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

[Gougedeye]

Always. 100% of the time! This drives my wife crazy, but I'm really just curious and I like to talk gear with people who are willing.

 

[Fxpmusic]

If i like what I hear a lot, I usually check it out or even comment and ask. If I really, really, really like what I hear… I don't even try to figure it out and create this mystique around it.

 

[drakson]

I check out drums, guitar and bass and often the PA. I do not know much about keyboards. I actually met a guy from TB at one place, got his name on here but
I have never seen him comment on anything. He had the best sounding rig and I hope to see him again. Epifani Piccolo 600 and a BagEnd speaker cab. I had never seen either of them before. Pretty exciting for a GearHead like me.

 

[The BurgerMeister]

yes, but i only ask about it occasionally.

 

[Guinness20]

Who doesn't?

 

[jasonrp]

I always look but only ask if I hear something I like. Usually it has to do with a vocal effect

 

[crguti]

You catch the musician at the break? Are you guys talking about wedding bands? lol

 

[GwenOnBass]

You catch the musician at the break? Are you guys talking about wedding bands? lol

Not every great bassist is inaccessible behind walls of bouncers in perpetuity. I found Peter Ablin playing dives down the street from Carol Doda's marquee and Peter's bass is the most drool-worthy instrument I've ever seen.

 

[baceface]

I never thought in a way that if the "tone" wasn't great that I wouldn't still fan boi em up... Alot of the clubs around here have old, ratty, farty pa systems so I take that into consideration.

If a band plays well, sounds in tune, on time etc... I always check out the gear just to see how people tick. I've never once noticed a horrible band with overly expensive gear. Most people seem to around here, play mid level stuff for gigs and I'm sure they have nicer stuff at home.

The worst band I ever saw was 2 months ago... horrible and I don't know how they got booked. They had low/mid level gear that was all painted up like a punk rock amp. They sucked, couldn't play.... nothing was good.
Across the board, its a ton of combo amps for the bars, clubs here.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Only thing I ever notice is the bass that's being played. And interestingly, I feel no emotional, or any other kind of connection whatsoever to that. I don't care. I just notice it. If it's a bass I've owned I might invite some small talk with the guy or gal.

 

[spiritbass]

Of course, it's in my nature.

 

[Clark Westfield]

Hell yeah, I'm like a gear shark!

Always looking at the instrument, cabs, and amps. Even the settings.

Amp stands, guitar stands, picks you name it. Pedals,cords!

Full immersion baby!

 

[Dave W]

I usually take a look to see what they're all using. I wouldn't say I study it though.

 

[sooneramt]

Not just local bands, any bands.

 

[Kevins1701]

Yes, always. Habitually. Chronically. Maybe pathologically.

 

[drummer5359]

I've been paying attention to gear on stages since I was a kid, and not just drums and bass rigs. It doesn't matter whether it is a local or national act, I can't help myself.

I guess my attention to what works and what doesn't is worth something. Tonight the bassist that I'm working with on Friday called to get my opinion as to what cabinets he should use at a given venue.

I don't generally talk gear to musicians that I go see unless it is someone that is a close friend. The cover band that I play in has some pretty nice gear, we seem to get approached at every gig by someone who wants to talk gear.

Drummers are at least as geeky about these things as bassists and guitarists. I get questions about my snare drums, heads, cymbals, pedals, mics...

 

[chris_b]

I check out any players I see.

If they're doing something good (gear, technique, sound) then I want to know what it is. Likewise, if they sound or play bad I want to see why.

If they sound good I will probably tell them and I'll say if they are being drowned out or the balance is wrong, but usually won't say anything else if I think they sound bad. Maybe that's how they want to sound!

 

[xUptheIronsx]

Funny how many people will not go up and talk tp the players on stage. I always do that if I feel like the time is right. Obviously I will not during their tear down/set up/sound check...unless the time is right even then. The thing is, at many of the shows I go to, the bass players are usually not real knowledgeable about gear...or have very simplistic set-ups that don't need much conversation to cover.

I am a gear nerd all over, though I don't know much/ have no interest about effects pedals and boards, so I tend to not talk to guit players as much, but will if htey have a cool guitar or amp. I will even check out lighting rigs, visual effects and all of the sound gear. I like to see how guys organize and run cables, snakes etc. Always looking for a hint or idea to maximize efficiency

 

[zontar]

Not just local bands, any bands.

That's what I said too--so I had to give this a Like.

 

[Munjibunga]

It's the first thing I do at any musical performance, local band or national act, including the pit at musical plays.