How important is a forearm contour to you?

[SharpCat]

Saw that the new Primo bass bodies from AllParts have a few with front binding, and ordered one. Disappointed that the “binding” is just a paint stripe. Also, the body does have a tummy cut, but no forearm contour, and the front roundover is quite sharp, probably sharper than a 51 P has. All in all it seems worth the money (they’re quite inexpensive and appear to be high quality) but I’m not sure it’s what I’m really wanting. Trying to decide if the lack of a forearm contour is something I want to deal with.

 

[Gopherbassist]

Generally I prefer it. But I have a bass that the entire top edge has a soft, generally semicircular carve. It's not as comfortable as a traditional arm bevel, but it's perfectly serviceable.

 

[ardgedee]

Depends on the body design. For Fender-shaped objects, they're mandatory. For other shapes, if the body is small and/or has a rounded contour it might not also need a forearm cut.

If I played with the bass slung low or I was just younger and could put up with more minor physical annoyances it probably wouldn't matter as much to me.

 

[p12bassnut]

I don't like the top of the body to intrude on my forearm movement, it's just annoying to me. If that part of the body is shaped to tall then I will unconsciously rest my forearm on it and this actually hinders my ability to play to a small degree.
So I do prefer a forearm cut but also a body contour that allows free movement when wanted.

 

[Froski]

I prefer it but I'm a telecaster fan and my tele doesn't bother me at all. I don't even notice the lack of contours

 

[brianrost]

The contour is nice to have but I have owned several basses without them..slab body 53 P, Dano/Silvertone, Reverend Rumblefish (like a Dano but with a metal arm rest), Steinberger , Godin Acoustibass come to mind.

 

[2saddleslab]

We don't need no stinkin' contours!

But then, I don't mind them either.

 

[cxcxcx]

Forearm contours are more about familiarity and tradition for me - J and P basses of course have them. I’ve played, owned, and enjoyed my Dingwall Z, JayDee, and Spector basses that don’t have traditional forearm contours and have been comfortable on them as well.

 

[el murdoque]

Depends on where the bass is dangling from the strap. I own one bass with no forearm contour, but I don't need it at all on that one because the rest of the bass dictates that I play it in a manner where the body and forearm line up properly.

 

[woodyng2]

After years of trying all sorts of body sizes and shapes, I’ve discovered a generous forearm contour is a necessity for me.
If it doesn’t have that, there at least has to be a curve to the uppper body edge.

 

[dune]

No forearm contour is a total deal breaker for me.

 

[mikeoso]

Yeah, not worriesd...see avatar pic.

 

[Kenova]

I thought I don't give a f**** about it, but I do, and it became deal breaker for me if bass don't have it, I cant play it right.

 

[Bassinthemudd]

I thought I would always need one, or at least a well rounded edge, but my acoustics and my semi-hollow dispelled that idea. Now my new number 1 has no forearm cut and a fairly sharp edge.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I need one but that’s more a function of an old wrist injury. Fortunate my only lingering symptom is the need to play basses with forearm contours

 

[ThaCoast]

Most of my basses have a forearm cut - most of them are my own builds. Only my epiphone thunderbird doesn't have any. But i'll always take a forearm cut over a belly cut, even though again, most of mine do have them, others don't as i never found the need to cut one in each of my builds.

 

[Z-Bass]

I prefer/need the forearm contour. I never thought much of it until I owned some basses without it and then realized how much I prefer it to a slab body with no contouring. But that's just me, others have no issue.

 

[rojo412]

I usually don't mind... until I do.
But that said, I like the bass I have which lacks one, enough to deal with it.
I wouldn't rule out replacing it with a bass that can do the same, while having a proper arm contour... but until I can manage to do so, I'll live with it.
Also, I have other basses which I play, so it's easy enough to opt in or out.

 

[Danny O Danny]

I've owned basses that didn't have a forearm contour (or a belly cut) and it didn't bother me in the least. That includes "classic" Stingrays, old Ibanez Roadstars, a custom Sandberg I used to have, Tbirds. All had slightly rounded body edges though. On the other hand I found the sharp 90 degree body edge on Rickenbackers and Epiphone Jack Casadys to be painful for my forearm.

 

[sleddogn]

zero