Do looks matter?

[Barking Spiders]

I nipped into Bass Direct at the weekend and got me a Soundblox Orbital Modulator for £130. Not bad for a unit that gives you phase, flange, chorus and tremolo.

Anyway, I had a good gander over all the high end basses and TBH I cant say I liked the look of the Pedullas, G & Ls, Mayones, Vigiers.... The nicest looking bit of kit was a Pavel Tzack fretless. Similar to an Alembic, my fave bass in terms of looks, it also had the sweetest tone. Sure, tone, playabilty etc are more important in terms of music making but if you want to have a bass on a stand in your home shouldn't it also look pretty?

[discreet]

Yes, but I'm shallow. A bass could be the best in the world (for me), but if I don't like the look of it then... not happening.

Edited August 2, 2016 by discreet

[BigRedX]

Nothing shallow about wanting stuff that looks good as well as being functional.

[paul h]

Good looks are my number one priority. Simply for the fact that if I don't like the look of something, the chances are I will never pick it up and play it in the first place.

[Happy Jack]

That's why my next bass will be

[URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Other%20music%20related/Great%20Guitars/11379_736550003100145_1890228984563342328_n%20Jack-PCs%20conflicted%20copy%202016-03-18_zps9xxthlek.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Other%20music%20related/Great%20Guitars/11379_736550003100145_1890228984563342328_n%20Jack-PCs%20conflicted%20copy%202016-03-18_zps9xxthlek.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[CamdenRob]

Looks are definitely a factor... as much as sound, balance, playability etc. it is certainly possible to find a bass with all of these though fortunately we are not limited to a choice between them.

[RhysP]

Absolutely they do.

[JapanAxe]

Definitely. I'm not going to spend my money on stuff that doesn't sound, feel, and LOOK absolutely bitchin'!

[luckydog]

For me looks, as in condition, totally doesn't matter so long as it plays and sounds well. My basses might look like they have been run over by a truck, but I wouldn't swap them out. There are no butt ugly classic basses in reality - those that have stood the test of time I think? Colours, on the other hand.............. but even then playability and sound trump [i]most [/i]colours/paintjobs !

LD

[ambient]

I'm guessing it doesn't to many people, which is why there are so many P basses around .

[EliasMooseblaster]

In a live setting, I have found that people will judge a band (at least to some extent) based on their appearance, so it follows that one may have to consider the look of one's instrument as a consideration of one's image.

This is why, in the name of science*, I want to get hold of a Daisy Rock Butterfly bass and see whether I can get away with playing it on stage.


*[size=2]For a very loose definition of 'science'...[/size]

[JTUK]

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1470132087' post='3103412']
In a live setting, I have found that people will judge a band (at least to some extent) based on their appearance, so it follows that one may have to consider the look of one's instrument as a consideration of one's image.

This is why, in the name of science*, I want to get hold of a Daisy Rock Butterfly bass and see whether I can get away with playing it on stage.


*[size=2]For a very loose definition of 'science'...[/size]
[/quote]

Yes... Some people determine, 'must be a Fender' so rightly or wrongly it is/can be a factor...just as the 'uniform/Stage clothes' maybe.

I recall having a wardbrobe guy on the gig... but it was all wasted on me..

[ivansc]

For me, it has always been about the neck and playability, sound coming after thsat and THEN a long way back the looks.
Mind you I have opwned some "interesting" looking basses.
Many years ago a Well KNown American Manufacturer gave me a prototype of an Explorer shaped bass with a bolt on neck and a Precision style pickup.
HUGE brass bridge, awkwardly placed strap buttins, but the neck was killer. Still have it. I have worn holes clean through the finish and into the wood with my thumb placement & that wonderful neck is losing its skunk stripe, but.....

And ugly? Even its own mother couldnt love it. I would post a photo but it would crack the lens on my camera.

[AustinArto]

Ultimately you're going to have to wear it, so of course looks are important. Unless you don't care what you look like in which case you probably shouldn't be spending time on stages, really.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='AustinArto' timestamp='1470155324' post='3103681']...Unless you don't care what you look like in which case you probably shouldn't be spending time on stages, really.
[/quote]

[sharedmedia=core:attachments:189271]

(although dangerously close to eugenics, so... )

Looks matter to many folks, less to others and not at all to some. Next question..?

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1470127703' post='3103368']
That's why my next bass will be

[URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Other%20music%20related/Great%20Guitars/11379_736550003100145_1890228984563342328_n%20Jack-PCs%20conflicted%20copy%202016-03-18_zps9xxthlek.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Other%20music%20related/Great%20Guitars/11379_736550003100145_1890228984563342328_n%20Jack-PCs%20conflicted%20copy%202016-03-18_zps9xxthlek.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[/quote]
Is it good for anything other than metal? (And killing things).

[Roger2611]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1470127703' post='3103368']
That's why my next bass will be

[url="http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Other%20music%20related/Great%20Guitars/11379_736550003100145_1890228984563342328_n%20Jack-PCs%20conflicted%20copy%202016-03-18_zps9xxthlek.jpg.html"][/url]
[/quote] Painful by the looks of it!

[Lozz196]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1470127244' post='3103353']
Yes, but I'm shallow. A bass could be the best in the world (for me), but if I don't like the look of it then... not happening.
[/quote]

Same here, even the right type of bass in the wrong colour scheme and it`s not for me.

[stingrayPete1977]

With millions of basses in the world ay various prices new or used and with different quantities of strings and pickups etc I can't see a need to own one you don't like the look of.

[spectoremg]

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1470131673' post='3103408']
I'm guessing it doesn't to many people, which is why there are so many P basses around .
[/quote]Dammit, you beat me to it!

[Trueno]

Looks matter to me.

But... My view on what looks good can change quite a lot. I never used to like the look of Warwick basses, but ended up a complete
Warwickhead... but they definitely look better in the flesh than in a photo.

[TrevorR]

Like several others have said, the most important things may be tone and playability but if I don't personally like/love the look of a bass then I won't be buying or playin it.. That's why, however good or perfect they may be for me in terms of sound and playability, I am very unlikely ever to own a Lakland (ugly oval bridge), MM Bongo or modern single cut bass.

Shallow perhaps but equally hugely important.

[Trueno]

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1470164482' post='3103799']
I am very unlikely ever to own a Lakland (ugly oval bridge), MM Bongo or modern single cut bass.
[/quote]

That more or less defines my own ugly quotient.

[Paul S]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1470156665' post='3103699']
Same here, even the right type of bass in the wrong colour scheme and it`s not for me.
[/quote]

^This^.

[2elliot]

Personal taste. I think Pedulla MVP look fantastic in dark colours with black hardware. I'd use a precision or jazz but it would need to be black with a maple fret board. I have no interest in any other colours. It's down to the owner.

If I feel the bass doesn't work for me, for what ever reason then it's gone. I'm not interested in what my band or Mr Creme Brulee thinks. You will always play better when you are comfortable and happy with your bass.