Gear too ugly to play
no...none too ugly. (it has to work competently...looks are for kids!)
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Gear too ugly to play :-p
- Thread starter tshapiro
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Nothing is too ugly to play, for me. I've been trying to put together a bass from parts which aesthetically should not go together. I had to put it on hold when I moved, but I hope to get started again, soon. There used to be all these gaudy pickguards and parts on Amazon that I should have ordered when I had the chance.
It's just like clothes. There's something intangible you can't really describe, but you just know that you feel comfortable wearing something like that, or you wouldn't. Instruments are the same way. It's gotta be in the Goldie-Locks Zone. Not too cheap and ragged looking, and not too flashy.
I would play the hell out of a St. Vincent bass, it could sort of be EBMM's take on a Thunderbird. I'm kind of in love with that idea now that I think about it...
I can't agree more! Reminds me of Fender's current "American Performer" Mustang. Probably plays great, but that Jazz pickup looks ridiculously out of place to me...they should have gone with a '51 Precision single coil or another Mustang split-single.
I maybe wouldn't use an old tuck n' roll Kustom cab. They always remind of that grade school friend you had whose Parent's bathroom had that cushioned toilet seat. The one that would have a crack in the cover and pinch you when you sat down.
The Bongo bass is about the ugliest thing I've ever seen.
I have always been a function over form guy. * If a bass amp or bass does the really job well for me, I'll learn to like how it looks.
* I'm also a lifetime achievement award cheapskate / "value shopper" so it's gotta be a good bang for the buck, too.
My first instrument was a beat-to-heck cornet, a hand-me-down from my stepmother. All the lacquer was gone, and everybody else in section had shiny trumpets. I was very self-conscious about that horn. But I kicked booty and made second chair. Eventually I got a shiny new Yamaha with a rose brass bell. It's been all upside since then.
As far as things looking bad by design, I would probably never consider an EBMM Bongo or a pointy 90s axe, and I want my amplification to fade into the visual background (i.e. it needs to be black).
For those arguing looks shouldn't matter, my standard response is: this is show business, of course looks matter.
As far as things looking bad by design, I would probably never consider an EBMM Bongo or a pointy 90s axe, and I want my amplification to fade into the visual background (i.e. it needs to be black).
For those arguing looks shouldn't matter, my standard response is: this is show business, of course looks matter.
You know, with 39 likes at the time of this post, maybe Peavey should get on a special
limited edition issue, because Eastwood only puts out instruments.
Well, it IS called the business of show; without descending into a cargo pants, socks/sandals rabbit hole, I contend that if you look like you don't care, on stage, why should the audience?
James Tyler headstock: that's a hard no.
Phil Jones gear: that's a heck yes. How can using a small form factor amp on stage be less manly than going full direct, which more and more pros seem to be doing every day?
Phil Jones gear: that's a heck yes. How can using a small form factor amp on stage be less manly than going full direct, which more and more pros seem to be doing every day?
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