Instrument Aesthetics - stand out or blend in?

[trebbihm]

It’s a fine line to walk for sure.
I’ve found what works for me, and my flair is usually in the neck, not the body. Blocks and binding on a complimentary but traditional body. My avatar has the Number 1, and there is a somewhat matching Jazz as well.

 

[elgranluis]

Stand out? Play a ric. There’s like a gazillion 200 dollar basses that look like a Carl Thompson .

 

[Jeff Scott]

Stand out? Play a ric. There’s like a gazillion 200 dollar basses that look like a Carl Thompson .

Funny you should say this.

I have a friend who is a big Rick aficionado; the last time I saw him, a few years ago, he was excited to show me and let me play him new custom ordered Carl Thompson bass!

 

[elgranluis]

Funny you should say this.

I have a friend who is a big Rick aficionado; the last time I saw him, a few years ago, he was excited to show me and let me play him new custom ordered Carl Thompson bass!

To the man that can have anything , money talks lol !

 

[hrodbert696]

I can guarantee that if you brought the Batgirl bass to a corporate gig for the company I work for, you would be asked to leave for ethics violations. I doubt they would ever have a band though... so not a problem. But it is something to think about.

The other bass should be fine.

An ETHICS violation? That's hardcore!

This question has never entered my mind, ever. That is not anywhere near why I consider buying an instrument; there are lots of far more important criteria, really. I suppose your question has much to do with vanity, right?

Vanity, vanity, all is vanity...

 

[Nickweissmusic]

This is not so much to ask whether looks matter to you in a bass, which we've talked about a lot, but what the goal of the look is for you. When you think about how a bass looks, do you want an instrument to stand out and draw attention, or do you want it to blend in?

In a sense, this is a visual-aesthetic equivalent to the musical question of the bass' role; do you step up and play "lead bass" and draw attention to the bass line, or do you support the ensemble and avoid that attention?

It's been on my mind lately because of my latest angle with GAS. I play in a group where I often need a five-string. I have two already. Both are visual standouts. One is "Batgirl," a Yamaha BB415 that sports a big custom decal of... well, you guessed it, Batgirl:

View attachment 3088646
...and the other is Looney Toon, a custom bass made by Kansas City Luthier John Toon:
View attachment 3088648
Neither is exactly a Fender P, they tend to stick out.

The band in question has talked about going for more corporate function-type gigs. In a bar band or stage show I figure I would play whatever I want and the existing basses are great. But for a more formal function-type of setting would you want something less splashy?

Not at all IMO, a somewhat silly or attention grabbing instrument that sounds good and can be played legitimately is pretty much only a benefit in my book. I suppose it depends on the type of gig, but corporations generally hire bands so their employees can have a good time, so no need to be too reserved at most events. The more attention you get at those kinds of events, the better for future business. And as a bass player, you weren’t going to get much attention even if you were handing out hundred dollar bills, so it’s pretty harmless. Those basses aren’t even all that over the top; now mothman, that might be pushing it. But IMO either of those would be acceptable at most corporate party gigs.

 

[MD Stingray]

In my experience, Corporate gigs usually end up in an all ethics overboard drunk fest.

Overall hardly anyone except bass-nerds (I avoid them like the plague) cares how your bass looks like.

Exception: If you got a Punk-style beat up P or J bass or a Beatles-style hofner/Rick. People tend to notice and like that.

 

[Pendulous]

On stage I like instruments that are so plain, people can't even see them. I plug a cord into my ear and pretend the sound comes directly from my mind.

Tom

Use the lower input on the back for a deeper, richer tone!

To OP: If all else is equal I like some flashiness. I’m over basses that all look the same as they did 50 years ago. Even if they’re beautiful they’re boring. But you do need to consider audience if you’re talking about things with graphics of bodies, body parts, and so on.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Play the Toon. If you wanna stand out, wear a fez.

But get a nice black bass, when the coast's clear

 

[cnltb]

For me, a bass does not have to stand out.
In fact, I prefer if they don't - I spend too much time with it to want something too'loud'.

 

[donotfret]

Stand out? What do you think is the reason I chose to play bass?

*runs away and hides in a corner*

 

[rogerbmiller]

Definitely depends on the gig. If you are playing rock then in my book, a little swagger is a good thing all else being equal. For me it’s heavy sparkle or flake finishes and occasionally a radically designed bass but in a classic sort of way (Italia Mondial, Fender Jag, etc).

 

[LanEvo]

this is an old challenger
View attachment 3089634

I don’t mean to be “that guy” but...

 

[inthebassclef]

I personally like the beauty in wood look. Which I think both stands out and blends in. You can have a really nice looking bass that blends in as well.

 

[br1qbat]

View attachment 3089631 I’d never play this with my jazz/funk project, but my stoner rock band—you bet!

The Toon bass is rad. I’d play that any gig. Batgirl—not at a corporate event.

And who is this beauty? You don't get to just drop a pic and run away! Details man, I need details!

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I like playing a unique instrument and getting compliments but I also really like playing my Precision bass because of the tone. I got one that is Sonic Blue because I thought it stood out. I have never gotten a comment on my Precision bass though. My Thunderbird and Rick get compliments.

 

[nateh415]

I don’t mean to be “that guy” but...

I had to restrain my self. Maybe it's a Fender Mustang bass?

 

[Yammybass]

All my basses are NSFTB and my homebrew 5er will take it to the next level of inappropriate when complete, but I aspire to dive bars and pickup joints.

My wife, however, has been nagging me to buy a “presentable” bass.

All my basses are NSFTB and my homebrew 5er will take it to the next level of inappropriate when complete, but I aspire to dive bars and pickup joints.

My wife, however, has been nagging me to buy a “presentable” bass.

i can only wish my wife would nag me about getting a new bass. I would duck outta work to get a new bass if I was allowed. Lol she’s a keeper bud.

 

[garp]

It shouldn’t matter, but in some situations it does

My sentiments, precisely.

But for a more formal function-type of setting would you want something less splashy?

Yes, I would want to blend in a bit more and play something more traditional that doesn't shout: "Look at ME!" It could be as simple and inexpensive as another unadorned BB415 – I use mine on the wedding/corporate gig circuit all the time.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I don’t mean to be “that guy” but...

Lol yeah I goofed that one lol. Was half asleep at the time. Fixed