OT: What piece of gear do you hate the most?

[jackincaves]

Some of these have already been mentioned but:

Strats
Line6 (Specifically my ex bandmate's HD147)
Marshall solid state heads
Ibanez bass guitars
Epiphone solid body guitars (I like the hollow bodies)
Wireless mic's

[Geek_Guitarist]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned Steinberger...

+100 on Line 6. Personally, nothing quite offends the sensibilities like a Line 6 stack. I can understand digital modelling in practice amps, etc (christ I've even been known to record with Guitar Rig or Amp Farm back in the day!) But the concept of a digital modelling head for stage use just makes no sense to me.

Example: Played a gig not too long ago at a small venue where the soundman prefers you use his gear [edit: backline] (he knows his stuff and his gear is good, so it's not an issue for me). Anyway, the support band turned up, both their guitarists had brought half-stacks with them, rhythm guitarist had a Marshall TSL, and the lead guitarist a Line 6. Both 50 watt amps. They both refused to be mic'd up, and the result was that the Marshall massively overpowered the Line 6, none of the solos cut through at all, just a wall of rhythm guitar. The Marshall wasn't even cranked. I daresay the Line 6 guy sounded alright, but it's pointless if it wont cut through a band...

[Randy Bass]

Now that's the way to blow sax!

I don't know which I like better... his moves while playing sax... or his sweet punching in the background.

I like his look the most. I think they were the last group to show up to wardrobe for the taping so they had to take whatever was left on the rack (from 1986).

[Icarus]

Example: Played a gig not too long ago at a small venue where the soundman prefers you use his gear [edit: backline] (he knows his stuff and his gear is good, so it's not an issue for me).

When you say backline, i assume you mean cabs and drum kit minus breakables? I've never come across this situation before and pretty pleased i havent. This smells like lazy sound engineer-itus who can't be bothered to set mic's up each gig.

They both refused to be mic'd up...

Why the hell would anyone refuse to be mic'd? So they can crank the heads? Surely the sound engineer would have insisted? Were they the headline band on the night? If not, every sound guy i've ever worked with would have thrown them off the bill.

To be honest none of this makes sense to me. What was the venue called? Just so i know to steer clear

[Geek_Guitarist]

When you say backline, i assume you mean cabs and drum kit minus breakables? I've never come across this situation before and pretty pleased i havent. This smells like lazy sound engineer-itus who can't be bothered to set mic's up each gig.

Breakables, guitar amp, bass amp. If I'm honest, I agree with you, but it's his vanity gig, and he does it for quick change overs. I'm not saying it's a great gig; it's not. We do it as a favour. I can live with it because I consider it a free rehearsal, with free drinks.

Why the hell would anyone refuse to be mic'd? So they can crank the heads? Surely the sound engineer would have insisted? Were they the headline band on the night? If not, every sound guy i've ever worked with would have thrown them off the bill.

We headlined, and got a better sound for complying to the soundman's wishes I say they refused; more like, "Aw, no, yer alright mate, we like to turn 'em up." I'm not saying I understood their mentality...

[Bensen]

I hate Marshall MG-amps. Will never forget the day when I, a young guitarist, plugged into my first "Marshall" and out came harsh, transistor distortion

[mselego]

This is how a sax should be played!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaoLU6zKaws

[jason41224]

YES!!! i freakin love that video.

[jackincaves]

I hate Marshall MG-amps. Will never forget the day when I, a young guitarist, plugged into my first "Marshall" and out came harsh, transistor distortion

This is exactly what I was talking about. I think that it has tainted the Marshall name for me forever. Hopefully Orange never goes down that route...

[Ddjembe Mutombo]

I hate Marshall MG-amps. Will never forget the day when I, a young guitarist, plugged into my first "Marshall" and out came harsh, transistor distortion

This is exactly what I was talking about. I think that it has tainted the Marshall name for me forever. Hopefully Orange never goes down that route...

I'd rather play the squier starter pack amp than a MG or Crush. Both sound like complete dump to me.

[kolson1985]

Peavey
tribal guitar straps
Paul Mcartney style basses (not sure of the brand and don't really care to research)
keytars
ibanez 7-8 strings
more to come

[Wired]

Ohh theres some good stuff here But I've tried to become more open and go "thats just what they enjoy using" and I have heard good tones out of some of this gear....

Fulltone OCD (my most hated pedal. most overrated pedal on the planet)
Line 6 amps aside from the new HD50
Ibanez super strat and pointy guitars. (the hollowbodies are nice)
Boss Metal Zone (worst pedal ever!)
Line 6 distortion modeler
Line 6 Pods aside from the new HD series
Peavey Bandit
Any "V" guitar
Any signature series guitar not being used by the person it was built for

I think I got more... just need to stew a bit

[jangle]

Old joke: the quality of the band to be playing a club is in inverse proportion to the number of strings on the bass.

But often true. I don't hate bass but I do tend to avoid or have disdain for any instrument that may be too over-the-top.

Although it's rarely visible I hate autotune for all the usual reasons including its effect on ignorant audiences who imagine that every singer magically has perfect pitch.

[jangle]

Any signature series guitar not being used by the person it was built for

One of life's mysteries. A huge number of 'signature' models are never played by the artist who signed. They might do photo promos and maybe play one in a music video but they often revert back to some old-shoe guitar or even a different brand. There are exceptions of course (Clapton, Bettencourt et al) but I guess the assumption would be that if a guitar had specs EXACTLY as requested/designed/modified by a player then the player would be happy and use it.

[nguideau]

I don't mind all signature guitars. Something like an EJ or EC Strat, or the Elvis Costello Jazzmaster are pretty alright. Where the signature guitars get lame to me is when they are so unique and over-the-top, like the Wayne Kramer Strat. Then you just look like a fanboy. At least the EJ and EC Strats at first glance are just really nice guitars, nothing more, nothing less.