Why are bass amps so ugly?

[bolophonic]

It's a box of knobs designed to make my bass loud. As long as it isn't a hideous color, I'm not worried about it. My GK head makes its statement by sounding awesome.

 

[pie_man_25]

I dunno, I dig markbass aesthetics, and that tonehammer is pretty good looking too. Yeah there is some ugly gear out there, but I've seen some really ugly guitar gear like that mesa head.

 

[socialleper]

Aesthetic is always a factor. If everything was function, we'd all be wearing Dickies jump suits and playing Steinberger basses.

I guess "Aesthetics" are relative. I was born in the 70s and couldn't be happier they are dead and buried. It looked like everyone went color blind and didn't have mirrors for a decade.
The look of a bass is important because its right there; its part of your performance. IMO the look of an amp means less than what it sounds like. Which is why Steinbergers didn't catch on. They did look goofy, but were hard to play and sounded like sterile butt hole.
If you like shag carpet, Orange bass heads look like their guitar heads. The overpriced custom, hand made guitar amp builders (Verellen, Electric Amp USA, Hovercraft) will make you a bass version for $2k as well.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Not the ugliest that I've ever seen

 

[bassestkkm]

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:

Guitar Amps:

I hope you know that all the common brands below also come in bass forms too haha
There are some classy bass amps. But since all you posted were tube amps for guitar and solid state for bass you probably feel the difference there. Bass tube amps are pretty original and old school, but you have your variety to choose from. Just depends on what you're feeling

 

[WiredAl]

You have a good point, though I honestly think my cheapo Acoustic B100 with the gunmetal knobs and blue line along the head has a classic character and beauty.

I remember reading an interview with one of the designers from the company that said they started with the blue line because it would read as white on black and white TVs without being glaring. Kinda cool it became a trademark

 

[Lugnut111]

OP, go back & look at that Vox amp next time your in Guitar Center. That gold plated Vox logo is one of the ugliest things on the planet...it's so gaudy. And the Vox grille cloth...yuck
The only problem is that those Vox amps sound amazing...I broke down & bought an AC15 but went with the TV style to avoid the ugly grille cloth...still has that nasty gold logo though.

I agree with you about Mark Bass, but not Aguilar...I dig the looks of the Tone Hammer.

 

[gregmon79]

I love the way bass amps look. Just about all of them. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder......

My head is awesomely beautiful! ! drool

 

[Bassamatic]

TWO REASONS -

1. This market is VERY afraid to do anything different, no one has any guts to make changes. Why aren't basses all low-Z and why not phantom powered for example? Why does everyone copy the Jazz Bass control plate shape?

2. No one wants to spend the money to hire an real industrial designer, so everything is designed by the engineers ( ) and it all looks essentially the same.

 

[Passinwind]

Completely agree. The B15 and blue line SVTs are probably the best looking bass amps along with the V4. It's mainly the modern, solid state amps I feel are so unattractive. A counter example for me is the Warwick LWA1000. The simple design with wood siding gives it a classic look.

I like that uptown home stereo look too, but IMHO it's also a classic example of form not really following function all that well. Every time I build a new DIY piece I struggle with getting that balance to some form of "right." Frankly, just throwing in with a generic looking rack enclosure or bug eye speaker grills and black Krylon is often times the best call in the long run, for my wants and needs at least.

 

[Bassmec]

Bass amps can be beautiful it's just not recently true, this is a very rare 70's Beauty.X

 

[Mattrill]

I really dig the new Fender Rumble designs - much better than the older models. Vintage and classy. The only bit that isn't great is the head. But I guess the upgrade for that is the Bassman head.

Marshalls are my favourite looking amp by far, the typography and the gold plates drool. Oh an Ampeg - they look nice also.

 

[TMARK]

You were in Guitar Center. It's like going to Walmart and wondering why all the clothes are not stylish.

 

[SamanthaCay]

Well in fairness you were at "Guitar" Center.

Edit: TMARK, why are you reading my thoughts?

 

[yodedude2]

^^ if you hang around upside down some of your thoughts are bound to leak out. readers gonna read.

carry on...

 

[micguy]

Most bass amps are more functional than decorative. There are exceptions.

Most bassists are more functional than decorative. There are exceptions.

As a result we're usually in the back row with the drummer, with more haze hiding us. It all works together as a package.

 

[Mechayoshi]

I wouldn't call bass amps ugly, but rather utilitarian and robust looking compared to the guitar counterparts. Besides, guitar players are generalized to care more about looks than bass players who just want something that works.

 

[matty1039]

You have a good point, though I honestly think my cheapo Acoustic B100 with the gunmetal knobs and blue line along the head has a classic character and beauty.

I remember reading an interview with one of the designers from the company that said they started with the blue line because it would read as white on black and white TVs without being glaring. Kinda cool it became a trademark

I've got the B200 and think it looks fine. It is classic yet understated.

 

[maxschrek]

My amp is waaaaay Purdy!

 

[TMARK]

I really don't care about looks. At a certain point aesthetics take away from the true joy of playing an instrument, and playing bass becomes just another consumerist folly. This is not to deny the value of aesthetics, but come on.