Basses: sexier than guitars?

[lowendgenerator]

I've been spending a lot of time reading and drooling over at the talkbass forums. So many picture threads and exotic basses of every flavor. I don't even know how to play a 9 string bass, but I want one damnit! I've owned tons of bass gear before, but now I feel I've opened a whole new avenue of GAS. Anyone got a straight jacket? :roll

[The Golden Boy]

You know...

I don't like really "fancy" instruments. I can't think of anything less sexy than spalted maple. It's rotting wood.

Maybe I'm way too traditional- but exotic or ornate designs come across as gaudy to me. I'm not saying they aren't right for people- just not for me.

I'd rather have an instrument that I don't have to worry about putting scratches in or worry about rivet rash on the back of...

[Jerrod]

You can learn to play lead
if you want to be a star
but their butts are all shaking
to the bass guitar

[lowendgenerator]

You know...

I don't like really "fancy" instruments. I can't think of anything less sexy than spalted maple. It's rotting wood.

Maybe I'm way too traditional- but exotic or ornate designs come across as gaudy to me. I'm not saying they aren't right for people- just not for me.

I'd rather have an instrument that I don't have to worry about putting scratches in or worry about rivet rash on the back of...

It doesn't have to be fancy for me either. A nice jazz bass or a Rickenbacker presses my buttons just as much as those exotic art basses. We agree about spalted maple. Yuck.

[MuseCafeChris]

See any Elricks over there? The guy who builds those is the younger brother of one of my best childhood friends/freshman year college roommate.

[billbass1]

You can learn to play lead
if you want to be a star
but their butts are all shaking
to the bass guitar

Clever, poetic and oh so true.................:dude

And, about the sexiness thang,..........
it depends on who the player is...................

[Jerrod]

Clever, poetic and oh so true.................:dude

And, about the sexiness thang,..........
it depends on who the player is...................

I stole it from Todd Snider.

[billbass1]

I stole it from Todd Snider.

Thanks for your honesty Jerrod.
Still, a great line and, worth repeating to many...........:)

[Brian Scherzer]

I like nice looking basses too, but am at a point (no longer playing out live) where it doesn't make sense to spend thousands on a bass. I got my fix with the Lakland Skyline series basses. For years I had wanted a nice candy apple red bass, but also wanted pearl block inlays. I managed to scratch that itch with a Duck Dunn model!

[wstsidela]

Hey, hey, hey!!! What kind of heresy is going on in here?!?!

[The Golden Boy]

Hey, hey, hey!!!

It's FAAAAAT Albert!

[kipknee]

I'd rather have an instrument that I don't have to worry about putting scratches in or worry about rivet rash on the back of...


I'm with you. Awhile back, I owned a Roscoe 6-string bass. It was beautiful. Incredible wood and workmanship. The problem was I was so paranoid about scratching it or even getting fingerprints on it that it was starting to interfere with my playing. It had to go.

I like beautiful wood, but some builders really take it to an extreme level and create what looks/feel like a piece of furniture.

OTOH, some builders can use the pretty woods but still create an instrument that encourages you to hold it and play it. My two Alembics are like that. Great wood and great workmanship, but totally playable.

[mainsale]

Here is my solution to the problem. My '72 Les Paul Signature does not leave my house anymore because they have just become too valuable. I picked up this Epiphone Jack Cassady Signature which sounds very close to the Gibson but if I lose it, it can be replaced.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/Mainsale/Guitars044.jpg

[lowendgenerator]

That is teh sexie!!!11!

[The Golden Boy]

The problem was I was so paranoid about scratching it or even getting fingerprints on it that it was starting to interfere with my playing. It had to go.


My '72 Les Paul Signature does not leave my house anymore because they have just become too valuable.

It's a goofy thing. I have no problem bringing out the T-Bird- it's a 79, it's in good shape, no breaks- it's got that little itty bitty 1.5" nut, and that big ol' paddle headstock. In my mind, it's not "vintage."

My Jazz Bass, which went EVERYWHERE with me for the better part of 5 years, got eclipsed by my G&L as the #1 player. While I can honestly say my G&L cuts better in a live situation, I started using "but it's a '65 Jazz Bass" when making the decision of what bass to play. At that point it ceased to be just "an old guitar" and became "vintage" in my mind.

