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

[bassstrangler]

Of course, I check out everyone's gear, local or big name bands.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Having an oddball piece of gear is often great icebreaker.

 

[Odinbass]

Yeah I always take a gander and see what they're using but I never ask them about it. When I see a potential gearhead floating around the stage during setup, I try to run and hide.

 

[timocharis]

If it's easy to see I look at everything. Why not? But I pay much more attention to technique and how the various players work together. Parts is parts, but talent and skill are unique.

Huh. Two words that end in nique.

 

[Biggbass]

When I go see local bands I don't bother them while they are setting up or tearing down. I give them their
space and time to get their work done. And I know that tear down, in particular, is a quick routine so I don't want to confuse or delay the process for them.
I hope for the same when I'm at a gig but it doesn't always turn out that way as people like to come up to chat and compliment and ask questions about this or that.
So, during a gig I'd (personally) rather chat with fans and nerds during breaks and give other bands the same courtesy.
But as far as analyzing a bands gear, it takes about 15 seconds to sum up everything I'm looking at. So unless I see something that
sparks my interest I don't bother the band.

 

[+6dB Dan]

Definitely! I love learning stuff from other players.

I also love sharing rigs at gigs (though I like my rig just fine!) because it gives me a chance to try out new gear

 

[Duder]

I check out peoples setup's because I'm a dork like that!! However, most bassists I've met aren't gear heads *at all*, nor do they care to be! Not always, but a majority of the time I found this to be true IME!! Guitarists on the other hand are a different story...

One of my good friends is a local bass player that has been in the game for 15+ years. I started talking amps with him and he stopped me at "ohms". He has no interest in knowing the technical side, he just wants it to "sound good". His rig, actually, does sound really great.

 

[Lowendtech]

If it's easy to see I look at everything. Why not? But I pay much more attention to technique and how the various players work together. Parts is parts, but talent and skill are unique.

Huh. Two words that end in nique.

Monique

 

[Duder]

I usually check out what amps they are playing for both guitar and bass. If I get a chance, I might take a glance at their pedal boards

I would have killed for 5 minutes to talk to the guys in Mogwai about their setups when I saw them a couple years ago. I've never seen anything like it (in person). Massive pedal boards, 4 Fender twin reverbs for the main guitar, 2 ampeg 8x10s through an Orange head for the bassist...it was crazy.

 

[rufus.K]

8 years ago I saw a tiny woman playing bass in a Latin band at the Mint. Her tone just slayed me. I waited till the end if the show to approach her. She ran me through her rig happily.
I've been an Aguilar convert ever since

 

[BrianVengeance]

At this point I think its pretty much impossible for me to not look at gear. Its mostly just to catalog sounds and impressions, but I will try to chat someone up if they have an interesting piece or they sound particularly good without regard to gear.

Now that I think of it, I've actually avoided talking to a guy who had killer gear and absolutely nailed a particular well known tone... but it just clashed horribly with the rest of his band.

 

[Nev375]

Study is a bit strong of a word for what I do. "Take note of..." perhaps, or maybe " drools over..." depening on what it is.

By the way, a tip of advice... Walking on stage and literally drooling on another musician's gear is a good way to obtain some gnarly looking scars and bruises in the curves and shapes of bass headstocks, tuning keys, etc... It's a great way to improve your appearance as a metal rockstar.

 

[hintz]

At this point I think its pretty much impossible for me to not look at gear. Its mostly just to catalog sounds and impressions, but I will try to chat someone up if they have an interesting piece or they sound particularly good without regard to gear.

Now that I think of it, I've actually avoided talking to a guy who had killer gear and absolutely nailed a particular well known tone... but it just clashed horribly with the rest of his band.

Who's tone did he nail?? You got me all curious now

 

[bikeplate]

Too busy gigging to go to shows. That being said, many ask me about my rig, pedalboard, etc

 

[BrianVengeance]

Who's tone did he nail?? You got me all curious now

Heh, it was the Jaco burp. Veeerrry burpy and didn't provide any glue at all... sorta rode distractingly just above where the bass should have been to tie everything together. Can't remember the bass offhand but it was higher end and the rig was a DB751 through a Berg 410. Killer gear combo, but the tone was dialed in with extreme prejudice. To be fair, it probably sounded killer like that solo, but really did a disservice to an otherwise listenable band.

 

[hintz]

One of my good friends is a local bass player that has been in the game for 15+ years. I started talking amps with him and he stopped me at "ohms". He has no interest in knowing the technical side, he just wants it to "sound good". His rig, actually, does sound really great.

That seems to be the norm whether the results are good or bad(and that's all subjective anyways)....But at least that bassist cares about sounding good!! For me the worst are people who dont care about their sound at all(I've met a few, they seemed to be wannabe musicians though)

 

[hintz]

Heh, it was the Jaco burp. Veeerrry burpy and didn't provide any glue at all... sorta rode distractingly just above where the bass should have been to tie everything together. Can't remember the bass offhand but it was higher end and the rig was a DB751 through a Berg 410. Killer gear combo, but the tone was dialed in with extreme prejudice. To be fair, it probably sounded killer like that solo, but really did a disservice to an otherwise listenable band.

LOL!! I went through a "Jaco-phase" in college with a Jazz bass, most BL's dont dig that particular sound for that very reason, not enough low end so it doesn't hold anything together but it sure cuts through everything!! Not enough cushion for the pushin' though LOL

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I'l bet your real fun at parties

Indeed, I am the life of the party!
(It's 'you're' by the way, not 'your')

I bet you're real fun at work

 

[brianrost]

I don't ask them, but I always scope out what gear bands are using. Gives me something to do in between sets

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Study is a bit strong of a word for what I do. "Take note of..." perhaps, or maybe " drools over..." depening on what it is.

By the way, a tip of advice... Walking on stage and literally drooling on another musician's gear is a good way to obtain some gnarly looking scars and bruises in the curves and shapes of bass headstocks, tuning keys, etc... It's a great way to improve your appearance as a metal rockstar.

I usually only talk to people if i happen to know them. I rarely talk about gear with people I don't know and I definitely don't go on the stage!