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single cutaway???

bluesdragon

bluesdragon

Mar 23, 2010
118
2
#1
I am looking to purchase a new "high end" bass. That means about $3,000 to $3500..( for me) I really dig the Fodera single cutaway's but they are way out of my price range. Any advantages to the single cut away vs a double cut away? I assume the bass would be alot heavier. Right? Any feeback would be appreciated. Thanks...
 
#3
Well one common perception of single cuts is that since there is more body contact to the neck that there is an overall increase in sustain and tone

That differs in opinion from bassist to bassist
I think mostly its the looks and the sonic advantages if there are any are the icing on the cake

There are a few luthiers that can help you out
Just take a gander at the Luthiers corner section of talkbass
 
#4
Be sure to check out the Veillette singlecut. Here's a thread on mine:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=570032&highlight=

There is a fretted model for sale on his website if you're interested in saving a couple bucks.

As for advantages? It is for sure a can of worms, but one is the thought that it can increase neck rigidity (less amount of neck floating free) which can have an effect on B string quality. That was one of the reasons I looked into them at least. There are others that probably believe that is hogwash.

:D

And weight? Mine is quite light and comfy.
 
#6
Cb basses, Stambaugh, Clement basses, R-Bass, FBB Custom, Benavente, Elrick, and many more. I have owned an R-bass and it just blew me away, I wish I still had it. Mine was not very heavy and the one thing that impressed me the most was the sustain and note clarity. I have been speaking to a few of those aforementioned luthiers about a 6 string and will be ordering one here in a few months.
 
#7
Per the above, Chris Stambaugh makes a beautiful single cut, and offers Aero Dual Coils and Pope preamp. It still sounds like a Stambaugh, but will give you a bit of that fat, warm, big Fodera tone. Amazing quality.

For a slightly different take, and I think still within your price range if you don't go crazy on options, check out Pete Skjold's Whaleback model. Really lightweight, superb quality, brighter, tighter tone than the Stambaugh. Pete has a different take on a single cut, which I appreciate. His single cut is bolt on, so you get that advantage of more body mass while still keeping the lower body small, but the top half of the neck is not locked into the body, allowing it to behave like a standard neck (not a huge issue, but conceptually, I like this much better than clamping a large portion of the top of the neck to the body). Anyway, VERY cool design, and uber quality fretwork and woodwork. Pete has a variety of his own pickups and custom preamps (made by East, I believe).
 
#8
I have a Bordwell 5 string single cut, fanned frets, and it is 8lbs 3oz. Not what I would call heavy. Plays and sounds great.

I also have a Brubaker 4 string single cut, 9 ponds 3 ounces. What I would call an average weight bass. Plays and sounds great. most comfortable neck and most tonally versatile instrument I have ever owned.

I have been through some basses that are in your price range (and a little above and below, new retail prices): Pedulla, Kubicki, Tobias (pre-gibson), Cliff Bordwell, Brubaker, and I would say both single cuts I had (Brubaker and Bordwell) were no heavier or lighter than the rest, and I didn't notice a lot of advantage beyond aesthetics. I do really like the way the single cuts are carved at the heel more.

I think my Bordwell 4 string double cut is my favorite of all the basses I have owned, with the pre-gibson tobias being a very close 2nd. The brubaker and pedulla both feel and sound great though, there is no going too wrong at that end of the bass spectrum.
 
#9
My Pelosi is just about a single cut :)
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Way under your budget too . 8 lbs , perfect balance , hand made pickups , a joy to play . Politics aside :smug:
 
#10
bluesdragon said:
I am looking to purchase a new "high end" bass. That means about $3,000 to $3500..( for me) I really dig the Fodera single cutaway's but they are way out of my price range. Any advantages to the single cut away vs a double cut away? I assume the bass would be alot heavier. Right? Any feeback would be appreciated. Thanks...
Click to expand...

Singlecuts look different from doublecutaways... other than that I've never seen any generalizations about the bodystyle that hold water. Weight, sustain, feel, playability, they can all vary as wildly as with doublecuts.

I have what would probably be considered a bunch of singlecuts that run the gamut in styles. I can provide pics of any of them.


They look different, that's all. That's the only general "advantage" and that hinges squarely on whether or not you like what you're looking at:D. Are you looking at new or used? Is weight an issue? Strings, spacing, every variable that applies to basses with two horns apply.
 

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