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Looks or Sound
- Thread starter pica
- Start date
I used to buy basses simply because I liked the looks: a Rickenbacker 4003, an Epiphone Explorer and a Gibson RD Standard. Sold them all within a year. 
I wouldn't buy one of those anymore, but if I were to fall in love with some other bass design tomorrow, I'd probably and happily make the same mistake again.
I wouldn't buy one of those anymore, but if I were to fall in love with some other bass design tomorrow, I'd probably and happily make the same mistake again.
I bought my Black MIA Jazz Bass V purely based on its look and the name on the headstock.
I thank God I did, because my bass sounds and plays fantastic
I thank God I did, because my bass sounds and plays fantastic
I guess, in all honesty, I fell in love with the Stingray tone first; when I heard it on recordings...Gabriel, Chic, etc... When I finally got one in my hands, it all hit me at once; looks, feel & tone.
Both is the obvious answer, and I have some very good sounding basses that look great, but in all reality for playing infront of a crowd I go for looks. I've bought basses solely for how it was gonna look on stage. I am just that kind of person. Granted I wouldn't go out with a dog that was so bad it couldn't be played (but came close with some clear Lucite thing once) I think whats missing in so much music is stupid silly fun. I never cared if what I was playing was hip, cool, current or whatever. I want to have fun, put on a show and just enjoy. And it always comes across to an audience when your having a blast up there. A good equalizer helped.
Feel for sure.
Feel is what will always keep me away from thunderbirds, their tone is to die for though.
It's pretty simple for me. I don't deal with the hypothetical, so I couldn't care less about "ifs" I care about what "is" and the fact is, with the sheer number of basses and the massive amount of variety between them the likelihood of me finding one that looks great and sounds great is fairly high. I've already owned and played plenty of basses that fit my personal criteria. Sure, none were perfect but with every purchase I get closer to one that I think could stick with me for a seriously long time.
To shorten it up, putting looks before sound is never necessary because any bass that I happen to like will have both. Feel is a non issue because I don't play crappy basses and I'm pretty adaptable anyway.
Looks first. Then if the sound is good, it's a go. If not, no. I can't be seen with no scuzzy-looking bass. Something has to make up for my plebian technical skills.
I have never been a green bass guy but holy hell is that hot!
Fretless F-basses make me want to rob banks.
It's 50/50 for me. My Thunderbird and P Active both look great (the P will be better once I swap out the PG) and sound tremendous. That said, I can see myself buying a bass that looks superb but sounds meh ahead of me buying a terrific sounding dullard.
Sound can be changed.
However, in order of importance, to me:
1. Feel
2. Sound
3. Looks
