• 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.

Why are bass amps so ugly?

#241
Fat Freddy said:
That hollowbody.....What is it? drool
Click to expand...

Hoyt, check out his facebook page, "karl f. hoyt, stringed instrument builder". He just finished another like it that makes mine quite shabby in comparison, photos on FB. Karl is a great guy, made me my first Hoyt, a fretless fiver almost twenty years ago.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tfer, bholder and Fat Freddy
#242
bass amps may look uglier than guitar amps.. but there are far more beautiful looking basses than guitars in the world. Luthiers seem to have more options to play with exotic woods, and shapes with basses than they do with guitars (probably becaues most guitarists are stuck on traditional or vintage aesthetics and functions)... so who cares about the look of the amp you are standing in front of.. Sound is what matters the most. Besides, the first thing anyone is going to notice (aside from your playing and tone) is the instrument in your hands... of course this is all subjective. haha.
 
#245
The man thing IS ugly. Sort of like a hairless mole (animal). So the root of men's thoughts inspires designs. If that ugly thing would stay out of it, we would do "better". (?)
I escaped that trait with a Marshall 200W IBS someone gave me for repairing another amp. I made some minor repairs to it and now have a rare not ugly bass head. Not much power but no problem if I get a cabinet with four 98db Eminence woofers. I like that head, clean and deep or a touch of buzz. I like the contour adjustment, that works out great for balancing how loud the two high and two low strings are. Some amps don't do so well at that.
I'm really a tech, I just play for fun.
My current practice amp, deciding between a 4-10 Rumble or Acoustic in the $400 range.
It's insured but I still wish no one would steal it.

That lower cabinet I built turned up a surprise I want, I was shocked, it sounds just like a standup bass when I graph it up right. I play along with Nora Jones Cold Cold Heart, you can't tell the difference. I wanted to see if I want to play again, yes I do.
I think bass is good for you. Looks like it massages your circulatory system and breaks up any small clots in the capillaries, restores that fine feed to the outer skin. Maybe why they say I look 15 years younger.

I will keep the DIY cabinet, for that reason, I really like that standup bass sound.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0987.JPG
    IMG_0987.JPG
    631.9 KB · Views: 47
Last edited:
#248
thehornedone said:
As a "native" guitarist, every time I go to Guitar Center I have this thought. Why are bass amps so ugly compared to guitar amps? Sure, there are some handsome classic bass amp designs such as some Ampegs, and Acoustics, but the vast majority of bass amps currently on the market just have really ugly, gaudy design to my eyes. Here's what I'm talking about:

Bass Amps:

CDLaFdu.jpg


Guitar Amps:

JlJK6CF.jpg
Click to expand...

That's because form follows function. It's all about the sound. Also, bass players have larger bulges in their pants than lead guitarist's and singers. The ugly amp pulls attention away from the bass player so the audience stays focused on the lead guys.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arthur U. Poon
#249
thehornedone said:
As a "native" guitarist, every time I go to Guitar Center I have this thought. Why are bass amps so ugly compared to guitar amps? Sure, there are some handsome classic bass amp designs such as some Ampegs, and Acoustics, but the vast majority of bass amps currently on the market just have really ugly, gaudy design to my eyes. Here's what I'm talking about:

Bass Amps:

CDLaFdu.jpg


Guitar Amps:

JlJK6CF.jpg
Click to expand...
 
#256
Good sound and durability is a must but I also appreciate good looking gear. I prefer the look of grille cloth and piping to expanded metal and I have a fondness for tweed, tolex in different colors/patterns and contrasting hardware. I detest rat fur and plastic corners.

Just because it must be functional does not exclude aesthetic considerations.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Atshen
#257
thehornedone said:
As a "native" guitarist, every time I go to Guitar Center I have this thought. Why are bass amps so ugly compared to guitar amps? Sure, there are some handsome classic bass amp designs such as some Ampegs, and Acoustics, but the vast majority of bass amps currently on the market just have really ugly, gaudy design to my eyes. Here's what I'm talking about:

Bass Amps:

CDLaFdu.jpg


Guitar Amps:

JlJK6CF.jpg
Click to expand...
I agree with another person in that beauty (or ugliness) is in the eye of the beholder but must observe that manufacturers want products that are easily identifiable by color & design in contrast to their competitors. I'm old enough to remember when it was pretty much Fender, Vox, Kustom & maybe a handful of others to choose from. The market today is much more crowded & the competition is fiercely after our business!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back