Where is all the decent gear ?

[danhkr]

[quote name='bassman7755' post='1322364' date='Jul 31 2011, 07:03 PM']It strikes me as odd that, given all the boutique gear begin discussed on here, and on parade in the specialist outlets, I never actually see any of it in use when I'm out watching a local (wiltshire/avon area) band.

All I see is endless parades of precision/jazz copies going though commodity gear (peavey/behringer etc, maybe trace or ashdown on a good day). Makes you wonder how aware people are of all this high end gear.[/quote]

It's not odd at all though is it. The 'endless parades of precision/jazz copies going though commodity gear' is simply down to the fact that the vast majority of people simply don't a spare couple of grand plus to buy top end stuff. Why do you think there's a thousand times more fords/vauxhalls on the road than mercs/jags?

[ZMech]

Have you considered in the difference in distribution between who can afford buy boutique gear, and those that play the majority of gigs? I have various mates in bands at uni, and I don't think any of us can afford to spend more than a few hundred on a bass. I for one saved up several years ago, and have been perfectly happy using my s/h spector rebop ever since.

Edited August 1, 2011 by ZMech

[thisnameistaken]

I suppose it just makes the point that nobody really needs all this boutique gear. It's just hobbyist stuff.

[Rich]

Surely [i]all[/i] our kit, not just the quote boutique gear unquote, is just hobbyist stuff until we start earning an actual living with it?

[janmaat]

Gear is the last thing I want to talk about after a gig. I would only do that if it has been broken!

Gear snobbery and gigs - pointless. What counts is the show, the promoter, and the sound engineer.

[JTUK]

Having just seen a multitude of bands at local festivals.. I think more thought could go into what they play.

There would have been stuff like Markbass, Ampeg, Ibanez, Cornford, Fender, Gibson, MM and not a lot of great sounds out of all that.

The best gtr sounds by a mile, IMO..were an old Fender twin and a 335..and the other guy in that band had a LP and twin.

So it doesn't matter so much what you have, unless you can get a good sound out of it... a lot of people must have cloth ears or bought dodgy stuff with a so-called decent name on it.

Best bass sound was a Squire and Marbass combo rig... but it couldn't handle the stage, IMO.

[LiamPodmore]

[quote name='JTUK' post='1323155' date='Aug 1 2011, 03:01 PM']Having just seen a multitude of bands at local festivals.. I think more thought could go into what they play.[/quote]

Local festivals near me tend to have some quite good gear on their stages. From what i can remember of the last few i went to, there has been bass gear from Warwick, Musicman, Fender, RIM Custom, Gibson, Aria, Ibanez, Ashdown, Hartke, Peavey, Orange, Aguilar, TC, Markbass, Schroeder, and Trace Elliot. They've even had Ashdown ABM 4x10 Combos and a Hartke HA5500 into a Hartke HyDrive 810 as the house amps.

Liam

Edited August 1, 2011 by LiamPodmore

[dc2009]

[quote name='neepheid' post='1322850' date='Aug 1 2011, 10:41 AM']Plenty oil money up here, I've seen basses at pub gigs like Ken Smiths, Jaydees, high end Warwicks (saw an Infinity once at an open mic), Spectors (impossible to tell at range how "posh" it was though), quite a few USA Fenders, a few Gibsons (not my own!) but I've also seen/heard people getting great results out of Squiers, Ibanezes, Yamahas and other stuff.

As for me, my Gibson G-3 has sparked the occasional after gig discussion (like "what is that?") and my not that spectacular rig (Hartke 3500 and Ashdown ABM 4x10) has generated positive comments after gear sharing from those who could be bothered seeking me out to say thanks. It's nice when people take an interest [/quote]

An Infinity, at an open mic night?

You have me agape, sir....

Edited August 1, 2011 by dc2009

[chris_b]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='1323132' date='Aug 1 2011, 02:38 PM']....I suppose it just makes the point that nobody really needs all this boutique gear. It's just hobbyist stuff....[/quote]
To you maybe, but for those that can appreciate the difference then, no!

Why do so many players think that because their appreciation stops at a Precision bass, everyone else’s has to as well?

[dc2009]

[quote name='chris_b' post='1323206' date='Aug 1 2011, 04:09 PM']To you maybe, but for those that can appreciate the difference then, no!

