Does how a bass looks matter to you?

[AudioDwebe]

Uh.....Yeah!
There's nothing like the smell of a new bass.

When I was into guitars for a minute, I bought a new Gibson Studio. When the salesman brought the box out with the new guitar, he said one of the things he loves about Gibson is their smell (something to do with the finish they use).

I have to admit, that guitar smelled wonderful!

If I remember correctly, my new Carvin Icon (which I stupidly sold) smelled great, too. But I think maybe it was the case that had the smell and not the bass itself.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Ugly dude + cool bass = ???

 

[GwenOnBass]

Did you hear the joke about the toilet seat? The Norwegians invented it and the Swedes put a hole in it!

But to answer the OP, of course it matters. I need a pretty bass so other people think I'm a better musician than them!

Methinks you've got the joke backwards. "Dumb Swedes" are the European equivalent of American "Dumb Poles" jokes (last I noticed). Unless I'm being a Swede reading the punchline ....

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Please don't be that guy who turns this into a "brand X / model Y" is ugly thread. It's never too late to delete a post once the thrill of posting it is gone.

 

[PluffMudQueen]

Music is half sound and half style, so... ABSOLUTELY!

 

[Matthew Fisher]

I don't have to look at the bass while I'm playing it. I let other people worry about its appearance. And a thought in that vein...
Don't we all have enough other, more important things to worry about? Just let your bass' appearance go. You'll still have things on your mind.

Yes, but we're avoiding those. Why do you think we come here?

 

[cnltb]

Does how a bass looks matter to you?
Not much.

 

[Hahaha]

I'm not sure if it matters to me. I can usually talk myself into thinking something is attractive, even if it really isn't.

(the shoulder devil wins again)

(Edited after discussing it with the shoulder angel. She wins) never mind

 

[antonspon]

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.

Just shows, one man's ugly is another's drop-dead gorgeous. I personally think the "R" bass is one of the most aesthetically balanced and beautiful, and I was certainly initially attracted to them by the way they looked (and made the player look cool too!), with their sound a close second. When I finally got my hands on one it played like a dream, so that completed the likes! On the other hand, it took me years to get used to the J-bass, I used to think it was butt-ugly...in some ways I still do, but it kinda grows on you (like mold?)!

 

[DavC]

more so when i was a bit younger ...

probably also goes for many things ... cars , house, my thinning hair , self looks , significant other , etc

yes i still want my basses to look good/OK .... but i'm past the point of buying something just cause it looks cool .. !?!?? now i'd rather mod/adjust/tweek/re-build things to taste ,... and care much less about what others might think at first sight ... !! i know my basses play and sound just as i want them to ....

so there .. !

 

[ialma]

No good look no interest.

 

[southgabass]

It does have at least a small part of my decision making, such as the sight of a Danelectro Longhorn bass LITERALLY triggers my gag reflex. But usually if it plays well and sounds good I'll take it, with the one exception being the fore mentioned Longhorn. Don't get me wrong, those are probably stellar basses, I just, I just can't do it.

 

[Shortie]

If it's butt-ugly, I'm not touching it.

Ditto. I find it's important for me to look down and enjoy looking at the ax and thinking about what went into making it so good. Makes me want to play it better, like it deserves to be played. I've sold off some very good basses because I just didn't like the looks or the color.

It's completely in my own head and no reflection on anybody else - whatever works for you. We know some of the greatest players didn't think about that at all - they didn't need to think about it - got their inspiration from somewhere else. But I'm just a plain old guy trying to hack out a few things and sometimes I need a boost.

 

[tattooSAM]

Yes, absolutely. I guess I can't really see it when I play it, but it still matters. Plus, good looking instruments sell quicker and for more money (if you were looking to resell).


I'll take the one on the right, any day. BTW, that beautiful Doner Designs bass is listed at almost the same price as the Fender!

 

[el_cody_loco]

The trend with high end basses seems to be "ugly shapes and exotic woods." I think guitarsists want better shaped instruments than bassists do.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Yes it does matter to me, but here's how. The less I pay for a bass the less it matters. The more I pay, the more it matters. Hope that makes sense, it does to me.

 

[shawshank72]

Yes.
But I can overcome that with playability and tone.

 

[skwee]

Not my #1 priority, but looks (or maybe more accurately "vibe") are important.

 

[BritishLoyalist]

I think the looks do matter because if you like the way it looks you generally end up wanting to play it more!

That is what I found with my EB 3

 

[BassGreaser]

Yes it matters to be a great deal.