• 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.

Do you think aesthetics are important?

T

thesmeee

Jun 23, 2013
12
0
#1
How important are looks in regards to your bass?

I love my Thunderbird, it sounds pretty awesome in nearly every amp ive tried, very comfy to play, sits nice on a strap, well set up and looks great.
So for example, would you still own a great sounding bass if it looked like a pile of crap or would it spoil a quality instrument for you?

Paul
 
#3
For me, looks are half the package. Form alongside function. Looks good hanging on the wall, sounds good running through the amp. That usually makes shopping for a new instrument a little more difficult; I end up spending more time looking for the one that balances the look I want with the tone I love.
 
#5
What kind of Tbird do you have that doesn't nose dive straight to the ground? Every one I have seen has enough neck dive for two basses. If I am holding a bass I am not playing a bass.

And yes, aesthetics are important because while I am not currently working for a BL I might do it again in the future. You need to fit in with somebodys image, and image is very important in a live setting.
 
#9
Well, just about EVERY bass has some redeemable aesthetic.

A brand new shiny one looks great, an old worn one looks great, an unusual body style looks great, a vintage style looks great, I guess has more to do with the context than the bass itself.

I've seen very few basses that were just universally, well...ugly... all by themselves.
 
#14
I think the problem is the definition of neck dive on TBirds. Some people consider neck dive to be headstock hitting the ground, I consider it to be 'bass defaulting to horizontal position after I've placed it almost vertically'.

This being said, aesthetics are of mad importance to me, but I guess I am guilty of this as pretty much anyone.
 
#16
Aesthetics are very important to me. There are so many great sounding instruments out there that I would never spend time or money on one that I found visually unappealing. There are plenty of people on TB who love to act like "tone" is the only thing that matters, and it always makes me wonder how that translates into their everyday life... Like, are their clothes selected entirely by "comfort?" Do they choose their food solely based on "nutrition level?" Probably not.
 
#19
bassgod0dmw said:
Mine has zero dive, it's just a plain ol' Gibson T Bird IV.
Click to expand...

Same here - it'll fall away from my body a little, due to the post at the heel of the neck, but doesn't neck dive...

I see people post that sort of thing, it tells me they don't have much experience with Gibson T-birds, and are probably going by what they've experienced with Epiphones...


- georgestrings
 
#20
Appearance is very important to me. An ugly look can kill my interest nearly as quickly as ugly tone, playability, build quality, ergonomics, etc.

That said: if an ugly bass is attractive in every other respect then I will try to see if I can adjust my eyes to tolerate it. But if I can't then I won't get it, period. IMO, there are too many great basses that aren't ugly for me to accept one that is.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back