• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ugliest Bass Guitar Award

Status
Not open for further replies.
#41
Well, I'm really screwed here. I've got spalted top Sadowsky and a Bongo 5HH on order. You know why? 'Cos they sound ace and in the case of the Sad, I like a nice piece of furniture round my neck.
To the Bongo dissenters, 'f' me, just play one of the things first, they are awesome sounding and the quality, fit and finish for the price rival and probably betters just about anything in its price range.
 
#42
bovinehost said:
First, congrats on the Fish. I've had a few and still have a fiver that I love. Ugly basses, but what tone, eh?

No persecution complex here. I just think it's rude, frankly. And bordering on ignorant, as well. But then I grew up in the South, and we're really nicer than most other people.

Heh.

Considering all the basses I find less than desirable...some downright homely....I think it's just nicer to keep my trap shut when someone is going on and on about what a wonderful, beautiful bass they've just acquired. Not that I really expect anyone to show the same sort of respect, but one can hope.

On the other hand, when the teeming masses insult the bass I play most often, I don't feel terribly bad about commenting.

Make sense?

Jack
Click to expand...
When you buy a bass that looks different, you have to be prepared for those opinions. Same as if you buy a weird looking car, or clothes, or anything. With my Reverends (ugly like a fox!) I revel in the uniqueness but prepare for people not liking them. You can't have it both ways; it's the price you pay.

Especially online, because hey, this is a discussion board, not a compliments board. Viewing those opinions as "insults" is just going to take days off your life. It's not your wife, or your mother; when people comment on the looks, it's because with every bass they see they are asking themselves "do I want that bass? Why or why not?" and not to get under your skin.

FTR, I think Bongos look fairly ugly in pictures but much better in person and strapped to a player, like some have said.
 
#45
i agree that the rectangular, headless steinbergers and b.c. rich types are pretty hideous (as are the above shown yamaha's and any explorer or v type). in fact, i think most stuff from the 80's is fugly. the 80's were an ugly period for pop-culture in general... but perhaps that's a different thread...
 
#47
When you buy a bass that looks different, you have to be prepared for those opinions.
Click to expand...

True enough. I have grown to love the look of the Bongo...actually, okay, truth be told, a friend of mine sent me some photos from NAMM when the Bongo first was shown, and I stared at those for about ten minutes before deciding I couldn't wait to have one.

Anyway, what I'm saying is not that everyone should feel the same way....but the same people saying the same things over and over (by law, every TB Bongo thread must eventually contain the term "toilet seat") gets boring.

Same as if you buy a weird looking car, or clothes, or anything. With my Reverends (ugly like a fox!) I revel in the uniqueness but prepare for people not liking them. You can't have it both ways; it's the price you pay.
Click to expand...

Wanna see my Reverend? I might be an EBMM hack, but I adore my Fish. Anyway, after spending enough time in the US military to actually retire, I'm not really thin-skinned. Just cranky, occasionally. Heh.

Jack
 
#48
bassplayer2106 said:
Musicman Bongo.
Click to expand...

I was joking actually, like someone else said, the design is like a breath of fresh air, especially amongst all of the boring Precision clones that we see around.


I can't think of an ugly looking bass, headstocks yes, but not really bodies.

That Daisy rock thing looks silly mind you, as do those old 80's style things with all of the points and angles, as favoured by the rock fraternity.:cool:
 
#50
Sean Baumann said:
As a former bongo basher, I can honestly say that your opinion will change the moment you play one.
Click to expand...

They really are surprisingly nice sounding basses. Personally, though, I actually like ugly basses. I mean really ugly. The Bongos are just too sleek and pretty for me...

Matt
 
#53
dancehallclasher said:
Hell yeah. I love bass pics, whether or not the bass is ugly! :D
Click to expand...

heartbreaker_bass.jpg
I saw this one up close in a little junkie music shop last year. Pretty funny, eh?:D
 
#54
ok... I love odd looking basses, but I don't really like the looks of the EBMMs or bongos or Rickenbakers or hollow-bodys (a-la Epiphone or gibson).

however some that are either posted here or the general conseus is that they are ugly that I like are:

that ovation thing posted
BC Riches
Ampeg Scroll (odd looking for sure, some don't like it)
kibukis (sp?)

just my opinion...
 
#56
Well, I have three of the more hated basses listed here:

A Bongo
A Steinberger
and a Ric 4003:

IMG_0644.jpg


And I can honestly say that how a bass looks is FAR less important than how it plays, how good the tone is, and how well it is constructed. IMO, these factors far outweigh appearance in choosing what to play. However, I have to express some gratitude to all the Bongo-haters out there -- your distaste for my instrument allowed me to score one for an incredibly low price.

However, talking strictly about appearance: I like the look of my Bongo -- it does look much better in playing position. I LOVE the look of my Steinberger, and you won't find a more ergonomically designed bass for playing standing up anywhere. I think the Ric is a classic design. None of the rest of you have to play them -- that's fine by me. You're welcome to sell me a Steinberger XL-5W at a huge loss if you have one. :p

Looking for ugly? Try some of the heinous creations to emanate from Wish.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back