Single Body/Neck Basses

[Why Nautilus‽]

Hey all,

Aside from Basslab and Aristides basses, are you aware of any other luthiers doing the "all-in-one" composite instruments?

 

[India_Sierra]

The Status Stealth bass was a monocoque design. I used to have a MK1 six string model. It was really nice. I've got a Basslab L-Bow which feels like a much more advanced design.

 

[kodiakblair]

I spotted a Switch Vibracell through in Edinburgh this morning.

Switch launched in 2005 so predate Aristides.

First 'all in one' I remember was the Bond Electraglide, built in the Scottish Highlands way back in 1984.

 

[sgl]

My Miller is also a one piece carbon bass.

 

[Why Nautilus‽]

My Miller is also a one piece carbon bass.

How do you like the miller? It looks to be somewhere between basslab and status in shape

 

[sgl]

How do you like the miller? It looks to be somewhere between basslab and status in shape

It's comfortable and very light (2.8 kg for a 5 string, a bit more than 6 pounds).
Hollow, so it sometimes feedbacks if I play with distortion. To be honest this issue limits my usage of it. Other than that it's great.

 

[India_Sierra]

I have always liked the 'FAB' shape Miller basses. I would like to give one of those a go.

 

[sgl]

That's the one I have

 

[HaphAsSard]

That's the one I have

View attachment 5424187

Whoa. I like it. It's purty purty.

 

[hooky_marr]

I spotted a Switch Vibracell through in Edinburgh this morning.

Switch launched in 2005 so predate Aristides.

First 'all in one' I remember was the Bond Electraglide, built in the Scottish Highlands way back in 1984.

I had one for a brief time. Apparently there was a distributor sample that ended up at a used shop in Montreal and it never sold until I asked if they had ever seen one! It was very cool, but very heavy (with a huge printed circuit board inside) and required a power adapter / audio box.

Technically the Steinberger probably predates everything, being first prototyped around 1977 and the first L2 series bass being shown at NAMM in 1979.

 

[kodiakblair]

Apparently there was a distributor sample that ended up at a used shop in Montreal and it never sold until I asked if they had ever seen one!

I think there was only something like 300 built

 

[40Hz]

monocoque

Monocoque? I'm impressed. I'll bet fewer than one in a thousand people know that word or what it means.

 

[George Himmel]

Monocoque? I'm impressed. I'll bet fewer than one in a thousand people know that word or what it means.

And yet at least three in this thread alone!

 

[40Hz]

And yet at least three in this thread alone!

We are indeed a special group.

And I'm guessing we have more than our share of specialty automotive fanciers.

 

[Why Nautilus‽]

I am not one of those people!

@sgl that is a stunning looking instrument. But you raise a good point with the distortion aspect that I hadn't initially considered.

 

[India_Sierra]

We are indeed a special group.

And I'm guessing we have more than our share of specialty automotive fanciers.

I was going to say, I'm as much into cars (particularly race and rally cars) as I am into bass guitars. My preference being for the high-tech stuff in both regards!

 

[George Himmel]

I actually learned the word when learning about exotic materials for bikes back when I was a kid! Not that I don't appreciate a super/hypercar or aircraft or hydrofoil…

 

[Green Knight]

I grew up watching Knight Rider and worshipping Star Wars, so these basses are right up my street aesthetically. I had a Steiny, a Miller, and a Status back in my long scale days. Here's another one I just found out about! Looks like a one-off: https://reverb.com/ca/item/73415173-pangborn-warlord-graphite
Here's another, one of fifty; info is scant and not very positive:
https://reverb.com/item/70766516-lieber-spellbinder-1980-black
pS: sorry just saw you meant present-day. Apologies for the derail.