Is elegance a thing when it comes to basses?

[BassHappy]

Hello good folks of the TB:

What defines elegance in a bass guitar, and should it even exist? In this modern era of rat-rod/road-worn basses - does elegance still have a place?

So here are a few basses that I would consider to be elegant. Of course, one person's jewel is always another person's yawn - it has been that way forever, and I don't see it changing.

No discussion of elegant would be complete without including the craftsmanship of my friend Jens Ritter. It doesn't need to be fancy coffee table wood to make an impression. The right fingerboard wood brings it all together:

No doubt about the fact that Keith Roscoe does amazing and elegant work. Keith has built two custom basses for me and I will forever be a fan of his work. Not my bass:

Well, what can you say about Rob Allen? Rob built me a custom "mouse" in 2004 and I can't even begin to express how elegant his basses are. Not my bass:

In my opinion Andrew Drake has made some pretty incredible, and yes elegant instruments. This is Wilma:

This is just a tiny sampling. So let's hear it - is elegance a thing or is it a thing of the past? Post your thoughts here.

 

[chris_b]

Can't get more elegant than a 5 string Pbass with rosewood, burst and tort. I have a Mike Lull PJ5 that fits the bill perfectly.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

The J bass is still the most elegant bass that's ever designed.

 

[blr2]

Hello good folks of the TB:

What defines elegance in a bass guitar, and should it even exist?

А three tone sunburst with tort PG J or P and a rosewood FB. The symbol of eternal elegance.

 

[jd56hawk]

Elegance doesn't necessarily mean expensive.

 

[ajkula66]

Stradi Symphony.

 

[Minimalist]

Some of those basses are stunning, beautiful to look at. I just don't have any desire to own one of those.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I think all of mine look elegant .

 

[Cicis Dad]

I created her out of a cheap Bacchus body, free no name neck and parts that nobody wanted. My baby looks elegant and sounds beautiful.

 

[B-Mac]

Hello good folks of the TB:

What defines elegance in a bass guitar, and should it even exist? In this modern era of rat-rod/road-worn basses - does elegance still have a place?

So here are a few basses that I would consider to be elegant. Of course, one person's jewel is always another person's yawn - it has been that way forever, and I don't see it changing.

No discussion of elegant would be complete without including the craftsmanship of my friend Jens Ritter. It doesn't need to be fancy coffee table wood to make an impression. The right fingerboard wood brings it all together:

View attachment 5420652

No doubt about the fact that Keith Roscoe does amazing and elegant work. Keith has built two custom basses for me and I will forever be a fan of his work. Not my bass:

View attachment 5420659

Well, what can you say about Rob Allen? Rob built me a custom "mouse" in 2004 and I can't even begin to express how elegant his basses are. Not my bass:

View attachment 5420660

In my opinion Andrew Drake has made some pretty incredible, and yes elegant instruments. This is Wilma:

View attachment 5420662

This is just a tiny sampling. So let's hear it - is elegance a thing or is it a thing of the past? Post your thoughts here.

All very nice, as per your usual, but you left out some classic black and white tuxedo basses.

And this is coming from a guy that really likes coffee table basses.

 

[Derek Kay]

I prefer the word excellence.

Functionality first, looks second.

Sorry, I guess I'm disappointingly practical...

 

[Rib 13]

Ive been a working bassist most of my life (Im now a RN and play part time for fun)....so, my point of view is different: Basses have always been tools, not art, to me. Therefore, when making elegance notes about instruments is kinda like expressing the beauty and classiness of hammers....I'm sure that Im probably in the minority on TB about this

 

[micguy]

Elegance typically includes an element of simplicity - the design doesn’t have elements that don’t need to be there. I’m sure others will disagree, but my aesthetic says anything with a piece of plastic screwed to its face to cover up routed holes isn’t elegant.

The simplicity part would also disqualify most “hippie sandwich” basses - multi layer wood structures are not simple and refined - they’re showing off a bit too much. Doesn’t mean they’re not cool in their own way , just not elegant.

 

[Bright Midnight]

This Sandberg TM in what looks like some sort of sonic blue, matched headstock....aged.....yes, this to me is pure elegance.

 

[pepj]

I wouldn't use the word 'elegant'.
Not to say they may be well made but thats a different thing.

 

[OldShark]

When it comes to elegance, a Marleaux Diva comes to my mind (but I don't think I'll ever play one...) :

 

[Minimalist]

Ive been a working bassist most of my life (Im now a RN and play part time for fun)....so, my point of view is different: Basses have always been tools, not art, to me. Therefore, when making elegance notes about instruments is kinda like expressing the beauty and classiness of hammers....I'm sure that Im probably in the minority on TB about this

Hammers? That's kinda crass. How about pliers? You can bend and shape something. And in a pinch you can use pliers to nail it.

 

[JesterR]

For elevator jazz or lawyer blues maybe you need one.

But personally do not care about bass which looks like Victorian era table.

 

[dune]

It's almost as though beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Bassdirty]

I was never into anything elegant in as far as basses go.

This is as elegant as I get..
My Ibanez SR5FMDX.

T$

 

[edencab]

this is my favorite gorgeous /elegant bass ... like a grand piano.... Schecter Omen....don't own it, just like it...too fancy for rock n roll?...too nice to use though, I'd cry if it got a scratch