Okay, so this is something that frustrates me to no end! I've jammed with a few guys, not recently but I've really been wanting to start a band. I always get shot down when I mention I have a SQUIER vintage mod, or CV. Seriously? What the ****. Some of the squiers are just as good if not a little better sounding than some of the upper end fenders(opinions from multiple musicians in my area). I often go on Craigslist and see "MUST HAVE PROFESSIONAL GEAR, IF YOU PLAY A SQUIER DON'T CONTACT US". So, I've been playing for 6 years, and tend to enjoy jamming with others. Anyway, my little cousin who (is now 10) was 8 years old....he was inspired by my bass playing and had his parents buy him his first electric guitar. Now, they got him a Kawasaki(walmart brand with cheap little amp) He loved and it and I think he could have been GREAT. So, he has it outside and he's playing with it and one of these neighbor kids(around 12) bragged about how his parents just bought him a new MIM Fender Strat, and told my cousin to "BUY A REAL GUITAR".....My cousin was torn in half, ran in the house crying and put down his guitar, and refuses to play, this rotten spoiled kid destroyed his ambition and self esteem. It is now 2 years later, and I can't convince him and comfort him to get back into playing no matter how hard I try. Now of course, I had access to a Rickenbacker 4001(this was my buddy's bass, and he let me borrow it from time to time) I should have grabbed it and rubbed it in the MIM kid's face and said BUY A REAL GUITAR. But of course, I'm not evil and cruel like that. Having professional gear, doesn't mean you're a professional musician or even a good player. So, I love jamming with people. You play a Squier? Sweet me too! American Fender? Nice! Ibanez, gibson, yamaha. shecter? Awesome! I don't see why the logo on the headstock determines eligibility to play with someone. As long as you sound good(even if you don't) it's all about having fun, and learning. I could just go on an on... Does this upset some of you folks as much as it does me? How many of you own and play american made gear and wouldn't mind a Squier CV or VM(bass or guitar) in your band? I have no ground rules, I'll play with anyone who plays anything.
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Super Rant... Am I alone?
- Thread starter Donavan12
- Start date
This would upset me too, but this doesn't surprise me in the least. We are a nation of consumers and we rate eachother many times from what we are consuming. Unfortunately the roller coaster keeps going round and round, as we can see with your example. The new generation of kids are just as infected as the previous generations. While I can say that sometimes I got pissed at people playing substandard gear, it wasn't due to a feeling of superiority on my part, or a feeling that only good gear is relevant. Usually it was only because substandard gear doesn't stay in tune, and has other quality problems as well. But having said that, I played for years with a guitarist who played a completely messed up cheap chinese Telecaster copy. The thing never stayed in tune, the intonation was messed up and the guitar looked like crap. But in this one guitarists hands, the axe sounded amazing.
So, it's a mixed bag. Although i would rather a band member plays quality gear, at the end of the day I make my judgements based on the sound and vibe produced by that instrument. If it's a good sound and vibe, then I have no issues. And many times, "substandard" instruments can be great with a little maintenance.
Sorry your relative had to go thru that. It sounds like he has a thin skin though. I would have encouraged him to fight back with a little logic, especially since the kid with the MIM is the one with the real problem.
So, it's a mixed bag. Although i would rather a band member plays quality gear, at the end of the day I make my judgements based on the sound and vibe produced by that instrument. If it's a good sound and vibe, then I have no issues. And many times, "substandard" instruments can be great with a little maintenance.
Sorry your relative had to go thru that. It sounds like he has a thin skin though. I would have encouraged him to fight back with a little logic, especially since the kid with the MIM is the one with the real problem.
Kids can be cruel. I'm 53 And love my Squiers. I have never yet in 12 years of playing bass had anyone say anything about what bass brand I use. Good players could care less as long as you can play it and it holds together. As for any band saying you need professional gear many are saying not junk, Squiers are not junk. Any band who puts this in their ad anyways is a band I would pass on.
Oh yeah, for sure. I agree 100% But I mean when I spend $379.99(I purchased mine for less and in used/like new condition) for a brand new Squier Classic Vibe, I don't consider that "cheap gear" not counting the cost of an amp. As long as the gear and player sound good, why complain about branding? I've played lots of gear(bottom of the barrel brands up to Rickenbacker as mentioned) I just enjoy playing, I think when other musicians discriminate against head stock logos, they probably shouldn't be musicians. We should all be supportive of one another, we're all on our own path, cutting people down and knocking down gear doesn't do anything for anyone. I do also agree with the "mixed bag" and this generation wouldn't know good music if it bit them in the ass. I listen to and play things like RUSH, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Yes, Cream, The Beatles, etc. Names that today's generation wouldn't have even heard of. I've asked and tried.....kids today listen to garbage. But that's a whole different story and debate all together.
