Why are bass amps so ugly?

[socialleper]

hyperbolic troll-fest thread on subjective matters is as expected.

\closethread

 

[lz4005]

What's the best drill for metal, by which I mean the music, but I'm open to suggestions with regards to the material

Paul Gilbert swears by vintage cordless Makitas. Not kidding.
The new ones have a brake on the motor that stops it almost instantly when you let off the trigger. The older ones wind down slower and he uses that in a song.

 

[Biggbass]

Why are bass amps so ugly?

There has to be something on stage that's uglier than the bass player.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Paul Gilbert swears by vintage cordless Makitas. Not kidding.
The new ones have a brake on the motor that stops it almost instantly when you let off the trigger. The older ones wind down slower and he uses that in a song.

I was originally joking, but now I'm intrigued. I have a cordless screwdriver that can adopt two positions, so if I can find a suitable attachment to tickle strings.... But I guess that's a technique forum question...

 

[lz4005]

I was originally joking, but now I'm intrigued. I have a cordless screwdriver that can adopt two positions, so if I can find a suitable attachment to tickle strings.... But I guess that's a technique forum question...

You don't actually have to put picks in them. The Van Halen song, and some of what Gilbert does is just using the electrical field of the motor to make revving sounds into the pickup.
Just hold it up next to the pickup and see what happens. Maybe not at full amp volume the first time.

Meanwhile, here's Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert using drills live from about 2:40 to 3:00 of this video:

 

[Jared Lash]

The Monique in either the bamboo or the dovecage is beautiful. Vintage Ampeg stuff always looks great to me too.

But I also think my amp looks great:

And a couple other lovely amps:

 

[BassGreaser]

I have always wondered this same thing! it's also why I love vintage gear and now using two Ampeg 210AV cabs are pretty vintage specs micro cabs.

 

[Linnin]

Why are bass amps so ugly compared to guitar amps?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You, not so much. Ugly resides deeply in your soul.

 

[ercompa]

My Mesa Strategy Eight 88 is gorgeous!

Link Removed

 

[fjadams]

I think these are/were one of if not the best looking bass combos ever made.

Well, I do have to give a little love to the 60s/70s Kustom Roll & Tuck in Blue or Green sparkle.

 

[Fat Freddy]

You don't actually have to put picks in them. The Van Halen song, and some of what Gilbert does is just using the electrical field of the motor to make revving sounds into the pickup.
Just hold it up next to the pickup and see what happens. Maybe not at full amp volume the first time.

Meanwhile, here's Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert using drills live from about 2:40 to 3:00 of this video:

Aaaah!....So THATS how all those guitars and basses get "antiqued"

 

[TonyP-]

TonyP with GK

• TonyP-
• Jun 24, 2014

TonyP with GK

I think my rig is damn sexy...But I'm biased

 

[DavC]

how it 'sounds' seems to be more on point for it's job .. !

have i ever bought an amp because it looks great ... NO ... tried that logic with my first wife ...!??!

 

[devnulljp]

Why are bass amps so ugly?

There has to be something on stage that's uglier than the bass player.

That's what drummers are for.

 

[Rugmaster]

Most all tube bass amps are pretty cool looking (at least to me they are)

Laney NEXUS tube:
Peavey VB3:

And while its not a bass amp... the ENGL invader is the coolest looking amp I've ever seen

 

[angrychair]

guitar center sells crap for selection man.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Don't care how pretty they are.....No aux in.....No point for me....

 

[Neon Blues]

I see your ugly amp, and I raise you a Valve train Brandywine.

 

[Grapevine921]

My bass amp isn't ugly


These are easy on the eyes too:

 

[madbass6]

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:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder !