Why do all basses seem to look so uninspired and the same (in a bad way)

[H K]

I could sort of concur with the OP - there are plenty of designs out there that I personally do not care so much for.

But I see no need to dwell on the negative when there are also some really cool ones.

I got this for $600 used, just sayin':

View attachment 4773602

Probably not for everyone, but I've always liked this design. Hints of T-Bird, Les Paul, Silvertone & J-bass with plenty of original flair.

What strings are those? Cobalt flats or pyramid golds?

 

[Smith357]

When you get right down to it, there are limited ways that a body, neck, and strings can be put together and be practical. When someone does find a new way it is often overlooked buy the masses as not being "normal". Or the material and labor costs required to produce it put it out of reach for most.

 

[Dincrest]

Although this too is outside the OP's price range, it seems to fit an aesthetic he likes.

Heritage Classic Mockingbird Bass - B.C. Rich

I know the B.C. Rich brand had been going downhill for well over a decade (I once tried a B.C. Rich bass back in 2005 and it was hot garbage), but ever since Bill Xavier took over the brand in 2020, he's refocusing B.C. Rich's image as a more premium brand. He got famed luthier Neal Moser back into the fold. That speaks volumes right there. B.C. Rich is making a comeback.

As for the whole discussion about an instrument's looks... Hey, I like a cool looking instrument. I like an instrument that looks cool on stage and would look cool on camera (what with the growing popularity of livestreaming concerts/shows). I love that my favorite bass has a finish that looks anywhere from wine red to dark magenta depending on the light. Plays and sounds amazing too. Official ESP club

And who says you can't use a "metal" bass for a jazz gig?

 

[legalbass]

When you get right down to it, there are limited ways that a body, neck, and strings can be put together and be practical. When someone does find a new way it is often overlooked buy the masses as not being "normal". Or the material and labor costs required to produce it put it out of reach for most.

Exactly. There are only so many shapes that make ergonomic and musical sense when it comes to solid body electric (bass) guitar design.

And it just so happens that Leo Fender stumbled across body shape designs that work(ed) wonderfully.

 

[antfarm]

You could try an Epiphone, they are different: Epiphone | Explore The Bass

 

[Johnny_Paps]

How about one of these old Univox basses? Found this on FB marketplace for $150. Super rough but still sounds great! Although I love the trash picked look, it was very uncomfortable to play due to the paint flaking away. I'm currently refinishing it!

 

[iiipopes]

Why do all basses seem to look so uninspired and the same?
For the same reason that all violins have been essentially the same since Andreas Amati (whose Grandson Nicolo taught Stradivarius) perfected the design in the early 1500's: it works.

 

[Peter Hess]

I think if I were just starting off the things I'd be looking at are sound and playability especially with such a limited budget. Squire has both of those covered. It took me a long time and a whole lotta luck before I was able to score my Alembic epic. Getting something that looks rad but is a chore to play or sounds lousy (I've had plenty of those back when) can be a real turn off when trying to learn the instrument.

 

[Zoffy]

If you like remakes/reissues of cool old basses, you might like some of Eastwood Guitars offerings.

Good call with Eastwood. Nice selection of non-traditional looking basses including a very close copy of Phil Lesh's Doug Irwin "Tiger Bass." If I can bring myself to work a few overtime shifts, this will probably be my next purchase

 

[Boneless]

As you USians say, "I feel you". I favour "oddball" instruments too, and in fact I have:

- an Orange O-Bass
- a Danelectro '63 Long Scale
- a Guild Starfire I with the split pickup, the new one
- an Epiphone Jack Casady
- a Hoefner Club Ignition which I modded with the addition of a middle pickup

That said, I actually really felt the need for a Jazz Bass (which I don't usually like) or a similar bass in a recent recording. Sometimes there is no escaping Fender-style basses.

Within your budget, even though you said you didn't like the non-reverse Thunderbird, I'd give the Epiphone Embassy a try. Otherwise the Orange O-Bass is within your budget too. Ibanez has also made some cute odd basses in the past, scour through the classifieds to see if there is anything that tickles your fancy.

 

[Strung_Low]

Ive wondered the same thing about trumpets.. why they all gotta look the same?? On another note, ya gotta spend time looking around, try older ibanez or guild, etc..

 

[JimB52]

Check out Daisy Rock. Non-traditional.


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[Old Garage-Bander]

Ive wondered the same thing about trumpets.. why they all gotta look the same??

Cause otherwise it's a french horn.

 

[220_Hz]

What about this

 

[Blueinred]

Saw this....$399

Epiphone Steinberger Spirit XT-2 Headless Bass

 

[Jefenator]

What strings are those? Cobalt flats or pyramid golds?

Dunlop IIRC

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Because boomers love fender?

Plenty of us have played Bitches, Warlocks, Vees, Birds, Explorers, and Steinbergers, after abandoning Fenders back then.

Many of us went back to Fender style basses because all the anti-Fenders were very uncomfortable to play. Why do you think you still see so many guitarists playing Strat and Les Paul shaped instruments?

Why are bicycles and hand tools still shaped like they are? Because humans are still shaped the way we are.

 

[P. Aaron]

I understand that this will probably draw quite a bit of hate (even more as I've only switched to bass from guitar in the past year to fill bassist in my band). I actually enjoy playing bass and creating bass lines just as much if not more than guitar, I've been looking for a new bass recently in the range of like 400-600 and all there seem to be is really ugly jazz bass knockoffs. I'm a guy who loves a tastefully done weird alternate body bass (I'm in a grunge band) but everything is either really boring or too metal for my taste. I really think some of the Gibson/epiphone basses are really cool and I love the look of the Thunderbird but I played a reverse thunderbird today (they look disgusting) and it sounded terrible considering it's a 2k bass. I may just be playing through an amp that is no good or EQd poorly (more than likely) but I was wondering if anyone else agrees with me or if I'm just a dumb guitar player. Or alternatively if anyone has any suggestions on basses to look at?

What it comes down to as you settle into whatever gear you end up with and your preferred playing situation is; What's your tone like and how well is your playing; note choices, how many notes per, the style, the manner, do they fit in and can you/are you making it work?

Playing the music you choose is going to be a constant world of adjustments. Even in a band where you usually think you have your parts down. Depending upon the venue, your mapped out paths through a song will change. THAT's where you as a player take over and gear is secondary.

Whatever gear, how it looks, doesn't matter when a musical challenge comes up. Even the best playing bass and top-of-the-line gear can't put the right notes in there. Only the player can.

 

[swarfrat]

Saw this....$399

Epiphone Steinberger Spirit XT-2 Headless Bass

I'd like to spend a week or two with a steinberger. Im not sure if it's something I could get used to.

 

[DwaynieAD]

"anything I don't like is terrible"