Why do so many players think that because their appreciation stops at a Precision bass, everyone else’s has to as well?[/quote]

+1

The lack of prevalence of boutique gear at a gig is partly due to the fact that it is just that.....boutique - they're never going to be as common as your bog standard Fender or Ibanez, and as a result you're never going to see as many at gigs, especially on the amateur circuit.

[JTUK]

[quote name='chris_b' post='1323206' date='Aug 1 2011, 04:09 PM']To you maybe, but for those that can appreciate the difference then, no!

Why do so many players think that because their appreciation stops at a Precision bass, everyone else’s has to as well?[/quote]


agree.......

[rOB]

[quote name='bassman7755' post='1322827' date='Aug 1 2011, 10:22 AM']Dont care too much what people do with the settings because I know exactly what mine are and [b]I assume the kit I have is capable of operating at any of the available control settings.[/b][/quote]

+1 really not that fussed what settings people use.

If I'm sharing I'll set my amp for the space and make a note of the settings for quick resetting if someone else wants to change them.

I have 2 rules, 1) no drinks on top and 2) unplug at the amp end of the cable.

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='chris_b' post='1323206' date='Aug 1 2011, 04:09 PM']To you maybe, but for those that can appreciate the difference then, no!

Why do so many players think that because their appreciation stops at a Precision bass, everyone else’s has to as well?[/quote]

I've never had a precision bass.

[Guest bassman7755]

[quote name='danhkr' post='1323119' date='Aug 1 2011, 02:25 PM']It's not odd at all though is it. The 'endless parades of precision/jazz copies going though commodity gear' is simply down to the fact that the vast majority of people simply don't a spare couple of grand plus to buy top end stuff. Why do you think there's a thousand times more fords/vauxhalls on the road than mercs/jags?[/quote]

The thing that doesnt add up in my mind is that, given that what you say is probably true ... how do all these specialist bass shops stocked to the gills with all this gear, and the various custom bass builders stay in business ?.

[Chris2112]

Of course you're not going to see great gear down the Dog and Bollock public house, where a P bass will do and your amp is resting on a beer crate. But then, the good gear has to turn up somewhere right? When I worked at a hotel we'd get lots of bands coming in for functions and weddings (my department). Some of these were content to just turn up and slog it out with a P bass or a Jazz bass but there were many bands who took a lot of pride in their performance and brought better gear with them.

Of the few I can remember quickly; there was a bloke who played for a jazz ensemble who had two 5 string Overwaters. An Asian bloke who played for a covers band with a Yamaha TRB. The bassist for the Newcastle University Jazz band used to play a green Warwick Streamer Jazzman. Another bassist who played for a covers band used a Warwick Thumb and a Trace Elliot amp - his tone was great. Another covers band bassist played a Pentabuzz and a 5 string Spector (which ended up for sale at Guitar Guitar). He was a real gent and let me try his basses too, how cool! And then there was one very professional band (with their own stage, lighting rig and soundboard) whose bassist played a Fodera Emperor through a Glockenklang amp.

It's out there! When I used to play live I would take my first Kubicki among other things!

[Ross]

A lot of people don't care enough about their sound to research, or just don't realise what they're missing.
I remember turning up to a gig "Wow a real fender, you must have some money" I bought it with paper round funds...

It's a bit like seeing a tradesman turn up with DIY grade tools, a little disconcerting but we'll let the work do the talking.

Edited August 2, 2011 by Ross

[paul_5]

[quote name='rOB' post='1323335' date='Aug 1 2011, 05:59 PM']If I'm sharing I'll set my amp for the space and make a note of the settings for quick resetting if someone else wants to change them.[/quote]

If I'm sharing my amp then I let the other layer have the entire second channel on the proviso that they don't muck about with mine. So far this has worked really well. Really fussy bout the 'no drinks' rule also - I find it incredible that some players will risk their life just to have a pint close by. Madness.

[Johngh]

I've never left my boutique stuff at home, can't see the point in having it if it don't get gigged.
I always take my Status 6 as my main bass when gigging. The back up bass varies depending on where we are playing.
If I know it's a lively venue with the prospect of plenty of punters up and dancing, and were at floor level the same as them then a cheaper bass goes, if were up on a stage, then my Status 5 goes.

Bearing in mind at the last gig a pissed punter fell over a monitor and into us and ended up knocking the drum kit for 6.

