• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Color -- how important is it to you?

#86
If a bass sounds amazing and feels amazing, I don't care what colour it is.

I bought one bass with my eyes—it was a beautiful sunburst American Jazz Bass Deluxe—despite the fact that I felt more comfortable on, and preferred the tone of a couple of P Basses that I'd played... I just thought the shape of the Jazz bass was so cool, and burst basses have always knocked me out. Anyhow, I regretted that decision for several years as I fought with the tone (it just wasn't there) and the cramps in my left hand because of that skinny neck. The best move I ever made was to trade that bass away for a plain old black/rosewood Musicman Stingray. I've been happily in love ever since.

I traded another bass for my white Classic Stingray... and I never, ever would have considered a white bass in the past (Hendrix was cool, but no white ones for me thank you). It's now my numero uno. Go figure!

Lusted after this one and lived miserably ever after:
IMG_1054.JPG


Happened upon this one and lived happily ever after:
IMG_6141.JPG
 
Last edited:
#92
I own two beautiful hand-built unpainted instruments, but they don't get as much stage time as my basses painted in bright and obnoxious colors. I admit to buying some just because I fell in love with the color. One of my favorites is a Cheeto orange Ibanez EDA 905. I also have basses in neon pink, neon green, purple glitter, seafoam green, black with holographic glitter, and another EDA 905 that the previous owner painted a space scene on.

So yes, color is important to me. Having said that, I'm not a fan of sunburst yet I have a Fender Strat in that finish. I found it at a pawn shop and loved how it sounded and played, so I use it a lot.
 
#95
I generally buy basses because of their features. When I find the bass with the set of features that I want to add to my current collection I then consider appearance, color included, in making the final choice of the specific bass that I buy. If there is no choice in color then I take the bass that has the features that I want. Even if it is a color I don't like or have too many of. Even if I consider the bass to be ugly. Occasionally I have been attracted to basses because of how they look and how they look alone. I've come close but so far I have never purchased a bass simply because I liked the look of it.
 
#97
Definitely a factor. Prefer solid colors and bursts. Don't care much for natural finishes, except on exotic figured woods.

Beyond that, I won't bother with a bass that doesn't look good to me, because I don't have to. I know that I can have sound, playability, weight, and a finish that I like, all in one package without compromise.

Life is short, why settle? Get what you like! :thumbsup:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back