The Importance of Shape

[phillipkregg]

How important is a bass guitars shape to you? Body shape? Neck Shape? Heel contours? Cutaways?

I'm mainly making this thread as a reference to folks who are thinking about purchasing a new bass, but want other things to think about besides the obvious price and tone questions.

I've been noticing recently that shape is a big deal to me. I currently own 2 Lakland basses: Joe Osborn 5, and a 55-02.

I love both of them, but I find that the 55-02 is much easier to play for me because of its body shape.

Notice the differences:

While I'm playing fingerstyle, I find that the Jazz type body makes my wrist go into that funky, almost right-angle shape that just looks painful to watch. I know that a lot of players play that way, but it causes my wrist to hurt after hours of playing.

On the other hand, the 55-02 has this very large rear end that I can prop my forearm on and it prevents my elbow from dropping too low. By lifting my elbow, this body shape has prevented my wrist from bending and my playing is far more comfortable.

Also, I can swoop all the way up to the 22 fret without ever feeling the body because of the deep cutaway.

The JO on the other hand, feels a little cramped in the upper register - even though it sounds great.

I love the look of a jazz bass body shape, but I find that the 55-02 and Music Man style bodies are more accommodating to me as a player.

What are some things that you have discovered that can help or hinder you in the shape of a bass?

 

[conqr]

Re the jazz body - sounds like you mean the right wrist? As part of the 'floating thumb' technique I learned to use my shoulder to raise the elbow which in turn straightens the wrist. After a short time the shoulder gets stronger and used to it.

For me though mostly body shape is about aesthetics. Really don't care for anything too straight edged, or conversely, overly curvy/swirly.

 

[NateS]

Also, I can swoop all the way up to the 22 fret without ever feeling the body because of the deep cutaway.

thed cutaways go to the same point...at least in the picture... if anything the non-lakland has a deeper cutaway....*shrug*

i like pointy bodies. but i also like curvy bodies. I like super wide bodies, and i also want a stick bass. I do appreciate them for their own looks, though...

 

[Jazzdogg]

Shape definitely matters to me - and not just the silhouette.

I find most slab bodies uncomfortable; I usually reshape my electric basses to suit me, including the "belly cut," the shape of the top where my forearm rests, the shape and texture of the part that rests against my leg when I'm playing seated, and so forth.

 

[TechJunky]

Shape is one of the most important things in my mind. All aspects are important.

-Aesthetics obviously plays a large role in deciding to even try a bass in the first place. If I think it looks bad, I very likely won't play it.
-The body shape determines how comfortable it is to play. Certain body shapes (explorers, Thumbs, small single cuts, etc.) tend to neck dive to varying degrees, and depending on how your playing style is, may make it too uncomfortable to play an extended period of time
-Slab bodies can also be uncomfortable. Without a belly contour or upper arm contour, the edges of the bass can dig in and become painful. Sharp corners are worse than round corners.
-Neck shape is clearly important. If the neck isn't comfortable to the player, they won't enjoy playing it, and it may even be painful to play.
-Heel contour and deep cutaways are important to players who play in the upper registers regularly. If someone solos in the 17-24 fret range, but the bass body goes out to the 20th fret (just a random example), that is likely not a good bass for that player.

I don't think there's a single player that won't find some aspect of shape important. They may not care about the feel or playability, but that's highly likely due to the importance of the appearance. Conversely, they may not care about the appearance at all, but find the comfort of the neck and/or body important.

 

[zachoff]

The only thing I find uncomfortable are the concave body shapes like Warwick and Spector. I also hate playing headless basses or anything with an itty bitty body like a Steinberger. I prefer thicker necks, but can get used to anything that's not super duper glossed up or super tiny thin like an Ibanez SR.

 

[Headless Llama]

I love the body shapes like Wicks and Spectors... The think that I don't like on basses, are flat sides. I love rounded sides on it! Also, headless basses with itty bitty bodies are uncomfortable. Another thing is that for me, a bass has to have some weight to it.

 

[KsPiNeSh]

Concave bodies all the way... love them. I dig them so much that it's almost a deal-breaker for me now - good thing I like Spectors and Streamers

 

[SantiagoGT15]

I do consider the shape important feature in a bass ...From all basses I've played in my time I've liked two shapes over all: Stingray shape and Fender P

I really like their feel , kinda funk inspiring ...well at least that's what they do to me

and of course there are others I don't really enjoy playing , such as J-Bass and some Warwicks ; ibanez basses I can stand but they don't really inspire anything

Shape matters!

