What does it mean to have "Pro gear"?

[Verb the Noun]

People offended by a request for "pro gear" are the very people that tag line in an add are trying to screen out.

Obviously there are delusional formative band leaders who think new members need WAY more gear than they actually do (loved the cover band demanding an American pro and an svt stack story)... But people getting defensive about this request are the same kind of bass players who get pissed at Glen Fricker. Not hard to grasp why its being asked and roll with it instead of responding with "REEEEEEEEEEEEE".

 

[LiquidMidnight]

As stated, back in the day, the phrase had a lot of meaning. In the early days of rock 'n roll, blues, and country, many people started on instruments from department stores. Silvertones and Kays are probably the most famous, but there was a litany of no-name guitars you could get at the Five-and-Ten. Once you got serious about music, you scrimped and saved for a Fender, Gibson, or Rickenbacker. And going to one of those was the equivalent of a sax player going from a Bundy student model to a Selmer. There was a night-and-day difference in playability, finish, and sound quality.

Nowadays, while there is a still difference between less expensive and more expensive instruments (up to a point of diminishing returns) the less expensive instruments are still very gig-worthy. If you hear the phrase "Pro gear needed," it basically means don't show up with one of those 15 watt Ibanez practice bass amps and a $75.00 P-bass knockoff with noisy pots and action six feet off the fretboard.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

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.

There were so many episodes of VH1's Behind the Music who were like, "We hired our singer because they owned a PA."

 

[BlueTalon]

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.

That's a very nice way of distilling it.

People offended by a request for "pro gear" are the very people that tag line in an add are trying to screen out.
...But people getting defensive about this request are the same kind of bass players who get pissed at Glen Fricker.

Don't know who Glen Fricker is (am I dating myself, or revealing a cultural gap?), but there are other reasons for a negative response other than offense. In my case, it's disdain. I roll my eyes at the specification for pro gear or reliable transportation because it usually bespeaks a lack of experience on the part of the people doing the specifying. People with more experience don't feel the need to put that in an ad, and will answer the gear question in the opening phone conversation. IME.

As stated, back in the day, the phrase had a lot of meaning. In the early days of rock 'n roll, blues, and country, many people started on instruments from department stores. Silvertones and Kays are probably the most famous, but there was a litany of no-name guitars you could get at the Five-and-Ten.

While that is true, the people putting the pro gear requirement in ads typically aren't the same people as those who had formative experiences 50-60 years ago. They tend to be a lot younger.

 

[JimK]

There were so many episodes of VH1's Behind the Music who were like, "We hired our singer because they owned a PA."

I (& many others) used to relish reading the ads at the music store.
A classic-
"Seeking Singer for established, local Hard Rock band. Must have own PA".

 

[LiquidMidnight]

I (& many others) used to relish reading the ads at the music store.
A classic-
"Seeking Singer for established, local Hard Rock band. Must have own PA".

Indeed! Although, I have always—and still do—believe that anyone who puts them out there as a lead vocalist should own a PA. I don't mean a full concert-sized PA with tops and subs, but they should at least have some 12s or 15s on poles. It's the same as a guitarist or bassist not owning an amp.

 

[joelns]

Indeed! Although, I have always—and still do—believe that anyone who puts them out there as a lead vocalist should own a PA. I don't mean a full concert-sized PA with tops and subs, but they should at least have some 12s or 15s on poles. It's the same as a guitarist or bassist not owning an amp.

I tend to agree with this. If you're a singer and you show up for an audition and hope they have a PA. Mic, etc. you're behind the ball. That said, I would also expect an established band to have something.

 

[JimK]

I tend to agree with this. If you're a singer and you show up for an audition and hope they have a PA. Mic, etc. you're behind the ball. That said, I would also expect an established band to have something.

In that time, we expected a "Pro" mic...and a car.
Anything more would be pushing it.

This was a 10-piece horn band, massive PA.
The drummer bankrolled the PA...by de facto, he was the owner of the band...but he was cool as everyone got an equal take. He didn't have to do that.

 

[joelns]

In that time, we expected a "Pro" mic...and a car.
Anything more would be pushing it.

This was a 10-piece horn band, massive PA.
The drummer bankrolled the PA...by de facto, he was the owner of the band...but he was cool as everyone got an equal take. He didn't have to do that.

Indeed. Expectations change over time. And of course from band to band.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

It means only professionals can play the gear, no amateurs are allowed to touch it. I saw an ameteur bassist turn into stone when he touched a fender professional series bass.