Before you buy a bass, talk to a pretty girl

[BobWestbrook]

Isn't pretty pretty subjective?

[Bloodhammer]

I must have impeccable taste, because I somehow tend to choose basses that pretty girls like, without having consulted them previously. I wish I could do that with my clothes! Most pretty girls in my demographic think looking like a hipster douche is attractive, though. I just can't do that!

Actually, guys tend to be impressed too, but I don't want THEM ogling my basses! (Get your lusty paws off my instrument! You'll rust the strings!)

[boynamedsuse]

This thread is very entertaining. I also believe the OP is quite savvy.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by AaronMB

Would the wife/girlfriend ask us to simply pick out a pair of jeans for her? No. Definitely not (in most cases - there are exceptions). But would she try on a few pairs, or show you a few pairs and ask which pair you prefer, after she's narrowed down the choices that fit her initial criteria? Sure. Every married man--and many a boyfriend--know this.

Ive been married twice, and boyfriend to more, and Ive never once been asked about a womans jeans.

Originally Posted by gumbynotpokey

Talk to the girl? Yeah, but not about the bass. I KNOW what bass to get.

Now, what shirt to wear with that bass - that MIGHT be another question....

There ya go.

[Justbleazy]

Interestingly, I've received many compliments on my basses by women and prior to their purchases, I never once asked anybody on their opinions on which bass to buy. Before a gig, one lady could not stop touching my bass but I didn't mind! I find that to be one of the better compliments to recieve on your instrument.

[Bloodhammer]

Originally Posted by Justbleazy

Interestingly, I've received many compliments on my basses by women and prior to their purchases, I never once asked anybody on their opinions on which bass to buy. Before a gig, one lady could not stop touching my bass but I didn't mind! I find that to be one of the better compliments to recieve on your instrument.

I wonder if it's visible wood grain that the ladies are attracted to....



Maybe the OP should include that the pretty girl you ask have good taste in furniture, since "coffee table basses" seem to draw their eyes.

[inthevelvet]

Originally Posted by SuperRich -

Im an art student at a fashion University, and I totally agree with this! BUT NEVER ASK A POLISH PERSON. they're the most unfashionable people every!

I've found quite the opposite to be true. Glad you think that though, more hot Polish ladies for me...

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Bloodhammer

I wonder if it's visible wood grain that the ladies are attracted to....

Definitely! My Natural Spalted Maple bass gets all the looks!

I don't need to ask a pretty girl what I should purchase, my sense of style is fabulous!

[LarryO]

Before you buy a pretty girl talk to a bass player

[BobWestbrook]

Your pretty girl may not be my pretty girl, and my pretty girl sure ain't your pretty girl, cuz she's my wife, and you better not be talking to her, dillweed!

I nominate this for Silliest Thread of 2012

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by BobWestbrook

Your pretty girl may not be my pretty girl, and my pretty girl sure ain't your pretty girl, cuz she's my wife, and you better not be talking to her, dillweed!

I nominate this for Silliest Thread of 2012

Nah, there's been sillier ones over in OT.

[pklima]

Originally Posted by BobWestbrook

Your pretty girl may not be my pretty girl

Granted, but to take this completely seriously: I probably wouldn't ask someone like Serena Williams or Lidia Valentin about this, no matter how hot I think they are. It's common sense and not very hard to ignore my own obvious biases and talk to a pretty girl who's like lots of other pretty girls, and that lots and lots of guys think is pretty.

And less seriously, if lots and lots of guys think she's pretty, she's not gonna talk to a bassist. So, better learn to sing!

Originally Posted by Bloodhammer

I wonder if it's visible wood grain that the ladies are attracted to....

I do wonder about that too, though I'm not sure. The closest thing I've ever had to a coffee table bass was a 70s BC Rich in birdseye maple, but that really isn't that eye-catching a figure so it doesn't count.

I think I'll stick to solid colors, patterns and sparkles, though. "Coffee table woods" seem unfashionable right now, anyway, even on actual coffee tables.

[James Judson]

This sounds like great advice. The difference between a good looking gal and an ugly one is usually how they are dressed. Except for at my age they are all good looking.

[Bloodhammer]

Originally Posted by pklima

I do wonder about that too, though I'm not sure. The closest thing I've ever had to a coffee table bass was a 70s BC Rich in birdseye maple, but that really isn't that eye-catching a figure so it doesn't count.

BC Rich isn't known (IMO) for attractive body styles. I think Mockingbirds (not to mention Warlocks and Ironbirds) are ugly and women tend to agree with me. I haven't seen a BC Rich from the 70's, though - what's it shaped like? That tends to be a big tipping point whether a bass is gorgeous or ugly, to me.

Originally Posted by pklima

I think I'll stick to solid colors, patterns and sparkles, though. "Coffee table woods" seem unfashionable right now, anyway, even on actual coffee tables.

Really? I can't say I've noticed. Maybe it's a genre thing... It seems like custom-made ERBs tend to mostly be polished woodgrain, but you don't normally see 9-string basses in mainstream bands. lol

[pklima]

Well, it was a 79 Mockingbird which had a slightly different shape with a shorter horn, but still looked like a Mockingbird. But the birdseye maple was only moderately birdseyed and done with a natural finish, so unless you got pretty close it just looked plain and yellowish. Not nearly as impressive as modern boutique basses.

I've done a bit of furniture-shopping recently and it seems plain modernist coffee tables are in right now. I doubt all those gospel guys with highly figured basses will be getting them refinished in solid colors next year, of course, but... if this thread is about how to maximize your odds of buying a bass that will make you look good to people who aren't into basses, then maybe this isn't the time to invest in some rare burl tops.

Like I said, I'm really not sure. I'd like to try a highly-figured bass someday and see if it gets much love, but I guess I'm in no hurry to do it. I am in a hurry to try a Burberry plaid bass.

[Bloodhammer]

There's nothing wrong with paint.

...Unless you find something obviously tasteless, like a Louis Vuitton-patterned bass or something! Then it would be a hand bag! LOL

Seriously, though, I'm going to experiment with your method in your OP. I'll retain the power to veto, but I'm going to save pictures of potential basses on my phone and let pretty girls tell me which they like, just to see how their opinions compare or contrast with my own.

[Stewie26]

Originally Posted by Bloodhammer

I'm going to save pictures of potential basses on my phone and let pretty girls tell me which they like, just to see how their opinions compare or contrast with my own.

Who knows...might be a good way of getting a conversation going with some pretty gals. Besides, most women are always willing to give their opinions on what they think looks the best. All you can do is win with this strategy.

[pklima]

In the best case, you won't just find out how girls like a particular bass, you'll also find out how they perceive you and your stage presence. That's the most valuable stuff I've learned.

Originally Posted by Bloodhammer

...Unless you find something obviously tasteless, like a Louis Vuitton-patterned bass or something! Then it would be a hand bag! LOL

Ha! Behold the perfect pattern:

[Bloodhammer]

WOW!

[Gopherbassist]

Wait wait wait wait wait. Wait...


You mean to tell me you used your bass a a fashion statement? And what's more, you don't make that statement yourself, you let another person tell you how to make it? Why?