chrismuzz Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429482195' post='2751894'] This. Given that it has to have pickups, basses with nowhere to rest your thumb must be deliberately designed to be that way! Why?? [/quote] Literally the only reason I don't own a Rickenbacker is because they're so hard to play fingerstyle... It's nothing to do with me being a cheapskate.. honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukulelelab Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 headstock cigarette burns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 The number of frets. 24 or more I can handle. any less and I never feel comfortable playing that bass. aesthetics are a thing I would consider to a certain extent. I wouldn't be too fussed if I thought it looked "okay" (Ive had a few basses in the past I wasn't too keen on the looks) but if it was the likes of a R*ckenbacker, P-bass or a BC Rich I wouldn't buy it. Size of the body plays a large part in this for me I think. I like small bodied basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Tight spacing at the nut. I tried a Thumb 5 I'd been lusting over for a few weeks amd it felt so uncomfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 *takes deep breath* Maple fretboards. there I said it. Had a Jazz with one and after the honeymoon period, it felt just wrong even picking it up. Can't explain why...I think I'm just odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 It's brand new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Nut width and neck profile. Although pet hate - worst offence in a music shop, worse than a bad set up, is a sticky bass. A demo model that feel like it's been played by a 4yr old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429482559' post='2751903'] The main problem I have with otherwise perfect basses is colour. [/quote] I was after a jazz some years ago and the best one in the shop was chocolate brown. I couldn't bring myself to buy it - it looked horrible sh*tty brown and I wouldn't be seen in public with it round my neck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 A couple of mentions already but string spacing has to be the worst thing for me... It's the only thing that would actually make a bass difficult for me to play. All my other dislikes, gold hardware etc. can be easily rectified by just swapping out but string spacing is a bit of a show stopper if it's too tight. Doesn't seem to be as much of an issue for me at the nut but much closer than 18mm at the bridge and I struggle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Basses without a rounded forearm cut. I tried with my Ric, but it wasn't happening. It was a real shame because the neck was perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='Adrenochrome' timestamp='1429478088' post='2751846'] Bad ergonomics. There's no excuse for a bass that doesn't balance well and feel comfortable to play - we're not in the 1950s anymore! [/quote]Precision's are out then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1429477525' post='2751832'] Gold hardware... [/quote]+1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1429481235' post='2751880'] Yep - neck dive is my bugbear. Why design a bass that doesn't balance well ? [/quote]Warwick Thumbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Anything Spikey, BC Bitch or Flying V's etc...eugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 I echo the previous comment about the action being too high. Others may be able to predict what a bass would play like with a lower action, but I can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Not a big fan of the single cut either... That would put me off. I guess the biggest problem with cosmetic issues is that you are unlikely to even pick up the bass to try it. it might be the best bass you've ever played but if you never pick it up because it's pig ugly then you're not going to be buying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1429513883' post='2752009'] Warwick Thumbs. [/quote] Indeed. My particular head-scratcher was the Lakland Decade Skyline I had. Sounded amazing, played beautifully, but it neck-dived. If the upper horn had been ~2" longer it would have been balanced. Why do that ? It really wouldn't have looked that different. Hey-ho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthaside Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Size , or relative size , I'm a 6'4 Viking / hunish type and there's a reason i play a tbird , smaller things like Ibanez or modern things look like im wielding a child's toy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='synthaside' timestamp='1429518671' post='2752071'] Size , or relative size , I'm a 6'4 Viking / hunish type and there's a reason i play a tbird , smaller things like Ibanez or modern things look like im wielding a child's toy . [/quote] I would like to see a picture of you with a 3/4 sized/other short scale bass if any such photos exist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throwoff Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 As a left hooker it is usually the colour. I just don't like Sunburst or Black! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 I kind of expect most basses wont cut it so this kind of mental scope is going on all the time when looking at basses and once past that, I may pick it up... I can't see my being interested in cheap basses but then expensive ones need to have the right stuff as well. I know what sort of thing I'm looking for..but I do go back to a 5st acoustic fretless which was blindingly good to play ...and that wasn't anywhere near my radar at all. The shop suggested I try it, just for a laugh and I was so shocked and knocked out, I had to run out of the shop quick... Even now, I wonder..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='Norris' timestamp='1429511900' post='2751989'] I was after a jazz ...I couldn't bring myself to buy it - it looked horrible sh*tty brown and I wouldn't be seen in public with it round my neck [/quote] [quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1429519476' post='2752087'] I just don't like Sunburst or Black! [/quote] I don't like shltty brown, sunburst or black either. In fact (and I'm sure I've never said this on here before), I only really like white basses. Or at least basses that are white, arctic white, olympic white, blonde, vintage white, antique white, cream, ivory, bone, seashell, flax, vanilla or linen. So quite a wide range to choose from, really... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1429519576' post='2752089'] ...I was so shocked and knocked out, I had to run out of the shop quick... [/quote] Was there a music stand in there..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthaside Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) The smallest bass I've ever used in anger , is an Aria Sb 400 which was medium scale ( think cliff burton's black Aria but the passive version). Photo's from that era have been Sanitised by the bad hair police, it was late in the 90's and i thought i was the front -man from jimmy eat world. Edited April 20, 2015 by synthaside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1429482820' post='2751905'] Tell that to the many Gibson owners who have suffered broken headstocks over the years. [/quote] [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429482920' post='2751907'] I really think that's a Gibson thing, not an angled headstock thing. Spectors aren't known for headstock breakage for example. And anyway, isn't that more a Gibson g**t*r thing rather than a Gibson bass thing? [/quote] I've never had one break on me, am I doing it wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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