What's your gear philosophy?

HI

My hands create my tone for the most part.

Rob

 

Personally, I tend to pick an instrument up and determine within moments if it will become an extension of who I am. I've been fortunate up until this point to have played many, many instruments, but I think the five I have now really do suit me the best. If I had to choose a single instrument however that I genuinely believe is "me," it would probably come down to the Ibanez RKB900. I've never quite played anything like it. It just feels right.

As far as amps are concerned... I'm actually quite ambivalent towards that spectrum of gear. If it's distinct, and powerful enough to get my sound out, it's fine in my book.

 

That's why I play a Jazz bass or most recently a passive Lakland Jo. Amps come and go but I'm a passive guy I think for the guys who think they create the tone with there hands passive is the way to go.

Just my opinion to each his own.

 

classic bass unqiue amp unique cabs

I love my musicman sterling and its black/black/maple, cant get much more classic musicman than that. My amp is an ashdown/avatar. This is not your average ampeg rig so i consider it unique.

 

Because I bought much of my gear, especially amplification, before I knew much about the vintage/hi-fi divide and the many options beyond what I could charge on my Sam Ash card, I can't claim to have pursued a coherent "philosophy" at all. But I've ended up with something that works: vintage type passive basses (Fenders and a DiPinto semi-hollow) through relatively hi-fi amplification (G-K heads and SWR and G-K cabs). I like the organic, woody tones of passive basses run through a rig that can deliver hi-fi clarity if I want it, but has lots of growl on tap via G-K's "boost" control. If I were starting fresh, I'd probably get a 2x12 cabinet with more vintage warmth than my SWR Goliath III, but the SWR has never let me down.

I've noticed that many players in rock bands these days similarly blend "vintage" and "hi-fi" elements, and it's usually effective. I've sometimes been disappointed with the stage sound from a "pure vintage" approach, but NEVER when it's been a good Fender through an Ampeg rig. That always works.

 

I have no gear philosophy. I buy whatever strikes me as being what I need to keep working.

 

i'm perfectly content with a passive jazz bass, but my swr rig with a hartke alluminum 15" just gave my playing so much more flavor, i think there should be a unique pedals option for thats where my real answer is.

 

HI

I use no effects except for compression.

Rob

 

My philosophy is to find quality gear for low prices. Unique, classic, both are cool with me.

 

I dont believe in tone altering effects such as permanant grit or something. The only effects i use are temporary (such as OD, synth wah, delay) and dont affect the tone that i am using for 95% of my stuff.

 

I'm with you...I take it a step down from there...I buy whatever strikes me as being what I need to keep me playing (in my case, work has nothing to do with it)

 

Carrots.

 

When it gets right down to it, I am fairly agnostic about my gear. Give me a playable bass, an amp and cabs that are loud enough and I am happy. At a gig I want to just forget about my gear and play.

That said, I have put time and money into getting something that I like. I like my iAMP for the low weight, and clean but not sterile tone. I have tried a few cabs and settled on the wizzy. I have a nice compact yet loud setup.

 

I don't think unique is a good term at all :/.. modern or hifi would be more suiting and less misleading, but at any rate... I don't play much in the way of classic equipment. I prefer the modern stuff.. I run a Spector Euro and TB Custom through an Ashdown head and Aguilar Cab.. nothign odd, but not classic at all. If you are talking uprights though, well.. the more classic the better casue I like them old, haha!

 

"Learn how to play instead... that's much more fun"

 

I want to be unique, just like everybody else...

 

Vintage tone. I'm in the proccess of acquiring a vintage style bass at the moment. Next will be vintage style amp and cab. That may very well be out of my price range, however. So I'll make due.

 

I always thought the best gear is the one that makes you never want to stop playing, whatever it may be.