Are you a guitar player, or a guitar enthusiast?

[P_Basser]

This is the crux of why I don't really do "bands" anymore...it's VERY hard to get synchronized schedules, even harder to get synchronized priorities and work ethics. Currently, my time is worth a lot to me, and I got tired of wasting time and energy trying to help other people get their act together. The aspirations with my band was signing, recording, gigging (for profit)....so there was a clear directive, but that still wasn't really cutting it. This was all pre-COVID too.

Just playing Devil's Advocate, but if your band's performance is only worth "Beer Money" to you, how much is it worth to venues/audience or other band members? I get the "It's for fun" approach, but you're probably not going to get solid contenders for musical greatness with that as the bar to clear. Just my $0.02

This, 100%.

In a more populated area, you can be lucky enough to find a serious player more willing to do it for "the love of the game," that isn't too worried about payment... But if you want to guarantee professional players, you need to compensate them as professionals.

On the topic in the OP, a person can be both a serious player and a serious gear enthusiast, or one of the two, or none of the two. One of my favorite blues lead players in my area more often than not plugged an Epiphone Les Paul Special II, into a Boss TR-2, into a Peavey Classic 30, and always sounded amazing.

And speaking for myself as primarily a lead guitar player, I am 100% a gear enthusiast... Boutique pedals, wet/dry rigs, vintage guitars and amps... I am also first call for a lot of people in my relatively small musician's market, as well as a permanent member in two of the most premier original acts in the area.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

once upon a long time ago (late '80s) after a decade playing one, I took some guitar lessons. For a while, I was one of those jerks who, when the music stopped, started playing the Tonight Show theme. By 2004, though, nobody would pay me to play guitar, but they would pay me to play bass. I'm actually going back to it a bit lately. I can't do the old acrobatics but I can still strum. Bass? I've sorta given up on finding a band to play with that meets my need for gigs closer to home and don't play quite as often as my last band (67 gigs in 2022). My craigslist ad got me three solid responses, but honestly, when I looked at the set lists and the booking ambitions, I just wasn't motivated. So I'm strumming and singing, and I'll gladly go to my favorite ex-BL's weekly open-mic to do it.

 

[digmeout]

I'm a enthusiastic guitar player, just not a very good one.

 

[dmt]

The thread title combined with first post is a bit confusing as to what the intended topic is, but I’ll take it as, "Are you mainly a gearhound or mainly a player?"

And… I’ve definitely been guilty of spending many, many years as more of a gearhound than a player. Ta interwebs has been a dangerous thing for me.

Haven’t bought anything new in a couple of years now though, and am currently slowly selling off some excess (which is still gear-related). Also, I recently moved house and so have been slowly setting up a music room for myself in my new place (once again, gear-related, though I haven’t bought anything new).

All that said, it was fun enough, and there has been the benefit of that I now understand well who I am gear-wise. I kind of miss it, but all the exploring is over. Now I’m just left with… making music (gulp)

 

[pcake]

The thread title combined with first post is a bit confusing as to what the intended topic is, but I’ll take it as, "Are you mainly a gearhound or mainly a player?"

me, too - but the two aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[Ethix4]

Speaking my thoughts as part of the younger generation, working 60 hour work weeks and not even being next to a guitar/bass with the little free time I have, sometimes GAS is a nice taste of the music world and a satisfying treat to come to after working so much.
I was actively playing in a band until work traveling forced me away from being able to make gigs.
Making people dance to what your playing with and with others is the best thing.

 

[tothemax]

A common lament - especially among original music bands.

OTOH, with blues, classic country and classic covers bands, my experience has been 180.

1st off, I'm blessed and grateful to have been in the game long enough and to live in a large metro area with abundant talent & professionalism.

This means most players have experienced ears to where they pay attention, turn on a dime if needed, and often add an organic level of conversational dynamics that adds something special to the experience for both musicians and audience.

This also means people take the time to woodshed tunes at time and show up prepared - or they simply stop getting calls.

I get calls on bass, I get and make calls on guitar. I work at least 3 nights a week for a set, reasonable club scale + even more reasonable tip split.

