The gear snob in the audience

[mcnach]

A couple of weeks ago I had another amusing situation. This time I was not playing my trusty OLP, but a real Stingray. When we're having a rest I am standing by the bar and this guy comes next to me and tells me "nice little bass you've got there".

I never expected the Stingray to be referred to as a nice little bass, it sounded huge too... but hey, I thanked him.

He asked me what it was. I tell him it's a MusicMan Stingray. He didn't know the brand.
He says he used to play many years ago, and that he played Fenders and Gibson, he doesn't really know any other makes. I tell him that Leo Fender started the Musicman company, and now my nice little bass seemed a bit more interesting to him.

 

[Ubersheist]

Here's what I've found:

When I'm playing in a good band and we sound good (and this is possible with crappy gear), no gear snob ever approaches me.

It's those gigs where we have an off night, or when I was playing in a less great band that I'd get the occasional gear snob saying something about their bad-ass rig.

I'm really of the believe that sound is almost all in the hand of the player. I also believe that in live situations, if your bass is in tune and sounds more like a bass guitar then some other instrument like a tuba, then your $300 SX doesn't really sound any better or add more to the mix then a $5000 boutique bass. The people listening or dancing would never notice the difference, and are just as likely to pick up your CD or go home with you that night.

Mind you, that's a generalization, but it seems to really hold true in live situations. In the studio, all bets are off. When things are performed live, I am really in the "tone doesn't matter" camp .

 

[tekhedd]

I just had the very same thing happen this past weekend with my Fernandes Jazz copy $250.00 NEW I added EMGs and bass/treble circuit and Baddass II bridge...this DUDE thought it was a boutique! Again I say ..its more the WIZARD NOT the wand!

Well, the Fernandes basses kind of rock. My Fernandes jazz copy ($300 new plus rio grande pickups) looks good (in a classic beat-up kind of way), has big texas tone, and plays very well. Do you like the badass 2 on there? I'd like to have a boutique bass too!

 

[jelwood]

You should ask B-String about how he used to take an Ampeg V4-B and have it in standby while he was really playing through an 800rb. Lots of people told him how good his Ampeg sounded!

 

[Bassdirty]

Well, I don't know. Did that come across as snobby to you? To me it just sounds like a guy who recognizes (and maybe even appreciates) the sound of a Boss Metal Zone pedal. Of course, I wasn't there.

It really sounded to me that ..YES..he recognizes the sound of a metal zone.....
But he prolly didnt hafta say that.

 

[Bufalo]

Reminds me of an early gig from my current band, probably 5 years ago. Between sound check and the actual performance - we were just the opener at the time - a rotund older guy comes over to the table where my (now former) singer and I are having a pre-show round of barley sodas and says something to the effect of "hey, that's a nice looking bass, and it sounded great... what kind is it?" I proceed to show him my bass with "It's a Peavey," while offering it towards him to observe.

"oh... OH.... well, pfft... sorry to hear that." And he turned and walked.



While the singer was intro'ing the band and thanking people during a breakdown of our last tune, he made special effort to "thank Peavey for building GMart's awesome bass." The dude, now sitting in the back corner, got up and left. Punk.

 

[OtterOnBass]

People are so quick to judge by looks alone.

I think you're right. People are quick to judge -- and light travels faster than sound.

 

[The Owl]

At least you dind't bring in a $$$$$$ botique for the dude to go "when are you getting a fender"

Of ANY gear snob those guys are THE WORST!

 

[StuartV]

I have my first ever gig (on bass, that is) coming up in 3 weeks. I'm planning on playing either my Peavey or my new MPG. Either way, I'm planning to have the other on stage as a backup, and my Fender P also on stage - just so any gear snobs in the audience can see that I have a Fender - I just CHOOSE to play something that I like better.

 

[ERIC31]

Gear snobs suck. I proudly rock an OLP MM3 5 string and my new Squier P Bass. Both have been upgraded with new pickups, knobs, pots, etc.. They sound great and if some douche in the crowd doesn't like them, he/she can feel free to BUY me a "real" Music Man 5er and a "real" Fender P Bass!! LOL I'll gladly take them and play them!!

Listen with your ears, not your eyes!!!

 

[mcnach]

Gear snobs suck. I proudly rock an OLP MM3 5 string and my new Squier P Bass. Both have been upgraded with new pickups, knobs, pots, etc.. They sound great and if some douche in the crowd doesn't like them, he/she can feel free to BUY me a "real" Music Man 5er and a "real" Fender P Bass!! LOL I'll gladly take them and play them!!

Listen with your ears, not your eyes!!!

Indeed!

having said that, and despite being the started of this thread... my MM Stingray does sound better. But the OLPs seriously "rawk" after a few upgrades.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I am always checking out what other players are playing and playing through, but I am not too concerned as long as it sounds good. What ever works for you!

 

[jasethebass]

Coming from a poor background I could never afford top end kit that I saw the rich guys playing. Anyway after saving up I got my dream rig, Kubicki xFactor with Trace head, 4x12 and 1x15 cabs. Got a guy once after a gig that he really dug my sound but that I needed a better bass for the amp! He thought that I should own a Fender until i pointed out that Kubicki used to make Hendrix's guitars whilst at fender. I still have my 1st bass, a £110 westone from the 80's which I still love.