Basses with Good Ergonomics?

[Gare Boo]

Hi, does anyone know any basses that have good ergonomics? I found the twisted neck design(see pics) on Torzal basses are quite interesting but they are so darn expensive! Maybe there is something on the cheap side that also provides good ergonomics? By ergonomic, I mean a comfortable neck and a lightweight body. I know Strandberg is supposed to be good too but they are also pricey.Thanks

I think the neck design actually makes some sense but I couldn't afford to try them out lol.

 

[Pilgrim]

Depends on what you like. I prefer 30 inch scale basses as they balance better and don’t tax the left hand to stretch as much on the first 5 frets. Many are light, too. My Squier Bronco with a Gretsch 2202 pickup is one of the most comfortable basses I play.

 

[woodyng2]

Spector NS2J. Rickenbacker Cheyenne 4004. GL JB2. not all examples are always lightweight.
(although the walnut cheyenne usually is).

 

[Gare Boo]

Depends on what you like. I prefer 30 inch scale basses as they balance better and don’t tax the left hand to stretch as much on the first 5 frets. Many are light, too. My Squier Bronco with a Gretsch 2202 pickup is one of the most comfortable basses I play.

I used to own a 30" scale Spector Bantam, yes my left hand did feel much more comfortable but my right arm couldn't stretch out play in my comfortable position its length. I then tried a 32" Aria CSB, still the same problem, the short in length makes my right arm unable to sit on the spot I like.

 

[Gare Boo]

Spector NS2J. Rickenbacker Cheyenne 4004. GL JB2. not all examples are always lightweight.
(although the walnut cheyenne usually is).

Are their necks comfortable tho? Do the headstock dive? I heard G&Ls aren't comfortable from my friends but if could be just them. Thanks.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I got myself a Spector Legend Classic with the curved body after trying a higher end Spector and loving the feel of it. I ended up selling it because I couldn’t find my sound among the many wonderful sounds it made, but I will still recommend the Legend Classic line to anybody looking for something that feels and plays like a dream on a relative budget. Ned Steinberger put his extensive knowledge of ergonomics into that NS body shape and it really shows (looks great, too).

 

[Claymore]

Are their necks comfortable tho? Do the headstock dive? I heard G&Ls aren't comfortable from my friends but if could be just them. Thanks.

I think SB-2's are very comfortable. So much so that I regretted selling it and bought another one. Well-balanced and not neck-heavy.

 

[Playbyear]

I had a Yamaha Motion B for a while. I thought it was the easiest and fastest playing bass I've ever owned.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,
If you can find one, Peavey made the Unity Series Koa in the late 80's-very early 90's, these most likely were the prototypes for the Cirrus line that came later. The Unity Koa model is one of the most comfortable basses I've played. It has a oiled koa body, slim purpleheart and koa Jazz width neck through with a contoured/concave back with a nice wide radius on the arm contour. It's one of those instruments you pick up and it just feels right.

I also have a second gen SB-2, it's also one of the ones that just feel right however, it's finished (black w/maple) so it doesn't have that warm & fuzzy feeling when you first pick it up like the oiled Peavey Koa does.

Edit: Adding picts of the Peavey

 

[zontar]

I love the ergonomics of my Ibanez Sounder --some of them will be heavier & some lighter as they use different woods & hardware on some models--but most of the ones I've played feel very ergonomic & comfortable to me.
the first time I ever tried one many years ago I decided one day I would get one.
And I did.

 

[Hercules]

MTD.

 

[Ewo]

I recently migrated to Sandberg California basses (VM-5 and TM-5) because the ergonomics suit me perfectly. J profile neck, a bit narrower at the nut, 19mm at the bridge, 34" scale, settles on the strap with the neck pointed slightly upward, and a shorter reach to the first fret. Works for me.

 

[Pings Bass]

Play DB exclusively for a month, then every BG you pick up will feel ergonomic.

IMO any bass with a contoured body can be played ergonomically, unless you have very small hands or short arms. I've got Fender Js and P plus a ray and an L-2500. The only issue I have with any of them is neck dive on the L-2500, but even that's not such a big deal with the right strap.

 

[two fingers]

Are there any specific issues you are dealing with? A bad shoulder? Small hands? Short arms?

I ask thos because different people will do better with DIFFERENT ergonomics. There is no "best ergonomics" for everyone.

I am 6'1" and have large hands. I find that 5 string basses with slightly chunky necks, 35" scale, and 19mm (wide) spacing work best for me. Those same specs might be your worst bass nightmare.

So, be more specific. What problem are you trying to solve? What basses have you tried? What didn't you like about them?

 

[Gare Boo]

Are there any specific issues you are dealing with? A bad shoulder? Small hands? Short arms?

I ask thos because different people will do better with DIFFERENT ergonomics. There is no "best ergonomics" for everyone.

I am 6'1" and have large hands. I find that 5 string basses with slightly chunky necks, 35" scale, and 19mm (wide) spacing work best for me. Those same specs might be your worst bass nightmare.

So, be more specific. What problem are you trying to solve? What basses have you tried? What didn't you like about them?

I have small hands. I tried 30" and 32" scale basses, they are comfortable but just too short, my right arm don't get to stretch naturally on them. I like the Ibanez Soundgears, they have very skinny neck but I'm just wondering if there are some innovative basses with special ergonomic designs like Torzal and Strandberg. Thanks.

 

[Darth_Linux]

Peavey Palaedium . . . the bass practically plays itself.

 

[Danny O Danny]

I recently bought an NS Design WAV Radius because I was blown away by both the sound and the ergonomics. You can pick up WAV Radius basses new for $700.00. I got mine used (in perfect condition) for $550.00. (The WAV Radius is not to be confused with the much more expensive CR Radius basses).
NS Design RADIUS Bass Guitar by Ned Steinberger | Brilliant Innovative
WAV Radius Bass Guitar | Innovation by Ned Steinberger | NS Design


(this is a CR Radius in the video but what he says about the ergonomics also applies to the WAV Radius)

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

If you are concerned with fretting hand reach when the bass is strapped on, I have found that the upper horn has to be in line (or close to) the 12th fret. Anything shorter and the neck reach will be longer in the 1st position and may also have neck dive issues.

For example, I have always liked the look of Spector basses. I recently tried one (Euro5) in store and then asked for a strap to try it on and sure enough, with the upper horn aligning roughly with the 14/15th fret, the neck felt long and it didn't balance well. That would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[BazzaBass]

Depends on what you like. I prefer 30 inch scale basses as they balance better and don’t tax the left hand to stretch as much on the first 5 frets. Many are light, too. My Squier Bronco with a Gretsch 2202 pickup is one of the most comfortable basses I play.

I agree about short scales. The Reverend Wattplower is light as a feather and very comfortable to play.

 

[MattZilla]

DB is the least ergonomically bad fit of any stringed instrument I've played.

As far as bass guitars, there are no guarantees on makes & models. Keep a slippery nylon strap on you and hit the shops trying to find a bass that doesn't dive with that strap. A 7lbs P bass that dives is less ergonomic than a 10lbs Explorer that hangs at 20 degrees up from level.