Bass Shapes

[AnalogBomb]

I've been thinking about this recently, so just thought I'd post it and see what other people thought??

We all know that feeling when we're in the market for a new axe, or just window shopping and you see that bass and think, that is pure gorgeous craftsmanship? But what is it that attracts us to a particular model?

With me, I love the shape of Jazz basses and have done for god knows how long! Just so happens I really like the sound too! But recently I've been thinking about adding to my collection and have been looking at various basses and reading reviews and so on. I can't however, drag myself away from the way it looks. For example, I've been reading various reviews whereby people swear by the sound of a bass, but to me it looks awful but sounds awesome.

What I'm trying to say is, do people go for looks, sound or a combinations of both. I love the sound and warmth of Warwick basses, but cant stand the looks! I'd love a Sadowsky, but although they have a Jazz-esque shape, I just can't get used to the lines on the body!

Am I mental?!?

[Cat Burrito]

I like traditional shapes and even subtle differences in the headstock for example can put me off. I am sure there are better basses out there but I can find stuff that is good enough for me without compromising on shape.

[keeponehandloose]

The original 51P bass is the correct shape ,everything after that is blasphemous.

[Delberthot]

I like things that are a bit different - Jazz basses are 10 a penny

If it doesn't look good then forget about it. I'd rather play the biggest pile of sh*te in Europe than something that looked bad

Yes, I'm shallow when it comes to basses

[Ian Savage]

I used to go in for all kinds of weird and wonderful shapes and colours; I guess I'm getting a bit old now though as I'm increasingly drawn towards nothing that isn't based on Leo's designs...still not keen on sunburst, but I guess that'll come as I get closer to 40

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='Delberthot' post='998563' date='Oct 24 2010, 12:10 AM']I'd rather play the biggest pile of sh*te in Europe than something that looked bad

Yes, I'm shallow when it comes to basses[/quote]

What a bass looks like is the most important thing about a bass, unless you're only going to use it in the studio.

Would you get on stage where a room full of people are going to be staring at you and not think about maybe wearing something that looks good? It's the same with your bass - you have to wear it while a room full of people are staring at you, it had better look good!

FWIW I like Jazz basses but I wish they did a 24-fret model that looked "classic". Currently I'm gigging my Thumb, which I think is pretty understated and natural looking, and I like having the million miles of frets. I wouldn't want to play a bass with garish wood though, like a figured top or whatever. I dress too scruffy to wear a bass like that. It would be like putting on a gold chain.

[BigRedX]

Looks are no more or less important than playability and sound. All three have got to be right and lets be thankful that these days there are enough different bass makers making such a variety of instruments that this is no longer a problem for anyone.

Personally I don't really want to be seen on stage with an instrument that looks just like everyone else's. The main reason why I got into music was because it was the way I could express my creativity and personality, and in non-musical situations I'm fairly introverted and have little to say. So the whole point of getting up on stage and performing was to say "look at me" and that's not going to happen if you're choice of instrument is a "me too" one.

[Shambo]

I'm disappointed that this thread isn't about some of the awesome poses thrown out by hard rockin bassists on stage.

[attachment=62046:Sharlee_Bass.jpg] [attachment=62045:Rhino_in...nal_pose.jpg] [attachment=62044:IMAG0032.jpg]

Edited October 24, 2010 by Shambo

[Protium]

I like smaller bodied basses, 4 strings only. I think the Jazz body is way too big, can just about get on with a Precision - although it's more the sound keeping it in the running

Oh yeah, it absolutely must have 4 in a line tuners

[pablyth]

[quote name='AnalogBomb' post='998527' date='Oct 23 2010, 11:00 PM']What I'm trying to say is, do people go for looks, sound or a combinations of both. I love the sound and warmth of Warwick basses, but cant stand the looks! I'd love a Sadowsky, but although they have a Jazz-esque shape, I just can't get used to the lines on the body!

Am I mental?!? [/quote]

Whatever feels right. If something feels off, if there is something you're not comfortable with, whatever it is, then probably best to walk away and keep looking.

[Chris2112]

I've recently discovered how fantastic singlecuts are. Other than that, I love headless basses!

