Does Headstock Appearance Matter To You?

[BassPilot]

Mostly headstocks don't bother me. But I had a Sire Jazz when they came out and that's really the only headstock that bothered me. Weird, I never thought of myself as vain.....I probably think that song was about me.....

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

For sure. I don't like the 1x4, Fender for example, but always prefer 2x2. I doubt I'd buy a bass that is 1x4.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

It doesn't, until it does. I wouldn't buy a bass because of a headstock, but I might not buy a bass because of a headstock.

Yep, this rings pretty true. I remember seeing those ghastly Dean headstocks, just big and bulky.

I like it when headstocks match but none of my 3 basses have that so it must not be that important.

 

[vvvmmm]

Eh, somebody was bored and now, eh ...

... some more of us is?

But seriously, strap button shape - that's new territory!

(I won't even think about buying pointy unless, well, how much ya want?)

 

[klejst]

I will say matching headstocks with body color do look good but don't sell or kill it for me.

 

[Gizmot]

Of the basses I own, I think my Rickenbacker, Warwick and G&L headstocks look good to excellent; I think my MusicMan headstock is barely passable. I like the way the Warwick angled tuners look and work.

 

[Auspuff]

A beautiful headstock, from a terrific sounding, underrated brand.

(1985 LB40)

 

[2tonic]

I find these results amazing. As I write this, nearly 2 out of 3 bass players consider the appearance of their headstock important. I challenge you two-thirds (you know who you are) to put your bass away at the end of a gig and then ask anyone who heard you to describe your headstock, or even name its color. I guarantee you that even the bassists in your audience won't be able to tell you.

Doesn't matter to me what they think.
On this subject, only what I think matters to me.

 

[vvvmmm]

I find these results amazing. As I write this, nearly 2 out of 3 bass players consider the appearance of their headstock important. I challenge you two-thirds (you know who you are) to put your bass away at the end of a gig and then ask anyone who heard you to describe your headstock, or even name its color. I guarantee you that even the bassists in your audience won't be able to tell you.

Dude, 95% couldn't even tellya what a headstock is ...

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

At first I didn’t think about this headstock at all. Then one day the fog cleared and I saw it for what it truly was... a gigantic, butt-ugly canoe paddle with tuners. I tried ignoring it, but it was something that couldn’t be unseen. And so ended my Epiphone Expert 6.

 

[vvvmmm]

How much did it weigh?

 

[Gizmot]

By th way, I have to say that I think that the G&L headstocks (even with the dimple) looks more distinctive than the much more plain Fender design (even though Leo created both).

 

[retslock]

Aesthetics matter but I have owned basses that I did find attractive. Financial considerations play their part as well as availability of what I would prefer. Where I live American instruments are very expensive and not as widely stocked as the U.S. so sometimes I’ve settled for a less preferable instrument.
If money and availability were not issues I would never buy a bass that I thought was unattractive in any way. There are way too many choices out there to settle for something you find ugly if you can afford them.
I don’t like pointy and I don’t like Gumby....if you get my drift.

 

[crankypants]

Does Headstock Appearance Matter To You?

Not really.

Why all the G&L headstock haters? I like it, kinda classy. I have a 3+2 L-2500, some Fenders, Dean ABG and a Kay upright. Now that's a headstock!

 

[Jeff Elkins]

I used to make fun of my guitarist friend's Ernie Ball headstocks. Until I fell for one myself.

I go through phases. Ibanez really tripped my lid for awhile, then I was 100% in on fender style headstocks. G&L was cool at the end of that phase, and now I'm back to 2x2 or 3x2. I just got a Muckelroy HMC5, and love the headstock.

The only thing I can't get down with is 5 on a side. Too much 80's guitar.

 

[La Faro]

I don't like headstocks that match the colour or the body. It looks cheap to me, unless it's a natural finish.

I have have an Epiphone Dot, and it's headstock is too big. It could have half inch taken off the top and it would so much better, but it doesn't bother me too much

 

[lordradish]

I can appreciate most "standard" headstocks, but some of the off-the-wall stuff is a little much and could potentially put me off enough to buy something different, regardless of how great the rest of the bass was.

If we're talking about 5 string aesthetics I definitely prefer a 4+1 or 3+2/2+3 over inline 5.

Are there actually any inline 5's? I don't think I've ever seen one.

 

[downunder]

only a Fender looks right to me

I agree. I bought a sire, and it’s passable, but...

 

[mongo2]

Are there actually any inline 5's? I don't think I've ever seen one.

Several Fender and Squier 5 string J basses have inline 5 headstocks.

 

[lordradish]

View attachment 3644699

Several Fender and Squier 5 string J basses have inline 5 headstocks.

Ah, ya learn something new, every day. I'll stick with 3/2 or 4/1.