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Why on earth do they put carpeting on cabs?
- Thread starter JakobT
- Start date
Bob Lee (QSC)
In case you missed it, I work for QSC Audio!
- Jul 3, 2001
- 12,668
- 2,036
- 67
- Disclosures
- Former Technical Communications Developer, QSC Audio
I don't like carpeting, so I covered my floors in Tolex.
It matches the drapes, too.
It matches the drapes, too.
Your totally missing the point. You hear a bass on a CD, you do not see it, you hear it.
I believe your missing the point that we are discussing live music gear, which is indeed seen.
Yeah I think thats a really short sighted approach. As a professional musician I find that we get hired at least as much for the "professional" part as we do for the "Musician" part. I would not show up at a nice place wearing dirty jeans and a shirt with holes in it and likewise I'd not have my gear looking all ratty either.
The goal is to get better paying gigs and often times those gigs require a higher level of attention to detail in every aspect of our job.
^^^^ Eye appeal is buy appeal. In any profession, you are selling yourself every day.
You really want to contrast the drapes to the floor.
You really want to contrast the drapes to the floor.
And does anyone REALLY believe anyone cares what your cabinets covering is? Get real.
Point taken. Truth is that cigarette smoke will pervade just about any exposed surfaces including plywood, drivers, even the internal batting in a ported enclosure. My cabs aren't nearly as bad as the components in our FOH rig: same cigarette smoke but more evenly distributed by cooling fans.
Riis
I am quite certain that someone cares. And that someone is me.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
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- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
In my experience, lots of other people notice and care to some degree as well. Live music performance has pretty much always had a fashion show aspect to it.
Actually, I do think that everything you do communicates to some degree. And what your equipment looks like and how you're seen to care for it is part of that. The audience may not care about that one thing specifically, but it may still bias their opinion of you in some way, even if they don't realize it. Whether or not that's important in the final analysis, is of course anybody's guess.
If I need a sub, and am choosing between two players of equal ability, the one with the more professional presentation will get called first.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,075
- 46,027
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Yep. I'm quite sure the fact that I mostly play through homemade gear or stuff that more or less looks that way has definitely had an influence on what gigs I get or don't. Not nearly as much as my attitude has though...
I agree with the need to be as professional as possible in all we do. That being said, I've subbed on numerous occasions and not once did a band leader ask me, "What are your cabs covered with?" Further more I don't believe I was ever denied a call back due to carpeted cabs.
In the past decade changing laws regarding smoking in public venues have (in my experience) reduced the amount of smoke in most places. Even in the straight up bars where smoking is still allowed, better ventilation has reduced smoke and its impact on gear.
If some players want to spend the money for a particular look, have at it. I'm just not convinced that's going to be what gets one the gig.
In the past decade changing laws regarding smoking in public venues have (in my experience) reduced the amount of smoke in most places. Even in the straight up bars where smoking is still allowed, better ventilation has reduced smoke and its impact on gear.
If some players want to spend the money for a particular look, have at it. I'm just not convinced that's going to be what gets one the gig.
If you're talking about a recording session, I'll use whatever is best for the song and band. But live, I want my gear to sound AND look good. The image you project is the image people use to get a first impression, and I want that impression to be good.
No they don't, but they care, consciously or not, about the appearance of you, your band mates and your gear on the stage. That includes physical appearance, attitude, behavior and how you speak to and treat their paying customers. Unless they don't care about their business or reputation and then you should run away. Rat fur won't likely make or break a deal. Appearing very professional will.
I suggest if you are serious about you profession, do what you can to improve the perception your clientele have of you. If you are not serious, it's probably best for you to find another profession.
And your wife will certainly care if it matches the drapes
Lucky for us, rat fur is neutral 
BTW: When I say you, I mean people in general. I'm not a professional musician, but I've been a professional for about 35 years, constantly being judged by others...
You are the most important person to impress IMHO! Look good = feel good = perform good. Regardless of profession.
