when people act weird about your gear...

[RED J]

Edited to delete,, may be breaking rules.

 

[Hi-End Basses]

I had a church gig yesterday and thought I did everything right. It's a suit and tie sort of church so myself and the other musicians (my dad on drums and the pastor who I do most of my work through on keys) dressed nicely but the usual protocol for this circle of churches is the band dresses down from the pastor like 2-3 notches. Here's where this gig went odd.
I play very non gospel instruments typically cause its not really my thing usually, which I've taken crap for but my gear is what I've got, and having nice shirts for these gigs is one thing but a bass I use exclusively for this is not what Im about. So initially a deacon/associate pastor comments on my bass pretty rudely, calls it a kid bass and asked if that's all I've got to play. It's an MIJ jaguar bass in oly white, I didn't exactly show up with my SG bass or Jr. Jet. Then the whole worship team gets to talking about my pedalboard (a skateboard with pedals mounted to it) and asking if I really needed to use it or if it could be positioned out of sight. I did so to prevent a scene cause it wasn't my church, and I didn't really need the pedals, I brought it because I dislike unmounting my sansamp, vibe, chorus, and delay or removing my OD's and fuzz just for one gig.
So what's etiquette like in this situation? Do I acknowledge my less than professional appearing gear and back down like I did? Or should I have used what I use tastefully and do my thing regardless of what others say/think? Can we all agree the deacon was out of line to diss my bass?
Thanks for listening to the rant TB. I attached pictures of the gear in question for your scrutiny.View attachment 711846 View attachment 711847

Your Fender Jag is not a kid's bass! I would have been highly insulted.

 

[Hi-End Basses]

I hope you didn't mention the fact that you've got active circuits on it; that would be sorcery!

 

[plankspanker13]

After reading the entire thread up to this post, I see that nobody has bothered to ask the following question: WHAT is the source of the deacon's credibility? Does the deacon play bass? Is the deacon even a musician? I would have asked those questions, and quickly followed up with the "bible burn" from Matthew. There are few things better than beating the self-righteous in their own game, on their own field, so to speak.

 

[Sixgunn]

Perhaps they didn't approve the non 'God created' technology. Maybe you should've explain the Dawins theory of evolution and point out that the gear was invented by creative people and not a fictional character.

Fictional character? What fictional character is that?

 

[GretschWretch]

The original post leads me to infer some things which none of the responses seem to have addressed. OP's trio was brought in as outsiders; they are not regular members or
attendees at this particular church or others of its "circle." If they were, they would have known about the "dressing down compared to the pastor" protocol. So the church has pre-existing etiquettes which they expect to be conformed to, but they did not let OP and his chums know this beforehand.

This is on the church. They could have communicated their preferences when arrangements were being made. Me personally, I would consider leaving the pedalboard at home but would continue to bring the white Jag. And if anyone gave me grief about it I'd say, "I've got a back-up in the car. Would you rather I use it?"

musicvox instruments

 

[ashtray]

Btw - as a side note, I had an old 90's AriaProII Korean bass with the finish stripped off poorly complete with burn marks from the sander. I had it set up nicely and enjoyed playing it - but it was far from nice. A guitar student's parent was commenting on my guitar but then pointed to my bass and said how much better they like that one - because its wood. I then informed the parent that nearly all electric guitars were made of wood and that one merely had the paint removed. "Really?! I never knew that!" They still liked how the bass looked better than my "painted guitar". Go figure.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

I wish I had time to read all the comments

I play for a multi campus, mega church in the Washington DC/Northern Virginia area. Two of our sanctuaries share space on our main campus. The Edge side is more "young adult" oriented, where I can wear long leg jeans, short sleeves, tee shirts, show my tattoos.. We also run a dry ice machine, multicolored and blacklight gel lighting etc.. The other, "Main Auditorium" is a bit more conservative. No outright display of tattoos and they would prefer I leave my Coutour shirts with Skulls and Big Angels Wings at home! LOL!! No one has ever had issues with the basses I play except once when I had an Italia Maranello Bass in silver sparkle. The production manager said the issue was the sparkles emitting too much light and glare for the TV/Internet/Video Cameras. I have experienced no other issues with my pink Breast Cancer Awareness Bass, my bright red Devon bass or anything else. One of the guitar players has a Tele that has a few stickers on it.. No complaints about that either.