[Doctor J]

I'm quite partial to the classic P and J styles, J in particular. Have to say though, I picked up a Godlyke last year and it's the most comfortable body I've ever played, standing and sitting.

[rOB]

I really like basses with corners, not sure what the right word is.

Erm when the body has been cut out but not sanded down round the edges. Think the edges of a Les Paul rather than a Strat?

[Delberthot]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='998588' date='Oct 24 2010, 01:45 AM']What a bass looks like is the most important thing about a bass, unless you're only going to use it in the studio.

Would you get on stage where a room full of people are going to be staring at you and not think about maybe wearing something that looks good? It's the same with your bass - you have to wear it while a room full of people are staring at you, it had better look good!

FWIW I like Jazz basses but I wish they did a 24-fret model that looked "classic". Currently I'm gigging my Thumb, which I think is pretty understated and natural looking, and I like having the million miles of frets. I wouldn't want to play a bass with garish wood though, like a figured top or whatever. I dress too scruffy to wear a bass like that. It would be like putting on a gold chain.[/quote]


The Thumb, despite its unusual shape does look very elegant and understated considering the amazing sound it produces

I really want this:

[url="http://img835.imageshack.us/i/greenblacklarge0022881.gif/"][/url]


Its the most amazing bass I've seen in a long time.

[neepheid]

I have to like how it looks, I won't deny that. I have bought basses purely on looks before. However, if it is to stay in the collection then I have to like the neck. If I don't like the sound, I can usually fix it.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='rOB' post='999363' date='Oct 24 2010, 08:55 PM']I really like basses with corners, not sure what the right word is.

Erm when the body has been cut out but not sanded down round the edges. Think the edges of a Les Paul rather than a Strat?[/quote]
It's called a slab body - or at least it is on a Precision bass.

[AnalogBomb]

Interesting. I suppose you've always got the option to change the sound (ie: new pickups and so on,) if you don't like it.

I think having thunk about it I'm more of a looks bloke! But the sound is important - and here I go again......

[Tait]

Good combination of looks, playability, and sound (in that order if importance) for me.

[Wil]

Looks are really important. I know they shouldn't be, but I couldn't bring myself to gig with an ugly bass! The P is classic, as is the Stingray. I have a soft spot for the angular Status bodies and the NS Spector shape. Zon Sonus basses seem to have an NS influenced and very classy looking body shape too.

The ACG Recurve shape is growing on me a lot too. It looks a bit like a modern take on a Wal.

Edited October 25, 2010 by Wil

[MoonBassAlpha]

I really like the shape of Shuker's Uberhorn basses. I realise it isn't to everyone's taste, but to me it looks like a jazz bass from the 22nd century that has evolved into a faster, sleeker beast. I think it makes "traditional" shaped basses look lumpen by comparison.

[urb]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - I like lots of different body shapes - here's some fine examples of just how varied the humble bass geetar can be:

[url="http://www.daveswiftbass.com/pages/basses.html"]http://www.daveswiftbass.com/pages/basses.html[/url]

Covers pretty much everything - aside from some of those 'comedy' carved Athena style poster basses....

[xgsjx]

The only thing I don't like about fenders (& similar basses) is the top horn. Looks like some short fat dumpy cyst.

I like things with a bit more style (tho that's down to taste) like non fender based shapes by Mayones, Shuker, Ritter, Overwater, Esh, Warwick. etc.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

A Fender Precision just looks like a bass to me. I prefer the playability & sheer fun of the mustang & have grown to love the looks of that as well*

*Didn't like the torty pickguard it came with - much better with the vintage pearl one I put on. Also the but I'd prefer a daphne blue mustang to the off-white one I have and the lollypop tuners the 1966 ones have are ubercool.

[Spoombung]

I usually like anything with an unbroken curve on the bottom of the bass like this:



Not keen on chunky-bodied basses like Fenders or any bass that won't sit on the knee, stay there and balance properly.

[rOB]

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='999581' date='Oct 25 2010, 12:31 AM']It's called a slab body - or at least it is on a Precision bass.[/quote]

Thanks very much. I knew there'd be a word for it.

They're not necessarily the most comfy to play but I just love how they look.

Edited October 25, 2010 by rOB