Do most pros use boring color basses?

[darwin-bass]

Most bassists I see are playing Fender instruments that are white, black, or sunburst. I hardly ever see red, LPB, or some pastel color. Has me wondering if it is on purpose?

• Flashy colors attract attention which is not what the bass is supposed to do.
• Those safe colors work in all situations.
• Those colors are "expected" and pros deliver what is expected.
• Those common colors are easier to replace should you need to do something quick.

Or, of course, my conclusion may be incorrect due to insufficient sample size!

 

[nickpc]

I think it's mostly the 2nd and how it relates to the 3rd. And not so much "safe" as "conforming." It's tough to not look like you belong at the gig with the "bassic" colors.

And one you missed:

They look good under just about any lighting conditions. Red, LPB, shell pink - those don't always look good under varying stage lighting scenes.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I find Lake Placid Blue to look good under any lighting. It's a rather dark, metallic blue that is an understated color that doesn't look wildly different under varying colored lighting. And for over 45 years I've never been attracted to colored finishes and always preferred natural or sunburst finishes...

 

[Atshen]

Personnally I'm not attracted by flashy colors, so I stick with the "boring" ones.

 

[Ric Vice]

Thing is you just cannot beat a beautiful sunburst bass asteticaly

 

[Lo-E]

If by “most” you mean “more than half”, I suspect you could change the word “pros” in the thread title to the word “bassists” and it would still be true.

 

[cxcxcx]

In more cases than most realize, the artist that the bassist in question is working for may simply not like busy graphics, exotic woods, or particular uncommon finishes.

If it’s their vision, their songs, and their name that gets butts into seats, they call the shots. Period.

 

[Hawk620]

The flashiest I ever got was a red bass and one that was a transparent wine finish. Looked great with a white pearl pickguard. Otherwise most have been black, white, sunburst, or natural. I prefer those. I'm the one that's on display not my bass or my guitar.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

I only think bootsy and Michael Anthony come to mind

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

My playing speaks for itself, if my music is boring, the color of my bass will not help.

 

[EricOnTheBass]

Don’t tell Mononeon.

I’d like to get a silver flake bass someday. I also play drums and my main kit has a grey marine pearl wrap. It looks classic/vintage in normal lighting, but on stage it takes on whatever color the lights are and looks great. I think a silver flake bass would do something similar.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I like the boring colors. A black, white, tobacco burst FSO always looks right.

Sometimes when people post their pictures of more exciting colored basses, I don’t really get the attraction. I mean colors like: flame and quilt with blue green, red violet, violet, or orange burst, etc.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Black is the best sounding bass

 

[Five or Six]

When I was on the road all I played were burst jazz basses. Never anything different. That and Ps of the same were about it. Work horse basses without trouble.

 

[Tj smith]

I like my basses custom

 

[friskinator]

People these days seem averse to color. Cars, clothing, interior decor, etc. I love the use of color in most situations, especially instruments. It's been a very long time since I've owned a black/white/sunburst bass.

 

[embellisher]

Black is the best sounding bass

Sunburst sounds warmer.

 

[megarat]

Another possible explanation is that pros tend to be more interested in music than they are in gear

 

[prndltech]

Burgundy mist always gets some love, same with Sherwood or surf green… the pros I get to play with dig it. I think it’s all just personal preference. As long as it’s a classic color on a classic style instrument (if that’s what’s needed) then it doesn’t matter. Probably just a coincidence cuz the “boring” colors are easier to come by and match pretty much any outfit.

 

[SharpCat]

I used to say about my shirt choices, “If you’re not looking for the volume control, my shirt isn’t loud enough. “ I think that should apply to bass colors too!