"Why" is that Specific Alembic Sexy?

[hammer]

In a previous thread (What is the Sexiest Alembic?), members identified the Alembic bass or guitar they viewed as having the greatest sex appeal. After taking part and nominating a sexy Alembic of my own, I started wondering why I personally find some Alembics (and other manufacturer's instruments) more appealing to my eye than others.
 
The look of the Epic, for example, doesn't appeal to me at all, whereas I love the shape of the SC. I find Europa, Elan, Spoiler and Persuader bodies quite attractive, but Orions and Rogues don't do much for me. I'm sure, however, that there are plenty of others who love the Epic, Orion, and Rogue shapes and are not that fond of the body types that appeal to me.
 
As far as headstocks go, I've almost pulled the trigger on several Spoilers but ended up not purchasing them because I have a strong personal dislike of the cone headstock while I love all the others that Alembic uses.  
 
All this and I haven't even touched preferences with respect to woods (ever wonder why Coco Bolo, regardless of its impact on the sonic properties of an instrument, is so appealing to so many?)
 
Though I might be over analyzing this, has anyone else thought of why they get excited over the look of some Alembics and could take or leave others? What physical features appeal the most to you and for which do you not have an affinity?
 
At least for now, let's leave functional (I could never play a long scale) and sonic preferences out of the discussion (since I think everyone here has different sounds they want to hear).
 
As I've personally considered what makes an Alembic look sexy to me, I've found that I tend to like/lust after those instruments that have a greater degree of symmetry to them. I guess that's not too surprising since research has found that, among humans, facial symmetry influences judgments of aesthetic traits of physical attractiveness and beauty. It is also hypothesized as a factor in both interpersonal attraction and interpersonal chemistry.

[serialnumber12]

ive always loved big booties as well as big alembics so i think my alembic is the sexiest because i can play with all them knobs.

[tubeperson]

Amen to knobs, especially a knobby headstock!!  Love that big booty too (including Big John Booty from Buckaroo Bonzai).

[5a_quilt_top]

Although booty is in the eye of the beholder and knobs can be loads of fun to play with, the one thing that makes an Alembic (or anything) sexy to me is purity/clarity of design/vision as related to its purpose.
 
The closer that the form (design + materials + craftsmanship) follows the intended function (vision + purpose), the more enticing the result will be.
 
Great Alembics are like great basslines - what needs to be there is present and what does not need to be there is absent.
 
It's all about balance. Sometimes a moderate use of excess is required and sometimes an excessive use of moderation is required. Sometimes symmetry is required (72-01, SC) and sometimes asymmetry is required (Europa).
 
And then there's the Spyders...just because...

[tncaveman]

The curve at the waist is very sexy - especially on a Rogue.  If you haven't played one, you should because the shape is soooo comfortable and balanced.  And a small waist w/ a big bootie is cool too  :-)
 
Stephen
 

[rami]

I agree that the Rogue is (in my humble opinion) the sexiest Alembic.  It hits me on a basic organic level. It's very female. The female form is one of the ultimate inspirations for great art. The original sexy offset waist Bass is the Fender Jazz, but the Rogue takes it to a whole new level.  

 

[ajdover]

I dunno .... I think this is the sexiest.  Thin at the waist, curvy around the edges ... pointy in the right places ... ;-)
 

[rami]

I disagree on that one.  It's definitely beautiful, but it doesn't have any curves. I don't think rounded edges count.  Anyway, beauty and sex-appeal are in the eye of the beholder.  The Exploiter (Explorer) body doesn't do it for me. No offense intended.
 
Best regards.

[ajdover]

To each his/her own, Rami.

[rami]

As I stated, it's in the eyes of the beholder. Body shapes evoke different perceptions. Some are futuristic, some are aggressive and some are sexy. What each one of us sees is subjective.

[ajdover]

And I would agree, hence my post.  
 
Speaking for myself, I can't say I'm a big fan of omegas, stinger tail, standard point, etc.  Nor am I a fan of extended range basses (mainly because they actually make my left wrist hurt due to the width of the fingerboard at first position - I have to crank my hand around so much it hurts after a while).  But as you note, it is subjective.  One man's pleasure is another man's pain as the saying goes.
 
On this, however we can agree - all Alembics are sexy - period!  I know that every time I take mine out, they draw a crowd and attention.  For me, that is sexy.

[that_sustain]

...I think all 5 string basses look mathmatically wrong.  It's OCD.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I agree, Daniel.  I understand the concept of wanting more strings - and as a guitarist, you'd think a 6 would be a natural for me.  But anything but 4 just doesn't look like a bass; they seem out of balance visually.  I think with me, it's not OCD, it's GOF (grumpy old fart).
 
Peter

[that_sustain]

I could deal with a 6.  What'd be nice is if one was built without the low B, having a C and F instead.  This would be so great for one guitar bands.

[pace]

I like to twiddle her knobs....