wmhill
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- Aug 20, 2012
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when people act weird about your gear...
- Thread starter friendlybass
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Ask him what he would prefer.
And how the one you have is disrespectful in any way.
This is what happens when everyone thinks he's boss.
And how the one you have is disrespectful in any way.
This is what happens when everyone thinks he's boss.
I've been the bassist at a church for the last 8 years. Never been told what to play, what gear to bring or what to wear.
- Feb 3, 2005
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This.
I am the senior warden at my church this year (sort of like president of the board of an organization for those not familliar). We usually have traditional organ led music as our church has a great pipe organ. We have done a more modern service with guitar and bass when there was no organist available on a rare occasion. Both guitarists played acoustic guitars and I used my Antique Shoreline Gold Sadwosky. Thankfully, this was not your church, as your Deacon may have decided my matching gold headstock was the mark of the beast or made it not a real bass.
However, the whole point of this is that what on earth is wrong with an olympic white jaguar bass is beyond me. If you brought your SG bass, I'm sure they'd think those were devil horns! The skateboard is a little different but certainly not offensive in any way. That is just ridiculous, I think any bass should be fine short of stickers, maybe some really pointy BC Rich or similar style, or just a crazy color (hot pink, neon green, blood splatter paint job, etc.). A white Fender is pretty darn tame.
Amazing to me how "judgemental" so many churches are.
Speaking as my church's worship leader, I'd be one of the first to remind that deacon that the focus shouldn't be on the gear. But then again, I'm not the type of guy who'd choose to take a position at a church where the deacons/other leadership had that kind of attitude, and didn't understand that we're all on the same team with the same mission on Sunday mornings.
wmhill
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- Aug 20, 2012
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- 17,209
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- MTD basses endorsed artist Bartolini pickups emerging artist TECAMP bass players gear endorsed
I would totally use coil cords..... it won't go to far!
he probably liked your "kid bass." You should watch your six.
My experience has been the opposite of that. In the "white" churches I've worked in the praise teams are all basically trying to be either U2 or "indie" and so a P bass and some pedals might be totally expected. I switched to my Stingray 5 HH on one of the gigs for this very reason.
I went into the P&W scene with a bit of a "black church" aesthetic (which I see as being a bit more jazz/R&B/ latin-like in nature) and so I play a fretless 6-string on my main church gig, but no one says anything.
I went into the P&W scene with a bit of a "black church" aesthetic (which I see as being a bit more jazz/R&B/ latin-like in nature) and so I play a fretless 6-string on my main church gig, but no one says anything.
This is why this bass was created. LOL this is too funny.
Great, now I want to find an old deck and make a pedal board.
People will comment at punk shows when you have nice gear usually punks dont have super nice stuff. My musicman gets funny looks by other bands.
- Sep 4, 2010
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yeah I have been scouring fleebay already too. Were you bidding on the one for $7.77?
my guess is that the deacon sees the switches on the j bass and thinks its a cheap bass......unfortunately he has no idea how cool that is!
I recall seeing a guy playing a '70s Jazz bass - complete with pearl block inlays on a maple neck - back in church in the 90's. I thought it was the coolest thing - and yup, it more than distracted me from the service!
I could see how the skateboard would be out of place (I like it - its super cool, but I'd leave it home for a church gig). The Jag bass... I dunno. I have one. It's got a look - but its pretty mild. Then again, so was that 70's Jazz bass in my old church.
I'm not sure which bass would be the most conservative without going acoustic. Everything else "looks rock and roll" to *somebody*. Maybe try a Schecter XXX model one week and see if they like your Jag better after that!
I could see how the skateboard would be out of place (I like it - its super cool, but I'd leave it home for a church gig). The Jag bass... I dunno. I have one. It's got a look - but its pretty mild. Then again, so was that 70's Jazz bass in my old church.
I'm not sure which bass would be the most conservative without going acoustic. Everything else "looks rock and roll" to *somebody*. Maybe try a Schecter XXX model one week and see if they like your Jag better after that!
I attend church regularly so my opinions will reflect that.
The bass is fine.
The skate board is not (just my opinion).
The way they handled it is not cool.
The church should know better than to let a musician who doesn't "know better (according to them)" on their stage. So it's their own fault.
They have no right to invite an outside individual on the stage and expect things. It's somewhat baffling.
In some churches it would be extra cool. In others it would be extra tacky. Both kinds exist. You can't assume a church is one kind or the other just because they use guitars. So be selective about accepting church gigs.
The bass is fine.
The skate board is not (just my opinion).
The way they handled it is not cool.
The church should know better than to let a musician who doesn't "know better (according to them)" on their stage. So it's their own fault.
They have no right to invite an outside individual on the stage and expect things. It's somewhat baffling.
In some churches it would be extra cool. In others it would be extra tacky. Both kinds exist. You can't assume a church is one kind or the other just because they use guitars. So be selective about accepting church gigs.
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I'd say everyone is entitled to an crap day. Maybe it was pregame jitters, maybe he spilled coffee and had to change before he headed out that morning. Not trying to make excuses, just observations. If you are asked back, go bare bones, your most subdued color bass, cable(s), and a tuner. Dress nice but down as appropriate. Let your music talk for you.
