Bass DiIlemma

[keefbaker]

How does look affect your bass?

[Mattpt85]

Nice poll Keef, looks are important to me

[discreet]

I suppose it's really about which type of bass you prefer... I doubt I'd buy a singlecut or a sparkly 80s bass even if they played perfectly and sounded great. Luckily there are enough P basses in the world that look great (in my opinion) that also play well and sound perfect, but of course I'm biased towards Fender-type basses.

If I played a P bass that was a dog, I wouldn't buy it regardless of how good it looked.

Edited February 19, 2016 by discreet

[chris_b]

If it sounds and feels [i]that[/i] good then it can be a roadworn, black, pointy bass with maple fret board, death metal stickers of all over and a little pink stuffed kitten hanging from the tuners for all I care.

I might be lying!

[keefbaker]

[quote name='Mattpt85' timestamp='1455890976' post='2983356']
Nice poll Keef, looks are important to me
[/quote]

They are to us all. I'm wondering if there's a "this far no further" point for people and what it is.

[discreet]

[quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1455891525' post='2983364']
I'm wondering if there's a "this far no further" point for people and what it is.
[/quote]

No natural finishes, no weird body or headstock shapes, no more than four strings, no crap modern tort, no tort with anything other than shades of white, gold or fiesta red... I think that's enough to be going on with...

[Lozz196]

I simply couldn`t play a bass I hated the look of. Might seem shallow, but pointy basses, coffee table basses, no matter how good they play, they`re not for me.

[CamdenRob]

I voted "look down in horror. Put it down on the floor and walk out" for all three...

[discreet]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1455891997' post='2983371']
I voted "look down in horror. Put it down on the floor and walk out" for all three...
[/quote]

Obviously none of the options are anywhere [i]near[/i] expensive enough...

[keefbaker]

I should have put a fourth option of "Solid gold reclaimed by melting down Kanye West's solid gold toilets".

[discreet]

[quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1455892180' post='2983376']
I should have put a fourth option of "Solid gold reclaimed by melting down Kanye West's solid gold toilets".
[/quote]

I'd play a bass made from melted down Kanye West regardless of what it looked like.

[lowhand_mike]

you gotta live with it and be happy seen with it so yeah looks matter buts its got to play well too

[Highfox]

[quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1455893097' post='2983391']
you gotta live with it and be happy seen with it so yeah looks matter buts its got to play well too
[/quote]

+1

[TheGreek]

Never has there been more choice of instruments to play - why play something that you don't like the look of??

[police squad]

when something beats my old '73 P bass I'll use it .I've been gigging it for just over 25 years. I have loads of basses but always go back to it

But I don't really like coffee table looking basses, but I could always paint it white!

Edited February 19, 2016 by police squad

[police squad]

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1455896110' post='2983429']
So you're saying there isn't a price you could name that would persuade you to let it go?
[/quote]

you got it. If my house was burning down, it's the only possession I would try and save.

[Mattpt85]

Who's the drama queen that's voting the fourth option?

[keefbaker]

[quote name='Mattpt85' timestamp='1455897672' post='2983456']
Who's the drama queen that's voting the fourth option?
[/quote]
Whoever they are, I approve.

[keefbaker]

The 80s metal bass is losing pretty badly here.

[paul h]

Looks are the single most important thing to me.

If I walk into a music shop, I would never even try an ugly bass. Besides I do most of my shopping online, so that means everything I buy is pretty much based on looks only!

[BigRedX]

[quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1455890674' post='2983351']
How does look affect your bass?
[/quote]

Massively. I would never be seen playing a bass that I didn't love the look of.

And IMO most basses sound perfectly decent within a band mix, so as long as it wasn't uncomfortable to play and the sound had some life to it, I would be perfectly happy if I thought it looked great.

I haven't voted because I don't think any of the options adequately reflect how I feel about the first two basses and the poll won't let me vote in only one category. Out of the three options I'd probably happy with the last bass provided they were they right sort of skull inlays.

Edited February 19, 2016 by BigRedX

[Skybone]

I suppose everything boils down to the criteria you set yourself when you go out looking for a new bass/guitar/whatever.

Not only does it have to meet it's performance requirements (plays well, sounds good etc.), but it also has to meet your aesthetic requirements (as well as budgetary requirements).

[neilp]

I'd buy anything that feels and sounds perfect, but all of the categories you gave would hurt my aesthetic pride! To be honest, the one I'd struggle most with would be the "road-worn". Anything fake, no thanks

[Defo]

You will have no mojo with a bass that doesn't look cool to you

[uncle psychosis]

In 2016 there are, effectively, infinite numbers of bass guitars out there. Why settle for an ugly one that plays and sounds nice when you could find a pretty one that sounds and plays nice?