Weststarx Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Hello all, I've been looking around at basses and generally in terms of looks they all look the same with a boring solid colour in either black, red, sunburst and sometimes blue. Why are basses finished to look so boring? I've not seen a bass ever that I look at and go 'Wow now I want to play that!'. I've only ever picked up and tried guitars that I've been told are 'the ones to play' and picked whatever boring finish I prefered. PRS for example make some absolutely stunning looking guitars. [size=2][i](I know they've made that Grainger Bass but I've heard nothing but terrible things about it)[/i][/size] So does anyone know of any 'mass production' bass guitars that look 'sexy' out there? Edited April 10, 2014 by Weststarx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I like to think my bass is sexy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Well taste is subjective obviously, so your going to get varied opinions on what's a good looking bass... Personally I like lots of different basses from classic looking fendery types, through fancy wood tops to modern concept style basses, there isn't really one common thing that I like about them all in order to qualify what makes them good looking... However I've never seen an attractive bass featuring a single cut or gold hardware... Edited April 10, 2014 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 [quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1397131302' post='2420961'] Hello all, I've been looking around at basses and generally in terms of looks they all look the same with a boring solid colour in either black, red, sunburst and sometimes blue. Why are basses designed to look so boring? I've not seen a bass ever that I look at and go 'Wow now I want to play that!'. I've only ever picked up and tried guitars that I've been told are 'the ones to play' and picked whatever boring finish I prefered. PRS for example make some absolutely stunning looking guitars. [size=2][i](I know they've made that Grainger Bass but I've heard nothing but terrible things about it)[/i][/size] So does anyone know of any 'mass production' bass guitars that look 'sexy' out there? [/quote] Where have you been looking? How hard have you been looking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weststarx Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1397132098' post='2420975'] Where have you been looking? How hard have you been looking? [/quote] I guess im commenting more on body finishes and why they are never very inspiring to look at. There are 'good looking' basses out there but nothing that really stands out from the crowd for me. So going down a row of basses in a music shop theres never one that sicks out and draws your eye to it. Unless you look at the silly childrens guitars made by Dean. Edited April 10, 2014 by Weststarx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weststarx Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 Even though I have just shot down Dean guitars. I'm using an example of the finish on this bass... The finish on this is 'good looking' IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 You could follow G&L Musical Instruments on Facebook - I think you'd be partial to their blueburst. They're always posting up pictures of guitars and basses with lovely (and sometimes completely ridiculous) finishes. https://www.facebook.com/GnLguitars I don't think shops are the place to look for the inspiration you seek - shops don't tend to take in "weird" stuff because it's harder to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Have a look through the gallery on the ritter website.... some astounding finishes in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1397134324' post='2420997'] Have a look through the gallery on the ritter website.... some astounding finishes in there. [/quote] OP did stipulate "mass production" basses... I wouldn't apply that term to Ritter basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1397134609' post='2420999'] OP did stipulate "mass production" basses... I wouldn't apply that term to Ritter basses. [/quote] Ah OK fair enough... didn't read that bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 ACG Aren't mass production but they aren't ritter either... [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0157u-uber-art-recurve-4/"]http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0157u-uber-art-recurve-4/[/url] rather special wot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1397135014' post='2421009'] ACG Aren't mass production but they aren't ritter either... [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0157u-uber-art-recurve-4/"]http://www.acguitars...-art-recurve-4/[/url] rather special wot [/quote] I saw this at the London Bass show.... it looked amazing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 The problem with "mass production" basses is that they have to cater to the widest possible market which means "popular" finishes like 3-tone sunburst, black, red and white. However there are some brands that get a little adventurous. Have a look at some of the options that [url=http://www.deanguitars.com/basses.php]Dean[/url] offer for bassists, and how about [url=http://www.spectorbass.com/Legend/Legend-4X.html]Spector's Holoflash finish[/url]? Of course there's nothing stopping you from buying something with an ordinary finish and letting a company like [url=http://www.simscustom.com/html/00sprayshop.htm]Sims Custom[/url] work their magic with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weststarx Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1397134170' post='2420994'] You could follow G&L Musical Instruments on Facebook - I think you'd be partial to their blueburst. They're always posting up pictures of guitars and basses with lovely (and sometimes completely ridiculous) finishes. [url="https://www.facebook.com/GnLguitars"]https://www.facebook.com/GnLguitars[/url] I don't think shops are the place to look for the inspiration you seek - shops don't tend to take in "weird" stuff because it's harder to sell. [/quote] I think you've helped me strike gold here my friend.... exactly the type of thing I'm after... