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Does how a bass looks matter to you?

#161
Looks matter to me, but they're third on the list behind playability and tone. Of course, I think I've got the swagger to pull of a toilet seat bass.

I actually traded a dumpster rescued acoustic guitar for a Hannah Montana Disney (by Washburn) purple 3/4 size T type guitar. Worked out a rocking version of Party in the USA, and pull that gem out late in the last set. Pre-drug and slutty Miley Cyrus, pretty campy cool vibe.
 
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#165
Mediocrity Man said:
Life's too short to play an ugly bass. With that said, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. What's beautiful to some maybe ugly to others.
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Agreed. I.e. to me a Jazz bass just looks weird, odd body shape, would never own one. Like the necks, like the sound, just not a fan of the body shape. I know I know, half of Fender purists play Jazz basses and love the look. Different strokes. A lot of those same folks would probably hate the looks of my Thunderbirds...
 
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#169
EdO. said:
Agreed. I.e. to me a Jazz bass just looks weird, odd body shape, would never own one. Like the necks, like the sound, just not a fan of the body shape. I know I know, half of Fender purists play Jazz basses and love the look. Different strokes. A lot of those same folks would probably hate the looks of my Thunderbirds...
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I've always thought the same about the Jazz bass. Love the neck and the sound, but not a fan of the body shape that looks like a blob. But I'd still play one. However there is one Jazz bass I've liked from the first time I saw it and that's Victor Bailey's Jazz bass.
 
#171
Now that I think of it, I have to admit that to a degree it does matter. I won't feel comfortable with wildly exaggerated body shapes, "sick" finishes, or any very expensive/ostentatious-looking specimens. For instance, Ritters are admirable works of art in their own right, but they're not for me, even if I could afford one. I'd rather go with the workingman look, so as not to attract attention on stage due to the instrument's visuals.

ED: Black is out also - too depressing mentally, and always polish-wanting.
 
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#173
Normally I think aesthetics comes in as a very distant third, after sound and comfort (though tbh I'm not sure which of those I'd rank 1st & 2nd)

But every now and then I come across a bass that makes me think "Uh, nope...wouldn't matter how awesome sounding and comfortable that bass is, because it is FUGLY."
 
#175
Dirtyfrenchman said:
To me, aesthetics count a lot when buying a bass but comfort and playability are more important. I love the look of original P-bass/telecaster, mainly the headstock but won't buy one because of the log type neck, I can't stand.
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Interestingly, I just this past Saturday got delivery of a 2015 NOS Squier Mike Dirnt '51 style P-bass (white with red tort PG, love the look!), basically the same body style/shape as the old Telecaster basses (slab body, Tele style headstock, single P pickup). I was expecting the neck to be a lot fatter/thicker than this one is and assumed that going in (had not played one previous to buying this online). Got a really good price on it, couldn't pass the opportunity. Plays nice and is quite comfortable actually, I'm pleasantly surprised.

20160910_134110_resized.jpg
 
#176
tlc1976 said:
I've always thought the same about the Jazz bass. Love the neck and the sound, but not a fan of the body shape that looks like a blob. But I'd still play one. However there is one Jazz bass I've liked from the first time I saw it and that's Victor Bailey's Jazz bass.
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I gotta admit on their own jazz's look a bit odd, but on someone it looks good, great even. But I definitely understand how some think they're ugly. Love mine though.

Looks do matter, but they don't need to be perfect. And playability is key, I can always get different pups.
 
#177
EdO. said:
Agreed. I.e. to me a Jazz bass just looks weird, odd body shape, would never own one. Like the necks, like the sound, just not a fan of the body shape. I know I know, half of Fender purists play Jazz basses and love the look. Different strokes. A lot of those same folks would probably hate the looks of my Thunderbirds...
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I used to think that, too. And know I play a black CIJ Fender Aerodyne Jazz bass with PJ pickups and think it is the most stylish bass I have ever had. :)
 
#180
Yes, they matter to me. Mostly color - I'm not all that picky about shape. I have an aversion to sunburst for some reason. Makes me think of greasy dives and tobacco smoke. Which seems like it could be cool, really... but somehow just isn't me, even though I've had good gigs playing in greasy dives filled with tobacco smoke. Go figure. Just plain black with a white PG or whatever is kind of dull to me. I guess I like a bass to have a look with a little sizzle in it, but not over-the-top glitziness.
 

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