Single Cut basses, Just a fad?

[FunkHead]

I believe these basses are destined for extinction. It seems like they were a big hit because a few great players were seen playing them.

Is there something I am missing? Do they offer anything that a Double-Cut bass does not?

I believe a nice long upper horn and light weight is the future of electric basses.

 

[ejaggers]

I've never found one that blew my skirt up....So I'm with you.

057912

 

[Gorn]

You can't really make an accurate assessment of their popularity based on how things seem to you, especially since it's a style of bass that doesn't appeal to you to begin with. I don't know if they're on the decline. It's a very niche thing.

 

[Bob_Ross]

There are a couple of bass models that I find very appealing and that I would love to own, and they happen to be singlecut...but their appeal is not because they are singlecut.
It may even be in spite of the fact that they are singlecut. And I would never be attracted to a bass just because it is singlecut.

That being said, if I could never own a singlecut instrument I don't think I would feel that omission in my basses.

Uh, what was the question?

 

[bholder]

I really wish troll threads were "just a fad".

 

[JRA]

why play a single cut bass??

 

[FunkHead]

I really wish troll threads were "just a fad".

Translation: I have nothing to add to this discussion so I'll just shoot my mouth off.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Seeing as how the number of companies that produce singlecut basses has only increased, and I am unaware of any companies that did make him that no longer will make them, there is no reasonable reason to think they are a fad or headed for extension at the moment.

Fodera built their first one in 1989- that’s coming up on 30 straight years of increasing popularity. The electric bass in its current (non-Tutmarc) form has only been around for about 68 years. Electric bass itself could be just a fad based on those numbers if you were going to judge singlecut basses as a fad.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I find the asymmetry of single cut basses artistically disconcerting. I don't care whether they are more or less or the same popular. Obviously, there are those who love and play them. That is good.

 

[FunkHead]

Seeing as how the number of companies that produce singlecut basses has only increased, and I am unaware of any companies that did make him that no longer will make them, there is no reasonable reason to think they are a fad or headed for extension at the moment.

Fodera built their first one in 1989- that’s coming up on 30 straight years of increasing popularity. The electric bass in it’s current (non-Tutmarc) For has only been around for about 68 years. Electric bass itself could be just a fad based on those numbers if you were going to judge singlecut basses as a fad.

I would love to see some concrete numbers. Also, If the numbers truly have increased, then is that increase proportionate to the total number of all electric basses. Or is the increase less than the total increase of electric basses.
Seeing how Ibanez felt it would be profitable to make Single-cuts, Maybe they are here to stay. Who knows?

 

[FunkHead]

Here's me with my very first (From Scratch) build from about 35 years ago. Back then You couldn't search the internet for ideas. You couldn't seek out demand for a Single-Cut Vs Double-cut basses or even which color for that matter. I had to "Troll" people face to face but interestingly everyone I talked to at the time like my ideas.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I would love to see some concrete numbers. Also, If the numbers truly have increased, then is that increase proportionate to the total number of all electric basses. Or is the increase less than the total increase of electric basses.
Seeing how Ibanez felt it would be profitable to make Single-cuts, Maybe they are here to stay. Who knows?

I couldn't find anything specifically on basses, but I can't think that it would be much different from this article on guitars: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/05/10/electric-guitar-sales/
But then, I found this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] which is 3 years old and in a much weaker economy, but still has some interesting info on the bass market overall. The only mention of a single cut I saw was a comment by Ibby.

 

[Gaolee]

Pointy basses and guitars were big in the '80s. They aren't so big now, but they haven't gone away. Nothing ever goes away completely.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Pointy basses and guitars were big in the '80s. They aren't so big now, but they haven't gone away. Nothing ever goes away completely.

True, but sometimes we wish it were not.

 

[JW56789]

Anthony Jackson and Fodera felt like as they went thru the evolution of the basses they were designing and building for AJ as his Sig models that they had found something tone-wise with that upper shoulder blending into the neck: I don't know about that, but would be in no hurry to question AJ's ears.

MI is a 'me too' business, so no wonder that others adopted that look, and it's just one more choice that's available from some makers. Ibanez is trying all kinds of things, others too, and it's all good, as I can easily remember when there were very few choices, and anything good was expensive.

 

[lfmn16]

I
Is there something I am missing?

Maybe some facts to back up your assertion?

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Single cut basses, just ugly.
(Unless you like cartoon whales)

but I really love the one I have...

 

[Abe-of-Bass]

All the ones I've seen at least look a heck of a lot better than a traditional P or J. I'm curious if the balance is worth the added weight, but I would venture to guess not.

 

[Muttleybass]

Not a valid poll. No "carrots" option.

Hey, I'd get a G&L ASAT if one came up for a decent deal.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

All the ones I've seen at least look a heck of a lot better than a traditional P or J. I'm curious if the balance is worth the added weight, but I would venture to guess not.

The added weight on a well-designed singlecut is literally just a couple ounces. It’s a small area and it’s usually carved out quite extensively.