Pedalboard/Skateboard - I guess that argument depends on the overall church body. I could get away with it in the prior mentioned Edge room. In the other room, I'd be asked to move it to the side, just so it's not a distraction onstage. The main objective in Worship is to draw people closer to God and away from ourselves. I've got no problem with leadership or production staff asking me to be flexible, if they feel something onstage draws too much attention. Sometimes they want a "clean" stage look - That usually means, no pedalboards in direct sight and no music stands. I just do what is asked and try to be compliant since they are paying me to be there. Unless someone is asking me to change the way I worship, I don't really have a "Personal Goal" argument to bring forth.

If people want to complain about any of my "Non Sparkle" basses or the looks of them, they are more than welcome to go with me to a local music store, with their check book in hand, and we can pick a bass of their choosing. The tricky part is what do they do about "New Comers". The goal for leadership is to make sure they aren't knocking people off of the path with religiosity and rituals. All of that being written, If it were me, I'd go to them and ask what the dress code, stage code parameters are. That usually puts everyone on a path with the same goal of making sure God remains first.

 

[Duder]

yeah I have been scouring fleebay already too. Were you bidding on the one for $7.77?

Nah, I checked out my local CL first. I might actually just use some wood I have in the garage. There was a post several months ago where someone made a sweet little pedal board out of an old kitchen drawer front piece and a few rubber door stops. That and some velcro is all I really need seeing as I (currently) only have two pedals.

 

[Hi-End Basses]

A Fender Jaguar a kid's bass???? These are indeed end times! ;-)

 

[Duder]

A Fender Jaguar a kid's bass???? These are indeed end times! ;-)

I failed to mention that nobody has said anything bad about my HRR CIJ Jaguar bass. Most people love it.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Op, the only thing I would've done differently is used the fuzz the entire set.

 

[danosix]

I had a church gig yesterday and thought I did everything right. It's a suit and tie sort of church so myself and the other musicians (my dad on drums and the pastor who I do most of my work through on keys) dressed nicely but the usual protocol for this circle of churches is the band dresses down from the pastor like 2-3 notches. Here's where this gig went odd.
I play very non gospel instruments typically cause its not really my thing usually, which I've taken crap for but my gear is what I've got, and having nice shirts for these gigs is one thing but a bass I use exclusively for this is not what Im about. So initially a deacon/associate pastor comments on my bass pretty rudely, calls it a kid bass and asked if that's all I've got to play. It's an MIJ jaguar bass in oly white, I didn't exactly show up with my SG bass or Jr. Jet. Then the whole worship team gets to talking about my pedalboard (a skateboard with pedals mounted to it) and asking if I really needed to use it or if it could be positioned out of sight. I did so to prevent a scene cause it wasn't my church, and I didn't really need the pedals, I brought it because I dislike unmounting my sansamp, vibe, chorus, and delay or removing my OD's and fuzz just for one gig.
So what's etiquette like in this situation? Do I acknowledge my less than professional appearing gear and back down like I did? Or should I have used what I use tastefully and do my thing regardless of what others say/think? Can we all agree the deacon was out of line to diss my bass?
Thanks for listening to the rant TB. I attached pictures of the gear in question for your scrutiny.View attachment 711846 View attachment 711847

I would say that if the pastor is commenting on something as conservative as a Jaguar bass (and rudely - I'll take your word), that he is a bit of a jerk and you need to not associate with people like that - it's not like a BC RICH or something.
As far as the skateboard - while it's pretty cool, I'd say it's a little unprofessional looking for anything other than a punk or heavy metal gig. I like the idea (I've considered doing it myself sans wheels) but you could tone it down for certain situations.
Having said all that - I'd say the Pastor et al are in the wrong here - you are playing for free and its not like you have upside-down crosses or naked women on your stuff. So, I'd say just don't go there anymore (since it's not your church this should be easy).

