If you're 12 and you have a cheap bass, I'd say go for it.
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Should you put stickers on a bass.
- Thread starter Dave1974
- Start date
When I gave my 5 yr old grandaughter a pink Squier mini Strat, I gave her a sheet of princess stickers to make it hers. When she tried to put some on my bass she was told the stickers were hers and only for her "geetar".
I had stickers on one of my basses (see profile pic) but took them all off because I refinished it. I think some stickered basses and guitars can look good, but others don't. It's all about the placement as well as the stickers that go on the instrument.
It's the same with cars. I have a couple of tasteful bumper stickers on my car, and it's a Jeep Wrangler unlimited. My girlfriend drives a Camaro and will never put a sticker on her car (and I completely back her on that haha). She hated that she had to put parking decals for her apartment complex in college.
I think it also depends on the bass. A P Bass? go ahead and sticker it up. A Fodera? Maybe not lol
It's the same with cars. I have a couple of tasteful bumper stickers on my car, and it's a Jeep Wrangler unlimited. My girlfriend drives a Camaro and will never put a sticker on her car (and I completely back her on that haha). She hated that she had to put parking decals for her apartment complex in college.
I think it also depends on the bass. A P Bass? go ahead and sticker it up. A Fodera? Maybe not lol
It is completely up to the individual TBH.
I tried it a few times on various guitars/basses, didn't work for me, so I haven't done it since. Stickers on a hard case is a different matter though. That's fair game.
I do know a number of people who have literally covered their guitars/basses in stickers, so the only bits you see is the hardware.
I've heard people say that they do it to cover up scratches & dings or to prevent scratches & dings, which is a fair argument. I've heard some people say that they had so many stickers, they didn't know what to do with them, and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Another fair argument.
If it's your instrument, then do what you want.
If you want them, yes apply stickers for a while until you come to realize the many downside effects. (I will not list the negative effects. They are for you to discover). Then afterward, no more stickers.
That is my approach. I have gear that is completely covered in stickers and some that is not. I always cringe when I see a thread where someone mentions that they added some "cool" stickers onto a bass and then there is a picture of a Bud Lite sticker next to a Rasta peace sign and something that came off the tag from a pair of Zubas. Where is the artistry in that?
YES!! As long as you don't forget the googly eyes and a snare strainer!
There is nothing sacred or special about most mass produced basses that suggests to me it is a bad idea in any way.
Here is my sticker bass, mostly local bands and local businesses I support. I'll keep adding more.
I love this bass!
Specs: Used Dean ABG I got for $50 with case because the bass had bad frets. I ripped the frets out, coated the f-board with epoxy, added the Teisco pickup to the soundhole, mounted a snare strainer on the back, and put a pickup inside the back to amplify the snare strainer. Sounds like a drum machine when I want it to! fresh set of DR Pure Blues and it sounds fantastic plugged in or acoustic.
To do list: make a new nut, install a set of sympathetic resonating strings inside the body, and apply more stickers yay!
There is nothing sacred or special about most mass produced basses that suggests to me it is a bad idea in any way.
Here is my sticker bass, mostly local bands and local businesses I support. I'll keep adding more.
Specs: Used Dean ABG I got for $50 with case because the bass had bad frets. I ripped the frets out, coated the f-board with epoxy, added the Teisco pickup to the soundhole, mounted a snare strainer on the back, and put a pickup inside the back to amplify the snare strainer. Sounds like a drum machine when I want it to! fresh set of DR Pure Blues and it sounds fantastic plugged in or acoustic.
To do list: make a new nut, install a set of sympathetic resonating strings inside the body, and apply more stickers yay!Attachments
Well, my battle bass is covered in stickers, and my signature, collector, and custom basses are not. It's so subjective and so opinionated that it's a bit of a silly question. I've been painting guitars for over 20 years, and the most popular, in demand, paint job for the last 5 years is "road worn". So does anyone really care? I've pulled pro grade 3M automotive stickers off instruments that saw 6 years worth of punk touring, and you'd never no that they were ever there.
Yes, I go both ways on this topic. Now for those who insist that it's a no no or will ruin something... I suggest that you research Matt Freeman. Sick skills, sick tone, 30 years worth of stickers... Very few bass players would ever even attempt what he does.
Yes, I go both ways on this topic. Now for those who insist that it's a no no or will ruin something... I suggest that you research Matt Freeman. Sick skills, sick tone, 30 years worth of stickers... Very few bass players would ever even attempt what he does.
Apparently this one makes you play like a Canadian rock star...
YES!! As long as you don't forget the googly eyes and a snare strainer!
There is nothing sacred or special about most mass produced basses that suggests to me it is a bad idea in any way.
Here is my sticker bass, mostly local bands and local businesses I support. I'll keep adding more.
View attachment 1198288 View attachment 1198289 View attachment 1198290 I love this bass!
Specs: Used Dean ABG I got for $50 with case because the bass had bad frets. I ripped the frets out, coated the f-board with epoxy, added the Teisco pickup to the soundhole, mounted a snare strainer on the back, and put a pickup inside the back to amplify the snare strainer. Sounds like a drum machine when I want it to! fresh set of DR Pure Blues and it sounds fantastic plugged in or acoustic.
I am intrigued by the snares. I also have a $50 Dean acoustic bass that hangs on the wall 100% of the time. Perhaps it's time to snazz it up?
- Oct 8, 2007
- 970
- 60
- Disclosures
- Former Part-Time, Non-Commission Employee MOOG Audio
I'll join the solid "it depends" side.
Of my two players right now, one sports stickers and the other doesn't. I would be extraordinarily hesitant to put stickers on anything I bought new (cars included) or any natural/sunburst finish.
I love this bass, and it saw 90% of the action at a gig earlier this week. That gig is a story in itself--I got paid in whiskey, the guitarist was barefoot for part of it, and the lead singer wore granny panties over his jeans at one point. You know, the usual.
Of my two players right now, one sports stickers and the other doesn't. I would be extraordinarily hesitant to put stickers on anything I bought new (cars included) or any natural/sunburst finish.
I love this bass, and it saw 90% of the action at a gig earlier this week. That gig is a story in itself--I got paid in whiskey, the guitarist was barefoot for part of it, and the lead singer wore granny panties over his jeans at one point. You know, the usual.
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