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Why are bass amps so ugly?

We have a "no posts/threads" rule about ugly basses. There's no current rule against amps or other gear, but we will decide for sure. If threads about amps are allowed, this thread will be reopened.


After some discussion, we don't see any reason why this thread should go off the rails like ugly basses threads do. So as long as we don't descend into "Dude, your amp looks like a toilet seat, huh huh.."...."Yeah? Your mom's FACE looks like a toilet seat"... etc. territory, we should be fine here. :)

Personally, as a DB player who mainly plays jazz-ish music, I tend to like a "discrete-looking" amp, one that doesn't draw any attention to itself at all onstage. So for me, that leaves Orange, Markbass, and Hartke aluminum cones outside my comfort zone. But outside of that, it's all about the sound, so the looks don't really matter.
 
After some discussion, we don't see any reason why this thread should go off the rails like ugly basses threads do. So as long as we don't descend into "Dude, your amp looks like a toilet seat, huh huh.."...."Yeah? Your mom's FACE looks like a toilet seat"... etc. territory, we should be fine here. :)

Personally, as a DB player who mainly plays jazz-ish music, I tend to like a "discrete-looking" amp, one that doesn't draw any attention to itself at all onstage. So for me, that leaves Orange, Markbass, and Hartke aluminum cones outside my comfort zone. But outside of that, it's all about the sound, so the looks don't really matter.

Discrete amps look like toilet seats. ;)

On a more serious note, the looks of an amp has never impacted whether I bought it. As Chris said, it's all about the sound.
 
OK.. but they are truly ugly! I took this one under the threat of rain..
20160725_142301.jpg

Do it!!! Too many good looking bass rigs posted in this thread already. I want to see some ugly ones.
 
Question is why are Vox amps so ugly. They look like they'd fit in right next some of my grandma's furniture.

Markbass definitely ugly.

Verellen god bless 'em I know they make good gear but they are ugly in both guitar and bass.

IMO plenty of bass amps look cool. Just about anything in a rack mount design looks cool to me and I prefer the narrower form factor. I'd love to go rack with my guitar stuff (like a rack mount Dual Rec or Mark) but my Tremoverb has a unique sound.
 
There's a lot of "function over form" type replies to this thread. Like being ugly is somehow a necessity to what a bass amp does. I wouldn't really call most bass amps ugly, but I do think a lot of guitar amps are better looking.

I suspect a lot of bass amps are supposed to look utilitarian.

Here's my amp:
amp.jpg

I love that "retro" look dearly!
Ewe, I'm sorry but that is revolting. You're allowed to play those without a license? ;)
Yes.. I live in the south!

I think my new bass rig is very nice looking and sounds even better. View attachment 915222
I have had the pleasure of playing through the exact same rig.. very nice!