When you go see local bands,do you study their gear

[Mantis Tobaggan]

like a nerd? I do this so bad. I love seeing what people are using. I sometimes ask them about their equipment while they are setting up. Then i listen during the show for the tone and how it sits in the mix etc. i think this is so fun. Does anyone else do this? I love seeing local bands.

 

[lomo]

I am always curious to check out the bass player's rig, but I virtually never comment.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I am always curious to check out the bass player's rig, but I virtually never comment.

Yeah people don't seem to mind. People definitely do it to me but I like talking about gear so I never mind.

 

[Icemanaroonie]

If the bassist looks friendly, I'll chat them up. Otherwise I'll take a look at their gear and then look it up on TalkBass for reviews later.

 

[hrodbert696]

Sure, I'll check it out. I don't normally "study" it intensely unless they're friends of mine, at least on a casual basis. But it's always cool to see what people are using, especially if it's something unusual.

 

[bolophonic]

I try to engage in a little gear talk with any bassist that impresses me. I pay a lot of attention to how bands achieve their sound and I utilize live performances as music lessons as much as entertainment.

There are so many incredible bassists in my area, my buddy and I have considered assembling a local bass convention.

 

[Lowendtech]

like a nerd? I do this so bad. I love seeing what people are using. I sometimes ask them about their equipment while they are setting up. Then i listen during the show for the tone and how it sits in the mix etc. i think this is so fun. Does anyone else do this? I love seeing local bands.

Always. I even do it if I see a band on TV. I drive my wife nuts going for the remote to rewind and pause to catch a glimpse of the bassists gear.

 

[DennyOnBass]

I don't generally bother people while they're setting up/prepping for the gig, but I'll sometimes catch the bass player on break, buy him/her a drink, and chat them up for a while. I'm definitely eyeing the gear. The stuff they play through and the way they play will help me decide if I want to initiate conversation or not.

 

[blmeier7]

Yes, I will always check out what gear the bassist is using. I'm a gear nerd for sure. I've also been really surprised a with the sound a few times. One of the worst tones I've ever heard was coming from an Aguilar amp (bassist had it EQ'd horribly), another time I heard a player getting some great tones from a Behringer cab and Behringer amp. Proves it's not necessarily the gear and has quite a bit to do with the player.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I always take note of a band's gear. I never disturb people before their gig, they usually have enough to think about. I find that breaks are best to strike up a conversation and only if they aren't busy.

 

[brendanbassix]

Man I look at it, ask about it, tell them about it, tell them what they are doing wrong, give them tips on eq between sets, ask to play it, what strings they use, tell them what pedals would work for them, ask if they have tried this or that....basically harass them all night it's the reason I got to gigs.

 

[Genomatic]

If I'm there early enough,I always take a cruise past the stage to get a look.

 

[Duder]

I always look, but rarely do I ask. The last time I did that I was talking to a guitarist about how amazing his roadworn strat (this was a new offering at the time) sounded. Turns out his father is best friends with a local luthier and it had nothing to do with Fender. I didn't even notice the headstock was blank. I felt kinda dumb so I decided to just stick to checking out gear. Actually, Mantis Tobaggan, it was an Orlando band called Awestruck. They were phenomenal live.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Especially if it is the same (or similar) places I play, it can help my own (and my bands') sound. Also fun to talk shop.

 

[xUptheIronsx]

I do this at any gig. Be it a local rock band; high school jazz band; wind ensemble concert; arena act...

It is usually the very first thing I do. Having grown up a drummer, it is my instinct to be a gear-head. It is a great way to get to hear things in real use. Much better in my opinion than going to a store and playing stuff there. I also get to see some interesting set up ideas....many guys breaking the TB rules and using mixed speaker cabs (4x10 and 1x15 ) , guitar effect pedals on bass ; boutique basses in metal ; 4 string P's in jazz/funk ....

the one thing I notice I DON'T do anymore is judge a guy by the gear. I used to do this almost exclusively. Now I wait to hear it, and then make the judgement.

 

[Duder]

I do this at any gig. It is usually the very first thing I do. Having grown up a drummer, it is my instinct to be a gear-head. It is a great way to get to hear things in real use. Much better in my opinion than going to a store and playing stuff there. I also get to see some interesting set up ideas....many guys breaking the TB rules and using mixed speaker cabs (4x10 and 1x15 ) , guitar effect pedals on bass ; boutique basses in metal ; 4 string P's in jazz/funk ....

the one thing I notice I DON'T do anymore is judge a guy by the gear. I used to do this almost exclusively. Now I wait to hear it, and then make the judgement.

Yup, years ago there was a local band here whose bass player used a really cheap-looking Squier. Dude made it sing. I realized I shouldn't judge at that exact moment.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I listen with my EARS first, and if I like what I hear I investigate. I've heard a guy with a bergantino, and a Stewart world driven by an Alembic F1 playing a Moduulus sound like doody, and a guy playing a Squier affinity through a beringer combo that sounded amazing.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Yes, I totally do this. I always notice how bad people sound and I make it a point not to sound like that.

 

[DwaynieAD]

I'll check it out if I like there tone for one reason or another.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I check out all the band's gear. If I see something I like, I hang round until load out to see if they leave the piece I like unprotected for a minute.