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Why do guitarists get all the cool looking gear?

#41
I don't like this thread. :p

Your image selection is biased - the first three are intended to look like vintage guitar gear; I'm not fond of that vintage look, but I can already see where you're going with this. The first bass amp photo is of a god-awful Behringer combo, the second is of one of the leading brands when it comes to gear that's reliable but not necessarily attractive, and the third is actually pretty cool.

Let's try a modern amp comparison:

Marshall JCM800
Link Removed

Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier
Invalid Link Removed

Diezel VH4
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Now, for a few contenders on the bass end:

Ampeg SVT-CL
SVTCL-e7d7b3246e0703016b6dc2e12eb8cae6.jpg


GK 2001RB
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Mesa Boogie Titan V12
TitanInCase-right.gif


Now, let's try a vintage-style amp comparison:

Vox AC30
30302vox.jpg


Ampeg B-15R
B15R-e56c5c16f8e7e1994c881b4e76e05a26.jpg


Sorry, but I think the bass amps are equally cool-looking, if not more so in some cases. ;)

And that's not even considering the basses - I think it's a known fact that while there are a LOT of "signature" guitar models out there - often variations on the classics - there are far more exotic custom basses, many of which have no aesthetic equals in the world of music.
 
#42
Mysticboo - that was an awful lot of work/thought considering you don't like the thread.:hmm:

...but the content was good.:)

I agree - you can definitely find models that match up - it's just that there's SO much more to choose from on the guitar side of the fence.

It seems to me that if I find a bass rig appealing from both a looks and sound perspective - I feel really lucky. It just seems to me that there's a lot more options in the guitar aisle and I find myself wishing that I had just as many options.

Luckily - I really like the classic looks of Ampeg stuff and GK stuff - the equivalent of a Marshall stack in the guitar realm. Hell, I can even buy a Marshall stack now if I want to - just not sure I do.

Since most bands HAVE a bass player, I just don't understand why we don't have anywhere near the amount of options.
 
#43
debassr said:
Mysticboo - that was an awful lot of work/thought considering you don't like the thread.:hmm:
Click to expand...

I'm a hypocrite, I know. :D

debassr said:
Since most bands HAVE a bass player, I just don't understand why we don't have anywhere near the amount of options.
Click to expand...

It might just be me, but a lot of those "options" tend to be somewhat similar. While the chassis of an all-tube guitar head can vary dramatically in exterior appearance (fabric color, metal vents, logos, etc.), there tends to be a certain "format" and "size" we expect from guitar heads - and even more so with guitar cabinets.

Such rules seldom apply to bass head and cabinet designs, from what I've noticed. While I'll admit that there are a lot of fairly "simple" looking bass heads out there, the designers tend not to follow the rules for size and shape - especially when it comes to solid-state amps and any cabinet that isn't a 4x10 or 8x10.

Cases in point: MarkBass Little Mark II, AccuGroove El Whappo Jr., etc. - and I'm only scratching the surface of bass rig weirdness. :D

Perhaps that has to do with the stereotypical role of the bassist as a "supporting" musician in a band - we need gear that looks NOTHING like the rigs the guitarists have on-stage. :D
 
#46
Yeah, bass players are supposed to be the tolerant ones of the band. This thread kind of proves they're no less annoying than anyone ;)

I totally agree with you about the looks of amps. I greatly prefer the look of vintage amps. But form follows function for bassists for the most part, and if a metal grill doesn't rattle like a cloth grill, or they can jam everything into a 12 inch black box, bassists can usually deal with it. I know I can. I probably could for guitar, too, if guitar amps made that way didn't suck.
 
#47
debassr said:
Why all the guitar player bashing?!?

Doesn't ANYONE respect what a good guitarist brings to the table? I know I do. Same with bass, drums, and any other instrument.
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Did he say "guitarist" or "guitar player"? No, he said "guitard". There is a HUGE difference.

There's also the sad truth that for the majority of fledgling guitarists (i.e. the ridiculous wankers in your local GC) the common stereotype is true. They deserve the crap thrown at them.

That is not to say there's not wankers, divas, and all sorts of nasty characters amongst the other instruments including our own, 'cause there are. But let's face it, you're on a bassist's forum. Guitar is the one you'll hear about the most.
 
#53
wow i was just playin off the Talkbass "inside joke" regarding guitarists, i apologize if you took my post seriously or if i offended you or a guitar playing friend of yours... Next time you feel appreciated by a guitar player head over to the HC guitar or general forums and they'll knock you back down to size, they seem to hold nothing but contempt for bass players.
 
#57
SwamiRob said:
They're both kinda industrial looking, which would be awesome if I was playing metal, but don't... much.

Very nice rigs though. although I hate wheels, especially on massive full stacks. Need to be connected with the ground!
Click to expand...

I can't stand playing metal but I love industrial looking rigs, however looks do nothing for me when it comes to choosing an amp as long as it looks like an amp and not a small toaster, but my amp sounds lush and cost me £109 of ebay (peavey TNT) run through a old 1x15 that my uncle found at a car boot sale (he knows a thing or 2 about gear) i can get pretty much wat ever I want out of it, particually the speaker which is amazing sounding with what ever head unit i use, (inc a 10watt amp i broke recently) x
 
#58
I feel the pain. I really dig vintage gear, and I do think we got the short end of the stick, but it's mostly about numbers. Because we need more watts, bass amp design has turned to much more of an engineering feat than pure aesthetics.

Case in point: I love my little GK MB150 in all of it's tiny solid state goodness - but the thing looks like R2D2... it's ugly. What I'd really want is the bass version of this:
http://www.swartamps.com/swart_atomic_space_tone.htm
Cute little tweeded out thing, all tube, and can fully compete in a band setting and sounds badass. When that comes out for bass players - sign me up!
 

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