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Super Rant... Am I alone?

#21
The "pro gear" part I can get behind. Pro gear is gear that will not fail when you need it to perform. Notice, I didn't mention brands. I've talked with people about getting a band together that said they had gig worthy gear only to find out they were working with a guitar that had pot/input issues and a 10 watt practice amp. Sorry, but I have issues with a musician that feels this is gig worthy.

I'm jamming casually with a friend now that has a very, very, very cheap guitar and a crappy little practice amp. It has a tuning machine that is bad and pickups that can't pickup. I still love jamming with him. If that ever turns into a conversation about gigging, then I have some hard news for him. His gear is not up to snuff. Not because it is inexpensive, but because it cannot hold up.

OP, keep doing what you're doing. Play with people that respect you for your abilities, not your gear brands.
 
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#22
Kids will mercilessly deride each other over the brand of sneakers they wear.
No different with instruments.

It's all a lack of maturity.
Many adult musicians act similarly over instruments and gear.

We call them Gear Snobs. Sometimes they can't be avoided.

I hope your cousin can get back into playing music.
 
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#23
viper4000 said:
The "pro gear" part I can get behind. Pro gear is gear that will not fail when you need it to perform. Notice, I didn't mention brands. I've talked with people about getting a band together that said they had gig worthy gear only to find out they were working with a guitar that had pot/input issues and a 10 watt practice amp. Sorry, but I have issues with a musician that feels this is gig worthy.

I'm jamming casually with a friend now that has a very, very, very cheap guitar and a crappy little practice amp. It has a tuning machine that is bad and pickups that can't pickup. I still love jamming with him. If that ever turns into a conversation about gigging, then I have some hard news for him. His gear is not up to snuff. Not because it is inexpensive, but because it cannot hold up.

OP, keep doing what you're doing. Play with people that respect you for your abilities, not your gear brands.
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Thanks, and yes I do agree.
 
#24
tangentmusic said:
Kids will mercilessly deride each other over the brand of sneakers they wear.
No different with instruments.

It's all a lack of maturity.
Many adult musicians act similarly over instruments and gear.

We call them Gear Snobs. Sometimes they can't be avoided.

I hope your cousin can get back into playing music.
Click to expand...
I hope I can convince him sooner or later. If I would have been there....I swear that kid's parents would be having a conversation with me.
 
#28
Donavan12 said:
Oh I'm sure they're snobs too. The kid got it from somewhere. *shaking head*
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Which actually reminds me. When I was younger, I didn't have a cell phone, or ipad. Stuff wasn't just "given" to me. I earned it one way or another. I didn't have a laptop, tv and smart phone in my room at age 10. Kids are spoiled rotten, and usually rub that in less fortunate individual's faces.
 
#29
elgecko said:
FACT: Squiers are very often owned and played by absolute beginners

...so there's that, BUT i just played a gig where we needed to use a sub for our guitar player. He showed up with a, you guessed it, Squier. It kind of made me go :eyebrow:. As soon as we started playing, it was obvious he was a great player and any misgivings were unfounded.
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Yes that is true, however, I'm intermediate-advanced. The only reason I have a classic vibe, is because I was dumb and sold my MIJ Fender Jazz to help with some living expenses.
 
#31
elgecko said:
That doesn't change the fact that Squiers are very often owned and played by absolute beginners. That's the reality of the situation.
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I understand that. I was just simply stating that I'm not a beginner, and don't mind gigging or jamming with a Squier. I see nothing wrong with a Squier, especially the upper-end models. If it was something like an Affinity or other way bottom of the barrel than maybe.
 
#32
I just put some black tape on the headstock and call it a day. I've never actually had any real human beings in real life slag me for playing a Squier Frankenbass, but if they did, I would most likely kindly remind them that their mother thought it was a fine bass... as she stared at it from my bed. ;)

Frankenbass 4

Frankenbass 4

  • Media owner Fat Steve
  • Date added
 
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#34
Fat Steve said:
I just put some black tape on the headstock and call it a day. I've never actually had any real human beings in real life slag me for playing a Squier Frankenbass, but if they did, I would most likely kindly remind them that their mother thought it was a fine bass as she stared at it from my bed. ;)

Frankenbass 4

Frankenbass 4

  • Media owner Fat Steve
  • Date added
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LOL! That's a good one! I used to know a few guys that had some vintage Fenders(MIA) and they had been impressed with some of my MIM Fenders(I had a 2000 jazz and 2003 jazz) I told them that the brand new Squier VM I bought sounded just as good and played far better than the 2003 MIM(the 2000 was a gem that I made the mistake of trading for a vintage tokai/tobias? shortscale bass.. I hated the thing lol)
 
#35
Donavan12 said:
I understand that. I was just simply stating that I'm not a beginner, and don't mind gigging or jamming with a Squier...
Click to expand...

Neither was the guitar sub I recently played with. In fact, he was awesome...but I wouldn't have guessed it based on his guitar. It's just not a common association.

Donavan12 said:
...I see nothing wrong with a Squier, especially the upper-end models. If it was something like an Affinity or other way bottom of the barrel than maybe.
Click to expand...

A lot of people, myself included, are unaware of the difference.
 
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#36
When I don't want to take the ABG, this gets the call. The only comments are about tone, strings, or an occasional "what kind of bass is that?"; and 90% by those listening.

Pbasshead.jpg
 
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#37
elgecko said:
Neither was the guitar sub I recently played with. In fact, he was awesome...but I wouldn't have guessed it based on his guitar. It's just not a common association.



A lot of people, myself included, are unaware of the difference.
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I understand, There is a MASSIVE difference between in tone and quality between a low end Affinity bass and a Classic Vibe Or Vintage Modified $300-400. The Classic vibe has been better than most of the MIM Fender basses I've played. I can see where you're coming from. Believe me, there is quite a difference.
 
#40
Kustom_Thunder said:
I played for years with a crate 220 115 half stack and what ever bass I could get my hands on and never had anyone say anything once I started playing. Gear is over rated a real artist can play anything and make it sound good.
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Absolutely. Also, a really expensive top of the line bass can sound like CRAP through a cheap/low quality amp, and a Cheaper instrument can sound good through a GOOD amp. Also, the player has a lot to do with it as well. In my experience, I've "impressed" playing a Mexican Fender or Squier CV Jazz. I sound even BETTER on a Ric. So, what the headstock says shouldn't determine a players level of skill, eligibility to get in a band or any other nonsense like that. One of my guitarists is a musician in his 50's. He owns an american fender, and a few other guitars including one squier CV telecaster, he loves it.
 

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