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Basses with Good Ergonomics?

#61
#64
Gare Boo said:
Oh your talking about the new ones, yes they're cool and inexpensive
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Yeah. Modern sounding instrument that has more in common with the TBird than it does the EB series it shares a name with. You can see the Tobias influences too.

Some have taken to calling it an EB-4. But that name already belongs to a relatively short lived 34” scale SG styled bass called the EB-4L which were manufactured between 1972-1973 and offered for sale between 1972-79. It sported the Gibson Super-Humbucker pickup that looked like their ‘mudbucker‘ sidewinder but actually had four individual coils under the hood, one for each string. Very similar to what today can be found on certain ultra high end boutique basses such as the Wal. It also had an unusual switching scheme that hinted at some of what was to follow in models such as the Ripper and G3 basses. It had a unique voice that was unmistakably Gibson but (in typical Gibson fashion) still unlike the sound of any of their other models. Especially the rest of the EB family.

Definitely a “unicorn” bass. Fewer than 1100 were built and it’s rare to spot one out in the wild. I go back to the 70s and I’ve seen maybe five or six of them (and only got a chance to try out two) between then and now. They run between roughly $1200 and $2K and aren’t too hard to find so far.

(I get the feeling I’ll eventually buy one. But I tend to go in for the maverick and oddball bass models so that’s no surprise.)
 
#65
Dincrest said:
Spectors are definitely basses you need to try before you buy. People either love or hate their ergonomics. My ReBop 5 feels wonderful to me, but will likely not sit right on someone else.

Here's a bass I would love to try out: The ESP/LTD Bunny Brunel sig model. The long upper horn that goes past the 12th fret and asymmetrical neck profile intrigue me:

Products - Bunny Brunel - The ESP Guitar Company

Brunel used to have a Carvin sig model with that same extra long upper horn and asymmetrical neck profile and Carvins tend to be great values on the used market. Brunel clearly designed his sig model basses with ergonomics in mind.

Has anyone here tried a Carvin or ESP/LTD Bunny Brunel to comment on its ergonomics?
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You are correct on the BB model. I do not know the current equivalent with Kiesel presently.

Tune basses from Japan are designed with ergonomics in mind specially. Most of their basses have that upper horn strap aligned at the 12 fret.
 
#68
Gare Boo said:
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

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I think the neck design actually makes some sense but I couldn't afford to try them out lol.
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After 20 years of playing many basses I have found that the MTD 535 feels like a true extension of my body. It’s a very normal looking shape but with all the right curves. And an asymmetrical neck design, making the treble side thinner then the bass side.
 
#69
Gare Boo said:
How much are the Thomson basses?
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They vary depending on string count and options (though working w carl you dont spec out every nook and cranny, just kinda say how fancy you want it)...and now he does a partial cnc version called the no frills or semi frills. But you can get at least 2 for the price of a Fodera...some Foderas you could probably get 3 or 4 CTs for those crazy prices.
 
#71
Smallmouth_Bass said:
Another thing to consider is the bridge placement on the body. If it's close to the edge of the body, it is more likely that the neck won't feel like as far a reach. These are things that you can observe from pictures and get a decent idea on how it will sit on a strap.

Obviously, the best thing is to try each bass out (both sitting and standing). Everyone is different and their experience may vary.

It sounds like a short or medium scale might be better for you.
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Then how about headless basses? The bridge sits right on the edge of the body, does it make them more comfortable than regular basses?
 
#72
Chrisk-K said:
Wear your bass high, and you won’t have ergonomics issues.
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Not necessarily true... Right wrist can be harder to keep straight if the bass is too high. Ideal height for me is actually just a little lower than when rested on my leg in seated position. Many players find keeping it at the same height seated and standing to be good. Keeping the neck up can help left wrist to keep straighter.

Most ergonomic bass I've tried so far (for my body at least) is a Jaguar. Less body weight than Jazz, great contour positions and angles. Some may exhibit neck dive, but that's fixable with lighter tuners and / or heavier bridge. I thought my Precision was excellent, but Jaguar feels even better.

[EDIT] Ibanez SR series are also nice, but the 5 and 6 string versions exhibit neck dive due to the light body, heavy neck woods and number of tuners. I realise all those I've mentioned are "conventional" design, but all the basses I know of with "special" ergonomic features are pricey. Plan to build my own twist neck at some stage to try, I like the concept. [/EDIT]
 
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#74
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#77
Gare Boo said:
Then how about headless basses? The bridge sits right on the edge of the body, does it make them more comfortable than regular basses?
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I am not sure headless basses are different than ones with headstocks for neck reach as the headless portion is beyond the fingerboard. Where they might provide an advantage in ergonomics is that there should be no neck dive as there is no weight at the end pulling the neck down.

I can say that I find that Steinberger and Steinberger type stick basses that I have played and owned, the neck reach is really long and I don't like the way they play for me. They're great for size, weight and portability though.
 
#78
logdrum said:
You are correct on the BB model. I do not know the current equivalent with Kiesel presently.
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I don't think there is one, since Brunel left Carvin/Kiesel for ESP/LTD and I assume he has the rights for his design.

I think the jury is still out on which Bunny Brunel bass is better. Carvin or LTD? On the one hand, the electronics are more desirable in the LTD BB-1004/5 (Aguilar as opposed to Carvin/Kiesel's in-house stuff). But on the other hand, the old USA Carvin BBs had more available options in terms of woods, colors, and other appointments.

Regardless, for the sake of this thread, the LTD BB-1004/5 Bunny Brunel sig bass is definitely one to look at if ergonomics are high on your priority list:Products - Bunny Brunel - The ESP Guitar Company
 
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#80
my DP scroll is incredibly comfortbale, although the neck feels like it wouldn't be. chunky, big shoulders. but man, it just sits and feels great. maybe get a ritter or Carl Thompson? ;)

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