If a guitar looked fugly as fuck, but sounded fucking fantastic, would you be okay with that?

[UlricvonCatalyst]

I'll lay my cards on the table: I'm shallow. I've always liked guitars for their associations and for their aesthetics. When I started out playing in bands I didn't know good tone from the twanging of a rubber band, and I used to set all the saddles on my tune-o-matic bridge dead centre, because it looked "best". Over time I've come to appreciate certain guitars for other reasons too, such as playability, and diverse tonality (take a bow (original) Shergold Masquerader).

I just watched a YouTube pedal demo, and it made me wonder: how far beyond the pail is absolutely beyond the pail?

No way would I be seen dead with that monstrosity (I think). But if it was feature-laden, sounded absolutely fantastic on all or most settings, and had my ideal neck, could I possibly forgive it its hideous aesthetic? I'm fairly sure, but maybe not 100% sure, the correct answer is "Fuck, no!" But could i be wrong?

What hideous-looking guitars out there are actually fucking fantastic guitars? Educate me/call me out on my prejudices....

[marqueemoon]

The original Parker Fly comes to mind. If I had a musical need for a sound like that I would definitely get one.

[Fendereedo]

I have a 70s Shergold like Barney out of Joy Division/New Order played. A bit of an ugly guitar, but the humbuckers can crack coconuts at 50 miles.

[leokula]

If a guitar looked fugly as fuck, but sounded fucking fantastic, would you be okay with that?

Never. It has to look right.

No guitar needs to be ugly in order to sound right, it's not like there's any need for compromise.

If you like the sound and it's ugly, just make it look beautiful.

[jakeisjake]

Ugly is subjective.

I might like an ugly guitar...

but I don't think I'd want to play a guitar that doesn't fit my aesthetic.

[cestlamort]

It’s a slippery slope to Steinbergers and mulleted Lou Reed in sweatpants.

[Larsongs]

I can't really say because their are so many good looking Guitars that sound fantastic I've never spent time bothering wit the Fugly ones....

IMO Looks count as much as Sound.... Gues I'm shallow too..

[windmill]

It’s a slippery slope to Steinbergers and mulleted Lou Reed in sweatpants.

Post of the day

[jvin248]

.

Are we talking weird shaped guitars or relic guitars?

I prefer to buy used and abused guitars and fix them up to play better than they did from the factory -- so relic is ok.

Not sure I'd be interested in playing one of those Strats that looks like the melted clock paintings.

.

[SansRegret]

hell yeah, I'll play anything regardless of how it looks, sounds and plays. Personally I kinda enjoy finding the things that different instruments 'work' for and letting that factor into my writing and playing. Given I also have instruments in good lookin' and playing order. Variety is the spice of life.

[Futuron]

I always saw Telecasters as really ugly but sounding great. I'm more than happy with the sound of mine.

But you're probably asking for this stuff turned up to 11 and beyond.

[Singlebladepickup]

No, it's gotta look cool

[Danley]

Looks *do* matter, since I probably wouldn't count on anyone to recognize the practical value of, say, a guitar shaped like a Swastika no matter how well it played - nor do I think I could pull it off for the irony value. I'm sure everyone has their own limits with that regard, but seriously - There are enough great playing guitars in the world that I think I could stand not to acquaint myself with a single ridiculous looking one, even if it was 10% better than the rest.

[dinosaurkale->]

im pretty ok with playing ugly guitars or at least what others consider ugly
gimme pointy headstocks and floyd roses all day

[Telliot]

Nope. I’m unable to overlook bad design over tone (and vice-versa). I am a visual person who happens to really care about aesthetics, and just could not own something I found hideously ugly.