Body Design Thoughts/Question

WardEarth · #1 12-05-2010, 03:46 PM

Is there any body designs that are very open for your plucking hand? I feel like the rear wing is always in the way. Many bass bodies (such as the standard fenders) have an angle cut in that area, but what if it was really cut away and opened up? What if more of the body was blow the strings (in the control area), and/or the neck was positioned higher?

Is there any basses like this? Often the body its either balanced to both sides or there is more meat towards the top.

I understand that in order to balance neck dive, the body mass needs to be in the rear and the strap horn needs to shoot forward.

pilotjones · #2 12-05-2010, 05:18 PM

You may find that a body with less material in that area is less comfortable, because there is not enough support for your arm, and so you are constantly suspending weight from the shoulder. Depends on the bass body, the player's body, the strap/position on the player, and his right hand technique.

I think the only way to know is to try one. Or, buy a steinberger and add a custom body wing to it.

WardEarth · #3 12-05-2010, 05:43 PM

I don't think I'll have any problem with the weight, because its only the weight of my arm. I just feel that area could be made more comfortable for my wrist, and it seems like its a common design issue for me. I may be making a bass body soon, have this wild piece of cherry that I'm going to work with this week.

kb9wyz · #4 12-05-2010, 05:52 PM

Try an Ibanez SR. The bodies are very thin and I find my SR500 to be more comfortable than my Jazz in most situations.

iamlowsound · #5 12-05-2010, 08:59 PM

You mean like this? Small upper body wing with a carved top.
Carving, or n00b takes a big bite

lowsound

WardEarth · #6 12-05-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

You mean like this? Small upper body wing with a carved top.
Carving, or n00b takes a big bite

lowsound

Exactly, except I might almost remove that rear hump completely or shrink it and push it back. Sweeping that area around the players body might be even more comfortable.

Does anyone else feel they might benefit from that kind of plucking wrist openness? Maybe its just cause i like playing my bass so high, on my body that is.

Beej · #7 12-06-2010, 10:05 AM

Try cutting out a few fullsize cardboard basses in the shapes you're thinking of and try them out. When you've got one you think could work, make the shape out of plywood or something to give it more meat and see how it feels. You'll be better able to rule stuff out this way, before the bass is made...

WardEarth · #8 12-06-2010, 10:49 AM

Beej - good idea.

Musiclogic · #9 12-06-2010, 02:03 PM

+10 on this suggestion from Beej....the island dweller

Rickett Customs · #10 12-06-2010, 02:25 PM

What Beej is saying is right. But, there's another side a new design: R&D......

To have it as a shape, gives you a small idea of how it'll be, the other half is an actual instrument that you can play, both sitting down and with a strap...how about gigs? There's another test.......hours of standing and playing it, this will tell you beyond a doubt if it holds water

**lowfreqgeek** · #11 12-06-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WardEarth

Does anyone else feel they might benefit from that kind of plucking wrist openness? Maybe its just cause i like playing my bass so high, on my body that is.

You're taking a big risk with that sharp angle. Wrist bends like that can lead to carpel tunnel. Also, from a plucking-hand technique perspective, that sharp bend decouples your fingers from the muscles that control them up in your forearm, near your elbow. I have years of "bad technique" and often find my elbow near my waist, my wrist bent sharply, and precise control of my fingers more difficult. When I raise my elbow out away from the body and straighten my wrist, my control becomes much more precise and I have less discomfort in my wrist.

Try to get your hands on a Steinberger or Hohner Spirit to try it out and see how it feels. Just be careful with your wrist - you only get one... (well, 2...).

WardEarth · #12 12-07-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreqgeek

You're taking a big risk with that sharp angle. When I raise my elbow out away from the body and straighten my wrist, my control becomes much more precise and I have less discomfort in my wrist.

Try to get your hands on a Steinberger

I didn't think of the steinberger, its exactly what Im thinking about. I feel like for my style, that opening will be very comfortable. Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIqLX...eature=related
This guy looks comfortable, he can have his wrist straight, but he bends it sometimes. You would have to bend your wrist on any other bass. Thats just my observation right now, maybe after I build it I'll change my mind.

dave-chaulk · #13 12-07-2010, 02:12 PM

http://www.kramermaniaxe.com/AXES.JPG

lots on bottom, nothing on top. good?

iamlowsound · #14 12-07-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WardEarth

I didn't think of the steinberger, its exactly what Im thinking about. I feel like for my style, that opening will be very comfortable. Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIqLX...eature=related
This guy looks comfortable, he can have his wrist straight, but he bends it sometimes. You would have to bend your wrist on any other bass. Thats just my observation right now, maybe after I build it I'll change my mind.

Nothing there that can't be done on a regular bass, just keep your elbow away from you body and your wrist will straighten out.

lowsound

WardEarth · #15 12-07-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave-chaulk

http://www.kramermaniaxe.com/AXES.JPG

lots on bottom, nothing on top. good?

Yeah! Lay down some metal then go slay some beasts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Nothing there that can't be done on a regular bass, just keep your elbow away from you body and your wrist will straighten out.

lowsound

Maybe I'm saying that the regular is kinda boring and someone can probably make a more comfortable design.