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Offset Bodies, Yay, or Nay?

#41
Rumblefisher said:
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.
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I have to admit, I haven’t owned a j long enough to notice. I HAVE noticed this issue with several other basses, though. Most notably, and regrettably, Peaveys. The reach to the first fret on both the peavey foundation and T-20 (the only 2 I’ve owned) made it so that it’s considerably less enjoyable for me to play than my p basses.

It’s a real bummer.
 
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#42
Although the body of my EHB is offset,the bottom is rounded equally and sits in a stand with no problems.
It does not have a Fender Jazz type angled bottom.
785D7BDE-2D75-4D1E-9360-EAE6E0E5C2B7.jpeg
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#45
It depends on the lap side of the waist. For example, a Thunderbird is not technically offset (as in offset waist like a Jazz Bass), but it rests on your lap in the same place as a Jazz Bass, and I LOVE its ergonomics. It happens to look "twisted" in a good way, too.
 
#46
beatdatthang said:
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.
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I feel like I look awful playing a Jazz Bass, I like how JB’s look on people with less weight or taller than me lol
 
#49
RattleSnack said:
Thank you for informing me and every other forum user what can and cannot be felt. Just wondering, what science are you referring to?
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Get out a tape measure and measure the tip of the upper horn to the first fret. They are nearly identical, within a 16th of an inch or so. At least my 2 Ps and 2 Js are, and they're nothing too special (as far as anyone else is concerned, anyway).
 
#50
I was having to sort out some cables yesterday morning, moments before go-time.

Took my Dingwall ABZ, with its cleverly designed body shape, and leaned it up against the wall for a second.

It stood, solid as a rock, thanks to the thoughtful recurve shape of the butt end of the body.

Try doing that with a Jaguar...

Dingwall outside on car - 1.jpeg


BTW, the locking Neutrik jack is tucked up into that curve as well. If you use a cable with a 90 degree connector, you can stand it up while the cable is connected, and it won't put any strain on the connector or cable.

Exotic 5-string, fanned-fret, with a 37" low B, perfect break angle over the nut without a string keeper, yet it fits in a standard Fender P-bass case.

Form AND function, no compromise.
 
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#54
Killing Floor said:
When you are playing with a strap your arm and body touches the bass the exact same way.

Unless you’re playing in front of a mirror.
That science. Pickups aside, the difference is cosmetic.
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Again, wrong. Whether it's body balance, the way picking hand lands on the contour, sheer size of offset body, or any combination - difference is real and comments on this tread reflect that.

Also, this has already been discussed. Check out poll results and comments.

Edit: Stealing this image from that tread (ignore Balance sitting, check out Arms crossing points):

iMarkup_20190421_081018.jpg
 
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#55
The strange thing is that I really don’t like jazz basses, but I really like Jaguars.
I think it has more to do with the pickups- I really don’t like j pickups in the front position.
Stand wise I solved the skewed position by using a neck based stand by Hercules.
 
#57
Lowbassman said:
Wow, nice...
From the left- No. 2 and No. 6 Please, what are they, particularly # 6- Models/Specs puh-leez. :D
Thank you!
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2 is a warmoth build I did with a pair of Serek singles. Inspired by the fano jm4 and similar designs. I did stacked VT controls, three way switch, and a bypass to send both pickups straight to the jack. I sprayed the body in Pelham blue.

6 is a novo serus, I swapped the pickups to some gravelin bass firebird minihumbuckers, controls are volume, balance, and a tonestyler switch. 32” scale, pine body, it’s super light and easily one of the nicest necks I’ve ever played.
 
#60
RattleSnack said:
Again, wrong. Whether it's body balance, the way picking hand lands on the contour, sheer size of offset body, or any combination - difference is real and comments on this tread reflect that.

Also, this has already been discussed. Check out poll results and comments.

Edit: Stealing this image from that tread (ignore Balance sitting, check out Arms crossing points):

View attachment 6975751
Click to expand...
Maybe the mod, can incorporate this thread into that thread?
 

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