I don’t understand basses based on guitars, or vice versa.
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Guitar DNA is in basses from the start. The original P bass, the '51, was based on a Telecaster, and the 57/58, whatever is the correct year, used a lot of Strat influence. Whether it’s a stingray guitar, or jazzmaster, Danelctro, SG, Mustang, Destroyer, a lot of guitar shapes have made their way to bass. It is what it is.
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How so? The only similarity is the headstock and (sort of) the control plate. Everything else is totally different.
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From Fender, history of the P Bass
“It borrowed several features from the Telecaster, including its headstock shape, neck plate, truss rod nut, potentiometers, two domed chrome control knobs, output jack ferrule and strap buttons”
It had two horns instead of one, which balanced it better and in turn was used on the Stratocaster.
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Even so, that’s a lot different than “let’s take this iconic shape/looking guitar and make a bass version”.
It’s the reason I did not buy the Billy Bo bass while in Japan.
It’s cool, but its based on a guitar.
Gene Simmons Axe has guitar models.
Paul Stanley’s Iceman has bass models.
To me, just dopey.
YMMV and that’s cool.
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Yeah agree. Like who cares about the neck plate, truss rod nut, ferrule and knobs. That’s just a dopey link, sounds like a marketing stretch. Headstock is the only real tangible connection, even the control plate is different.
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I will point out the SBV is also a guitar turned bass
I think you guys are focusing on one poor example
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I never said I have a problem with guitars inspiring basses, I just think the Telecaster/P-bass thing is not one of them and Fender’s marketing guys need to lay off the bong.
Lots of great basses inspired by guitars. All Gretsch, for example.
That’s actually not the first SG. And before the flying samurais there were the flying bananas.
All of those '60s Yamaha models are super prized and collectible now, massive cult following.
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That really hurts. I’ll be lying awake tonight, for fear that this picture will haunt me in my sleep.
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That’s just a whole lotta nope. To each his own.
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Well, eye of the beholder. Those start at around $3k and are instantly snagged, but not everyone gets why people love them.
The SBV’s are my jam, totally love the things. The bananas, eh. Cool and unique but no real feeling there. They made bass versions too.
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Lol I love the flying banana. That version is amazing 
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Banana hammock porn right there
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This one will be up @Al1885’s alley - nice looking RBX850 for about $220.
MIJ, 6-bolt neck, nice '80s Yamaha from a great line.
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Speaking of MIJ Yamaha, nice new color on this year’s BBP34. “Moonlight Blue”, a nice transparent blue:
I am still all about the Midnight Blue one though.
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https://jp.mercari.com/item/m17794154820
Some parts of the body might be filled in and refinished (per the text), otherwise looks ok. Nice bass.
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Thanks @howard. I wish it’s a lady bug headstock. I like this one too. Google translate is so funky. lol.
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Yeah mostly the MB’s had the ladybug and the RBX the angular one, but there were exceptions
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The MB’s bodies are very comfortable and the bonus is the 32” scale. I sold my black one today, when I was testing it I almost didn’t want to let it go, lol. Not to say that the current RBX line up here is not good but the ones back then are just extraordinary! Bang on right out of the box.
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