Very odd question.

[hsech]

I don't care for the Epiphone headstock. It kind of looks like a pregnant Gibson Headstock.

 

[Maxdusty]

Hey gang! I have a very odd question.I'll just get short and sweet. Is it bad to buy or not buy a bass based on the way it looks? Like, I love the way the Ibanez's look but I haven't really picked one up that I really like the sound of. Musicman on the other hand, they have a great sound, but the bodies, are just too big for me.

Why not try the Ibanez ATK basses? They have a quasi-Musicman sound to them.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Hey gang! I have a very odd question.I'll just get short and sweet. Is it bad to buy or not buy a bass based on the way it looks? Like, I love the way the Ibanez's look but I haven't really picked one up that I really like the sound of. Musicman on the other hand, they have a great sound, but the bodies, are just too big for me.

Of course it's not odd! Why do you think basses look so darn cool? It's the first thing that attracts us when we walk into a music store..."whoa, look at that beautiful red bass over there...I wanna touch it!"

 

[lyla1953]

Looks are where it all starts in my case - but I always try and play the ones that appeal visually before I buy - and play several. If I can't get away with that, then I buy used and keep the price paid at market for resale. And I can't say I've ever bought one I didn't like visually.

 

[dayslug24]

The look of an instrument plays a bigger part into us choosing it than we think , otherwise no manufacturer would waste the extra money on painting the thing different colors or choosing a beautiful quilt top to glue to the body. Your bass should be an extension of you. If it fits you and feels right then you can focus on having fun and simply playing. if it looks like poopie in your mind, you will always have that extra distraction in your head. just because popular opinion views one thing as the best does not mean it is right for you.
i will bet you the people that come to enjoy your music and who ultimately pay your bills do not come out to your shows just because your bass is the best looking......but i know you will play better if you think it looks awsome. Lol.

 

[Aidan Engel]

I think it's mostly in the sound, but I would never buy a hot pink bass with yellow Polk a dots no matter how good it sounds.

 

[ggunn]

I think it's mostly in the sound, but I would never buy a hot pink bass with yellow Polk a dots no matter how good it sounds.

So I'm guessing a "Hello Kitty" bass is right out.

 

[Watchootognbout]

March 2007.I walk into a music store.I walk to the bass wall.
I glance around.
Fender.Ibanez.Epiphone.
Paint.Pick guards.Chrome.
Disgust.The same 'ol same 'ol.
Then,as I start to leave,I see this on the wall.

I see THIS beauty on the wall!
Natural woods!No pickguard!Gold hardware!
A week later I come back with my tax refund and take this babe home with me!

Needless to say.These are no longer sold at Sam Ash.
Why?
Because it's not the same 'ol same 'ol.

 

[StereoPlayer]

I don't think that's an old question at all.The appearances of basses all give off a certain vibe themselves and certain looking basses fit better with different styles of music.

Example:

You would look rather strange showing up some where to play country music with a BC Rich warlock bass.Might sound fine but would give off an unusual vibe.

You just have to narrow down a look you like then find one that sounds the way you want it too.

I recently was looking for a Thunderbird style bass and I had it narrowed down to 4 different basses that I liked the looks of.After playing them only two had the kind of sound I liked.Then I happen to get lucky an find one of the two I liked at a good deal.

For 89 bucks!

 

[Dradder]

Is it bad to buy or not buy a bass based on the way it looks?

Be honest. Does this bass make my butt look big?

 

[lbbc]

March 2007.I walk into a music store.I walk to the bass wall.
I glance around.
Fender.Ibanez.Epiphone.
Paint.Pick guards.Chrome.
Disgust.The same 'ol same 'ol.
Then,as I start to leave,I see this on the wall.View attachment 514877
I see THIS beauty on the wall!
Natural woods!No pickguard!Gold hardware!
A week later I come back with my tax refund and take this babe home with me!

Needless to say.These are no longer sold at Sam Ash.
Why?
Because it's not the same 'ol same 'ol.

I tried a Tune Bass at Sam Ash in NYC and was very impressed. Went back to get it...and they were no longer being stocked. Bummer

 

[cronker]

So, my answer to your question is, yes, looks do matter.
No girl is going to look at you kindly of you have a butt ugly bass attached to your fat ass Comic Store Guy persona.

