Singlecut... Why?

[spade2you]

Haha... classical logic fallacy of cause We tend only to see single-cut designs on high-end basses... that doesn't mean the extra horns are the cause of the less-good sound!

I thought it was the general consensus of TB that all high-end basses sound like ultrabright tinny crap!

 

[Tslicebass]

I thought it was the general consensus of TB that all high-end basses sound like ultrabright tinny crap!

Yeah... and none of them cut thru the mix

 

[spade2you]

Yeah... and none of them cut thru the mix

Oh yeah. Forgot that, too.

 

[Benavente]

Imagine how much fun this planet would be if we were all exactly the same and we all played the same exact bass and we all plugged into the same amps and we all wrote the same music and we all dressed the same and we all drove the same car, etc, etc. No Thanx! I'm down down for choice! That's what the deal is with Singlecuts... They're not double cuts. Make your own opinions from there annd play what you like..

 

[damianerskine]

Exactly. IYO.

I say again: Whatever influences the string vibration on an electric bass affects the sound. Anything else is just psych.

Including wood types?! (density, etc....)

Only responding to something I saw in another thread about you discounting different Woods and tone plates as having any effect on tone.

Sorry.. couldn't help it

 

[Jim Carr]

How about some zero cuts?

Yeah. See it's like this: 2 > 1 > 0

 

[spade2you]

Imagine how much fun this planet would be if we were all exactly the same and we all played the same exact bass and we all plugged into the same amps and we all wrote the same music and we all dressed the same and we all drove the same car, etc, etc.

It's called modern music!!!

 

[Benavente]

It's called modern music!!!

Pricless!!!

 

[cnltb]

How dare you!!! Troll??? Meh!!

YMMV: your mileage may vary.

Thanks for clearing this up for me!!

 

[Double Agent]

Very true, sir. I simply feel that Fender, and this is purely an opinion that is gonna get people steamed, hasn't done anything spectacular since the Precision and Jazz inception. While I'll be the first to admit the Fender sound is good and that I like it, but just because you invent "vanilla flavored ice cream" doesn't mean you get to wipe your hands clean and ride into infinite stardom. Notable historic placeholder: yes.

I've seen your "backpedal", but you're entitled to your opinion. FTR, though, I think Fender has tried in various inceptions, to do different things (the Heartfield line and Prophecy come to mind) but they have all failed miserably. Were they junk basses? Not really, but no one who was into those things was giving Fender a serious look. It would be as if McDonald's starting selling filet mignon, it would not be taken seriously. Have you seen any Coca-Cola Blak lately? People don't want coffee from Coke. People go to McDonald's for the Big Mac, people go to Fender for Ps and Js. I think Fender is just giving their potential customers what they want. Those with the money to blow on a custom 5er with a maple top and fanned frets wouldn't go to Fender even if it WAS an option. Know what I mean? You do have every right not to use their stuff if you don't like the limited options, but there is another side to that story IMO and folks don't always think about it that way.

Back on topic, whether the reason for singlecuts is for something it does to the tone or just to look unique, does it really matter? I'm not generally a fan, but I think the Benavente SCD design is gorgeous. Also, to the guy who said they were heavy, I once played an Elrick SC and it is probably the lightest bass I've ever played so you are clearly uninformed. Let people buy what they want. I wouldn't look down on anyone who played a single-cut with a burl walnut top, just the same as I would hope someone with that bass wouldn't look down their nose at me for playing my Jazz bass.

 

[cnltb]

Very true, sir. I simply feel that Fender, and this is purely an opinion that is gonna get people steamed, hasn't done anything spectacular since the Precision and Jazz inception.
Alan

Although I do not disagree with this statement at all,I am more "worried" that the same would be true about the vast majority of bass manufacturers. (IMO)

 

[cnltb]

Haha... classical logic fallacy of cause We tend only to see single-cut designs on high-end basses... that doesn't mean the extra horns are the cause of the less-good sound!

I thought of the point of sc basses usually coming from "boutique shops" as a given, in my previous post.
The point of dc basses not sounding less good was made quite explicitely as well.

Now it's really clear though I guess

 

[warwickhunt]

After 20 years I've finally taken my Warwick shaped glasses off and I have to say that SC no matter what the make, just like Jazz-a-likes no matter the make, all simply offer something 'different'... not better, just 'different'!

Is my Bolin better than any of my Warwicks? No it's just different. One thing that the Bolin is NOT however is heavy.

 

[fretlessspence]

Actually, it means exactly that. I have a carton of vanilla ice cream in my fridge right now.

Yep, hate to say it but some things are so good that once they are invented, the inventor can just sit back and pat him/herself on the back, forever. Leo is one of them.

 

[Tom7]

Yep, hate to say it but some things are so good that once they are invented, the inventor can just sit back and pat him/herself on the back, forever. Leo is one of them.

Sorry, to come late to the party, but didn't Leo Fender go on to found Music Man, and invent the StingRay which featured...

- the first production bass to feature active electronics that could BOOST eq, not just cut it

- the six-bolt neck attachment,

- the trademarked 3+1 tuning key headstock configuration which was supposed to eliminate dead spots,

- and of course, the design and placement of the now famous, large, humbucking pickup.

Of course you are right that Leo could have sat back, but thankfully, he didn't.

Come to think of it, about the only thing I can think of that hasn't seem to have needed too much innovation is the design of the knife, spoon and fork.

 

[smakbass]

Forrest White invented the 3 + 1 Headstock not Leo, Forrest was a long time Fender employee (president I believe) who moved on after CBS acquired Fender.

 

[Brad Johnson]

PS:

While the argument may or may not be frivolous, at least some standard test would allow all the speculation to be laid to rest.

Maybe some builder would actually do a test like this to show the world what the differences really are. Maybe it's none and is nothing more than an aesthetic choice.

Alan

At best that might "prove" something for those two basses. That's all.

People are free to call BS on whatever they want. IME it's far more a reflection on them (not having proof themselves one way of the other) than someone speaking from personal experience.

 

[Brad Johnson]

people make single cuts for a few reasons. first to make the bass heavy. also to make adjusting the truss rod nearly impossible and to sell you a bunch of crap that it helps with sustain or tone or somethin like that.

Did anyone actually read what was written? It was either a joke or just plain ignorant. Either way, what's the harm?

 

[WoodyG3]

It would be as if McDonald's starting selling filet mignon, it would not be taken seriously. Have you seen any Coca-Cola Blak lately? People don't want coffee from Coke. People go to McDonald's for the Big Mac, people go to Fender for Ps and Js.

LOL. Come on, man, Fenders ARE the filet mignon of the bass world! Custom luthier basses are more like Smoked Salmon Quesadillas with Cucumber Salsa!!!

I think this thread is a riot. 4 pages on the shape of the body. Unreal!!!

 

[spade2you]

LOL. Come on, man, Fenders ARE the filet mignon of the bass world! Custom luthier basses are more like Smoked Salmon Quesadillas with Cucumber Salsa!!!

I don't know if it's because I'm pretty hungry right now or if I have too many luthier made basses, but smoked salmon quesadillas with cucumber salsa kinda sounds nice right about now.