+1
There will _always_ be someone with arguably nicer and definitely more expensive gear.
And there will always be someone who can play better than you, for that matter...
If you want to start a band and it is your band, clearly you can play what you want.
Someone who doesn't want to participate because of your gear is not a good match for you.
But there may be a point where pragmatism is best - if _everybody_ doesn't want to play, you must face some possibilities:
a) the instrument is just a convenient excuse for some other reason
b) you should use a different instrument
c) you should embrace being a solo player
Money can't buy class. People forget that a lot. In my life people have insulted me for: car brand, car model, hair length, hair color, brand of guitar, model of guitar, being born in new jersey, using AMD processors in my computers.......And little did they realize in most cases I earned more than them or had a higher level of education.
Meh. Whatever. What I tend to find is those attitudes towards life had a tendency to cost their parents a fortune. I honestly do not care about brand, model, etc because I did not have parents that indulged my every whim growing up. If i wanted the latest Transformer, too bad, you can have a cheap flea market knock off or nothing. That episode of south park where cartman has to have the lastest iPad like everyone else, remember that one? Parents choose to raise their kids this way, societal pressure can only be excused so much. My parents weren't broke, they also weren't idiots.
Meh. Whatever. What I tend to find is those attitudes towards life had a tendency to cost their parents a fortune. I honestly do not care about brand, model, etc because I did not have parents that indulged my every whim growing up. If i wanted the latest Transformer, too bad, you can have a cheap flea market knock off or nothing. That episode of south park where cartman has to have the lastest iPad like everyone else, remember that one? Parents choose to raise their kids this way, societal pressure can only be excused so much. My parents weren't broke, they also weren't idiots.
Dominick C.
Guest
Sand off the logo. Tell them you play a custom 
when they ask about it, after they tell you how great you sound, tell them you customized a Squire. If they are snobs it might take them down a notch.
when they ask about it, after they tell you how great you sound, tell them you customized a Squire. If they are snobs it might take them down a notch.
Well, if the brand snobs are keeping you from playing...
http://www.google.com/search?q=fender+bass+decals+for+headstock&hl=en&gbv=2&oq=&gs_l=
Dominick C.
Guest
You had me up until New Jersey
Just kidding. I agree totally that money does not buy class.
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I was honestly thinking of tracking down an american P bass neck and slapping it on the absolute cheapest knock off p-bass body I could find. I mean like worse than the absolute worst of the worst soviet era crap kinda bad quality. Like is going to give you splinters bad. Then someone's throwaway craigslist electronics, some dead flatwounds, and go audition for one of these fender snob gigs. Just to honestly see if anyone could REALLY tell the difference, you know? If they buy into it, smash it to pieces first gig. Make sure friends are in the audience to videotape bandmate's shock and horror. Good times.
Off topic. Sorry couldn't help it.
I had an aunt from jersey. When I was about 18 I had a 23 year old girlfriend. Thanksgiving dinner, in front of my entire dads side of the family, she says loudly,"what are you two using for birth control?"
I had an aunt from jersey. When I was about 18 I had a 23 year old girlfriend. Thanksgiving dinner, in front of my entire dads side of the family, she says loudly,"what are you two using for birth control?"
Yep. That's the Jersey I remember. At least on my mom's side of the family, LOL.
Any band more focused on gear than on the music is going nowhere. Probably led by a big headed wannabe. I deal with them the same way I deal with the guy whose car, house, boat, clothing, shoes, wife and kids are all the perfect and better than everyone else's car, house, boat, clothing, shoes, wife and kids. That is, I don't. That neighbor kid is just behaving the way he was taught.
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You guys are funny. Lol, I actually haven't had to deal with any "brand snobs" recently. Thankfully for that. I play a Squier and I'm proud of it! To me it's as good if not better than an MIM Fender(which I know, I know, actually says FENDER on the head stock).
Started a thread awhile back about this BS.
For now on when someone asks what do you play, i say a bass.
For now on when someone asks what do you play, i say a bass.
I figured someone else had to have posted this. I wasn't sure if it had been posted or not. I know it really bothers me and everyone else I talk to about it.
Mine was showing up with a Peavey Fury and a Yorkville XS400C and not a Fender or Ampeg.
Didnt get the gig but his drummer and guitarist are now in a side project with me.
Hell with him.
I feel your disgust.
