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Classiest Basses....

#81
I've always thought Alembic Series I or II to be very classy.
alchemy.jpg
 
#86
There's a pretty big range here, some of you clearly don't know what "classy" means! :)

To me, classy means a bass that looks good on a classy gig, like when you're wearing a tuxedo. So, anything all black is instantly classy, and conservative combinations of other colors with black are acceptable. This basic "conservativism" that goes along with "classy" extends to other features, like body shape and headstock angle. You can't completely redesign a tuxedo, it's a tuxedo and that is the only thing that will do at the classiest events -- this has been true for a *long* time, it's traditional. If you're the only guy not wearing one, you are obviously not classy. Now there aren't a lot of bassists at these events so maybe nobody will care that your boutique singlecut with artsy soundholes, while very expensive and excellent sounding, is gaudy and ostentatious. But, for a critic evaluating bass classiness, he would have to say no to a design that seriously departs from tradition.

p.s. - I didn't mean to pick on singlecuts in particular, it's just an example. Other designs that lack class include . . .

p.p.s. - Being classy is not inherently better than other modes of being. I personally enjoy enacting the trashy and brash modes.
 
#87
By your reasoning then, Jon, really the only acceptable bass for the "classy" category would be a 4 string Fender (or very close Fender clone) with a 'burst or a solid (but neutral) finish? With that reasoning, this bass would be a no-no??
Conk.gif


I can't imagine, for a moment, how a bass with that much sheer beauty would be considered NG for the "classy" category. Put that bass up against a black tux and it would definitely fit into any situation. Granted, the 8 strings would be a bit out of the ordinary ...... ;)

"Classy" is in the eye of the beholder ...... :cool:
 
#89
pointbass said:
I can't imagine, for a moment, how a bass with that much sheer beauty would be considered NG for the "classy" category. Put that bass up against a black tux and it would definitely fit into any situation. Granted, the 8 strings would be a bit out of the ordinary ...... ;)

"Classy" is in the eye of the beholder ...... :cool:
Click to expand...
YES!!! BUY MY BASS AND YOU TOO CAN LOOK "SUPA" CLASSY!!!

:D ;)
 
#92
mark beem said:
YES!!! BUY MY BASS AND YOU TOO CAN LOOK "SUPA" CLASSY!!!

:D ;)
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:D
Nah, I'd actually knock down the "classy" level of the bass just by using it ..... :rollno: And I'd buy it, but $$ is a little tight right now with another bass being built, plus it's got one string too many ......

..... OTOH, if you'd consider a trade, I have an old PlayStation 2, a used microwave with a bad seal, a pair of ladies size six 6 rollerskates and two SX basses with the original strings ....... :hiding:
 
#93
pointbass said:
By your reasoning then, Jon, really the only acceptable bass for the "classy" category would be a 4 string Fender (or very close Fender clone) with a 'burst or a solid (but neutral) finish? With that reasoning, this bass would be a no-no??
Conk.gif


I can't imagine, for a moment, how a bass with that much sheer beauty would be considered NG for the "classy" category. Put that bass up against a black tux and it would definitely fit into any situation. Granted, the 8 strings would be a bit out of the ordinary ...... ;)

"Classy" is in the eye of the beholder ...... :cool:
Click to expand...

No, I said black and other conservative combos with black, but I guess I could expand it to include sunbursts because they are old-school. Classiness is judged with reference to a tradition. And yes, traditional means generally fender shaped and conservative variations on fender shapes. Maybe Rics because they are also relatively old-school. 5 strings is a conservative variation on 4, 6 is pushing it, and 8 is definitely not. So sorry, your red 8 string is not classy. If it was a tux, you would be the only guy at the classy party wearing a bright red oversized coat with sparkly tails and a golden top hat. Pretty, yes. Classy, no.

And yes, classy is in the eye of the beholder, so nobody has to accept my judgements. It's just that people who see things differently than I do need to refine their definition of classy and get their eyes checked! :D
 
#95
jondog said:
No, I said black and other conservative combos with black, but I guess I could expand it to include sunbursts because they are old-school. Classiness is judged with reference to a tradition. And yes, traditional means generally fender shaped and conservative variations on fender shapes. Maybe Rics because they are also relatively old-school. 5 strings is a conservative variation on 4, 6 is pushing it, and 8 is definitely not. So sorry, your red 8 string is not classy. If it was a tux, you would be the only guy at the classy party wearing a bright red oversized coat with sparkly tails and a golden top hat. Pretty, yes. Classy, no.

And yes, classy is in the eye of the beholder, so nobody has to accept my judgements. It's just that people who see things differently than I do need to refine their definition of classy and get their eyes checked! :D
Click to expand...
:D
Like I said to Mark above, I immediately "de"-class anything I would strap on :ninja:

It's always so funny seeing some of these players doing these formal gigs .... tuxes are all wrinkled, their shirts haven't been washed in about three months, usually wearing some kind of black sneakers, hair all scraggly ..... I don't care what kind of bass you strap on some of these cats, they're definitely not going to "blend in" ;)
 
#96
pointbass said:
:D
Like I said to Mark above, I immediately "de"-class anything I would strap on :ninja:

It's always so funny seeing some of these players doing these formal gigs .... tuxes are all wrinkled, their shirts haven't been washed in about three months, usually wearing some kind of black sneakers, hair all scraggly ..... I don't care what kind of bass you strap on some of these cats, they're definitely not going to "blend in" ;)
Click to expand...

Hi Ed

I will ask since you owned one, do you think the Ampeg Scroll Bass is Classy ?
 
#98
pointbass said:
:D
Like I said to Mark above, I immediately "de"-class anything I would strap on :ninja:

It's always so funny seeing some of these players doing these formal gigs .... tuxes are all wrinkled, their shirts haven't been washed in about three months, usually wearing some kind of black sneakers, hair all scraggly ..... I don't care what kind of bass you strap on some of these cats, they're definitely not going to "blend in" ;)
Click to expand...
So would that be a "declassification" and would said bass then be considered "declassified"??

:D








Yeah, ok.. that was bad... :hiding:
 

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