Unique Bass to stand out

[mikeoso]

I dunno how it works where you are, but pretty sure nobody around here gets a gig because they look different. Guess it depends on location and genre? Bands here mostly look for someone that can play and fits with the group.

Note...I'm like 70 years old, live in Iowa, and play only acoustic...so I may very well be completely without clue.

 

[funkinbottom]

There's always the Torzal Bass from Little Guitar Works | Handcrafted Ergonomic Basses and Guitars

 

[cataract]

Warwick Dolphin Pro

 

[cataract]

Electra MPC Outlaw

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Italia Mondial.
Beautiful. Affordable. Versatile. Comfortable.

Check 'em out.

 

[Charley Umbria]

As mentioned above:

Peavey T-40
Ovation Magnum
Music Man Stingray

Also:

Reverend Rumblefish
Music Man Big Al
G&L L-1000
Epiphone Jack Casady
Steinberger

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Electra MPC Outlaw
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You know... I have a bazillion basses, and have been selling many off. Although, if I run across one of these... I WILL OWN IT!!!

 

[mcnach]

As of late, I've been creeping on reverb and trying to find another four string that is unique and sticks out, while still doing the job (which is obviously the most important thing.) Since at times basses tend to be a very homogeneous with the same sort of designs (the P, the J, etc) I've found myself kind of looking at the vintage section, and am kind of debating taking a chance on an older instrument.

What have been your experiences with older basses like that and have they helped you stand out from the endless horde of P and J's out there and has there been any experiences where you've been told "hey, could you get a P Bass or a J?"

As always, pics are appreciated. Cause I love me some bass porn. lol

I have never used a bass to stand out... but I've been known to choose a specific bass on a specific day because its colour suited my clothing...

 

[Mechanical]

ESP F-4E

 

[musicman7722]

Steinberger Synapse

 

[cataract]

You know... I have a bazillion basses, and have been selling many off. Although, if I run across one of these... I WILL OWN IT!!!

They pop up on Reverb every so often. I’ll probably pick one up someday too!
Also had my eyes on an Ibanez Musician

 

[dmac1961]

This is what I went with, looks badass, plays amazing and sounds great!

 

[Marc DLarosa]

They pop up on Reverb every so often. I’ll probably pick one up someday too!
Also had my eyes on an Ibanez Musician
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I see these all the time. But, I'm in L.A. Never really had a "Hankering" for one.
We see EVERYTHING, except OUTLAWS!!! UGH!!!

 

[IamGroot]

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Bootsy would approve.

 

[phillipkregg]

Stand out and sound great, too.
Incredible bass for the price. Haven't touched my L2000 since I bought this back in May.
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I just ordered a 5 string Reverend Mercalli after playing an amazing 4 string version at a music store yesterday.

These basses look incredibly cool, and the sound and playability is fantastic (I couldn't put the thing down).

It's really hard to understand how these aren't more popular or more widely used.

 

[jd56hawk]

Yes, it is.
Can't wait to try mine out at rehearsal in the studio Friday night.

 

[devnulljp]

Most of those old Japanese Kawai/Tesico/Zen–On/Guyatone etc. oddball MIJ guitars and basses from the 1960s were garbage at the time, and are now just old garbage.
Sure, they have certain appeal, but I'd sure hate to have one as my only bass. I remember seeing literally piles of the things in junk shops in Kyoto in the late 90s for $50 each.
Sure, Marc Ribot gets an interesting sound out of the guitars, and Hound Dog Taylor played a Teisco, but they're real niche. If you can find one cheap enough, might be worth trying, but the asking prices these days are generally nuts IMO.

 

[Fat Freddy]

 

[Gilmourisgod]

In the Classic category, only two basses I ever played drew any audience notice or comment whatsoever, Rickenbacker 4001 and Steinberger. Most people don’t even know the difference between a guitar or bass, and really don’t care as long as it sounds good, so don’t worry about it, play what feels and sounds good to you.

 

[malthumb]

My feeling is that no one cares. Maybe another bass player but that doesn’t make their opinion particularly valuable as far as I am concerned. Now if YOU really love the look of some oddball bass, then that’s what matters.

Very, very true. Except for those few and far in-between times when it isn’t. In Detroit there is a guy who is an awesome, very much in-demand player. His basses are recognizable from a mile away, even though three of them are common brands. He’s just modified them to be HIS

And there is a woman who has a bass shaped like a fig leaf. Very unforgettable. And very good bass player. If you mention her name people typically respond “She’s the one with the fig leaf bass? Oh yeah, she’s baaa-aad”