professional.

 

[fishdreams]

If I look around here in NYC I see top-level pros perform on everything under the sun, from cheap to expensive, mostly to some degree battle-scarred, part-butchered or battered. Someone I've shared stages with has been playing the same 6string Fodera for 30+ years, but half the time brings a super-cheap 6-string from Rondo's Music to the gig, and it is always fun to hear him or play with him. Bottom line: what works for you the musician is what matters. I noticed that most of these NY musicians, who play on a level where musical personality, distinct phrasing and vibe are an important part of why they have the gig (they all can play in spades), are seen with same instrument mostly, even if they own several-it seems that building a solid and reliable relationship with the one chosen tool of the trade is the key.

 

[micahwc]

I've been playing bass for almost two decades and like to think I am a good player. I've played with a few different bands over the years. I would love to own a $1500 or more bass, but I can't justify it as it's not my main source of income. I was in the market for a good bass so I got a Yamaha TRBX305 for $350. It will work for how I intend to use it.

If you are going to school to be a bass player use your Ibanez's for now, they will work for you. Upgrade when it becomes something you need to persue your career in music. Treat a really nice bass as an investment and not as a status symbol. Start saving for it slowly, and get it when you need it. Also, like everyone else has said, if you practice a bunch it wont matter what instrument you play on because you will sound good on anything you get your hands on.

 

[BrotherMister]

"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?"

No.

 

[Steve59]

A friend and fellow bass player who owns moderate priced gear saw my expensive gear and said wow.
I heard him play using his gear and said "WOW"!

 

[Topkat13]

Dude, if they look down on yuh' cawz' of yi' bass geetchy some new friends...seriously. I wish an expensive bass would make me a better player...my gawd the $ I have wasted. Same applies to golf clubs. Have an enjoyable weekend.

 

[Joedog]

Think of it as a test......to sort out the cool people that are hang worthy, from the azzhats that aren't worth your time.

 

[mellowinman]

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

^^^^^
sig-worthy!

Indeed.

 

[Ed P]

I had an issue like this when I was in college. My only bass was a Japanese Fender '75 Reissue Jazz that I was playing pretty often and regularly around town while taking classes and working a part-time job, and one day my roommate's friend comes by. He played a custom F Bass at the time and was giving me crap about how cheap my gear was in front of everyone. I simply asked him why I was getting calls to play my cheap gear around town while he was sitting at home playing video games. Just goes to show you that while gear may or may not be important, good technique and chops AND a friendly attitude are ALWAYS necessary.

It's amazing how much a friendly attitude can help.

 

[Quilbert]

The most important thing is that you're happy with you're bass, regardless of the cost. Secondly you will need a pretty good amp. Cheap ones are definitely going to cut you're career short. Believe me.

 

[deste]

If they look down upon you for that then they aren't really professionals themselves

+1

 

[Bodeeni]

The holy grail of basses were off the shelf production products. A 1956 Fender P bass retailed for $199. Still getting the job done on many fine recordings, everyday. My main recording fretless I have had for 30 years. JB Player cheapo neck I got for free with $50 esp body with stock pickups. My #1 fretted is a no name PJ body with a MIM neck. For the Rock and Roll I do they, many times, can sit in the mix better than a boutique ax.

 

[johndough247]

To add to all the great advice given (having gone to music college myself):

It's really not about the gear...I've seen TONS of guys pass through with every boutique name under the sun; some were amazing players, but many of them had lots of "chops", but no pocket. Don't be intimidated by the guys that are constantly in the halls wacking away at their $$$$ bass to see who's watching, but can't hold a decent groove on the gig...Some of my favorite players were the guys with basses under $1K and had groove for days...I was also called in (and recommended for) on a lot of recording sessions because, regardless of style, I always made sure I had the feel, the right pocket, for whatever was called...and it was all done on Ibanez basses from sophomore year to graduation...an entry level BTB and a SR Prestige 6 string...but the prestige had a constant high frequency hum so I had to kill the treble 90% of the time, the cheaper BTB was more reliable. Never had a complaint about tone or for not having a certain "look". Play what feels good in your hands (regardless of price point) and play what feels good for the soul

If you're gonna buy ANYTHING right now...invest in a good combo or (my recommendation) a decently powerful micro head and a lightweight 12" or 15" cab if you don't have one already. You don't wanna limit your ability to do potential gigs that may not provide a rig.

 

[Samophlange]

You need a triple neck, 36 fanned fret, hand wrapped pickup, 7 ply exotic wood neck(s) with gold from the Tower of London shaped into the signs of the zodiac inlayed into your fretboard. All with color changing LEDs of course.
If you don't, you will fail at life. And music school. And you won't get a date. Your loved ones will point at you and laugh.

Its true. I read it on the web-er-nets.

 

[Quilbert]

To add to all the great advice given (having gone to music college myself):

It's really not about the gear...I've seen TONS of guys pass through with every boutique name under the sun; some were amazing players, but many of them had lots of "chops", but no pocket. Don't be intimidated by the guys that are constantly in the halls wacking away at their $$$$ bass to see who's watching, but can't hold a decent groove on the gig...Some of my favorite players were the guys with basses under $1K and had groove for days...I was also called in (and recommended for) on a lot of recording sessions because, regardless of style, I always made sure I had the feel, the right pocket, for whatever was called...and it was all done on Ibanez basses from sophomore year to graduation...an entry level BTB and a SR Prestige 6 string...but the prestige had a constant high frequency hum so I had to kill the treble 90% of the time, the cheaper BTB was more reliable. Never had a complaint about tone or for not having a certain "look". Play what feels good in your hands (regardless of price point) and play what feels good for the soul

If you're gonna buy ANYTHING right now...invest in a good combo or (my recommendation) a decently powerful micro head and a lightweight 12" or 15" cab if you don't have one already. You don't wanna limit your ability to do potential gigs that may not provide a rig.

Totally agree, great bass amps out there for little money. It doesn't have to be a SVT tube monster either, just have plenty of headroom. It's perhaps the most important thing, and a bass you're happy with.