Does how a bass looks matter to you?

[AudioDwebe]

I guess I'm a bit shalow, but the visuals of the bass matter the most initially. I don't care how it sounds. If it's butt-ugly, I'm not touching it.

I feel the same way about most other things, as well.

 

[DigitalMan]

Absolutely looks matter. But I do care how it plays and sounds. There are enough outstanding basses out there that there is no need to settle for less than great on any aspect of the bass.

 

[pedroims]

Sounds, feel and look, all three are important to me. I would not play a bass that looks great but sound bad or a bass that sounds great but I dont like the way it looks.

 

[wvbass]

Of course looks matter.

 

[JimmyM]

Didn't used to, but now that I can afford to buy a bass that looks how I like, definitely.

 

[steve66]

I dont care about the look of a bass. I own a Musicman Bongo. It looks like a toilet seat. Some of the best playing basses look like cr@p.

 

[pacojas]

yup! i like the patina of old things as long as it smells good.

 

[spiritbass]

Yes.

 

[lz4005]

I seek out the ugliest ones. So...yes?

Appearance is way down the list after sound, feel, ergonomics, durability and price.

 

[pappabass]

yep, looks are important. Probably more than a brand name. One of the more ugly basses start with the letter "R". I would take my VM Squier over the "R" bass any day. Sound is a very close second.

 

[bolophonic]

Of course.

 

[rtav]

Yes absolutely.

With so many choices and so many good basses out there, why choose ugly?

 

[1stnamebassist]

Its important to me. I like the looks of a Rickenbacker over an "F" brand P or J bass. Plus they sound so much better.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I guess I'm a bit shalow, but the visuals of the bass matter the most initially. I don't care how it sounds. If it's butt-ugly, I'm not touching it.

I feel the same way about most other things, as well.

I agree.
I've have had about twenty five dfferent basses over my life.
And as far as sound,they all sound like.......bass.

Some had a bright sound.Some had a darker sound.
Most in between.

I'm not a "tone seeker"
I don't have a tone or sound in my head that I'm searching for.
I let each bass have it's own sound.

But I have a bias as far as looks.

I prefer natural dark wood basses with no pickguard.
With gold hardware.
If not,I will switch the hardware to gold.
Preferably neck thru.But not necessary.

So up until a point in time,I have to settle with basses that I didn't really like in appearance.
Painted.
Chrome hardware.

Up until 2005.
Now makers are making more natural wood basses.So that now I don't have to settle for a bass I don't like the looks of.

Now I have more choices.

 

[west al]

To me, it matters a lot. I'd like it to have a bit of class. At least my opinion, and definition of what's class in a bass. Fender Jazzes, and Precisions are classics, along with Rickenbackers.

 

[dbbltime]

Look matters to me, but tone matters more. Some basses that initially weren't visually appealing but have good tone, can become more attractive with time. I have had this occurrence more than once, strange as it is. Go figure.

 

[corndog]

I think most people do, there is a reason that basses are often made in different colours.

 

[tlc1976]

For me, #1 is need. Once need is established, then I'd rank price and playability, then looks and tone. Lots of things can be done to affect the tone, besides it will always sound different at the sale location than with my setup. I could always refinish it and even reshape it some to my liking. So I go for cheap/DIY ones that I can tinker with.

That being said, having not reviewed the tons of basses that are out there, if I had to choose the best looks and tone and not mess with it, it'd probably be a Spector.

BTW my great uncle built a playable toilet seat bass back in the 70s. Next time I go thru the attic at my dad's I'll hopefully find the pic of it.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Cool dude + ugly bass = Cool.
eg Flea.

Bland dude + ugly bass = Ugly.

Sorry, but you've gotta have plenty of style to pull off wearing an ugly bass at a gig.

 

[drumsnbass]

As long as it's not a beat up POS I'm very indifferent to how it looks.

I am definitely partial to some colors/woods but I'll buy almost anything.