How important is a forearm contour to you?

[coyote1]

Getting the Rogue ‘Beatle’ (viola) bass has shown me how I’ve taken the forearm contour for granted.

It’s weird, because I don’t experience it as an issue when I’m playing my jazzbox or acoustic guitars. But on this bass? Yeah, after a few songs I need to play a different instrument for a few minutes.

 

[manchego_eggo]

Getting the Rogue ‘Beatle’ (viola) bass has shown me how I’ve taken the forearm contour for granted.

It’s weird, because I don’t experience it as an issue when I’m playing my jazzbox or acoustic guitars. But on this bass? Yeah, after a few songs I need to play a different instrument for a few minutes.

ha couldn't agree more. i get why macca played with a pick after playing a violin bass

 

[ajkula66]

I don't believe that I've ever given the forearm contour a serious thought. To me, the bass is a plug & play thing with either 4 or 5 strings with no disrespect intended towards people who need more strings than that.

Are there ergonomics concerns which made me give up on certain basses - or not acquire them in the first place - over the past 45+ years? Absolutely. The forearm contour is not one of them, though.

 

[Jefenator]

Funny, on certain instruments like the ABG, various hollowbodies and a Silvertone, lack of a forearm bevel does not seem like that big of a deal.
But on the '51 style single coil P-basses I've tried, that slab body was a little hard on the wrist. (Might have had something to do with the style & technique used with that particular variant.)
In my opinion, the softer edge & forearm bevel on the '54 design were a significant improvement. So that's my dream vintage score, now. (But I wouldn't refuse the '51 if that's what turned up at the yard sale...)

 

[Watchootognbout]

Only one of my basses have a forearm cutaway.(EHB)
The other three don't.
They have rounded edges.
I don't rest My forearm on the edge like Stanley.

 

[iqi616]

If I played with the bass down by my knees or up by my chin I wouldn't care, but I don't so I do care. The only bass I have without a contour is my acoustic and that's a pain in the arm.

 

[RomanS]

Doesn't matter at all to me - I rest my thumb on the end of the fretboard or on the pickup cover when it's a P, or somewhere in-between, never further towards the bridge, and I usually have the bass hanging at about belt level, so even on basses that do have the bevel my forearm contacts the body of the bass way more towards the neck; and on my Höfner Club it's only the thumb that sits on the neck pickup, the forearm doesn't touch the body at all.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Apparently......I like em.

 

[Dincrest]

If not a forearm contour, at least a bevel or a rounded edge in that area would be nice.

 

[MCS4]

It matters to me if the bass is comfortable to wear and play, but individual basses (and guitars) are too different to generalize regarding what features will be needed to make each one comfortable.

 

[Nedmundo]

If not a forearm contour, at least a bevel or a rounded edge in that area would be nice.

That's my view. I won't do a sharp edge, like many Rickenbackers, but a forearm contour isn't necessary as long as the body has nicely rounded edges. For example, I had a DiPinto Belvedere that didn't have a forearm contour, but the body didn't have any sharp edges so it was comfortable in that respect. The long reach to first position? Not so comfortable.

But I do prefer a contour to a slightly rounded edge, which I've discovered from playing several Telecasters. They're just never as comfortable as Strats unless they have all the contours.

 

[Jazzdogg]

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.

The last two times I bought basses with uncomfortable bodies, I re-shaped them to my liking.

Can you change the shape to make yourself happy?

 

[Audiomicrowave]

I just finished a Warmoth Dinky J build and ordered it specifically without the forearm bevel. I really haven't noticed an ergonomic difference, but I like the look with the tort binding.

B

 

[Lo-E]

I definitely find a contour more comfortable but I don’t need it. My Rickenbackers don’t hurt my feelings any for not having them and their corners are pretty square. Tele-style P-basses and early Stingrays are more comfortable than the Rics but they’re still not as nice as a bass with a contour. It’s never stopped me from gigging any of my basses.

 

[SharpCat]

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.

Huh, been thinking about getting a Jack Casady. Will need to think on this. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[SharpCat]

The last two times I bought basses with uncomfortable bodies, I re-shaped them to my liking.

Can you change the shape to make yourself happy?

Yes, but that would be much more work than warranted. This is a cheap alder P body, “Alabaster” white (Olympic), with black “binding” stripe. After shaping I’d have to repaint, and I’d pretty much end up with a regular P body.

 

[metron]

When I was a heavier person they were important. After I lost the belly it makes no difference.

 

[SC Bassboy]

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.

My no. 1 issue with acoustics is the uncomfortable 90 degree edge at the forearm. It's so annoying.

 

[funkinbottom]

8 basses, 5 with, 3 without. No preference really. I have 2 that get the most play time. 1 with, 1 without. Both different body styles and neither is more comfortable/uncomfortable than the other.

 

[J Wilson]

I prefer the fall away for the forearm.

If not present a larger radius edge of the body is OK. Just don't give a hard edge like a Rickenbacker and some others