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I think it's fair to say that most manufacturers don't push "adventurous" designs because it's not what the current market demands. For a couple of decades now, pro players in successful acts - who influence purchasers - often tend to play Precisions, or maybe a Jazz if they're feeling daring. Of course there are exceptions but many players seem content with generic, traditional instruments. This is very disappointing to an old git like me who grew up watching my heroes playing stuff like JayDees, Steinbergers, Wals, Status, high-end Ibanez, Washburns & Aria Pros and so on. These days the bass tends to have a less prominent musical role than the 80s-era bands who used these instruments and I feel that's reflected in the conservative choices of both players and retailers. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1397136441' post='2421037'] I think it's fair to say that most manufacturers don't push "adventurous" designs because it's not what the current market demands. For a couple of decades now, pro players in successful acts - who influence purchasers - often tend to play Precisions, or maybe a Jazz if they're feeling daring. Of course there are exceptions but many players seem content with generic, traditional instruments. This is very disappointing to an old git like me who grew up watching my heroes playing stuff like JayDees, Steinbergers, Wals, Status, high-end Ibanez, Washburns & Aria Pros and so on. These days the bass tends to have a less prominent musical role than the 80s-era bands who used these instruments and I feel that's reflected in the conservative choices of both players and retailers. Jon. [/quote] Just you wait til I hit it big. I'll be waving my Gibsons (especially my Victory which you covet so much ) in your face at every opportunity. Then I will badger Gibson into reissuing the Victory, the RD Artist and anything else I deem worthy. VICTORY SHALL BE MINE. Oh wait, it already is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 As said it is all subjective. I wouldn't have put myself down as a sunburst fan but I've owned some really cool looking sunburst basses. The example of PRS in the OP is personally not to my tastes but then there is a market out there for them. I think basses do look cool and sexy but over 25yrs of playing my tastes have moved around a lot. I'm back to a black body / white scratchplate look at present which is something I thought I'd never go for again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 For me both the Fender Precision and Fender Jazz are basses that, in the right colour scheme (for me that is) are things of beauty. A genuinely aged sunburst Jazz, tort scratchplate, and rosewood neck is just yummy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Check out Carvin's new Vanquish bass, or indeed any of their nice tops on the latest P/J basses they make. Decent prices, nice quality. I personally love a Musicman bass. Classic Stingray/Stingray/Sterling/Big Al and even the Bongo.....(yes the Bongo looks amazing in a bright colour). The NYC Sadowsky basses are stunning. Edited April 10, 2014 by Musicman20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikanHannille Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Very subjective indeed. I've always found Lakland 55-94's deluxe with bird's eye maple boards really good looking. Specially this one. [URL=http://s37.photobucket.com/user/hessler312/media/1471840_10202378701661802_1835501982_n_zps37e12e5a.jpg.html][IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e84/hessler312/1471840_10202378701661802_1835501982_n_zps37e12e5a.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Not sure though if you class them as mass produced basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 How about this? [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC00297_zps7ec03d79.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZXRRDave Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Is any of it to do with the prevailing characteristics of bass players vs guitarist? Ie a guitarist is more flamboyant in many respects and therefore prefer a more ostentatious finish and then there is sufficient market for the more expensive finish on the product, whereas the ostentation isn't necessarily a saleable quantity on basses. Not saying that there aren't plenty of people out there who'd love a deep quilted maple dyed finish on the bass, there's possibly just a smaller demographic which renders the demand insufficient for mass production. As well as the sales figures for guitar vs bass. I quite like a lot of the prs styles finishes (and look up a company called 'Knaggs guitars' for even more spectacular finishing) but quite often they do cross over the line into being just a little bit on the vulgar side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Here are some .., Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgmh315 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) http://manchesterbasslounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/213_EversonCaiman.jpg Edited April 10, 2014 by jgmh315 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) [IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/SR1605-2_zps80e20b2c.jpg[/IMG] Ibanez SR1605 Edited April 10, 2014 by ezbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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