Is elegance a thing when it comes to basses?

[HP Hovercraft]

One man's elegant is another's ostentatious

 

[Plain Old Barry]

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 scratchView attachment 5421190

I have one with the tiger maple top. It was built to play and super inexpensive. Relicing should come naturally!

 

[Plain Old Barry]

As a woodworker and maker of fine furniture, I really appreciate a great looking, tastefully done highly figured instrument. But I also appreciate the simple elegance of a painted or burst P or J for it's intended use.

I just can't get used to single cuts or too many contrasting woods in a coffee table instrument.

 

[Chickenwheels]

 

[trevcda]

In this modern era of rat-rod/road-worn basses - does elegance still have a place?

Absolutely. If for no other reason than counter point. It may not be your cup of tea and is completely subjective, but if they were all exactly the same, people would still find ways to differentiate them. Besides, rat-rod /road worn is anything but modern and really references older gear.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I don't know what else to call this if it isn't Elegant....

 

[groovaholic]

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...

No disagreement here; I'd happily adopt this definition - I think an understated & streamlined aesthetic is a good differentiator for "elegance".

I think my P-Basses are cool, but I would never call them elegant.
Same thing with muscle cars vs. a vintage Aston-Martin, for example.

Neither is better or worse, but they're pursuing a very different aesthetic.

 

[J Wilson]

Estwing make some really beautiful, classy hammers!

Even vintage collectibles!
View attachment 5421425

You know you got hold of a real carpenter or roofer if they're packing Estwings, as professional a hand tool as any thing out of a SnapOn rolling chest.
.

 

[J Wilson]

Elegance is subjective for sure, but I think this fits it....

View attachment 5421334

The mighty Alain Caron F Bass Signature Fretless. 28 fret fretless, cutaway up to here, a master's instrument, and as single-minded as a Carrera GT. Breathtaking, and to hear AC make this thing walk and talk makes me think I don't know squat about bass playing. A perfect pairing of artist and instrument.

 

[gtirard]

Brooks?

by @Basvarken ?

Nice!!!!

Indeed. BROOKS 1. The first bass he ever built.

I already told the story on another thread, but it's a cool one: I don't need it, I don't deserve it, I already have too many and I can't afford it. But I fell in love. On January 1st I quit smoking, and I decided to save all the money I normally spend on cigarettes during one year, and if I succeed for good, at the end of the year, I will reward myself. So far so good. Guess what? I used to burn a Brooks Bass worth every year on this poison! So it's going to cost virually nothing. Good for my health, good for my motivation, and wife happy.

 

[Winslow]

The Aerodyne is hands down the most elegant bass Fender ever made.

 

[Mike Vee]

a very fine line between elegant and tacky, very fine indeed.

 

[mapleglo]

A few people posted picture of the Diva, and I agree. That bass is elegant. It's a bit too much in the purchase price, so I built a clone:

And I also think a Ric is pretty elegant.

 

[BadMonk]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I lean to the understated look. So what some call elegant, can appear gaudy or garish to others.

 

[B-Mac]

Link Removed


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Black and White Tuxedo bass. Ultimate simple elegance. A Black Tie affair.

 

[B-Mac]

 

[B-Mac]

But then, I also think this is elegant too

 

[Fuzzbass]

I realize that there are some children who think they can decide what's right and wrong for everyone, not just themselves, but don't worry about them, get whatever you like. FWIW I stand 100% behind your decision, whether it's a relic Fender, a hyper-blingy 7 string headless singlecutaway boutique, or anywhere in between.


P.S. Sure, appearance can matter a lot in the real world: a Ritter might not pass muster with an oldies band, and a well-worn P-bass might get you stink-eye at a jazz audition. I'm just speaking conceptually.

 

[Gervais Cote]

A few people posted picture of the Diva, and I agree. That bass is elegant. It's a bit too much in the purchase price, so I built a clone:

View attachment 5421667

And I also think a Ric is pretty elegant.

View attachment 5421682

The bottom Rick is definitely ELEGANT ! I wouldn’t be shy to bring it everywhere and in any situation.

Just the necessary stuff, not overloaded.

Do you know if the playability and comfort are better on this bass compared to a 4001 or a 4003 ?

 

[Plain Old Barry]

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.

James Krenov, long time instructor in the College of the Redwoods furniture making program, stated something along the lines of details should be removed until the piece is no longer functional.

I'm all about that with instruments, tools, and functional items, including furniture, that I make myself, for my own use or on commission.

My only disagreement with the post above, is the plastic plate has a genuine function and is not superfluous on many instruments.