Can't get no respect!

[Luke Duke]

I felt like Rodney Dangerfield the other day at practice thus my title.

We auditioned another guitarist who comes in with his line 6 half stack and 90s LP Custom. He gives me the "oh a Marshall half stack, I had one of those when I was kid". I whip out the 25th and he's like "what kind of guitar is THAT?!" Like I was a weirdo or something. I said "it's an EBMM 25th anniversary." He looked at me like I was crazy and said I've never heard of them before. I said don't give me that BS you use their strings all the time. He was no, I don't really ever remember hearing or using them.

I've owned Gibsons, Fenders, PRSi, but since I've got the EB it's my go to guitar. So buddy wants to pretend he's morally superior to me, that's fine, but I had a LP custom and it was a TURD!

Anyhow, I had to vent. In my opinion this is a bad way to start rehearsal with some new guys. Anybody else ever have to put people in their place over EBMM awesomeness?

Luke

 

[beej]

I often find that people don't know about Music Man, but I can't say I've ever gotten any kind of flack about it. When people make fun of me, it happens after they hear me play

 

[wolfbone07]

I get more respect for my gear, but not my playing so much! Playing is more fun than not playing!

 

[jvh]

Arrogance is a defense mechanism that has pretty much become a cultural phenomenon in the US population. It has nothing to do with musicman, but with egotism. I try not to get involved in these situations and keep my mouth shut to the individual... It's best to let them stew in their own self absorption.

 

[mystixboi1]

i wouldn't worry about it... as long as you are happy... that's all that matters. how did his audition go anyway?

 

[Warg Master]

Arrogance is a defense mechanism that has pretty much become a cultural phenomenon in the US population. It has nothing to do with musicman, but with egotism. I try not to get involved in these situations and keep my mouth shut to the individual... It's best to let them stew in their own self absorption.

Seriously, we need that like button back!

 

[paranoid70]

....but how did he play and did you all get on musically? Isn't that more important than the name on the headstock?

 

[Luc]

Buy a Luke and pretend it's your signature guitar. That'll make him wonder. Make it even worse for him and say you're in the same line as Eddie van Halen, Petrucci, Morse and Albert Lee. Don't mention Steve Lukather in this case.

 

[gypsyblues73]

I jammed with some old bandmates a couple of years ago while I was back in my hometown, and they have a new guitarist in their band, complete with undeserved attitude. He was cocky and bragging to me about how he took out a bank loan to get Slash's signature LP and his signature (pre-AFD) head/stack. Ummmmm, okay (I was playing a Strat through a Peavey Delta Blues). So we start jamming on some songs that they had been gigging recently, he does a little solo, and then after that the singer gives me a nod and a wink, and I broke out into a solo. After that, he was all like "Ummm, yeah, I haven't really been practicing that much lately" and making all kinds of excuses. He left early. Even everybody else in the band can't stand him (hence why the singer wanted me to smoke him and shut him up LOL). I'm no virtuoso, but I can't stand people like him.

 

[Luke Duke]

It was his attitude that set me off more than anything.

The audition....yeah, that was a lot of fun...not QUITE as much fun as having my teeth pulled, but almost. He's a good player and knows it, but was all up in my business about why we changed the key we were performing a song in because it wasn't that on the record. I was like "well, it's hard enough to be Bon Scott, Brian Johnson, Paul Stanley, Chris Robinson, Neil Young, Layne Staley, and Rob Halford throw in the wide array keys and tunings the songs are written in and it'll blow a guys voice out. The drummer wants another guitarist so bad he can't SEE straight, and I was looking to make an exit when he wanted to schedule more gigs and keep the same number of rehearsals. So this guy coming in gave me the opportunity to bow out and not leave him high and dry. That said, I'd have stuck around a few more months if I didn't have to deal with his attitude.

Luke

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Luke Duke,

There are arrogant-egotistical-ignorant pricks everywhere. I believe this to be a fact of life. In my experience there seems to be an overabundance of them in the wannabe rock star club.

I would wager the gentleman you ran across at rehearsal is not the last of this type that you will see if you stay in this field of work.

Believe me, I can relate to the scenario you presented.
I wish you luck dealing with the many wannabe rock stars you will more than likely encounter in the future. God knows it can be unbearable at times.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[BrickGlass]

All I know is that the EBMM line seems to be growing, at least in my experience. The Guitar Center in Salt Lake City used to have one JP and that was usually it. Every once in a while I'd see an Axis in there. I saw a Luke one time in maybe 10 years. I was in there yesterday and they had several JP's, 3 Luke's, Axis guitars, even a Darklord. The brand has obviously had an impact in this area of the country. If someone doesn't know about them that is ok, there are always new things to learn about and experience for everyone. Maybe now that the guy has heard the name he'll check them out and discover how good of guitars they are. Of course there's always the possibility that he's an idiot. Haha.

 

[beej]

I've never understood why so many guitarists have the "I'm the ****" attitude. It's one thing in high school before you know better. But honestly, being able to put a few notes together quickly, etc. has NOTHING to do with being a good musician. Y'know- listening to other players and making space, being a team player, etc. I've got zero time for guys with attitude. Life's too short.

 

[guitarp77]

Ah, that happens...

Just keep in mind that (if you're not a pro) you're playing for fun and to enjoy. When its not fun and yo're not enjoying yourself, or learning a huge amount of new stuff, then its better to step aside.

Dont let the ignorance take hold of the fun and excitement that comes from gathering with people to play music!

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I can't stand abrasive ego's in bands. It should be enjoyable and fun!

 

[ScoobySteve]

All I can say, that kid doesn't seem very fun to play with.

 

[jvh]

These guys seem like they would be fun to jam with!

 

[MusicManMafia]

I can't stand abrasive ego's in bands. It should be enjoyable and fun!

I'd just say I heard about them from some Eddie guy... lol

 

[TSHOW]

I've never understood why so many guitarists have the "I'm the ****" attitude. It's one thing in high school before you know better. But honestly, being able to put a few notes together quickly, etc. has NOTHING to do with being a good musician. Y'know- listening to other players and making space, being a team player, etc. I've got zero time for guys with attitude. Life's too short.

Amen to that.....

 

[Luke Duke]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies everyone. Depending how everything goes down with the bassist and the band I figure I'll work on some original stuff with him in the not too distant future.