why with the hating?

[audiomitch]

Perhaps people feel that instead of spending money on instruments, since I am sure you already have a collection, you can save it or invest into something more plausible.

My basses have held their value better than my stocks. I'm wishing I had put more in to gear right now.

 

[funk generator]

Im not that good at describing sound but I'll give it a shot:

The Aguilar DB680/DB728 combination absolutely slays everything in its path: demons, dragons, whatever. If you had to have a rock off with Lucifer himself, this is the amp you'd take into battle.

Hope that helps.

I now know what my next purchase will be! Also this is going in my signature

 

[funk generator]

My basses have held their value better than my stocks. I'm wishing I had put more in to gear right now.

Amen to that!

 

[1958Bassman]

hey OP, if you wanna experience some real hating, try wearing a Greenbay Packers jersey. For some reason, the hatred for my 6'er and my mxr envelope filter magically disappear when wearing my Aaron Rodgers jersy..I wonder why this is?

At least you don't wear a Favre jersey.

I went to the game Friday night and was sitting next to a couple who were wearing Bears jerseys. We gave them a bit of crap (all in good fun) but backed off when we saw the Payton name on the back. Their 4-5 year old son had a Favre jersey and a big purple button with PEVRE on it.

A woman ahead of us had a Favre jersey with masking tape over the name and number.

 

[James_B]

Maybe I should pick a new major! When I graduate I'm pretty sure big bucks will be no where to be found

I hear ya there. All the jobs I have and have had in the past came from recommendations. I've done alot of free work and kiss assing to get them.

However a friend of mine got 3 jobs just by applying everywhere in town, so I guess that works too.

No way man. If you see chemistry coming your way. I recommend running as fast as you can, in the other direction.

5 years at college to get a certificate and a diploma. Then maybe another 2 years at a university to get my degree. Hopefully my future employer will pay me to get my full masters. Then the big bucks.

Will it work out that way? Who knows but that's the direction I've been pushing myself.

 

[funk generator]

right on man. Chemistry was never really my thing. By that I mean I suck at it. I cant remember who said it, but "If you make your goals ridiculously high then your failures will be better than most peoples successes."

 

[more coffee]

Every time I buy a new bass I get constant bombardment from people saying how ridiculous it is that I'd buy such a thing.

I'm curious about the people you are referencing here. Are they family members? Other people in your classes? Co-workers? All of the above? That could provide some insight on their motivations.

So my question is, why are people so hateful that I have/buy nice gear? I work really hard for what I have, I dont understand why my playing boutique basses is a such a problem.

We humans like to think that, as individuals, we are wise and and our decisions are the best decisions. When someone else makes decisions that are "out-of-line" with what we would do, the insecure among us can feel slighted, even threatened.

Now, if I was in your life situation, I'd look to quit one of the part time jobs (I'm sure you can guess which one) before I spent money on additional gear. But the thing is, I'm not living your life, and you're not living mine, so "what I would do" doesn't amount to a hill of beans in your world, as it should be.

Do whatever is going to bring you the most happiness.

 

[CalboDaGo]

yes 4001, im in milwaukee..most of my wisconsin friends hate on the Packers the way people hate on the OP's botique gear. To the op i say, ROCK YOUR GEAR AS THE GREENBAY PACKERS DO, AT A CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL!ROCK NEW HAMPSHIRE! THEN ROCK IOWA! THEN MINNESOTA! ROCK FLORIDA! THEN ROCK ALL THE WAY TO WASHINGTON! YAAAAA! *karate chop motion*

 

[funk generator]

calbo your quickly becoming one of my favorite people, just saying

 

[spade2you]

And Henry Ford perfected the automobile in 1927.
Why don't we still drive those?
Alright, okay, some people do.
Leo like Henry was a pioneer.
I don't drive a model T and personally I don't care much for Fender Bass.

When you compare basses to cars, there are several interesting similarities and differences.

Yeah, someone who can't afford an Aston Martin will either drool or hate on that driver.

You don't find that people fight technological advances with cars.

It's odd how a beat up bass is prized and some folks pay money for that. I'm unaware of any car companies that charge to be "road worn".

 

[funk generator]

It's odd how a beat up bass is prized and some folks pay money for that. I'm unaware of any car companies that charge to be "road worn".

This is a great idea! My old honda should now be worth more want to trade my beat to hell honda civic for your mint condition 4runner

 

[CalboDaGo]

oh, you should see me live FunkGenerator..my philosophy on being a working musician is this ; what you may lack in ability right now..you'd BETTER be able to make up for in showmanship.

 

[bassbenj]

And Henry Ford perfected the automobile in 1927.
Why don't we still drive those?
Alright, okay, some people do.
Leo like Henry was a pioneer.
I don't drive a model T and personally I don't care much for Fender Bass.

