I also have an ugly-sister-love issue with a bass. I don't worry much about it, because I love the bass. I have considered a refinish, but then I'd have to change out the hardware... and the finish covers the entire bass.
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Fallen in love with an ugly sister ?
- Thread starter B.Flat
- Start date
Wow, what a funny coincidence, I dislike that bass for the same reasons I find my own love unattractive...
Ok, so it's a bit ugly. The circle around the pick-up makes it look like an one-eyed alien from a Disney animated movie. But, you can't see that when you play it....
Have you considered closing your eyes? ;-)
Look, if you love her and you have a good relationship, stick with it. Especially if it's working out where it counts, which it sounds like it is. Face it - you're attracted to this bass, you just don't like the way she presents to the rest of the world. You can live with that, can't you?
I don't know about the $$ but all the corvettes I've played have been super comfortable and screwed together very nicely. I think they're nice little basses.
The neck is where you're having the most intimate contact with the instrument. Discomfort there is a no-go in my world, ymmv.
Though I suppose some might have even more intimate contact with their bass but that is in the TMI zone. Which is related to the Danger Zone.
How does it feel strapped on? Do you flow with it for hours without realizing where the time has gone, or do you feel like you're fighting the neck (be it chunkiness, width, dive, first position feeling a mile away) or lugging a boat anchor on your shoulder?
Does the bass inspire you to want to keep playing, get better, all that?
Personally, I like how Warwick Corvettes look, sound, and play, but their ergonomics aren't right for me. They just don't sit right against my body, first position feels like it's a mile away, and Warwicks are generally too heavy for my tastes/they feel like boat anchors. So I personally wouldn't play another one. They do sound incredible, though.
But, of course, one person's "nope" is another person's "just my type!"
And there are always cases where a bass that's your type on paper doesn't jive with you, yet a bass that's not really your type on paper jives with you perfectly. It's like with dating. I've gone out with girls who were totally my type on paper, but there was no spark. On the other hand, I've said, "ehh, why not?" and gone out with girls who weren't really my type but ended up having a swell time with them.
Right now, my #1 bass is the latter. It has specs that would typically make me ignore it, but I vibe with it so well that I'm GAS free. When I pick it up, I can't stop playing it. When I'm at work, I think about going home to play it. When I sleep, I dream about playing it.
Does the bass inspire you to want to keep playing, get better, all that?
Personally, I like how Warwick Corvettes look, sound, and play, but their ergonomics aren't right for me. They just don't sit right against my body, first position feels like it's a mile away, and Warwicks are generally too heavy for my tastes/they feel like boat anchors. So I personally wouldn't play another one. They do sound incredible, though.
But, of course, one person's "nope" is another person's "just my type!"
And there are always cases where a bass that's your type on paper doesn't jive with you, yet a bass that's not really your type on paper jives with you perfectly. It's like with dating. I've gone out with girls who were totally my type on paper, but there was no spark. On the other hand, I've said, "ehh, why not?" and gone out with girls who weren't really my type but ended up having a swell time with them.
Right now, my #1 bass is the latter. It has specs that would typically make me ignore it, but I vibe with it so well that I'm GAS free. When I pick it up, I can't stop playing it. When I'm at work, I think about going home to play it. When I sleep, I dream about playing it.
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Funny, I actually like it except for the pickguard. Is that stock or after market? I would just fix that - no guard. And then rock it.
Warwick sells a ton of corvettes and the design is surprisingly ergonomic. If you love the bass, I encourage you to not let aesthetics and the opinions of others influence what you play. Of course, a refinish is a great way to make it highly personal - and it won't affect the overall playability or tone (though it will tank resale). Have fun!
Is it pink paisley? Is it refinished in day glow safety yellow? Is it covered in political stickers that go against your party affiliation? Are you concerned about getting a splinter from an unfortunate place on the neck? Is the preamp subject to shorting issues and give you a random jolt from time to time ? I could keep going, but I won't. It sounds like an awesome bass. Keep it, play it, and get over it (in any order you prefer).
I'm not trying to be an a$$. This was my first thought when I saw the photo.
IMHO, the pickguard is the blemish. If that can go, it would look a lot better.
Nothing wrong with not being able to bond with a bass because of the way it looks.
I've always thought they had a rather hurried or unfinished bulbous look.
Completely off the radar in a world of so many better looking basses.
And yes, I'm talking about great-sounding basses, too, because they're they only ones I'll keep in my small collection.
Tone, playability, ergonomics, (lack of) neck dive, etc. These are some of the features I look for when buying a bass. Looks? Last on my list. Absolutely last.