I don't really know if it affects sound but it affects your playing and your inspiration

(IMO)

 

[phillipkregg]

thed cutaways go to the same point...at least in the picture... if anything the non-lakland has a deeper cutaway....*shrug*

i like pointy bodies. but i also like curvy bodies. I like super wide bodies, and i also want a stick bass. I do appreciate them for their own looks, though...

Are we looking at the same photos? The bottom body cutaway of the JO touches at the 20th fret compared to the 55-02, which touches at the 21st. That one fret difference means a lot. If you could play them both side by side, you would immediately notice the difference. The horn on the 55-02 also extends downward which puts it out of the way of your hand.

I'm also not sure what you mean by "non-lakland" - these are both Lakland basses.

 

[phillipkregg]

Another thing is that for me, a bass has to have some weight to it.

+1

Glad you brought up weight - I didn't even think of that initially!

Weight is a big factor for lots of folks. Some like heavier basses, but anything above 10.5 lbs is pretty much out of the question for me.

The lighter the better. Sometimes there's a tone trade-off, but there are some light-weights that sound great - Sadowsky NYC's come to mind.

 

[LiamPodmore]

Re the jazz body - sounds like you mean the right wrist? As part of the 'floating thumb' technique I learned to use my shoulder to raise the elbow which in turn straightens the wrist. After a short time the shoulder gets stronger and used to it.

I just tried that now, it really helps, gonna be using that from now on, thanks.

Back on topic, so far my favourite shape has been the ibanez SR. I like thin bodies, but i have no problems with thicker ones. And also pointy basses are just annoying to play.


Liam

 

[phillipkregg]

Re the jazz body - sounds like you mean the right wrist? As part of the 'floating thumb' technique I learned to use my shoulder to raise the elbow which in turn straightens the wrist. After a short time the shoulder gets stronger and used to it.

I've been working on this myself for the past few months. It really does help. But I've been so used to playing with my arm against the bass that larger bodes - in the rear - allow me to float my hand while still giving me a resting spot for my forearm when I need it.

If anyone is interested, here is Todd Johnson's excellent video about the technique:

 

[puddin tame]

corvettes are my favourite shape due to how small they are. put it up against a stingray or a P bass or something and notice how huge they look in comparison. makes me wonder why a lot of basses have so much extra wood - it's not like i'm a small guy either

 

[steamthief]

I like the P shape best, maybe it's because that's what I learned on. I just find it more comfortable, in both my fretting and plucking hands, as well as having the best balance on a strap.

 

[NateS]

Are we looking at the same photos? The bottom body cutaway of the JO touches at the 20th fret compared to the 55-02, which touches at the 21st. That one fret difference means a lot. If you could play them both side by side, you would immediately notice the difference. The horn on the 55-02 also extends downward which puts it out of the way of your hand.

I'm also not sure what you mean by "non-lakland" - these are both Lakland basses.

by my eyes the tan one touches at the 21, and the burst touches at the 21s. which is which?

i don't know laklands, i didn't know they were both by them.

 

[15000volts]

if it ain't comfortable, 99% sure I won't choose it

 

[TwinBass]

The only time shape is really a factor for me is when it's not comfortable to play while sitting. I've played some basses that feel really unbalanced while sitting, I've played others that have lower horns that dig into my thigh. If I'm standing, I don't really notice these things, but I've played enough theater-type gigs and variety show-type gigs that I need to find something comfortable to sit with.

The biggest disappointment I've found with this criteria was when I played a Peavey B-quad bass. The bass looked awesome and sounded like a million bucks, but I couldn't deal with the point on the lower horn in my thigh.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

For me shape must do a few things:

A) Be comfortable to play - so the cut-aways / neck-heel cuts are nice
B) Not distract from playing - I'm not fan of "outlandish" or "Booze Bottle" shapes
C) Not be "trendy" (I'm looking at you, guy with the Warlock...)

Otherwise, there's no impact at all.

 

[Chowowbus]

Big body with thick neck no gloss please...
lol my first bass was an ibanez gs200. I picked one up in the music store the other day for old times sake and it felt like a mandolin.
Right there with ya zachoff.