What does it mean to have "Pro gear"?

[ryco]

They want gear that is in good working order.

Don't waste audition time getting your gear to slightly work with buzzing, crackling inputs and cords, blown out speakers.

I don't think it has to neccessarily be pretty, but it has to function well and sound good upon set up. Think "reliable".

 

[GreyEagle]

What is professional gear to you?[/QUOTE]

Why "pro gear"? When you start dealing with high end power you're more than likely split into the 'board, so mega watts isn't the thing it used to be. I think I'd rather get a pro player, whatever that might mean. I had retired 30 years ago when my band asked me if I'd consider playing with them again. I had sold ALL my equipment & they took me to a music store, let me choose my amp (a new Hartke rig) & paid for it up front. They didn't push for repayment, but I did as I could! They also covered the cost of me buying my old bass back from a friend! I still sit in with them at gigs & recording sessions since I can't hold up full time anymore (injuries catching up with me)! They're truly family!! So, "pro gear" or "pro player"?

 

[glitchslap]

I think it is self-explanatory!

 

[Mike123]

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 professional gear to you?

Hi there,
I think, it just means that one should come to practice or a gig with two basses, an amp in working condition, and at least one functional spare cable.

 

[sunnyboy010101]

To me, pro gear has more to do with the equipment 'on the back end'. I guess that's because I've had to do more than just play an instrument - I've often had to 'run sound' or even supply the sound equipment.

SO for me the #1 thing about pro gear vs. non-pro is the audio connectors. No RCA plugs. Speakers connected with either 1/4" phono plugs or else the neutrik (sp?) twist-lock connectors. XLR jacks for microphones. Proper snakes, not just a bunch of wires. Amps that were designed for sustained output (thinking the main audio amps rather than instrument amps). Microphones that don't suck. Stuff like that.

 

[wluffman]

As a player, "pro gear" means (to me) that it's reliable, sounds good and has the power I need.

For a performing band, it can also mean that it "looks right", a subjective judgment. Usually, that comes down to brand name and/or appearance. A metal band might prefer that you play something other than Fender, no matter how good your P or J sounds, and a Fender amp on stage would probably be a no-no. OTOH, I probably wouldn't ever take a Dean to a country gig.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Fender Rumble 200

V.

HIWATT DR201

If your doing coffee and pie house gigs the Fender would likely be viewed as pro gear by the people doing those gigs.

If your on a large stage with some Mesa Hi-Gain guitar amps, then the HIWATT would be pro gear, but may not be enough for that situation.

You may have a cool old BC Rich Warlock Bass, but the Country act, be it small bars or a national act, is not going to likely see a pointy Bass as "pro gear."

I own PRO GEAR and always do depending on the gig. If you don't know, then you may not be ready for most gigs. YMMV

 

[The Hook 1988]

That would be any bass in my hands...$200 or $2000..newsflash...its not the bass.
However, I have seen people show up with a 20-30 watt combo with a drummer. I think its in ads to avoid unrealistic expectations of folks like that.

 

[BlueTalon]

And, real talk here: if you have pro gear, you aren't asking this question, because when you have professional-level gear, you know it.

THAT has been my point all along. People on CL talking about professional equipment and reliable transportation haven't been around the block enough.

 

[Michedelic]

Crate!!!

 

[JimmyM]

Crate!!!

View attachment 4606785 View attachment 4606786 View attachment 4606787

In all fairness, I have a Crate Power Block that kicks much ass for guitar.

 

[Mark Ellis]

Pro gear is gear that looks presentable, sounds good and is highly reliable.
A Squire bass and home made cabinets could qualify as "Pro Gear" if it does the above.
When people see my Fender and Mesa Boogie gear for the first time they are not worried about me having problems with my gear. I play covers just well enough, but if I had more time to practice...
Middle aged amateurs often have the best boutique gear, working professional musicians often have older gear bought second hand; but can play the hell out of it.

 

[brianrost]

8 pages later...

Willy the Shake said it best: Much Ado About Nothing

If you don't understand what it means or why someone would put it into a CL ad, that's OK.

 

[lfmn16]

Lot of people overthinking this. It's not a nefarious code word. You wouldn't believe some of the **** equipment I've had people show up with at auditions. Instruments that looked (and more importantly SOUNDED) like they came out of a Sears catalogue, amps that barely functioned and were seriously underpowered. Putting aside the emotional trauma of thinking someone is "dissing" your inexpensive instrument - pro gear just means gear suited to a professional band. It sounds good, is in good repair and the amp is powerful enough to play on stage. No need to turn this into yet another cheap vs. expensive thread.

 

[Bluwaterbob]

LOL.... what it REALLY means is " if you got PA gear, YOUR IN"

 

[gln1955]

LOL.... what it REALLY means is " if you got PA gear, YOUR IN"

I've seen ads wanting a player who has PA, a practice space and can book gigs. If I had all that it would be my band.

 

[Bluwaterbob]

I've seen ads wanting a player who has PA, a practice space and can book gigs. If I had all that it would be my band.

Sadly enough, Back in the 80's, I was so bad (but truly love to play) that I bought a Small PA Just so the band wouldn't kick me out..... After they saved enough $$ I was gone.......... to another band that needed a PA LOL

 

[BlueTalon]

LOL.... what it REALLY means is " if you got PA gear, YOUR IN"

I've seen ads wanting a player who has PA, a practice space and can book gigs. If I had all that it would be my band.

Sadly enough, Back in the 80's, I was so bad (but truly love to play) that I bought a Small PA Just so the band wouldn't kick me out..... After they saved enough $$ I was gone.......... to another band that needed a PA LOL

That's a legitimate thing for people to do to make themselves more marketable, IMO. About ten years ago, I decided to free myself from the burden of relying on anyone else's PA for a band to be viable, so I flexed some credit and bought one. I also bought some lights. As it turns out, bits of the PA have been used off and on, but those lights made me really valuable. I'm where I am because of my playing, but the gear made me really even more attractive.

By the way, all of that gear is absolutely "pro level" if we're doing anything small-medium sized. It would start to seem anemic if we had to equip a big stage.

 

[EarlTroutman]

When I hear the word 'professional' I don't think gear. I think 'you.' If you get a call at 10pm saying "They just got off the bus - be here in 30" the caller doesn't ask what gear you are bringing. He wants YOU. Of course I live in the Nashville area but it should apply anywhere. If you are considered 'pro' in your bailiwick *(look it up) then you KNOW what to do, what to bring, and to get down there right now.

 

[Eilif]

At it's core, the request for "pro gear" seems to be a desire for your gear not to be the rest of the bands problem.

As with a "Pro player" (or an amateur like me playing the part), the gear and the musician has to look good and play good. That's pretty subjective, but again the point is for you to have it together enough that you, your playing and your gear are an asset to the band and not a complication or distraction.

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