I sometimes get told I look like a bass player, but more often that I look like Bubbles.
I like my funny hat.
If that is not photoshopped, you need to get into live action manga acting.
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I sometimes get told I look like a bass player, but more often that I look like Bubbles.
I like my funny hat.
I have also been called out for looking (acting or having the swagger of?) a bass player... Here's a shot of my band, can you tell who the bass player is?
![]()
I do think that bass players carry themselves a little differently.
Ok, here's a hint.
![]()
-John
Hot Chick: So, you the guitar player?
Me: Nope, I play bass
Hot chick: yeah that's what I said. guitar player.
Me: OK sure, guitar player. Wanna go get a room?
Ok, here's a hint.
-John
Everyone is talking about physical features, but what if it is social ones?
I've personally noticed (mostly judging from blues and rock) that the bassist tends to be the quietest person there, and is quite happy to just listen to the conversation, while the loudest people there will be the drummer and the guitarist.
As for the physical, I'm 6 foot 7, and weigh 68kg, no weird hat, but I do usually have a curly afro.
Got it. I was getting nowhere on figuring this out until I read your post. I have a theory. You were one in the group of people talking who did not go first, talk most, brag at all, turn into "that guy" who unloads all their information and so forth. You spoke up eventually and said you used to be in a band. She got it. Bass.I've had this happen once or twice.
I'm 5'8" and normal build with normally proportioned hands.
I remember once, a group of us from work were talking about playing instruments and I mentioned that I used to be in a band. (I was new to the company) Before someone even finished asking "what did you play?" this girl just said emphatically "bass. definitely."
I asked how she knew and she just said "It's obvious."
Very mysterious.

Got it. I was getting nowhere on figuring this out until I read your post. I have a theory. You were one in the group of people talking who did not go first, talk most, brag at all, turn into "that guy" who unloads all their information and so forth. You spoke up eventually and said you used to be in a band. She got it. Bass.
They say you "look" like a bass player because they are misnaming their intuitive/inductive process (which is actually a perception, but they're not especially sharp-witted or precise) and simply say "look". It's a misnomer from a strict definitional sense, but it carries the basic idea with proper grammar so no one notices, and we all are left as bassists on a Forum trying to figure out how we "look" different.
Get it?
![]()
Got it. I was getting nowhere on figuring this out until I read your post. I have a theory. You were one in the group of people talking who did not go first, talk most, brag at all, turn into "that guy" who unloads all their information and so forth. You spoke up eventually and said you used to be in a band. She got it. Bass.
They say you "look" like a bass player because they are misnaming their intuitive/inductive process (which is actually a perception, but they're not especially sharp-witted or precise) and simply say "look". It's a misnomer from a strict definitional sense, but it carries the basic idea with proper grammar so no one notices, and we all are left as bassists on a Forum trying to figure out how we "look" different.
Get it?
![]()
Did you have a stupid hat? Lots of bass players wear stupid hats...
Yes, a fedora is SUPER cool, but it isn't cool to wear it with blue jeans and a t-shirt.