Gear too ugly to play :-p

[God's Favorite Bass]

Most things pointy and anything that looks like I should use a coaster on, or that I would use to meal prep on to protect the countertop. I'm a curves and colors guy.
Amps? I don't care as long as it sounds right.

 

[BrianVengeance]

Taint easy coming up with jokes sometimes.

No need to be retentive about it. Just let them blossom in the wind.

 

[Robscott]

I beat the hell out of one of those for the better part of 20 years. Never once did it let me down on a gig. It was sort of the "better Polytone" combo at the time and it was a tank. (Tanks for the memories?)

To the OP- I showed up for an audition once for a blues road gig with my only bass at the time, a Steinberger XL2A. As soon as I pulled it out of the bag the BL said, "I don't know if I like that bass." I asked her to, you know, "Maybe wait and see if I can play it or not."

Then what happened?...………..

 

[juancaminos]

I am not a fan of P basses because of the way the pick guard goes all the way down to the end of the controls. The old ones (short pick guard, like a tele) are ok though. Also Mustang basses look like toys to me. Fender amps are my favorite look by they are not the live sound choice for me.

 

[Michedelic]

The Bongo bass is about the ugliest thing I've ever seen.

Sure about that?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Is there gear that you know you'd like but you don't like the looks of it to the point that you won't play it?

I used to hate Orange brand gear because of the orange. Only black or dark Grey for me. Now in my 50's and my tastes are changing. I would really like some of that Orange gear. I once had an opportunity to buy an amazing custom Warwick HH bass made in Germany, but, it was a loud Lime Green oil finish so I passed. Best best sound and feel that I've played. Funny, I'd kill for that bass today in that Lime color. MarkBass bee-orange speakers... Won't do it. For 20 years I refused to give up my Precision for a Jazz bass because I hated the looks of a Jazz. When I got into slap all that changed I now play a Jazz.

You guys got any holdouts over looks?

I'm a little too buttoned down for lime green, or shocking pastels, preferring more conservative looking gear. I doubt I would buy a anything from Orange, although their gear sounds great, or Mark Bass, I have enough gear to last me the rest of my life.

 

[kjp360]

None too ugly to play but I would never buy gear that I thought was ugly. I can appreciate the craftsmanship in an instrument even if I don't appreciate the aesthetic.

 

[lancimouspitt]

I would argue im uglier than most my gear but i don't think i could purchase a bass that looks like a piece of batmans armor, with sharp points and foreboding colors and or stickers.

 

[bassfran]

Then what happened?...………..

Oh, sorry. (Got the gig.)

 

[arbiterusa]

Is there gear that you know you'd like but you don't like the looks of it to the point that you won't play it?

Nope. Absolutely don't care about the looks. If it sounds good I'll play it.

 

[Killing Floor]

Had a very early Kubicki X Factor bass. I eventually let my sense of style overrule my sense of hearing and sense of touch and I sold it. It was all of the following; very ugly, best playing bass at any price I have ever owned, best variety of tones of any bass at any price I have ever owned, most versatile 4-string ever owned. I regret selling it. Just didn't get how good it was, couldn't see past the spaceship appearance.

 

[stonetone7]

I used to hate Orange brand gear because of the orange. Only black or dark Grey for me. Now in my 50's and my tastes are changing. I would really like some of that Orange gear.

I only got it for its onboard tuner, because I got tired of breaking out the pedal board whenever I wanted to noodle for 10 minutes.

Now I want a much bigger Orange.

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

P basses.

To me, they're just boring and ugly. I especially think sunburst is the worst.

I get people love the tone, but damn, to me, it's pretty damn fugly.

 

[FunkyD]

I know better but can't help but think of Stryper when looking at a Mark Bass cab. Not my thing.

That said, I absolutely love my Hartke cabs - or as one of my bass playing friends refers to them - the Pepsi cans.

 

[DJCalamari]

Ultimately I don't care what stuff looks like as long as it sounds and feels good. But I must confess, I have the Adam Clayton purple sparkly jazz bass. I love it but sometimes when I play it, I get a glance of the purple sparkles and think "what was I thinking getting this thing?"

If you ever want someone to take it off your hands...just sayin'

 

[donahue]

The Alembic Explorer shaped basses. Entwistle looked perfect playing one, but if I was on stage rocking one of those I would just look like a pretentious A hole.

So I guess, not an ugly bass but I would look ugly playing one.

 

[Artman]

I'm not knocking Phil Jones equipment. I'd have no problem using his stuff for in my house practice or light jams with friends but I could not see myself up on a stage with something like this. Less than a 10" speaker is a "no-go" for me! I don't think I'd call Jones stuff ugly or too ugly to be seen with but kind of like similar to driving around in a Smart Car.

View attachment 3773361View attachment 3773362

That amp would leave room in your smartcar for extra bass guitars!

 

[non]

the main reason i have never owned a rickenbacker. they look like a left over parts bass.

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]