Here's a REAL Dilemma!

[project_c]

The premise of thread is a bit extreme but it does highlight something interesting. Many of us will compromise on playability for the sake of an inspiring tone.

I’ve stopped playing my ergonomically perfect, easy playing, super fast short scales and gone back to playing a modded ‘83 Fender P that weighs way too much and has a huge neck. It means working a lot harder but the tone is so good.

I had to put in some extra practice time at first but it’s surprising how quickly we can adapt.

 

[andruca]

Still a false dilemma, no matter the title. So carrots ;-)

 

[JimmyM]

I guess I am not funny...

That, or people doesn't realize this was actually posted in the bass humor sub forum, and/or what hypothetical means.

Correct on all counts

 

[Church-Bass]

Sound > play > looks - since are in the sound-making business.

 

[monsterthompson]

I guess I am not funny...

That, or people doesn't realize this was actually posted in the bass humor sub forum, and/or what hypothetical means.

Welcome to the internet

 

[Ritter667]

Welcome to the internet

Thank you!

 

[dmt]

I have a guitar that sounds amazing and looks great, but it causes me wrist/forearm issues playing it so… it has sat largely unplayed for years (yes, i should sell it, and at some point i will). Another such situation was some years ago (actually, it’s happened more than once, now that i think about it) when i was dealing with some awful back issues, my favorite bass and my favorite guitar, both my heaviest instruments in each respective category, sat unplayed despite their great sound (and in the guitar’s case, looks). For long stretches, I went with my lightest instruments only, even though they were much lower on the ol’ totem pole.

With those in mind, I’m gonna go with ‘playability’. If it’s too tough to play and/or it causes discomfort or health issues, I’m not gonna play it no matter how good it sounds or how great it looks.

Hmm. Not such a funny answer, but i guess that’s humor for ya

 

[BobKos]

Has to play good or I'm not interested. Just thankful it's not 50 years ago when as often as not that was the case! They don't make basses like they used to and that's fine with me!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Given the current crop of really well made, decent sounding, and affordable basses out there, luckily this whole premise is effectively moot. No such choice necessary.

 

[NickyBass]

How bad are we talking? Is the setup so bad that I could risk injury? Is the tone so bad that it sounds like bass over an old telephone? Is the bass so ugly that I can't even stand to look at it?
Man, I voted playability, but now I'm not so sure....

 

[rmayer]

Hypothetical or not, I chose the carrot. Why would I buy an instrument that didn’t have all of those features? I’m a grumpy old guy and compromise isn’t in my wheelhouse, on a lot of things.
As far as a bass, if I don’t like the looks, I won’t even pick it up. Then, if it doesn’t feel good, it’s going back on the rack. Lastly, I’ll plug it in to hear it.
Yes, playability is probably tops if the other two are just OK, not the extreme.
And I didn’t even get into weight, or tort.
Hypothetically speaking.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

If a bass that looks amazing can be adjusted to play great (aka no broken truss rod, etc...) and the pickup can be replaced...

 

[getBAK]

I can cure sound with electronics

 

[iTzPrime]

Assuming we aren't allowed to modify, the terrible sounding one. EQ in the DAW or in pedal form works wonders, so an easy decision

 

[bassbrad]

I really like the taste, color & texture of carrots, I use them all the thyme.

It is essential that a bass feels good, sounds good and brings me something I don't already have, oh yeah and be cheap.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Looks
Sounds
Plays

But it was tuned at the shop when I bought it last summer so it's all good. Let's play.

 

[J Wilson]

None of the above.

Too many fish in the sea, I'd wait till I found something I liked.

I wouldn't take any of those choices.

 

[pcake]

you can replace the pickup in a bad sounding bass, but you can't make a bass that plays poorly (neck too wide, radius uncomfortable, etc) be satisfying to play.

 

[JimmyM]

you can replace the pickup in a bad sounding bass, but you can't make a bass that plays poorly (neck too wide, radius uncomfortable, etc) be satisfying to play.

You can actually fix that, but it costs. Very difficult to make one wider, though

 

[KenSmithFan]

On your car, is it more important to have air in the bottom of your tire or the top?