Your prettiest bass

[UncleBalsamic]

Sorry, but music is auditory, not visual.

What's that got to do with your imagined priorities of the OP?

 

[eee]

@BobDeRosa I don’t know why you keep posting in this thread if you don’t like “pretty basses”.

 

[BobDeRosa]

@BobDeRosa I don’t know why you keep posting in this thread if you don’t like “pretty basses”.

People keep talking to me and it would be rude not to respond. It's really interesting that around here you're allowed to have an opinion -- as long as it doesn't conflict with anyone else's!

 

[LastJaguar]

All I know is that I've been playing in public for more than two decades and the only comment I've ever received about the appearance of any instrument is when I played a BSX electric upright and a woman told me is was a work of art. Yes, a band's image or brand is clearly a thing. That's why I play upright in an acoustic rock group even though the music we cover was originally recorded with a P bass -- the upright has become part of our brand. But "pretty" has never ever been a factor in instrument selection.

I never said that pretty had anything to do with instrument selection. I was asking about instruments as works of visual art.

 

[jid]

Here is another of my pretties…

 

[MasterMonkeyMan]

People keep talking to me and it would be rude not to respond. It's really interesting that around here you're allowed to have an opinion -- as long as it doesn't conflict with anyone else's!

Who says you're not allowed to have an opinion? Conflicting or otherwise. When you come into a thread with a conflicting opinion you should expect a little push back. A little give and take. A bit of differing opinions.
It's not like you were banned or otherwise silenced.
You are the one who said "bass players are friggin' weird." Did you not expect a bit of weirdness?
I find myself wondering what motivated you to pop in and opine against the opinions of those who enjoy the visual aspect of their instruments in a thread whose topic is about "pretty basses" in the first place.
It's opinions all the way down......
!IMHO!

 

[Volker Kirstein]

 

[JIO]

View attachment 4383222

'pretty' cute!

 

[xposaune]

I'll add mine to the pile. I'm a fan of natural finishes. Sadowsky satin deluxe flame.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Who says you're not allowed to have an opinion? Conflicting or otherwise. When you come into a thread with a conflicting opinion you should expect a little push back. A little give and take. A bit of differing opinions.
It's not like you were banned or otherwise silenced.
You are the one who said "bass players are friggin' weird." Did you not expect a bit of weirdness?
I find myself wondering what motivated you to pop in and opine against the opinions of those who enjoy the visual aspect of their instruments in a thread whose topic is about "pretty basses" in the first place.
It's opinions all the way down......
!IMHO!

Thanks for this important bit of context. We all have our pet peeves, right? One of mine is the incredibly high volume of TB posts about bass cosmetics -- body colors, pick guard colors, polishing little scratches so the bass remains shiny ... and today, even some whining about the one off-color silk in a set of GHS Flats. It all seems so trivial, especially when there's so much real content we could be talking about, content that would truly help us play better, think better, be better bandmates, and maybe even get more gigs. Then here comes a headline about your "prettiest bass." That was it. I had to let off a little steam. I said I would be in the minority, and damned if I wasn't right.

 

[dedpool1052]

content that would truly help us play better, think better, be better bandmates, and maybe even get more gigs.

Well,
There are the sub-forums for
Recording Gear and Equipment
Live Sound
Technique
General Instruction
Band Management

Plenty other areas of TB to improve.


Not trying to pile on, just add some additional context.

I mean, this IS the basses forum.
People are going to want to discuss a number of aspects.
From soliciting honest feedback of a brand, or discussing the minutiae.

 

[MasterMonkeyMan]

Thanks for this important bit of context. We all have our pet peeves, right? One of mine is the incredibly high volume of TB posts about bass cosmetics -- body colors, pick guard colors, polishing little scratches so the bass remains shiny ... and today, even some whining about the one off-color silk in a set of GHS Flats. It all seems so trivial, especially when there's so much real content we could be talking about, content that would truly help us play better, think better, be better bandmates, and maybe even get more gigs. Then here comes a headline about your "prettiest bass." That was it. I had to let off a little steam. I said I would be in the minority, and damned if I wasn't right.

But you gotta admit, there's some darn pretty looking basses in this thread!
There are plenty of threads on TB addressing the "real" content you have mentioned. This is just a little bit of a fun topic.
Myself, before I play, when I open that case and look at my instrument, I derive a significant amount of joy from it's aesthetic. It's a true bonding with my instrument. I truly feel that it is much, much more than merely a "tool". It is really an extension of myself. One with which I express my "soul." So I appreciate all aspects of my instrument - even it's case!

