What does it mean to have "Pro gear"?

[droo46]

I see this phrase a lot in "bassist wanted" ads, and I know what I think that means, but I'm curious how others interpret it.

What is proffesional gear to you?

 

[alembicguy]

It’s just one persons opinion on what they have. Means nothing.

 

[ThudThudThud]

Stuff that doesn't break down after a few shows. Stuff that can be heard well.
After that, anyone's guess.

 

[ZedLepp]

It means the people that you are going to go play with are gear snobs.

 

[portpc]

That's a dated statement that really doesn't apply for the most part anymore. It only applied when there was a moat between inexpensive and quality gear, that has since dried up.. I would imagine whoever uses that expression does not get out much?

 

[MattZilla]

Part of it is The Uniform and part is don’t be showing up with an amp you know is underpowered/unreliable/bottomless or a bass with intermittent pickups or cables.

There are a lot of people not thinking they’re wasting other people’s time with their budget wonder build held together with two pieces of duct tape and a bungee cord that sounds just as good as a a Stingray into a GK…

…and you’re just lucky enough to not have had to suffer this.

 

[Element Zero]

Stuff that’s not falling apart and is reliable.

 

[ThudThudThud]

See the 'Janky Rigs of Doom' thread.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, if I saw an ad that said 'must have pro gear'.... I'm not sure what I'd think.
Maybe just reliable equipment that can fit a lot of venues.

I went to an audition many, many years ago where three of us were scheduled to play a few songs. The guy before me was soldering something in his cabinet before it was his turn, and then had his amp started smoking while he was playing. I'm guessing that wasn't pro equipment.

 

[Killing Floor]

I know what it means to BE pro gear.

 

[turf3]

A lot of it's probably just trying to screen out "Hey man I play bass but i don't have one can you loan me one so i can play with your band" guy (who doesn't have a car either, what do you want to bet).

 

[turf3]

"Unprofessional, that's what you are;
Unprofessional, no tux no car..."

 

[Spidey2112]

If they put Pro Gear in quotes, I would think sarcasm was afoot.

 

[E2942]

It generally means one of two things:

their last player had crap gear that broke down all the time or that player used it as an excuse for why they hadn't practiced

they want to see a brand name they like on the headstock

 

[bigdaddybass12]

you know, bass that tunes its self, a bass that cost over $2000. Does not matter how good you are, just spend a lot. You know a sub $1000 bass is subject to the neck falling off. Everybody sounds great with a $2000 amp. No matter how many notes you miss,,,,,

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Things that will sound good, be loud enough and not get in the way with unreliability.

 

[Gustopher]

Usually it means reliable and loud enough. Sometimes it means someone is a brand snob.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Pro gear: Gear used by players who make money playing.

 

[MCS4]

If I use the phrase, in the specific context of looking for original band projects, it means I feel confident that I currently possess gear that would be appropriate in all aspects for a national touring act performing in the relevant genre.

 

[gln1955]

Assuming they aren't just gear snobs, it means having a reliable instrument and enough amp to play out with a full band. It's a pretty low bar, really.

 

[Pings Bass]

There used to be student, step-up, and pro instruments. This is still a meaningful distinction for winds and strings.

But the distinction is almost meaningless in the much simpler world of electric basses, which can be mass produced cheaply with close tolerances.

I've seen pros play gigs on squiers, no biggie. I'd prefer a pro attitude on a student instrument over a hack on a pro instrument any day.