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Should you put stickers on a bass.
- Thread starter Dave1974
- Start date
If you want the technical answer, you should do whatever you want. The impact on tone and sustain will be negligible, if any. Too small to measure by human ears. I'm sure you know this will negatively affect resale value unless you personally become famous.
If you want our approval, then you have a lot of self-introspection to do.
If you want our approval, then you have a lot of self-introspection to do.
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Most basses, no...some basses, yes.
I wouldn't put a bumper sticker on a '57 Studebaker Hawk or a '74 Lotus Europa or a new Rolls Royce, but I've recently seen other vehicles proud to proclaim their philosophy... a Toyota Prius with a "Go Green Go Vegan" bumper sticker, an old Ford Bronco with a "Honk if you love Jesus" sticker and one of those Volvo crossover vehicles with a "Caution, I break for coffee!" sticker.
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This got me thinking (which is usually dangerous in itself). Tort stickers! Instantly add the torty goodness of tort to any bass.
This could be HUGE!
(I'm waiting for someone to tell me it's already been done.
)
This could be HUGE!
(I'm waiting for someone to tell me it's already been done.
)
Seriously though, I almost bought this copy on ebay.
Definitely regret not jumping on it.
Definitely regret not jumping on it.
For me, NO.
And it might work for some famous musicians ("THIS MACHINE DESTROYS FASCISTS"), but I'm not a famous musician.
If it works for you, then go for it.
I don't even like them on guitar cases. Sort of like trying to be a world traveling rock star poseur.
When I bought my first electric, I got it from a metal head who had been in several known (in that town and area anyway) acts. It had about a dozen stickers, all skull based with the exception of the flying eyeball with dragon wings wearing a top hat.
First thing I did was break out the Goo Gone. Even after several cleanings there's still a tan line you ca see in the tolex, even though the stickers were clear.
I don't mind them on my car. Have a couple small ones that if you recognize the symbol you'll know.
And it might work for some famous musicians ("THIS MACHINE DESTROYS FASCISTS"), but I'm not a famous musician.
If it works for you, then go for it.
I don't even like them on guitar cases. Sort of like trying to be a world traveling rock star poseur.
When I bought my first electric, I got it from a metal head who had been in several known (in that town and area anyway) acts. It had about a dozen stickers, all skull based with the exception of the flying eyeball with dragon wings wearing a top hat.
First thing I did was break out the Goo Gone. Even after several cleanings there's still a tan line you ca see in the tolex, even though the stickers were clear.
I don't mind them on my car. Have a couple small ones that if you recognize the symbol you'll know.
Me, no. Others, sure, if they want. I couldn't care less what someone else does to their bass.
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Depends on a lot of things.
Your personality. It's for some not for others.
The band your in. Stoner doom sure. Jazz trio no.
The venues you play and audience. Dive bars sure. Upscale restaurants no.
The bass itself. Old tried and true beater you'll never part with sure. A fancy $2K plus bass in nice condition doubtful.
Etc. etc.
Me personally? It's not my thing but I appreciate the character it adds given the conditions I mentioned.
Your personality. It's for some not for others.
The band your in. Stoner doom sure. Jazz trio no.
The venues you play and audience. Dive bars sure. Upscale restaurants no.
The bass itself. Old tried and true beater you'll never part with sure. A fancy $2K plus bass in nice condition doubtful.
Etc. etc.
Me personally? It's not my thing but I appreciate the character it adds given the conditions I mentioned.
Think twice if it's a really nice sticker. You might later regret having put a stupid bass on it.
Not sure why I bothered to read this far but for me its always a NO. I think your answer breaks down reasoning very nicely, kind of surprised you mention Doom though, I figured Punk for sure.Depends on a lot of things.
Your personality. It's for some not for others.
The band your in. Stoner doom sure. Jazz trio no.
The venues you play and audience. Dive bars sure. Upscale restaurants no.
The bass itself. Old tried and true beater you'll never part with sure. A fancy $2K plus bass in nice condition doubtful.
Etc. etc.
Me personally? It's not my thing but I appreciate the character it adds given the conditions I mentioned.
I don't do it because I can't think of a sticker I want on any of my basses. But I'm down with it if others want to do it. Ain't my bass.
You know what I almost did. It suits the explanation much better.
Too easy. You should do what makes you happy. If stickers on your bass does it for you, do it. If it's going to cause you constant stress because you worry about what others (mostly strangers) think, don't do it.