[Doddy]

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1324681' date='Aug 2 2011, 06:49 PM']Some of these were content to just turn up and slog it out with a P bass or a Jazz bass but there were many bands who took a lot of pride in their performance and brought better gear with them.[/quote]
So if you turn up with a Jazz or a Precision does it mean you don't take pride in your performance? Let's be honest
about it,the reason people use Fenders is because they are good working instruments that sound great and can take
a beating. Just because I favour my Fenders(especially the Jazz 4 and 5) over my more expensive instruments doesn't
say anything about the quality or pride of my performance. I don't care if someone turns up with a custom whatever-
I'm more interested in if they can play than how much money they have.

[risingson]

[quote name='Doddy' post='1324730' date='Aug 2 2011, 07:34 PM']So if you turn up with a Jazz or a Precision does it mean you don't take pride in your performance? Let's be honest
about it,the reason people use Fenders is because they are good working instruments that sound great and can take
a beating. Just because I favour my Fenders(especially the Jazz 4 and 5) over my more expensive instruments doesn't
say anything about the quality or pride of my performance. I don't care if someone turns up with a custom whatever-
I'm more interested in if they can play than how much money they have.[/quote]

I had a similar response lined up but couldn't really be bothered with it as I think the original statement speaks for itself really.

[Lfalex v1.1]

[quote name='dc2009' post='1323176' date='Aug 1 2011, 03:18 PM']An Infinity, at an open mic night?

You have me agape, sir.... [/quote]

Er... I've played an Infinity (SN4) at an open-mic night. Sitting on my Trace 1153 (no PA support for me) worked a treat with the acoustic gtrs...

[chrismuzz]

I'm really into gear, so it's nice to go to a gig and see/hear stuff first hand. I like talking gear too, not because I'm a snob or anything I'm just really into it all. I've gone up and complimented the sound more than anything else. And the best sound I heard live was a Tobias Pro through an Ashdown MAG rig surprisingly enough!

[Wooks79]

[quote name='Doddy' post='1324730' date='Aug 2 2011, 07:34 PM']So if you turn up with a Jazz or a Precision does it mean you don't take pride in your performance? Let's be honest
about it,the reason people use Fenders is because they are good working instruments that sound great and can take
a beating. Just because I favour my Fenders(especially the Jazz 4 and 5) over my more expensive instruments doesn't
say anything about the quality or pride of my performance. I don't care if someone turns up with a custom whatever-
I'm more interested in if they can play than how much money they have.[/quote]

+1 on this.

I have better gear than I should have if you go off my playing, I may not be the worlds best bassist, but its something I love doing, which is why I put money into it, but at no point do I kid myself that it makes me better!

[LukeFRC]

i have my tech tecamp, it's great and I like the sound it makes- but the reason I would take it somewhere and the reason I bought it, is that it's portable. The fact itsounds great is a bonus. It is high end stuff but I didn't pay high end prices for it so thats ok.
I think the times I turn up to play somewhere and use another amp, or see bands with your peavey/trace/ashdown stuff.... well you know what? who cares? all that stuff isn't actually bad. Theres a great many very big bands who have used that stuff - and I fail to see how a £3000 amp is better than a £150 secondhand trace head. It's just different.
Now the exceptions would be valve stuff, you can hear the difference but solid state or hybrid stuff I think ultimately makes less difference. I personally cant stand the trace 'sound' but it's not a bad one.

I play my JV squier the most. It looks like a fender. a few people may notice the squier series bit on the end, but I doubt anyone will care. It does sound different to a current USA p bass, but it doesn't look different. If I had a USA or jap P bass I would be happy with that- for a lot of things fender work as well as any higher end stuff.
The warwick sometimes gets comments- it seems universally to be called pretty or good looking, theres something about the colours and the organic slightly uneven nature of it that looks good. But I play it live, partly as I got it secondhand and it has been well played I don't feel precious about it. My forays into Jazz basses (high end fender and valenti) were hampered by the fact that people were selling me these amazing pristine things- I felt nervous about playing them!

[bobbytodd]

to be honest i wouldnt dream of taking all my expensive gear (not that i own much expensive gear) to some of the dives we play.i mean we played at a pub in millom cumbria where a lot of our gear got damaged and i ended up minus a front tooth because of the local roid boys acting like arseholes.