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Poll: How have your aesthetic preferences changed over time?

How have your preferences changed over time?

  • Not at all.

    Votes: 56 23.0%
  • Somewhat.

    Votes: 114 46.7%
  • Significantly.

    Votes: 74 30.3%

  • Total voters
    244
I used to be into the exotic solidbodies, carl thompsons especially. Now they just look like furniture to me. I like wood furniture, but now i want something that looks more "musical" like violin basses. I have mostly always hated sunburst, now i have seen some really beautiful burst jobs like on old gibson mandolins i have come to appreciate it more. I used to like figured wood tops, now i like plainer woods.
 
My first instruments were all black with pickguards. Now I prefer a burst or natural finish w/o a pickguard. Pickguards just allow the manufacturer to be sloppy with their routes.
At the same time I try to tell myself that looks don't matter, because that beautiful quilted maple 4004 Rickenbacker is about $2,000.

I used to think that I'd own a body shape like this some day. That was before I got a P bass long ago. It would also look silly on a middle aged guy who looks like an accountant, in my opinion.

adb19e460282c87d20397d7958be2553.jpg

I've tried Randy Rhoads V & they are super uncomfortable seated, at least for me.
 
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As for me, not at all.

I only have two basses, and four guitars, but it was never the looks alone, it was the overall feeling. Since I had to save money, I had enough time to try and ponder and look inside myself: Does it feel right? Good enough, so I'd happy with it for the rest of my life? Cause I knew, I likely had to - and wanted to.

As for the looks; I pretty much enjoy seeing the beauty in almost any design or color. Glad to see so many different ones played by others, would be way too boring, if everyone played Jetglo (black). I already have a black one, so I really like to see the other colors being played, as well. Like in a marriage; no touching, but looking at other basses is allowed :D
 
Yes they have somewhat changed I still don't care for maple fretboard on my Bass's. Or the road worn look. Colors don't really bother me. Or being a p Bass vs jazz but still prefer jazz and the jazz neck on a p. Now really want a p and j in seafoam green and willing to settle on a twin colored Bass in fretless or a p to match my jazz's.
 
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is that to match the tux Joe??

:) It's to match all I've been wearing for the past 5 years.

I met my wife about 21 years ago. At that time, all she ever wore was black. At that time, I wore every color under sun including bright yellows, blues, reds, and oranges.

Now my wardrobe consists of 90% black and white clothes. And she wears every color under the sun.
 
I only used to like solid "painted" colors. I'm warming up to 3 tone burst and torts with my last addition. Through sheer happenstance and coincidence, the majority of the basses I have owned have wound up being some form or red color. And all with Rosewood fingerboards (just my preference over maple).

I've always like traditional style bodies best. Crazy angles and designs just aren't aesthetically pleasing to me. However, I completely agree with @SanDiegoHarry

But I will say that the aesthetics of an instrument are FAR less important to me today than the feel and sound. If I ran across a safety-green & hot pink bass that sounded and played perfectly, I'd use it. Sure, I'd prefer it wasn't ugly, but really I don't care what it looks like if it plays and sounds great
 
I only used to like solid "painted" colors. I'm warming up to 3 tone burst and torts with my last addition. Through sheer happenstance and coincidence, the majority of the basses I have owned have wound up being some form or red color. And all with Rosewood fingerboards (just my preference over maple).

I've always like traditional style bodies best. Crazy angles and designs just aren't aesthetically pleasing to me. However, I completely agree with @SanDiegoHarry

I'm that way with blue and maple - I love a blue bass with a maple neck. Did my best work / recording / gigging with a blueburst 91 p-bass plus w/maple neck, so I guess it imprinted on me.
 
When I first ever saw a cherry sunburst guitar I thought it was defective. I was like "What's wrong with that fading to yellow in the middle? Why not solid red?" Now i see it is as one of the most beautiful finishes.

I also started finding vintage looking instruments more attractive. They seemed goofy to me before.
If you check my media, I have a lovely cherryburst L-2000 that may please your eyes. :)
Mine are about to change shortly after this one arrives :)

View attachment 1103006
That's a futuristic-looking bass. Nice!
Like in a marriage; no touching, but looking at other basses is allowed :D
Yyyyep. :roflmao:
 
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