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what does the term "Pro Gear" mean to you?

#61
panama said:
I think it's safe to assume that most people who say "pro gear" mean Marshall, Fender, Gibson, and Ampeg. Maybe Ibanez. Most musicians (including bass players) are especially clueless when it comes to high end, boutique, or excellent but lesser known companies.
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I've thought about your reply but, honestly, I can't see it being safe at all. I still think it would be best if an applicant ask what gear the band is considering as "Pro".

Instrument wise you missed out Warwick, Peavey, Lakland, MTD, Spector and a slew more available at an average music store. Amps you missed out MarkBass, UA and a lot more well respected labels.

Paul
 
#63
Without reading the rest of the thread, I'd say Pro gear is:

Reliable
Appropriate wattage for 95% of the gigs you will be playing
Appropriate tone for the music you're playing

I would also feel safe saying "No combo amps", and "No greasy pawn shop basses covered in stickers".

Pro gear doesn't necessarily need to be "name brand" in my opinion, but there are a lot of people out there who are of the opinion that it does matter.

IMO, as long as you sound good, are loud enough without having your rig maxed out, and your rig isn't breaking down at every show, that should satisfy most "Pro" requirements.
 
#64
Trust me man, you have "Pro Gear". I think often times this means that they don't want some goof showing up with his cables in a cardboard box and his amp taped together. I tour constantly and have played with some "big" acts whose bass players had rigs that weren't as quality as your. That is the exception rather than the rule, but it does happen.
 
#65
What is considered "Professional" also depends on the circuit you're playing.

I would probably expect a "classier" rig for a wedding band than I would for an indie band playing at a dive bar. While both rigs should be "professional", there's a certain aesthetic that may be required depending on where and what you'll be playing.

As a listener I'd be pretty weirded out to see a BC Rich Warlock in a Soul band. Oddly enough though, I don't think a Fender P would seem out of place in a metal band, but maybe that's just me.
 
#67
Pro gear: Reliable, versatile enough to cover all musical styles that the band plays, can be used in live gig situations.
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+1

TBH, when I see "Must have pro gear" I always think, "Why? Are you a pro band?"

If it's a pro band, there should be some income that will offset the expense should I need to upgrade commensurate to the venues to be played. Pro = Working Professional.
If that's all I'm doing for a living, then I will have the right tools to do my job.

If it's a part-time bar/club band, then whatever works for the venue will be just fine. I gigged for years with a smallish combo, and had great sound, plenty of power, and no reliability issues. I didn't need 'pro' gear as we never went fully 'pro.' What I had was enough to do what I needed to do.

Half the time the guitard has 'pro' gear. This often means a Marshall 1/2 or full stack that has been eq'd to sound like a wasp in a jar. Most guitards wouldn't know a good bass tone if they heard it, they just like the idea that you they can hear you hit the 'G' at the same time they do (don't play a 1/3, it confuses them). :eyebrow:
 
#70
NKBassman said:
I would also feel safe saying "No combo amps"
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I've heard other people say that before. It's something I've always disagreed with. To me, an Eden Metro is a professional piece of gear. It's a more professional piece of gear than a horrible sounding 8x10 with a crappy head on top, but some people will think the 8x10 rig should be the more pro rig compared to the Eden combo. Granted, the Metro may not keep up in a loud rock band, but there are plenty of pro gigs it would fit well in.
 
#71
If a combo amp is what is required to play a gig, how could it not be considered professional gear if the bass player uses it to earn a living? I have seen life long professional musicians go up on stage with run of the mill ordinary bass gear and make outstanding music that earned them respect and admiration as well as a financial living.

As much as I love my gear, it is a fool that would dismiss or judge another musician based on the equipment he shows up with.
 
#73
Crabby said:
If a combo amp is what is required to play a gig, how could it not be considered professional gear if the bass player uses it to earn a living? I have seen life long professional musicians go up on stage with run of the mill ordinary bass gear and make outstanding music that earned them respect and admiration as well as a financial living.

As much as I love my gear, it is a fool that would dismiss or judge another musician based on the equipment he shows up with.
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True enough, I take it back.
I just realized saying "No combo amps" goes against what I said about bringing something appropriate to the gigs you play.
 
#74
pro gear is based on the ego of the band

min standard is a amp that can get heard over a Drummer

otherwise anything made by mark bass, peavey,crate
or any other low cost amp

is uncool in certain circles

otherwise ummm

being able to actually play a minor or major scale is a good start point, but for the most part 60% of bass players can't do that.

but if they walk in the door with a 8x10 ampeg and a cool emo haircut suddenly they become "pro"
whatever

80% of all craiglist guys are putz players that nobody wants to work with
the other 20% are cool guys trying to weed threw all the putz
guitard players
hanging out with other bands and going to good local shows is a better way to find a band
 
#75
To me, pro gear is this.
1. reliability
2. ability to "keep up" with the rest of the band under any circumstances.
3. has an appearance of pro gear. IE: if newer it must look as good as it sounds and if vintage it must be a known/respected brand to justify it's vintage status.
4. must be played by a pro to sound professional.
 
#76
Nashrakh said:
Pro gear means having a Fender P and an Ampeg fridge.

Anything else just won't cut it.

:hiding:

(Damn, been beaten to it...)
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Huh? That's a pretty limiting comment . Guess my gears not pro.
Halloweenbash09005.jpg
 
#77
I replied to a CL add that clearly said: candidates should have a good quality gear, I had the audition yesterday, you wont believe it but after have owned several ''pro'' gear for the last 3 years: Lakland, Sadowsky, stingray , fender etc. I found myself with only one bass for this audition, a squier affinity, so I showed up for the audition, took my bass out from the gig bag and the leader of the band said: WOW ! thats a beatiful bass man! end of story, I got the gig :).
 

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