You'd probably blow a gasket seeing me with my classical guitars.....when I take then out to play, I take a few moments to savor the look, the craftpersonship, the feel. I wipe it down, caress it's finish and yes, I love, love the smell of the wood via the soundhole, especially on cedar tops! That intoxicating fragrance has actually been the tipping point in a couple of my purchases.

How many times have I seen a Luthier, music shop proprietor or fellow musician examine a quality instrument and remark - "Wow, that's a beautiful instrument!"

To each their own. Enjoy!

 

[LastJaguar]

Thanks for this important bit of context. We all have our pet peeves, right? One of mine is the incredibly high volume of TB posts about bass cosmetics -- body colors, pick guard colors, polishing little scratches so the bass remains shiny ... and today, even some whining about the one off-color silk in a set of GHS Flats. It all seems so trivial, especially when there's so much real content we could be talking about, content that would truly help us play better, think better, be better bandmates, and maybe even get more gigs. Then here comes a headline about your "prettiest bass." That was it. I had to let off a little steam. I said I would be in the minority, and damned if I wasn't right.

I get it. Can’t say I disagree.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Fun thread. Can a bass get so fugly that it eventually becomes pretty?

Survey says......?

View attachment 4382078

View attachment 4382079

View attachment 4382080

View attachment 4382081

View attachment 4382082

Affirmative, it has become very beautiful indeed.

 

[AudioTaper]

With that attitude, why not make ALL basses one solid color (let's say black or brown) and chrome hardware only. Same with cars. Maybe Henry Ford was right to make only 1 color available. It's just a tool. Use it. Drive it.

What's funny is that @BobDeRosa liked this response, clearly missing the sarcasm.

I'm not a surgeon, so I can't share a photo of my prettiest scalpel, and I doubt you all want to see a photo of my prettiest soldering iron. So heres a photo of my prettiest string winder. Flame maple, made by Kinal in Canada. It has a ball bearing action and fits cloverleaf tuning machines nicely.

 

[2saddleslab]

What's funny is that @BobDeRosa liked this response, clearly missing the sarcasm.

I'm not a surgeon, so I can't share a photo of my prettiest scalpel, and I doubt you all want to see a photo of my prettiest soldering iron. So heres a photo of my prettiest string winder. Flame maple, made by Kinal in Canada. It has a ball bearing action and fits cloverleaf tuning machines nicely. View attachment 4383618

Got one just like it.

 

[AudioTaper]

Got one just like it.

Thats awesome! I wish I had gotten a Purpleheart one, or requested one that fits Hipshot Y keys. Oh well.

Edit: Kinal still makes them. I just emailed Mike for pricing and sizes

 

[2112]

What's funny is that @BobDeRosa liked this response, clearly missing the sarcasm.

I'm not a surgeon, so I can't share a photo of my prettiest scalpel, and I doubt you all want to see a photo of my prettiest soldering iron. So heres a photo of my prettiest string winder. Flame maple, made by Kinal in Canada. It has a ball bearing action and fits cloverleaf tuning machines nicely. View attachment 4383618

 

[bobunit]

It all seems so trivial, especially when there's so much real content we could be talking about, content that would truly help us play better, think better, be better bandmates, and maybe even get more gigs.

What you determine as 'real content' may not necessarily apply to the next person in line. My instruments are very much tools (my bandmates are not, fortunately), but my basses are also aesthetically pleasing to me. For me, as I suspect many in this thread, visual appeal can be an inspirational component in the making of music. Btw, if you are in the Lamoka Lake area, the Lost & Found has some really good wings... and cold Yeungling.

 

[retslock]

Thanks for this important bit of context. We all have our pet peeves, right? One of mine is the incredibly high volume of TB posts about bass cosmetics -- body colors, pick guard colors, polishing little scratches so the bass remains shiny ... and today, even some whining about the one off-color silk in a set of GHS Flats. It all seems so trivial, especially when there's so much real content we could be talking about, content that would truly help us play better, think better, be better bandmates, and maybe even get more gigs. Then here comes a headline about your "prettiest bass." That was it. I had to let off a little steam. I said I would be in the minority, and damned if I wasn't right.

I’ve been visiting TB for a long time and I realised some time ago that this forum is mostly about the esoterica of bass. Not so much about music. Not so much about how to play. Those things do come up but they aren’t the main thrust. The thing itself - the bass - is the focus. That’s ok though. There’s still plenty for me to enjoy. The eye candy is mostly good and I enjoy it but it’s not my main interest.