A hand injury followed by largely unsuccessful reconstructive surgery has ended any possibility of my gigging again, so presentation is no longer a factor for me.
I can play ugly/crazy/cheap/unhip/insane gear in the darkened studio and nobody cares, which is cool...but if I was still onstage (or doing artist development coaching for those who were) I never,
ever would use anything but plain-vanilla, pro standard gear in the standard finishes.
[Never mind they're easier to profitably offload when the time comes.]
Gear should never present a distraction for a strong, serious performer.
If you have a carnival act, though, rock out with that rhinestone Bootsy bass!