Offset Bodies, Yay, or Nay?

[Suntory]

I don't like them. They just feel weird. Thanks for listening.

 

[pcake]

for me, it very much depends on the bass. some offset bodies feel fine, others are annoying, slide off my lap or cause me shoulder pain.

 

[Lowbassman]

Nah; you're good.

I had a really powerful and tight Jaguar-body styled bass,a boutique Japanese build, with a Delano pup.
It played & sounded great, but truthfully...The "hang" and the reach was never comfortable, it just didn't feel ergonomic.
There's a reason for FSO's, I suppose. (hey that kinda rhymes...)

 

[PennyroyalWe]

I’m not a fan. Prefer a straight waist over an offset.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Um, ok.

 

[Sharko]

Mustangs and jaguars all day

 

[Dynacord]

"Yay" for me. I suspect a lot of it has to do with what one started with. I started on a Jazz Bass. Played P basses (and a lot of other basses) for years but Jazz Bass always feels like 'home'. Still, not a big adjustment personally.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Offset bodies used to give me anxiety because they wouldn't stay balanced enough on many backline stands.

Then I discovered the foldable GS402BB stand by Hercules, which fits into my Mono Tick easily and keeps offset basses balanced. Now I have two of those and don't mind bass shapes anymore.

 

[EagleMoon]

Depends on the bass and how it balances. I generally like them both.

 

[Rumblefisher]

Curious regarding the reach on J vs P. I *think* because of the smaller body shape, the P is slightly less of a reach to the first fret when standing, but considering the waist of the bottom horn of the J site a bit forward, it offsets that little extra bit of distance when seated. Thoughts on this?

Nut width gets a lot of attention but I think distance to first fret is worth more discussion than it receives as I find it to be a greater determinant of comfort compared to nut width.

 

[Baker69]

The Jazz bass has an offset body, appearance wise looks great but it never sits very comfortably on any of my guitar stands, it always wants to sit slightly off vertical.

 

[beatdatthang]

I can’t do Jazz basses. For me, it’s not the offset shape as much as it is the largeness of the body of a traditional jazz bass. I like the way the offset Jazz basses look, but they never seem to fit me. The combination of the large body combined with the way the lower body below the bridge extends down is uncomfortable to me. Especially when standing. I always feel like the lower body is digging into my right thigh when standing.

About the largest bass body I can reasonably get along with is a traditional P bass. Anything larger just feels wrong. I think if I had a jazz type offset body that was maybe 2/3 the size I’d probably get along with it fine. I’ve wanted to try a DeArmond Pilot just to see if it’s any different. Even the “dinky” jazz bodies (like Sadowsky or Bacchus are too big for me.

 

[Baker69]

I can’t do Jazz basses. For me, it’s not the offset shape as much as it is the largeness of the body of a traditional jazz bass. I like the way the offset Jazz basses look, but they never seem to fit me. The combination of the large body combined with the way the lower body below the bridge extends down is uncomfortable to me. Especially when standing. I always feel like the lower body is digging into my right thigh when standing.

About the largest bass body I can reasonably get along with is a traditional P bass. Anything larger just feels wrong. I think if I had a jazz type offset body that was maybe 2/3 the size I’d probably get along with it fine. I’ve wanted to try a DeArmond Pilot just to see if it’s any different. Even the “dinky” jazz bodies (like Sadowsky or Bacchus are too big for me.

Yes, depending on how long you have your bass strap the offset on the bass ‘hangs’ down a bit further and onto the top of your leg which is why it doesn’t feel as comfortable as say a P Bass.

 

[Watchootognbout]

It doesn't make a difference to Me.

 

[RattleSnack]

I don't like offset bass body.
It tends to be longer (from one strap button to another) and positions awkwardly when I stand. I guess it depends on your physique - I am slim guy. Bass with symmetrical body bottom stands tighter on me. Another minor reason is the way it balances in the stand, I feel it will fall with just a nudge.

 

[dune]

Makes no difference to me.

 

[andare]

Offset bodies used to give me anxiety because they wouldn't stay balanced enough on many backline stands.

Then I discovered the foldable GS402BB stand by Hercules, which fits into my Mono Tick easily and keeps offset basses balanced. Now I have two of those and don't mind bass shapes anymore.

Same stand and offset bodies tilt at an angle. What am I missing?

 

[Deleted member 394181]

I am 6'3" 250, I like the bigger Jazz body. Great for resting my R. Hand/Arm.

 

[Pings Bass]

I don't like the new form! What problem is Leo trying to solve? Bring back the old form!

(Sorry couldn't resist)

I think the jazz looks cool. I adjust easily to it's playing position. It doesn't work great on one kind of stand, but it's fine on another.

 

[nonohmic]

Great story.