Chambered Body, What's The Upside?

[Spidey2112]

Design = balanced aesthetics & function. It's all how one observes intent.

'Observes intent' wasn't on my bucket list...

 

[TrustRod]

Sent from my iPhone

Is this an example of 3 dimensional sound?

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

In fact it does make sense that all of the extra physical work that goes into chambering a body results in added cost. How much added is subjective and theirs to determine as it's not only weight saving but tone shaping. At the end of the day he runs a business and how things are listed/priced factor in to running that business.

Yes why not ... in fact almost everybody state that Metro and NYC basses sound the same ... the right compromise is far from having been attained ..

 

[Mark Sacchetti]

Is this an example of 3 dimensional sound?

It's one being played, but it's very hard to hear the nuance of the Catacomb. Their are others in the Skjold thread who have "cats" and can share their experience . Pete's process yields remarkable results.

 

[J.Wolf]

chambering is done towards a number of goals, but I've found that Skjolds method yields the best sonic result for my tastes. He's figured out a way to chamber the instrument to the point that it has definite "air" and "dimension" to the sound, but retains the firm low mid presence and punch of a solid body. Many of the chambered basses I've played err too far to one side or another: a bass with lots of bloom and air, with no solid foundation or punch to its sound, or basses that sound just like solid body basses, whose only upside is lighter weight, or marketing value.

 

[Acoop]

This is a highly subjective statement. True for you perhaps, but it's a matter of taste and personal preference. I'm personally ok with anything under 11 pounds generally, and over is ok if the bass is worth it in other ways. Not that I don't like light basses for long periods standing (I just don't do that much these days).

"This is a highly subjective statement." ... To what? ... Your opinion? ... Everyone is different. ... You like, what most people consider a heavy "11 pound" bass. ... Isn't that "a subjective statement"? ... If you would look into it, all the major builders of 4-strings, you will find most basses today weigh between 8.5 and 9.5 pounds. ... So what you call "a subjective statement" is just the truth. ...

 

[yodedude2]

if i can't get the bass's weight under 7.5 pounds, i don't want to gig with it.

 

[bholder]

"This is a highly subjective statement." ... To what? ... Your opinion? ... Everyone is different. ... You like, what most people consider a heavy "11 pound" bass. ... Isn't that "a subjective statement"? ... If you would look into it, all the major builders of 4-strings, you will find most basses today weigh between 8.5 and 9.5 pounds. ... So what you call "a subjective statement" is just the truth. ...

Exactly my point. My preferences are subjective, just like yours, but you stated your preference as the absolute, and it's just not so. And for the record, I'm including 5 and 6 strings, but there are plenty of 4 string Fenders over 10 pounds out there.

You don't like heavy basses, others don't mind so much. Why are you freaking out over it? Your statements are all just your preferences, other people have different preferences, that was my only point.

 

[TrustRod]

It's one being played, but it's very hard to hear the nuance of the Catacomb. Their are others in the Skjold thread who have "cats" and can share their experience . Pete's process yields remarkable results.

How does 3d sound differ from whatever other basses have? What do you mean by that term?

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Sorry J. Wolf and Sacchetti ... I'd like to ask a question bringing the matter to the other extreme ... but if an empty body is what Skjold is aiming at (unless this is not the case but you haven't shown pictures of the inside of Mr. Skjold work, probably because they aren't available) why he does not produce glued assemblies of pine and birch woods as violins or cellos ? The sound there should be highly 3D ... ehm ...

 

[bholder]

Sorry J. Wolf and Sacchetti ... I'd like to ask a question bringing the matter to the other extreme ... but if an empty body is what Skjold is aiming at (unless this is not the case but you haven't shown pictures of the inside of Mr. Skjold work, probably because they aren't available) why he does not produce glued assemblies of pine and birch woods as violins or cellos ? The sound there should be highly 3D ... ehm ...

Yeah, but they feedback like a @$%& when amplified.

 

[bholder]

How does 3d sound differ from whatever other basses have? What do you mean by that term?

I'm guessing "3d" here is meant to mean a tonal complexity in the sound that solidbodies are missing.

 

[rensjepensje]

I have a chambered Warmoth Jazz walnut body/ebony neck & fb and it’s extremely responsive and resonant (unplugged). I tend to believe that the chambering (sadowsky-style) attributes to this, but I have no way of knowing for shure. It is because of this bass however, that I’m thinking of replacing the (heavy!) ash body in my 78 jazz bass with a chambered version.

 

[redwood]

what about something like this?

View attachment 1021611

Similar idea to the new Nathan East model.
Trouble is, I read that this beast is still over 10 lbs. Imagine if it had the whole body and a head stock!

 

[JIO]

The primary "upside" is a light, comfortable bass. One of my latest projects - Teiscobird projects Solid slab of 1-1/4" mahogany 'chambered' for lightness. (lost nearly a pound) Will know about how it effects sound once it's done/assembled but have incorporated such in the past and it sounds good.

pre clear-coat mock-up

 

[Eilif]

That tiesco bird is sweet!

I view chambering primarily as a way of reducing weight. I'm having a dual-darkstar mudbucker-style tele-bass built right now with a some chambering to keep the weight at 8 pounds or just below. Lower weight has become a much higher priority for me over the years.

 

[JIO]

That tiesco bird is sweet!

I view chambering primarily as a way of reducing weight. I'm having a dual-darkstar mudbucker-style tele-bass built right now with a some chambering to keep the weight at 8 pounds or just below. Lower weight has become a much higher priority for me over the years.

Thanks! The Darkstar/Bi-Sonic has become my favorite pu of late. The Teiscobird has a Guild, but I'm also building a Fenderbird with a Novak and have used both on past builds. Weight is also a priority for me as there is not a downside.

 

[JIO]

What's the upside? 7lbs/12oz -

 

[bwoodman]

Here is what a Sadowsky chambered body looks like...
View attachment 2564751

I know this is an old thread, but currently researching chambered bodies for a Warmoth PJ build. I'm really surprised to see a Sadowsky chambered body with chambering at the bridge area / thought there would be NO chambers there at all. Makes more sense the way Warmoth does it. In fact I don't see why Warmoth doesn't ADD a chambered area on the lower cutaway as well....but what do I know =)))

Goal: around a 8# PJ bass with P body / 4 string / passive / not sure which pups yet / master vol / blend / tone, Warmoth neck / rosewood board / no dots on face / only side dots / swamp ash / figured maple top / black pickguard / cherry burst / Hipshot light tuners / Hipshot Style A bridge.

I've read that a chambered body might result in less focused lows, but some can't tell the difference + depends on pups etc.

 

[MVE]

Im pretty sure the Warmoth is chambered on both sides. My J is chambered and I remember drilling through them when I installed a side jack.
Regarding chambered by the bridge. As long as the wood is under the screw holes, it’ll be fine.
As far as “less focused lows”…. I can’t hear any difference, but Im not even sure what a “focused low” sounds like anyway.