Build priorities for a good bass design?

[MF_Kitten]

I'm designing a bass that will be produced per-order, and I figured I would ask you guys about the specifics of what you look for in a good bass design? I'm primarily a guitarist, and so far my product development has been guitars, though I've designed bass concepts for a while. I play bass in a band, so I know what I want for myself, but this product isn't for ME per se.

In terms of scale length, the bass will have a 36"-34" fanned fret scale length across 5 strings. That much is certain. I've made sure the upper horn reaches the 12th fret area so it can balance correctly.

Are there any specifics in terms of neck profile/thickness and fretboard radius and fret size you would recommend? The goal is "modern shredder" playability. I could throw my guitar ideals on it to achieve that, but let's hear what you guys, actual bass players and enthusiasts have to say!

 

[MPU]

If you want to sell multiple basses alder body, maple neck with maple or rosewood fretboard, bolt on neck, four strings, either j or p pickups, passive controls, sunburst finish, traditional body shape, 34" scale... Wait, that's what countless makers make already, copies of Fender basses. Everything else is pretty much minority as far as selling basses. And that's a shame.

 

[MF_Kitten]

If you want to sell multiple basses alder body, maple neck with maple or rosewood fretboard, bolt on neck, four strings, either j or p pickups, passive controls, sunburst finish, traditional body shape, 34" scale... Wait, that's what countless makers make already, copies of Fender basses. Everything else is pretty much minority as far as selling basses. And that's a shame.

Oh look, all the things we don't want to do! Haha!

We're not after selling the maximum amount of basses, we're after doing what we believe needs to exist, and then we make sure it can speak for itself.

What do you think about string spacing and neck profile though?

 

[MPU]

For a four string bass I would stay close to Fender dimensions but for a fiver it's not that simple as there is no similar "norm". I'd have a look of popular fiver dimensions and try to follow those. In your case maybe looking at Dingwall too.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

I've been in the instrument development business a long time, and I'll offer this advice. Don't try to work your design based on polling or asking customers what they want. You'll go nuts. The basic answer is that they want a Fender, Fodera or Rickenbacker, but at 1/3 the price. And if you focus on several close friends, getting them to describe their "dream bass" to you, after you build it for them, you'll find that they won't really like it, and will be off thinking their dream bass is something else. You'll be chasing them.

Seriously, design your bass to be YOUR dream bass, the way you think it ought to be. Then, go search out that small group of people who lock into your dream. They see your bass, and know that it's their dream bass too. Those are your customers.

Details like string spacing and neck profile you have to work out by testing. Take your best guess at what it should be, build prototypes, and let players try them. If 9 out of 10 say that your string spacing is too narrow, well, then you need to adjust it. But if 3 say they like this neck profile, 3 say they like that one, 3 like another, and one guy has this really cool idea that he thinks you should try........Don't get hung up on it.

You're not going to make a universal bass that everyone likes. You'll go crazy trying.

 

[GMC]

Basses don't really shred. The output levels aren't as critical on bass as they are on guitar...we aren't trying to load an amp to get grit. If we need grit, we turn to a pedal to cover that for us. I would consider any of leo's pickup variations as a starting place and design from there. I would avoid gimmicks like 35" or fan fret scales. But go for good workmanship and tight tolerances instead.
Body sharp is where you get to really show off, but remember to keep the thing ascetic. If all else fails...build a fender clone with your own variation. Personally, I hate Jazz bass shapes...so i would build one that didn't look like a jazz.

Of all the basses I've built, my most played bass is my 4 string fretted with a single music man pickup. It's so playable and great sounding!

 

[JIO]

Well, aside from some good overview advice so far - for me weight, comfort and balance physically speaking, with great tone audibly. There's many ways to address these needs and that's where your personal vision comes in.