I still wear jeans when playing it, there's a healthy amount of rivet rash. It's got biffs, dings, paint splashes on it... It's a player, but it's also a pretty desirable player, regardless of the horrible refin done 35 years ago.

A several years back, I picked up a 58 LP Special. It was in pretty good shape- original TV finish... Nice playing, nice sounding guitar. But it was more expensive and cleaner than I liked. I was afraid to play it. I don't feel too bad about selling it, although occasionally I wish I had a beat up 57/58 TV SC LP Special...

[stevieboy]

I think a lot of people might think bass playing is sexier than guitar, it's what their booty shakes to.

Have a lady sit on your bass amp and play it. She'll think it's sexy!

[walterw]

Here is my solution to the problem. My '72 Les Paul Signature does not leave my house anymore because they have just become too valuable. I picked up this Epiphone Jack Cassady Signature which sounds very close to the Gibson but if I lose it, it can be replaced.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/Mainsale/Guitars044.jpg

there's a rumor going 'round that gibson is reissuing the LP signature bass for real. i'm excited, in that to me, it's the only bass gibson ever made that actually sounds good! (can anyone point out to me what "thunderbird tone" actually sounds like on record?)

a local (really good) original band's bass player had a real LP sig bass, and it always sounded f#@king good live!

[otaypanky]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/Mainsale/Guitars044.jpg
I have both of these in the guitar versions, and for the same reasons. 'Funny thing is, the Gibson sounds and feels so good it still manages to sneak out my back door and get played out often. And everytime I think about selling the Epiphone 'cause it doesn't get enough 'playtime', I pull it out, play it for an hour, and say Damn! I'm not sellin' this fine guitar ~LOL

[Bassomatic]

Here is my solution to the problem. My '72 Les Paul Signature does not leave my house anymore because they have just become too valuable. I picked up this Epiphone Jack Cassady Signature which sounds very close to the Gibson but if I lose it, it can be replaced.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/Mainsale/Guitars044.jpg

How does the Epi JC stack up to the gibby in sound and playability? I've been intrigued by the JCs for some time.

[ghoti]

there's a rumor going 'round that gibson is reissuing the LP signature bass for real. i'm excited, in that to me, it's the only bass gibson ever made that actually sounds good! (can anyone point out to me what "thunderbird tone" actually sounds like on record?)

a local (really good) original band's bass player had a real LP sig bass, and it always sounded f#@king good live!


Not sure about a record, but they get played some:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nekdqu6dxWo&mode=related&search=
kind of a simple groove, but I like it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px3sgm1xILs
and who could forget these guys?

[mcknigs]

I think a lot of people might think bass playing is sexier than guitar, it's what their booty shakes to.

Have a lady sit on your bass amp and play it. She'll think it's sexy!

A friend used to say "chicks dig bass players... they have bigger equipment."

:rolleyes:

[mcknigs]

(can anyone point out to me what "thunderbird tone" actually sounds like on record?)

I can't think of one on record but I can tell you that a bassist friend in one of my bands played one a few times. His was a Japanese RI made for the Japanese market. He bought it while there on business. It had a very aggressive metalic tone. I liked the sound, though it wasn't necessarily appropriate for most bands we played in together. It would make a great bass for a puck or metal band (IMO).

-Scott McKnight

[The Golden Boy]

can anyone point out to me what "thunderbird tone" actually sounds like on record?

I can't see the YouTube links...

However, I think the quintessential Thunderbird Tone is the intro to the theme from "The Kids In The Hall" TV show.

[TheGrooveking]

My brother playes bass, he is a good looking 6'5" guy, but chick swarm to him after gigs, so maybe there is something to this.

TheGrooveking

[jompa]

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevieboy http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?p=2679385#post2679385)
I think a lot of people might think bass playing is sexier than guitar, it's what their booty shakes to.

Have a lady sit on your bass amp and play it. She'll think it's sexy! A friend used to say "chicks dig bass players... they have bigger equipment."
All I know is that in every band I've ever played, the bass player gets the most women! Very true.

[RickC]

Two good examples of Thunderbird tone:

The Who - "Quadrophenia"

Wishbone Ash - "Live Dates"

/rick