Exactly. So many people are prone to "listening with their eyes"! And even worse, so many seem prone to believe in dogma and myth. One common one is the old newbie sales pitch: get the gear Joe Blow uses and you'll be able to play just like Joe! And of course this translates among "eye listeners" to if you have a big pile of crap that duplicates Joe Blow's setup on stage while playing Joe Blow covers, everyone falls all over themselves worshiping you. But grow some hairs on your butt and pile your OWN VISION and interpretation of Joe's music on stage as YOUR choice of boutique gear that does what YOU want and everyone jumps on your case. What can I say? Welcome to how the world of "Art" works. "Starving artist" (meaning unappreciated artist with new personal vision) isn't just a saying.

And it's worse. Fender stuff is a religion. Worshipers abound. No matter I dumped a bunch of it way back when because of a variety of shortcomings. Today they are religious relics like fingers from the cadavers of dead saints! Now add this religious fanaticism to the above "listen with your eyes" mix and you've pretty much ended up where the OP is!

Perfect example: I take my Alembic 6 string fretless to a Blues gig. Blues Nazis are ALL over my case about it! Don't I own a Fender (yes, I do). But dig. As it turns out this bass was PERFECT as I figured it would be! Extended high end for excellent soloing. Fretless to pull that last bit of blues expression out of it. 6 string so I can easily play in ANY key especially since the common thing is nobody will tell you (or don't know) what key the tune is in. Of course, even I had to admit the "look" was wrong. Which is why I'm now GASing for a Steve Bailey fretless 6er that has the features I want PLUS a Fenderish look for all those people out there who "listen with their eyes"! And hey, a Steve Bailey is just about the definition of boutique bass! But I'll bet they'ed all love it. Because they can SEE that Fender shaped headstock and READ "Fender" on it!

Feh.

 

[funk generator]

I don't mean this to sound negative in any way. But i completely agree with you. Look at Gene simmons. The mans a showman more than a bassist IMO. And he's rather amazing at it.

If I ever make it to milwaukee I'll come to one of your shows

 

[kenfxj]

Don't know.

I don't care if you play budget or boutique, as long as you sound good.

I'm more likely to find your gear interesting if it's vintage or boutique but that's me. If you're sounding good I'm more likely to admire your playing if you're rocking a Rogue through a budget rig.

 

[Kwesi]

So my question is, why are people so hateful that I have/buy nice gear? I work really hard for what I have, I dont understand why my playing boutique basses is a such a problem.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

I have a similar experience every time I buy any gear myself which is why I stop telling anyone how much it cost unless they are a bassist with some level of appreciation for pricey gear or a really good friend.

The truth is that they have nothing of their own to compare that kind of spending to so they don't understand it. The main culprit of this is my Dad. He doesn't have any hobbies or anything and isn't a musician so he can't understand what makes any two basses different or why mine cost so much. Recently, though he's been more cool about it and has shown some level of interest beyond "You spend too much money on bass gear!" which is nice . When folks ask how much your stuff cost I suggest the ever popular line: "Don't worry about it."

 

[kenfxj]

I just re-read that you're 20 years old. That's gonna make a lot of people think that daddy bought you fine, fancy gear. There's no way in their minds that you could possibly have earned it yourself through hard work.

Forget 'em. I have kids your age and what I would tell them is "What do you care what petty little people think?"

 

[funk generator]

right on bassbenj. I get asked all the time what kinda bass I play. When I tell them its a Lakland or a Nordstrand it normally go's something like "Never heard of it. Do you have a fender!?"
I had a similar experience with a 6 string fretless I used to own.

It would be nice if people would just close their eyes and take in the music every now and again. Not likely to happen, but a man can dream

 

[spade2you]

I have a similar experience every time I buy any gear myself which is why I stop telling anyone how much it cost unless they are a bassist with some level of appreciation for pricey gear or a really good friend.

The truth is that they have nothing of their own to compare that kind of spending to so they don't understand it. The main culprit of this is my Dad. He doesn't have any hobbies or anything and isn't a musician so he can't understand what makes any two basses different or why mine cost so much. Recently, though he's been more cool about it and has shown some level of interest beyond "You spend too much money on bass gear!" which is nice . When folks ask how much your stuff cost I suggest the ever popular line: "Don't worry about it."

Try having a wife with no hobbies and virtually no interests. I'll be the first to admit that I'm a little off kilter with the bikes, basses, and brewing, but her lack of interests makes me seem worse in her mind.

I didn't quite tell her about this one.

 

[brianrost]

A pro musician friend of my brother once stayed over the house after a show and commented to my wife that I must not be a very good bass player because all my gear was too nice.