"Insulted" by a "professional musician."

[blacknblues]

Can you imagine what the state of modern luthiery would be if high-end guitars were purchased only by professional musicians that could afford them?

[Tiga1]

Why do I think Jackson Browne would have exceptional tone with a $300 guitar?

Originally Posted by paulzoom

[tommunch]

I've been a professional musician for over 30 years, and I have more guitars than I care to say. I guess that's why James Taylor and Eric Clapton each have only one guitar. [emoji6]

[jrs146]

Interesting thread... I'm absolutely not a professional musician so I don't think I can provide input on this specific scenario, but...

I provide investment advice to clients for a living. Inevitably at most social functions that have nothing to do with work, someone approaches me and wants to "talk stocks" or talk about the "market". I'm not thrilled about those conversations but I'm never rude. It's human nature to want to relate to people with something you have in common. Especially when that person is a professional and you're a hobbyist. Being rude and insulting is just poor character.


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[Br1ck]

The talented and successful pros certainly do.

I did talk to a mgr of the acoustic department at a large music store who told me the local pros were only buying $2000 max guitars due to affordability and type of use they got.

Tech workers were buying the high end stuff.

[PiousDevil]

Originally Posted by crikey

Well bless his heart.

You are from South Carolina, or thereabouts.

[upsidedown]

I agree with the jerk. Unless you've got a guitar that costs at least $1500, you should be ashamed to go out in public, let alone to a music venue.

[Goodallboy]

9 pages of replies surrounding an event, and my only question is why it would bother someone enough to even post it.

[Neil K Walk]

Yes, the guy was a jerk and clearly wasn't an expert on gear. That being said, was he a competent musician? Was the audience entertained? You mentioned he had good tone, but could he play?

I'd wager he was looking for some validation concerning his performance rather than talk shop. Unfortunately, many "professionals" just can't put aside their competitive natures.

[madhat]

I haven't read all the responses- but I will say this- he wasn't a "professional".

Professionalism goes beyond skill and knowledge- it takes a very well rounded individual- a paid musician he may be- but a professional he is not - period.

All the best

madhat.

[jeanray1113]

This guy has apparently never been to a Jackson Browne concert!

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Tiga1

Why do I think Jackson Browne would have exceptional tone with a $300 guitar?

Apparently Jackson Browne begs to differ.

[jeanray1113]

Originally Posted by Toby Walker

Someone on this thread, another professional musician, said that he dislikes when someone comes up to him during a break to talk about gear. He went as far as to say... "Don't be that guy." My goodness. That, along with the musician that treated you so rudely, is simply uncalled for.

My attitude is that from the second my foot touches the inside of that venue, until I get back into my car, I am there for my audience. As long as they're sincere and friendly, it's my obligation as a professional musician and entertainer to return the courtesy, no matter how tired or out of sorts I may be. They've paid money to see me, driven out in the night, and simply want to have a few words. If it weren't for the audience, I would be stacking shelves at Walmart. Not that there's anything wrong with that of course, but that is simply not what I'm here for. Besides, it's folks like that, that lift my spirits up when the road gets a bit tiring.

There's simply no excuse for being rude to anyone, let alone someone who is genuinely friendly. And it's even worse when a professional musician treats their audience with anything other than courteousness, respect, and kindness.

Owning one or fifty guitars does not make the player. Come to think of it, neither does the playing. It's what's inside the player that counts, and everything else will reflect just that.

.

You're a class act, Toby, as well as a great player.

[crikey]

Okay, I'm picturing this.

An audience member, obviously a fan (and maybe a gearhead) meets the acoustic guitarist of a fine band during a break at a live show. He compliments said guitarist on his tone, and asks what special gear he might use to achieve said tone. The guitarist states he uses a chorus pedal. Then, as if triggered by his own answer, he starts a rant about how pro he is with one 'expensive' guitar while downgrading those who have more guitars than gigs. 4 seemingly otherwise unsolicited sentences of holier-than-the-unwashed blather. Then - as a topper, he eyeballs the fan, and in a leading way asks said fan if he's one of the unwashed dopes he just described.

I'm pcturing this.

I'm sorry, but if that fan is me, and I feel insulted, I AM the dope.

If that fan is me, and IF it really went down like the OP describes, I'm too busy laughing my arse off to be insulted.

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by PorkPieGuy

I get the guy's point, but what a jerk-face.

The only point I got from the guy was that he's being a jerk.