I don't have a strong color preference (although purple and pink are out), but I will NOT buy a bass that looks beat up. That is something I can't stand.
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Are looks really THAT important to you?
- Thread starter LiamR
- Start date
I'll agree with you. I'm even OK with a nicely grained natural finish.
Playing one is like being intimate with one of those all-natural Grateful Dead hippy chicks that they'd have dancing on stage. Just short of the hairy arm pits, they were kinda sexy.
Looks like a boat oar...
It's one of my Paddle Axes.
Funny thing is prior to ordering it from Krappy I had recently watched a "How It's Made" about making canoe paddles and was thinking of DIY-ing a bass from a paddle shape.
For me, "mojo" trumps a pretty face. It's a bass, not a woman. The beauty is the sound and expression you can get through it.
Now if I could afford it, I might consider one of those sleek LeCompte creatures. I'd have to name it some nice chickie's name... there's a pretty face!
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,256
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Looks are the first thing that make a bass stand out to me. And I'm sure there are a ton of ugly basses out there that play beautifully, there are plenty of really cool looking basses that play beautifully too, so why bother with an ugly bass? Also, there are is an issue of pride involved. I've heard Squire basses sound great... but I can't bring myself to play one at a gig. Also, no basses shaped like coffins, axes, or spiders. No basses with Flowers, Skulls, glitter, or other kiddy decorations.
I want a scroll bass REALLY bad. Carl Thompson where are you?! (But I play Fenders now, and I think they are fine)
I want a scroll bass REALLY bad. Carl Thompson where are you?! (But I play Fenders now, and I think they are fine)
For as superficial as it is, YES looks matter. Granted, how it feels, plays and sounds is ultimately what is really important, but if you don't like the looks of it, you're probably not going to be as enthusiastic about the important stuff.
That being said, I always thought that the Lakland 44-01/02 was an ugly bass... until I picked one up and played one.
That being said, I always thought that the Lakland 44-01/02 was an ugly bass... until I picked one up and played one.
for me, a desirable look is a pre-requisite.
If it doesn't look like it rocks, why even pick it up?
That being said, I can be happy with different aesthetics, some of my musical roots are in punk, so I don't mind, and even have a fondness for a beat-up/"ugly" bass.
Like the P-bass my mom bought me in high school. I got active pups to punch up my sound, but the pups were too big for the pickguard, so I cut it off after the pots. Also there was no room in the cavity for the battery, so I just taped it to the bottom of the bass.
talk about fugly!!!
I'm currently sanding it down b/c I love natural finishes, and I'm going to get a fancy new black pick guard and Jazz neck and some nice PASSIVE pups so it looks like something I would like to play, as opposed to the bass that sits in a gig bag as some worst case scenario back-up bass.
If it doesn't look like it rocks, why even pick it up?
That being said, I can be happy with different aesthetics, some of my musical roots are in punk, so I don't mind, and even have a fondness for a beat-up/"ugly" bass.
Like the P-bass my mom bought me in high school. I got active pups to punch up my sound, but the pups were too big for the pickguard, so I cut it off after the pots. Also there was no room in the cavity for the battery, so I just taped it to the bottom of the bass.
talk about fugly!!!
I'm currently sanding it down b/c I love natural finishes, and I'm going to get a fancy new black pick guard and Jazz neck and some nice PASSIVE pups so it looks like something I would like to play, as opposed to the bass that sits in a gig bag as some worst case scenario back-up bass.
my rickenbacker is burgundy and i wanted the midnight blue, tuened out the burgundy was an overall better (rarer) choice. i would not change it. its not my choice on her color, she likes being burgundy. buuuuuut i would not turn down a new fretless with sherwood green finish though (taking donations).
Do looks matter to me? Absolutely! I love looking at my instruments, and certain color/wood combos just do it for me. However, if i picked up a bass that just felt right i would buy it regardless! (unless i truly despised the looks)
when i was looking for a schecter stilletto, i wanted the see through black and 5 strings; i found it new on the bay for an incredible price ($400!!) but it only had 4 strings ;[ i bought it anyway and fell in love with it and we lived happily ever after<3
I'm not obsessed about it, but I do have a coupla fetishes:
- If a bass has a white pickguard, I have to swap it out to black
- If the knobs are metal, I have to swap them out for black wood or plastic knobs.
- If a bass has a white pickguard, I have to swap it out to black
- If the knobs are metal, I have to swap them out for black wood or plastic knobs.
I think any auditioning player needs to consider the look of an instrument. If you rock up at an audition with something with 9 strings and a bright pink finish and you are trying out for a punk band, they will probably struggle to get past the instrument and acknowledge your "awesomeness" 
At the end of the day, basses are tools. Looks are not as important as playability and tone but they do form part of your image. And image is a factor in music for anyone looking to be successful.
At the end of the day, basses are tools. Looks are not as important as playability and tone but they do form part of your image. And image is a factor in music for anyone looking to be successful.
I've always been more picky about body shape/size than color. I can bring myself to like just about any color scheme, but there are certain body shapes (and even headstock shapes) like Warwicks and Fenders that I just despise. Then again, I currently own a Squire Jazz, so that goes to show you how much looks matter to me in the long run.
To me, looks really, really, really matter. But if the bass looks great, has poor playabilty and sound, then never mind.
Looks are very important to me, but as a part of the overall package. Tonal goals and sound come first, and after that the finish. I can't say that I'm all that picky about playability, but I do prefer unfinished necks and natural finishes, so my field is already fairly narrow and consistent.
thanks man
A few of them are in new homes
but I still have the silver Jazz Bass and the Musicman SUB
Bottom line is it has to sound good. Looks are a plus. And even then a terrible looking bass can screw you out of a good audition. For example: if you have a bass with tribal flames on it and your walking into a tux and tie kinda gig its definitely going to affect how they view you as a musician.
