Why Are Body Shapes Such a Personal Thing?

[BassHappy]

Hey TB'ers

I would never even try to speak for anyone else on here, but I have recognized within myself that I have a lot of strong personal biases when it comes to body shapes. I have been trying to "get over it" but I look at certain basses and in a few seconds my mind simply dismisses those instruments - without even holding them or playing them or without even considering them. I just mutter an "ewwwww" under my breath and go on to the next one.

Does anyone else find this to be true? If so, where do you think it comes from?

Are we simply attracted to certain body shapes much more than others and if so, what is the reason?

Comment if you see fit.

 

[SBassman]

The reason is hard to define. It's like defining precisely why we respond to different paintings.

Bass bodies are art, and we all like different art.

 

[Dave W]

Same thing with women/men, cars, bathroom tile, etc. Different people like different stuff. Don't fight it.

 

[Groove Doctor]

I like beautiful basses, and hate ugly basses. I'm sure everyone here would agree.

 

[SBassman]

Hey - all 3 people who posted are very close geographically. 2 in Westchester County, 1 in Dutchess County.

 

[JIO]

It's a loaded question, as in.., it has so many facets to consider and no one definitive answer. For example, I like classic shapes (based on years of visual and playing reference and preference) and I also like different/cool/non-classic shapes (drawn to as an appreciation of good innovative design) and I also like funky, odd-ball shapes because they are just so left-field and club-footed. Being someone who has always designed my own guitar/bass shapes (since grade-school), I'm open to them all but definitely have favorites.

 

[west al]

I think it just comes down to what you either like, or don't like. Like most other things in life where you have a choice. How boring would basses be, if they all looked the same?

 

[Shovel]

I don't know. I've always disliked pointier or elongated body shapes. For solid bodies, I've preferred fenderesque, classic shapes. For hollow body I prefer single cutaway.

 

[devinp17]

Same thing with women/men, cars, bathroom tile, etc. Different people like different stuff. Don't fight it.

Exactly... At first I thought it was an Off Topic thread, know what I'm sayin'?...

haha... "body shapes"

 

[Malak the Mad]

Bass bodies are art, and we all like different art.

As a former art student and freelance illustrator, this is exactly spot-on.

It could also be summed up with the age-old adage, "There is no accounting for taste."

 

[the harp unstrung]

Myself...I've always worn a sweatband to negate the sharp edges of any Bass I play...just an old habit.
Everything has to do with the balance when you first hang a guitar over you shoulder...it might be powder blue or babypoop green...if it fits your midsection and the balance is right, it's your guitar!
Celebrate!

 

[the harp unstrung]

Hey - all 3 people who posted are very close geographically. 2 in Westchester County, 1 in Dutchess County.

I was raised in Dutchess Co. NY...on the banks of the beautiful Hudson.
Who are these people?

 

[SirMjac28]

I've only had one ugly bass but that bass was the most loyal of the bunch.

 

[Jaco Taco]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But since there's sooooo many basses out there, and so many great basses, it stands to reason that you should only buy or play basses that you like how they play AND look. There's plenty of basses out there that I'm sure are really good basses but I just don't like the look of them. Ken Smith basses leap to mind.

 

[Big Hoss]

It's the whole eye of the beholder thing... Body shapes, coloration, feel, all personal and subjective preferences. Some like them long, lean and straight, others like them short and cuvy.. Kind of like women I guess...

 

[Big Hoss]

Myself...I've always worn a sweatband to negate the sharp edges of any Bass I play...just an old habit.
Everything has to do with the balance when you first hang a guitar over you shoulder...it might be powder blue or babypoop green...if it fits your midsection and the balance is right, it's your guitar!
Celebrate!

Obviously you aren't a bassist of considerable girth... What is this fit your midsection thing you speak of?

 

[Hues]

Over the years, I've pondered over how different styles of music or sounds can be so pleasing to one person, but so very unpleasant to others.

I likes my spinach, and I likes my broccoli.With a little salt and oil.....Okra is disgusting to me.How can anyone eat that?

Some questions have no answers.

 

[zontar]

It's got to feel right--no matter how cool it looks.
I think the BC Rich Mockingbird looks real cool--but I find the shape uncomfortable.

 

[rafitoprtx]

It's in your personality! Some people like the classics like fender or modern stuff like warwick, ltd etc.

 

[KohanMike]

For sure I'm biased toward rounded upper and single cutaway. I'm having a custom Telecaster (guitar) style bass made, 22" scale, and also converted a Les Paul 22" guitar to a bass recently. I absolutely don't like basses with long extended double cutaways, but I recently read that those extensions were created to help with head dip.