I'm blessed and grateful to have not had to attend a rehearsal, outside of for a friend's original's showcase, in 5 years.

It took a long time to end up in a "mature" band that takes pride in their sound, has competent musicians, and into doing the occasional gig's. By "mature" I mean a mix of older players that have played in bands and still like to gig but selectively, some paying, benefits, etc... While we do rehearse better with a gig on the schedule, we still take practices seriously. We keep a working set of about 50 songs and add new tunes every week or so. Even as a non-working band, we woodshed new tunes and work on improving our craft during the week. We do a few originals, mostly covers, and with our limited gig schedule, the band mantra allows us to play primarily music we really enjoy. Our band members have roots in rock, blues, pop, and jazz so it allows for a pretty broad spectrum of material.
Back to the OP's point about playing for "Beer money", with a six piece ensemble, we're lucky when cover gas, food, and beer with a few bucks to pocket. As our wives' say "it keep us off the streets"... It's not always about the money. We try to be considerate to the local working musicians, and not rock that apple cart. We all remember when it was all we could do to afford "a" decent guitar or amp.

Cheers

 

[Stylee Mousse]

I played bass in gigging original bands from age 15 to 35 then switched to guitar for about 20 years.

Now I’m back to playing mostly bass but also guitar, keys, percussion whatever my compositions require.

As a guitar player I operated more or less as I did as a bass player: good instrument, amp plus a few pedals for color. I didn’t feel that differently, though I guess I bought more guitars in the end.

 

[Up the dose]

me, too - but the two aren't mutually exclusive.

I'm sorry if my OP was confusing, I do appreciate you taking the time to respond. I think you both got the basic point I was trying to make. I guess what's frustrating is I can't understand how another musician shows up to rehearsal not knowing the tunes we agreed to play, apologizes for not knowing them and then is like "Check out this new amp I just got a great deal on, or look at this new pedal I'm playing. " It's like....I wish you spent less time shopping for gear and more time practicing. Also, doesn't it take time to learn the nuances of the new instrument or amp? If you keep changing your stuff all the time how can you play at your best? I can't see how that's possible....

 

[tothemax]

OP,
I think there was a bit of confusion on the GAS issue, but for the most part your point was clear about the "dedication" factor to the band... I've been dealing with some hand and wrist issues the last few months, so there are times where the choice is between playing at home or at band practice. That said when I need to rest my hand I'll still put some time in on theory or updating my songbook bass notes. It's about carrying your weight and not being that "weak link", hate that guilt thing.
You're point about learning new gear, is dead on... back to mechanic jargon. It's like buying mag wheels for car that you have to jump start, because the battery is shot. Get the basics done, then mess with the fluff... GAS can be a serious distraction, and the vendors take full advantage of it, through email and social media.

After a number of years as a BL, I really like being a band "member". You never lose the mindset, but at the end of the day it's not your call.

Good luck...

 

[pcake]

I'm sorry if my OP was confusing, I do appreciate you taking the time to respond. I think you both got the basic point I was trying to make. I guess what's frustrating is I can't understand how another musician shows up to rehearsal not knowing the tunes we agreed to play, apologizes for not knowing them and then is like "Check out this new amp I just got a great deal on, or look at this new pedal I'm playing. " It's like....I wish you spent less time shopping for gear and more time practicing. Also, doesn't it take time to learn the nuances of the new instrument or amp? If you keep changing your stuff all the time how can you play at your best? I can't see how that's possible....

he just refuses to do his homework. i change my stuff out all the time without affecting my playing, and getting and browsing new gear won't affect memorizing songs. he's just lazy. played altogether with several like him. every single week they'd apologize and promise they'd listen to and practice the songs. the next week, they hadn't even listened in their car so they'd know the changes.

maybe you'll get lucky, and the guitar player will step up. that never happened for me with any of the players with that pattern.

 

[Pocket Dave]

he just refuses to do his homework. i change my stuff out all the time without affecting my playing, and getting and browsing new gear won't affect memorizing songs. he's just lazy. played altogether with several like him. every single week they'd apologize and promise they'd listen to and practice the songs. the next week, they hadn't even listened in their car so they'd know the changes.

maybe you'll get lucky, and the guitar player will step up. that never happened for me with any of the players with that pattern.

