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Basses with Good Ergonomics?

#121
Gare Boo said:
Which Ric model is the most comfortable to you? I think the 4001 has the skinniest neck if I recall correctly but a lot of people like the 4003 instead.
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Outside of a period of time, generally the mid '00, I have been fine with any Rick bass neck. As to your own need for a lightweight instrument, Id check out the recently discontinued 4004 series of basses. The two 4004L models I have are nice and light with comfy (to me) necks.

There is no hard and fast rule as to neck dimensions between the 4001 and 4003 models, but for the most part the older, say, pre 1975. 4001 necks are very thin.
 
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#122
Gare Boo said:
By ergonomic, I mean a comfortable neck and a lightweight body.
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no one can point you to a neck except in the most general of terms: nut width, grip profile, etc. (it's too personal/idiosyncratic). the weight of an instrument is objective, however. if you can't find something suitable on racks: why don't you consider modding/assembling something personal to you and your needs? ;)

you have 6 pages of comments and suggestions: where is your 'thinking' at this point?
 
#124
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

Ergonomic wise, I’ve always found Fender (or Fender inspired ) Basses tone the most comfortable in the long scale category. Weight wise is within reason. Short scale, is something else. You’ll definitely save on weight.You have the Squier Jaguar which looks cool. If you can afford it, take a look at the new MM short scale.

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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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#126
Look at the new Ibanez Affirma basses. Possibly the most comfortable bass I have played both standing and sitting. I have the AFR5WAP which is the walnut bodied 5 string. At first the width of the fretboard looked a bit frightening for my Trump like hands but I find it really easy to play. It’s light as well and looks fantastic IMO. The piezo pickup in the bridge with separate tone and volume gives an amazing tone pallet, either on its own or combined with the Bartolini.
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#129
Ergonomics including balance and weight are check-list goals when I design/build my own basses. Most people don't consider weight as ergonomics, but I do. As an example, a design can be very ergonomic/sculpted and still weigh 13lbs. To me that uncomfortable weight would negate the benefits of the comfortable shape. I shoot for + or - 8lbs. At that weight you can rock an ergonomically shaped/designed bass all night long.
 
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#131
zontar said:
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.
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And that's Soundgear. (Not Sounder, but I'm sure most people know that)
I keep forgetting about Spellcheck & need to proofread better.
 
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#132
tomd999 said:
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
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Wow I Have the passive version of that exact bass, love the koa tone mang :) thanks for sharing.
 
#138
somebrains said:
@Nephilymbass wanna check in here?
i lack the fire you have for the brand.
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I think ergonomics can be different for different people depending on the persons build.

But yeah I think my Dingwall is super comfortable. The bass hangs in a good way, the forearm contour is just right. The body isn’t too thick, and mine is right at 9 lbs so it doesn’t feel like a toy but it’s also not too heavy. I like how the strap buttons are positioned, that’s definitely something different. The strap connects to the bass more off to the side and it seems to help the balance of the bass. Also yeah the fanned frets are pretty comfortable.
 
#140
Nephilymbass said:
I think ergonomics can be different for different people depending on the persons build.

But yeah I think my Dingwall is super comfortable. The bass hangs in a good way, the forearm contour is just right. The body isn’t too thick, and mine is right at 9 lbs so it doesn’t feel like a toy but it’s also not too heavy. I like how the strap buttons are positioned, that’s definitely something different. The strap connects to the bass more off to the side and it seems to help the balance of the bass. Also yeah the fanned frets are pretty comfortable.
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Thx. Would you say the fan frets are more comfortable than regular frets? I've never got a chance to try fan frets thoroughly.
 

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