Ugly Basses But Great Playability Choice

[jessicabass]

I was recently at the music store and played on a squier classic vibe bass. Felt fantastic and played very well. But.....
Red bass with a tort pickguard?
Just nasty looking and very unappealing.
So the question entered my mind.
If a bass is butt ugly but plays great what do you do or have you done?

 

[dylanjosef]

It's a lot easier to learn to like a look than to learn to like sound/playability!

 

[BassNoobSuomi]

Well, you can always change the pickguard. Unless you hate the red, not the guard.

 

[azian32]

If it plays and sounds great that's all that matters! Pay someone to re paint it

At times it maybe hard to find an instrument that plays and sounds right for you.

 

[Batmensch]

I would say that if you don't like the look, then move on. There are plenty of basses of similar quality and price, there's no need to "settle" for one you find ugly, just because it plays and sounds good. With a little bit of leg work, you can find one that feels and sounds as good, with an aesthetic that's more pleasing to you. (BTW, I agree with you, IMO, that fiesta red and tort scheme looks hideous)

 

[Unrepresented]

If you've found the holy grail of great playability but the extra $30 to buy a more fashionably colored pickguard is a dealbreaker, I don't know what advice I can offer.

 

[wideload]

I mean, gosh, it's not like it's a Bongo or anything

 

[M.R. Ogle]

If you've found the holy grail of great playability but the extra $30 to buy a more fashionably colored pickguard is a dealbreaker, I don't know what advice I can offer.

Yeah, just change the pickguard.
Change it to something you REALLY like, then you have a great-looking bass with great playability.

 

[tastybasslines]

Would you still get with an ugly person who has a great body? I would. Point is, who cares? The bass is made for playing.

 

[john turner]

If a bass is butt ugly but plays great what do you do or have you done?

i made sure i posted about it on talkbass. because, you know, we have a rule accentuating how appropriate and good it is to start a thread about ugly basses.