Ugly basses?

[low2groove]

I build em and I don't build ugly. So no!
Though it does amaze me the difference opinions on the subject.
For example. Many just love an old Fender sunburst and I believe it's possibly the ugliest looking bass finish ever, I don't care if it screams vintage , it's horrible.
I don't like a burst of any nature, but once again, that's just me!
Enjoy what you like, not what I like!

 

[Nev375]

Of course I would play a P bass.

 

[fishdreams]

Well yes, I do. My Linc Luthier fretless I don't fancy too much visually to put it mildly, but it sounds and plays awesome, plus i have never seen anyone in NYC with one of those, for some reason all I see here are bolt-on 4 strings, with the odd Ric or EB-3 thrown in.

So it makes me stand out, and I am not looking at it anyway when I play it (guys, we are not practicing and gigging in front of the mirror now are we? )

 

[xUptheIronsx]

I build em and I don't build ugly. So no!
Though it does amaze me the difference opinions on the subject.
For example. Many just love an old Fender sunburst and I believe it's possibly the ugliest looking bass finish ever, I don't care if it screams vintage , it's horrible.
I don't like a burst of any nature, but once again, that's just me!
Enjoy what you like, not what I like!

...funny cause I totally agree with the bolded part...and I have a sunburst '72 P-bass that I love. I would never give it away, or sell it...but would also never refinish it either...

one day I will scratch the "pretty bass" itch with a Lake Placid blue P or a Midnight Blue Ric

...one day....

 

[puddin tame]

My thinking is that even if an ugly bass sounds and plays great, i'm sure I can find 10 other basses for the same value that sound and play just as well and also look great. The market is so saturated with choice why would I compromise on looks or playability

 

[fedenybass]

I don't know about ugly... Maybe cheesy is the right word. IMO opinion those Traeben

 

[fedenybass]

I don't know about ugly... Maybe cheesy is the right word. IMO opinion those Traeben

Those traebens are not my fav. No offense to anyone.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Not me.

There is a very popular bass brand that I think sounds and plays outstanding.

I won't play it 'cuz I think it's ugly. And I can get that tone and playability from other more aesthetically pleasing basses.

+1 ... Same here, if you only meet 66% of my requirements, I'll pass on to the next one.

 

[darkstorm]

Mediocre looks yes, bleh looks maybe, ugly, nope. Thats for playing one. For owning, it has to look good to great as well as sound and play excellent.

 

[crashonskis]

Some say my vintage tint fretless bass is ugly, others say it's gorgeous.

 

[blubolt]

I play a P-Bass all the time, so, ya. I DO play an ugly bass.

 

[thobie]

in some ways the uglier the better. You can claim to be "expressing yourself" or "making a statement". or just troll

 

[Stewie26]

To me basses are like dogs, there just isn't any ugly ones. In fact, I don't think I ever saw a bass and said, "that's ugly."

Genius quote above. I had a dog that some people would have called ugly. Turned out he was the best dog I ever had. I see no reason why bass guitars could not be the same.

 

[Korladis]

My heavily modded Peavey is hideous. But I enjoy playing it.

 

[Thunderitter]

Are we talking euphemism here? If so only after 6 pints!

If we're talking musical instruments, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so yeah, probably!

 

[M.Mannix3]

I the studio, why the hell not?

On stage, perhaps no.

 

[mellowinman]

I said "yes," but for me, there's no such thing as an ugly bass or an ugly dog.

 

[BASSDROID]

As long as it meets my playability/sound requirements and doesn't have any goofy stickers on it, then yeah, I'd rock it.

I love my Gibson Ripper which, IMO, is firmly in the ugly category.

I like pretty boutique basses too, though some may find these ugly.

 

[Martin89]

My ATK 305 is not the best looking bass and definitely has some ugly features to quite a few but it still gets compliments. So maybe not ugly but "distinguished" like an uncle's facial hair.

 

[apcbassist]

Yeah me again...

Would you guys be happy to play a bass that felt great and sounded great but....

You considered it to be a bit ugly?

Like a ric? Haha