Would you buy a bass just because it looks killer?

[ilan]

I just did.

Bought this Soviet-era Bulgarian piece of crap only because I absolutely LOVE the art deco paint job.

What is wrong with me?

[Basvarken]

Looks beautiful.

Why is it crap? Can you modifiy it into something more usable?

[ilan]

Maybe it can be set up to play nicely. Looks like it was refretted, I hope it's not a hack job.

[ilan]

Even the pickups are art deco.

[Pilgrim]

As long as the action is decent, electronics can always be replaced.  I think it looks wonderful!

I am such a total ho for hollowbodies.....

[TBird1958]

I think it's cool looking too! Love the paint job, you could always hang it out the wall if it's unplayable 

[Dave W]

I might. Probably not at that price, though. Does look tres cool, and maybe you can make it sound good.

[Nocturnal]

For the right price I would buy that just to hang on the wall. If it plays, then all the better.

[Hornisse]

I would!  I bought an old converted Hondo bass years ago right after Keith Ferguson passed away.  It belonged to him as he used to pawn his basses regularly to support his habit.  I used to have his old National N-650 bass too but sold it years back.  This one my wife bought me for $69 so I'll never sell it.  It was strung lefty but I converted it so I could play it. 

[uwe]

I've never done anything of the like, totally alien to me.

Except in a few, say a dozen or two, well more like three dozen cases! 
Ilan, you're such a voice of reason here, it was about time you did something irresponsible. The fin is great and if you get playability decent, I'm sure it will sound suitably vintage with a set of flats.

[ilan]

it was about time you did something irresponsible

Ha! That's right. 

I just spoke with a friend who knows someone who owned a violin-shaped Bulgarian Orfeus and he said he actually liked its sound. So there's hope. I know the price was steep but I just had to have this finish.

[Highlander]

"Yes..."

[Chris P.]

I totally love that bass and paintwork. I would have bought it.


To be honest: There was a time I knew nothing about basses. I bought a Fender cos my Fender shopkeeper who only stores Fenders said it was good:)

After a while I saw this Thunderbird in a shop which was as old as I am and it was really 'Entwistle'. But it was full of holes, damaged, a nailed on finger rest, and more bad things. But the baddest thing: I think it was used as a prop in a Robin Hood movie. A bow without arrows. And it sounded bad.
I still bought it for 900 euros and my luthier did a good set up. That was after like two months. Immediately the bass was playable ánd it sounded gorgeous... But I bought it totally for the looks!

I bought the Buzzard because I needed 26 frets. No looks thing here

[Highlander]

 

[ilan]

There was a guitar model. Look at disassembled pickup... scary. Who needs a bobbin anyway?

http://sovietguitar.narod.ru/xebrosguitar.htm