It happened once for me. Keyboardist I've worked with for 40 years, Was in a band together in the early 00's. Always a good player, but he often half-assed it - He once showed up to a short, new-song run-through rehearsal for 5 songs completely unprepared. We told him to go home and not return again until he'd prepared. He resigned shortly after, siting work and personal conflicts.

About 10 years later he went on tour with some friends whose performance expectations were extremely high, and who didn't rehearse - they just hired heavy hitters and expected them to show up prepared. Not sure how it all went down, but he came back with a whole new ethic that he's been able to sustain since then.

Nowadays he stays local for the most part - more to do with prevalently unsustainable economics of mid-market touring than any decision on his part - but he stays as busy as he wants, and is in fairly high demand as someone who'll not only be prepared, but be flexible enough to turn on a dime, transpose, or rearrange at a moment's notice if necessary.

I love seeing this kind of successful personal growth.

 

[Up the dose]

he just refuses to do his homework. i change my stuff out all the time without affecting my playing, and getting and browsing new gear won't affect memorizing songs. he's just lazy. played altogether with several like him. every single week they'd apologize and promise they'd listen to and practice the songs. the next week, they hadn't even listened in their car so they'd know the changes.

maybe you'll get lucky, and the guitar player will step up. that never happened for me with any of the players with that pattern.

I hope so. I like vibe of the group. Everybody gets along and we laugh and bust each other's balls and enjoy the time we spend playing music together. it just sucks when progress moves so slow. I'm 55 years old and I really value my time so much more now. I hate the feeling that the band will never reach it's true potential and will always be a little loose and amateur sounding.

 

[Up the dose]

It happened once for me. Keyboardist I've worked with for 40 years, Was in a band together in the early 00's. Always a good player, but he often half-assed it - He once showed up to a short, new-song run-through rehearsal for 5 songs completely unprepared. We told him to go home and not return again until he'd prepared. He resigned shortly after, siting work and personal conflicts.

About 10 years later he went on tour with some friends whose performance expectations were extremely high, and who didn't rehearse - they just hired heavy hitters and expected them to show up prepared. Not sure how it all went down, but he came back with a whole new ethic that he's been able to sustain since then.

Nowadays he stays local for the most part - more to do with prevalently unsustainable economics of mid-market touring than any decision on his part - but he stays as busy as he wants, and is in fairly high demand as someone who'll not only be prepared, but be flexible enough to turn on a dime, transpose, or rearrange at a moment's notice if necessary.

I love seeing this kind of successful personal growth.

It's funny how you may have given him the wake up call he needed to clean up his act and get that gig. Does he ever acknowledge that he should have been more responsible when he played with you?

 

[Up the dose]

OP,
I think there was a bit of confusion on the GAS issue, but for the most part your point was clear about the "dedication" factor to the band... I've been dealing with some hand and wrist issues the last few months, so there are times where the choice is between playing at home or at band practice. That said when I need to rest my hand I'll still put some time in on theory or updating my songbook bass notes. It's about carrying your weight and not being that "weak link", hate that guilt thing.
You're point about learning new gear, is dead on... back to mechanic jargon. It's like buying mag wheels for car that you have to jump start, because the battery is shot. Get the basics done, then mess with the fluff... GAS can be a serious distraction, and the vendors take full advantage of it, through email and social media.

After a number of years as a BL, I really like being a band "member". You never lose the mindset, but at the end of the day it's not your call.

Good luck...

It's remarkable how the smart phone has really created so much impulse driven purchasing. It becomes addictive. It's almost like a drug.

 

[Pocket Dave]

It's funny how you may have given him the wake up call he needed to clean up his act and get that gig. Does he ever acknowledge that he should have been more responsible when he played with you?

Naah. I don't look for or expect that kind of acknowledgement. Besides, I'm not sure we were that much of a catalyst. What's more likely is someone gave him a wakeup call on the road.