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Should rock this one next time:

Seriously, I share @JimmyM's concern about that sweet rolling pedalboard. I can see choir lady's feet flying up in the air if she accidentally steps on it! It may be a bit out of place, and people don't always look where they're walking. But nothing about that Jag is the least bit objectionable, and the pedal board is easy enough to conceal from the congregation if they are worried about image. And if they are, they are kind of missing the point.

That deacon/ass. pastor is displaying exactly the kind of judgmental, intolerant attitude that keeps a lot of people away from organized worship. Whether it was a paying gig or not, that is over the line. His job is to be gracious, welcoming, and accepting of people who are there to support their worship ministry.

Your response was gracious, professional, and appropriate.

Of course, Jesus was accepting of prostitutes, lepers, disciples who betrayed, even dead guys, but he never did weigh in on bassists...

 

[Radost]

Whats the best bass for me..... church music, I mean?

 

[Mktrat]

I have played at my church for a few years now and have played most every instrument I own during at least one service.

Wishbass? (Yeah I rocked a six string fretless rainbow bass style Wishbass and they loved it!)
Ergo EUB
Frankenfenders
Squier P5
Lakland 55-01
Ibanez ex (with paint partially scraped off)
Even a LTD that survived a fire (sorta charred?)
And a few more that have cycled through the stable over the past few years....


What have they said to me you ask?

No shorts on Easter or Christmas. And what is that stick thing? (Ergo)

If anybody asked about my equipment I would have to step outside, because what would most likely come out of my mouth would probably be unsavory to say the least. I bring what I bring and play what I'm told. If they have a tone issue we can talk, otherwise stuff it!!

Anybody need this soapbox? I think I'm done with it.

 

[The BurgerMeister]

So initially a deacon/associate pastor comments on my bass pretty rudely, calls it a kid bass and asked if that's all I've got to play. It's an MIJ jaguar bass in oly white, I didn't exactly show up with my SG bass or Jr. Jet. View attachment 711846 View attachment 711847

rude.

it truly takes all kinds for this world of ours to run, eh? i guess he thought all those switches are for "kid stuff..." probably doesn't know his *$$ from a hole in the ground, either. those are fine basses.

i would've tried to gauge what kind of personality the guy has... if he'd laugh at a joke, then i would've chuckled and said, "hey, if you want me to play a custom F-bass or Fodera for this then feel free to buy me one! otherwise, this is what i got."

there's something to be said for dressing for the gig, gear and all. i routinely switch out pedals, etc. for what the gig needs. but i've never gotten that kind of comment about a bass i play. the only time someone said anything was "you should have a 5-string so you could get some lower notes. i think it would sound better in the band." he also didn't know his *$$ from the aforementioned hole. i think they have conferences for people like that.

i love your pedal-skateboard, by the way.

rock on!

EDIT: Mktrat above said it best:

"If they have a tone issue we can talk."

 

[Hi-End Basses]

Whats the best bass for me..... church music, I mean?

Your bass has to sound good, feel good, and look good. Amplification is another important issue. I'd get a bass that you can be proud of. If it's for church, many guitar companies make standard looking affordable basses that sound great. You can purchase a brand new Dean Edge in Mahogany for $200. Very basic, very plain, one cobered humbucker pickup. Make sure you have a good combo amp; Ampeg BA, Fender Rumble, etc.

 

[Hi-End Basses]

Your bass has to sound good, feel good, and look good. Amplification is another important issue. I'd get a bass that you can be proud of. If it's for church, many guitar companies make standard looking affordable basses that sound great. You can purchase a brand new Dean Edge in Mahogany for $200. Very basic, very plain, one cobered humbucker pickup. Make sure you have a good combo amp; Ampeg BA, Fender Rumble, etc.

I meant "covered" humbucker pickup

 

[Hi-End Basses]

In all seriousness, this isn't the best forum to talk about God's existence or lack thereof. After all, it's our tone that we are truly concerned with.