My new single cut design.. opinions?

[dave-chaulk]

This is a single-cut designed to be neck-thru and 5 string (1.75" nut, 2.75" heel). It's based pretty heavily off of the Yamaha RBX170.

This will be my first single cut build, and the first one I've held... I've got a few questions.

first and foremost, how does it look? it balances well, but looks-wise.. is it to small? too long? That's what she said?

Do you pro's estimate that this will balance well, with a mahogany body and a 4-piece maple neck?

Any changes I should make?

keep in mind, this is a rough-cut template, so all the bumps will be smooth and whatnot.

I'm thinking 3/4" roundover, with hand carved arm and belly cuts, among others.

Any tips specific to single cut?

Thanks a lot guys,
Dave.

[dave-chaulk]

Just realized I forgot me picture.

[St Drogo]

looks nice! lookslike you took the rbx bas and made it into a singlecut. I'm a big fan of those yammy's and therefore, aprove.

As for helpful criticism: No idea. Curious to see how it ends up!

EDIT: I also now realise you've stated it is based off of the rbx in your very first sentence. My bad...

EDITEDIT: Actually, looking at it a bit longer now, it looks a bit boxy, probably due to the straight bottomend. It works in an rbx, but maybe you could try making it a bit more offset?

[dave-chaulk]

Actually, I was thinking the same thing. If two people agree on it it must be somewhat true, so I'll keep it in mind.
And thanks a lot! you can see the RBX's top horn in red in the middle of the top, for size comparison.

[St Drogo]

Yeah, I see it. I also see you wanted to go for a more sloped upper horn design. Glad you went this way, I like this better.

I once wanted to cut my rbx up, and move the bottom half downward, so the cutaway would be flush with the 24th fret, and then somehow make the butt end more sloped that way. Maybe you could do something like that?

Here's a picture of what I mean:


As opposed to:


Also:

If two people agree on it it must be somewhat true

I disagree

[dave-chaulk]

Honestly, I don't really see what you mean with those pictures....

and as for my "agreement" statement, I was being half sarcastic, hah.
Upon closer analysis, that's a great example of a situation statement.

2 bassists agree; could be right
2 nazis agree; probably wrong.

[miziomix]

Originally Posted by dave-chaulk

2 bassists agree; could be right

Or it could be a miracle

[Son of Magni]

Originally Posted by St Drogo

Yeah, I see it. I also see you wanted to go for a more sloped upper horn design. Glad you went this way, I like this better.

I once wanted to cut my rbx up, and move the bottom half downward, so the cutaway would be flush with the 24th fret, and then somehow make the butt end more sloped that way. Maybe you could do something like that?

Here's a picture of what I mean:


As opposed to:

You need to be careful though because you're moving the lower waist towards the bridge end which will tend to unbalance it (more neckdive) when playing sitting down. In the pic you're not moving it very far but it could become an issue.

[gnarlyopossum]

St Drogo- Do you mean to make the bottom end look more like a jazz bass? I think that would be a pretty good way to make it less boxy. Also, it would help the bass sit at a nice angle when playing standing up.

[St Drogo]

Well, If you look carefully, the bottom isn't the only thing I changed: I actually moved the entire right side of the body down (you can see this in the lower cutaway), and then made up the difference on the butt end by making it a bit sloped.

I admit, it's kinda hard to see for the untrained eye. I do have seven black belts in MS Paint, so...

[miziomix]

Originally Posted by dave-chaulk

...
first and foremost, how does it look? it balances well, but looks-wise.. is it to small? too long? That's what she said?

Hey Dave, good start man. Single cuts really put design skills to a test. Quite a few single cut out there look unresolved and disharmonious - - albeit very well made, some superbly made.

Some of the Fodera and Elrick IMO are very well thought through and you can see in both cases how the design makes the bass look light, nimble and harmonious.

I would look for an original way to achieve that. At the moment the body looks a bit heavy and stiff to me. What is needs I think is some...er... movement... if you see what I mean.

BTW, is your template a little short for a 34"? looks like there's not enough space for the bridge. Adding that inch or two might help lightening the design a bit?

Hope this helps. Have fun!

[St Drogo]

I do agree with Son of Magni though, balance when sitting down may become a problem this way. I never actually tried is (out of impressive levels of lazyness), so I don't know really.

Also, he is the son of several Magnusses and makes THOR basses. I'm kind of afraid to disagree with that much raw viking manliness.