But truth being - when you perhaps get to the recording studio to make your first smash hit album, a lot of engineers are going to want a Fender, Musicman, high end etc, bass to work with.

Save up. Pay once, get something versatile.
Getting a BC Rich or Hello Kitty right now might look good for you, but if you intend to play over your lifetime, stick with something perhaps more boring looking, but in the end, very much more versatile.

 

[rmayer]

Hey gang! I have a very odd question.I'll just get short and sweet. Is it bad to buy or not buy a bass based on the way it looks? Like, I love the way the Ibanez's look but I haven't really picked one up that I really like the sound of. Musicman on the other hand, they have a great sound, but the bodies, are just too big for me.

Short and sweet answer...No!

 

[Jeff K]

If I don't like the looks of a bass, it's not likely that I'll pick it up and try it. Too many great-looking basses out there for me to buy one that I don't like the looks of.

Conversely, if it looks great but sounds like ####, I'm not gonna' buy it just BECAUSE it looks good. Has to have both elements; but if I don't find it attractive, I'll probably never find out how it sounds.

 

[Watchootognbout]

My opinion.
All basses sound like.........well..BASS!
From this point on everything is subjective.

Now.Some are very dark and bassy.Some are bright and clear.Some are both.
Whether or not you can use one or the other is up to you.
Most can be adjusted with tone controls to whatever degree.

But there have been those that sound wise are missing...........something.......

A basses appearances are the same.But can be changed,with the exception of radical body shape changes,to a degree.
Personally,I try to choose a bass that has the best of both.
But with a bias toward natural dark wood finished basses with gold plated(or brass)or black hardware.
I hate paint,pick guards,and chrome.I will generally avoid those basses.
Just my two cents.

 

[zontar]

Ultimately your reasons for buying or not buying a bass are up to you.
I may disagree or think you're odd or I might completely agree.
It doesn't matter.

the looks are not a major factor for me.
I've considered buying gear I didn't like the look of.


HOWEVER, the size & shape of a bass-while they are part of the look, may also affect the feel and playability of the bass--so it may be a poor choice for you--whether you like the look or not.
And while it might be cool to get a cool shape when you're young & it fits your current band or your dream band--it may not always suit you.

 

[JxBass]

Many years ago during a regular visit to Ed Roman's East Coast Music Mall I saw this hanging on the wall. At the time I didn't even know what it was. I didn't buy it, I didn't even have him take it off the wall to play it. It haunted me until I returned and bought it for $400; I don't even know if I played it before buying it. It was in mint condition and I owned it for many years. It always blew people away when I opened its case.

 

[MrLenny1]

No, not bad at all.
I spent $1500 on a used bass, unseen,PIX only, because I thought it
was the nicest looking bass to me.
Luckily it plays and sounds as good as its looks.
I still have it.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Many years ago during a regular visit to Ed Roman's East Coast Music Mall I saw this hanging on the wall. At the time I didn't even know what it was. I didn't buy it, I didn't even have him take it off the wall to play it. It haunted me until I returned and bought it for $400; I don't even know if I played it before buying it. It was in mint condition and I owned it for many years. It always blew people away when I opened its case.

View attachment 515797

An Ovation Magnum II!The bass used by Ross Valory on "Don't Stop Believin'"
The tone on that made me sit up and take notice!
'Til this day if "Don't Stop"is on the radio,I will turn it up to hear that bass.

I must admit.It's quite ugly.But THAT TONE!

 

[petrus61]

So, my answer to your question is, yes, looks do matter.
No girl is going to look at you kindly of you have a butt ugly bass attached to your fat ass Comic Store Guy persona.

But truth being - when you perhaps get to the recording studio to make your first smash hit album, a lot of engineers are going to want a Fender, Musicman, high end etc, bass to work with.

Save up. Pay once, get something versatile.
Getting a BC Rich or Hello Kitty right now might look good for you, but if you intend to play over your lifetime, stick with something perhaps more boring looking, but in the end, very much more versatile.

Lol...is it bad that "Comic book store guy persona" is exactly the image I have in my mind of pretty much everyone who isn't me on the Internet?