The "Empathy Belly" is a specially-designed vest which protects the back of your bass or guitar from rodeo belt buckles, astrological medallions, suspender snaps and navel rings:
Looks like it could stop a bullet too.
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I like hollowbodies but...
- Thread starter ThuzzleFump
- Start date
Looks like it could stop a bullet too.
I like those Vox Bill Wyman's too but I heard they're hard to play because the neck is so thin side to side.
Consider it a blessing if those covers allow access to the electronics, because hollowbodies are a PITA to work on without access to electronics. Worst experience of my life was fishing in and out of those f-holes when I was doing repairs on a hollowbody bass
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I swapped pups out of/into an ES-335 once and it certainly did require patience and finesse.
Yes, the pad on the back of some Gretsch basses (and guitars) is there to cover up an access hole, and protect against buckle rash. And I imagine it serves the same purpose on the other basses that had them, too. I think the OP is making a big deal over something that's pretty much gone the way of the Dodo, anyway. AFAIK, the only instruments that still have them are the White Falcon Gretsches; and when was the last time anybody ran across a flock of those? (And yes, they're made in the Terada factory in Japan; as was my Broadkaster.) I do wish my old hollow body Epiphones, and the Broadkaster, had that hole in the back; trying to work on the stuff in there through an F-hole is a royal PITA...
Not making a big deal of it. Just conversatin' (as we used ta say).Yes, the pad on the back of some Gretsch basses (and guitars) is there to cover up an access hole, and protect against buckle rash. And I imagine it serves the same purpose on the other basses that had them, too. I think the OP is making a big deal over something that's pretty much gone the way of the Dodo, anyway. AFAIK, the only instruments that still have them are the White Falcon Gretsches; and when was the last time anybody ran across a flock of those? (And yes, they're made in the Terada factory in Japan; as was my Broadkaster.) I do wish my old hollow body Epiphones, and the Broadkaster, had that hole in the back; trying to work on the stuff in there through an F-hole is a royal PITA...
First time I ever saw one was on an Acoustic Black Widow guitar, about 1978 or so. Other than that one, all the others I've seen were on Gretschs.
It was/is a Gretsch thing. If you don't like the thing, don't buy the guitar that has the thing on it.
Those are actually air bags and there has been a factory recall issued: they were deploying at less-than-ear-bleed volume levels and launching guitars/basses 20 rows back into the audience. And no, strap locks weren't even slowing them down.
If you have one, I'd advise taking it to a factory-certified service center ASAP...
If you have one, I'd advise taking it to a factory-certified service center ASAP...
BTW: them skull-n-crossbones trouser garters'd look mighty swell with my pregger vest.
On a more serious note, I think at least one current Gretsch guitar model (the G6122T-62) may also still sport the pad.
On a more serious note, I think at least one current Gretsch guitar model (the G6122T-62) may also still sport the pad.
I agree. I don't have one on my hollowbody and I probably won't add one, but it makes perfect sense to me to protect your bass from your belt buckle.
Not sure what folks are worried about as far as looks. It's not a "cool" looking contraption, but how often are you flipping your hollowbody around to show the audience?
That's why Wyman liked his. He always complained about having small hands. I never got it, though. I have the smallest hands of any male I've ever met and I do fine on a long scale Precision neck.
I'm with you on the upholstery, Thuzzle, but I could forgive it for a Vox Wyman.
The old Gretsch hollow body basses have the pad that covers up the access hole. The new Falcon has one that covers up nothing.
The cover is on the back so it is not seen. I play a 1967 6070 (modified - fretless and a neck pick up installed) and had long forgotten it was there.
Neck dive on those big basses can be eliminated by putting the strap around the headstock (hootenanny , I believe is the term).
The White Falcon is a fancy 6072 - I paid $150 for mine in 1980. That's why I had the nerve to cut into it and take the frets off. Glad I did, it is vastly improved. Its a natural fretless - neck pickup has tons of tone and once the neck dive is cured and the hands are free it is a fast bass.
The cover is on the back so it is not seen. I play a 1967 6070 (modified - fretless and a neck pick up installed) and had long forgotten it was there.
Neck dive on those big basses can be eliminated by putting the strap around the headstock (hootenanny , I believe is the term).
The White Falcon is a fancy 6072 - I paid $150 for mine in 1980. That's why I had the nerve to cut into it and take the frets off. Glad I did, it is vastly improved. Its a natural fretless - neck pickup has tons of tone and once the neck dive is cured and the hands are free it is a fast bass.
Kinda like those God-Awful car bras. Let's strap some ugly black plastic over the front of my car so the paint doesn't get scratched and ugly.
to my understanding, they're their for protecting the back of the bass from your belt buckle. i guess it also helps with feedback
