Single Cut basses, Just a fad?

[DWBass]

Some of them look really nice but I don't have a desire to own one.

 

[FunkHead]

Maybe some facts to back up your assertion?

Great point. I am actually working on getting facts as we speak but it's difficult to find any concrete numbers.....

 

[Swampish]

My understanding is that the main advantages to neck-through basses are neck stability and a sonic impact owing to seamless contact between neck and body. With a lot of the current "neck tech", in particular, baked necks that really seem to have a measurable positive impact on neck stability, I think that that rationale may no longer apply. As for sound impact, there are WAY too many threads on this topic by people that actually know stuff, so I won't even go there except to say, the jury seems to be out on that front. So really, I think the bigger draw is really aesthetics. If enough players dig the look and keep on buying them great. From what I've seen, they are pretty hit and miss.
So like Bryan and Gaolee have stated, to one degree or another, I can't imagine them going away completely, just maybe becoming more or less available.

 

[lfmn16]

Great point. I am actually working on getting facts as we speak but it's difficult to find any concrete numbers.....

Many times I try to put my facts together before posting.

Good luck. I don't have a dog in the fight. I don't particularly like them, don't hate them, don't own them, wouldn't say I'll never own one.

 

[Bassbeater]

I wonder if the tonal advantage is actually there. Versus, say, a double truss rod or reinforced neck. They are hideous to me. I couldn't play one, because I wouldn't be able to explain to an audience member why it was shaped like that.

 

[FunkHead]

Many times I try to put my facts together before posting.

Good luck. I don't have a dog in the fight. I don't particularly like them, don't hate them, don't own them, wouldn't say I'll never own one.

Sure, but I posted this as my belief and never claimed it to be factual.
I just thought it would be a great topic for discussion on this cloudy Friday.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

I personally am not into the look and can not see myself ever buying one.

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

Where are the carrots??!!

 

[Passinwind]

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 never thought so until I played the right one. At that time I had carte blanche to pick from a wide variety of styles from my luthier friend who wanted to trade for some of my electronics builds. To me it's just a "feel" thing. Play a few dozen and decide for yourself, if you feel like it.

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

Good balance is a key consideration for me, much more so than raw weight. So far the singlecut I ended up with has won on that account, and my future probably doesn't include copping many if any more BGs. And being an unrepentant contrarian, I'm perfectly happy if many others don't dig the aesthetics. Vive la difference!

 

[higain617]

Like a Les Paul or one of those Starship Enterprise shapes? I'm not making fun of the latter, but that's kinda what they remind me of. I imagine they'll remain popular with those who prefer them.

 

[lz4005]

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

Try bending a 1 foot piece of 2x4 then try bending a 10 foot piece of 2x4.

A shorter lever is always less flexible than a longer one of the same material, assuming all other dimensions remain constant.

So if you have singlecut and double cut basses that are otherwise identical, the singlecut will have a stiffer neck.

Stiffer necks require fewer truss rod adjustments, give you greater tuning stability, longer sustain and a more piano-like overtone series many players prefer.

 

[diegom]

If the whole singlecut vs double is about neck stability, I submit to you....

The Roland G-77b!!!

 

[jackn1202]

why play a single cut bass??

Now I just want to know why @paz was banned

 

[JRA]

Now I just want to know why @paz was banned

i don't know --- i don't know why anyone gets banned. i don't think it's ever shared with the larger group. public shaming should work here, don't you think?

 

[fritzk9]

I thought the single-cut 5 and 6-string basses could provide better low-end (B-string) clarity, but I haven't had a chance to check it out myself. Is there anything to that?

 

[Bodeanly]

Don’t most single cuts only exist because the builders were too lazy? /troll

 

[Stumbo]

I thought the single-cut 5 and 6-string basses could provide better low-end (B-string) clarity, but I haven't had a chance to check it out myself. Is there anything to that?

Slight derail.

Best thing I've heard for low B clarity is to add a high pass filter(HPF). Cleans it right up.
Helps smaller rigs punch above their weight.

 

[lz4005]

I thought the single-cut 5 and 6-string basses could provide better low-end (B-string) clarity, but I haven't had a chance to check it out myself. Is there anything to that?

Stiffer necks in general will do that, and single cuts are one of many ways to design a stiffer neck.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

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.

To me they look like the evil son with his forehead buldging out in Men in Black 3!!

 

[dhagopian]

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

Then there'd be no talkbass