What is the point of a tummy cut?

Good question. I have no idea. Subbed.
But I do like the forearm facet.

 

To keep the edge of the body from digging into your stomach or chest depending on how high the bass is on a strap, personally I hate slab bodies with no contour on the back.

 

I believe the less flat a player's abdomen is, combined with the more one sits while playing will make you appreciate the belly cut more, as there is a smother edge rubbing against said belly.

My take.

Mike

 

Also, it results in lower weight after the cut.

 

Because a significant section of bassists find it more comfortable than slab bodies, and therefore, it helps sell basses.

 

I appreciate it most when I'm seated. I sometimes slouch and drape myself over the bass so the tummy cut is actually more like a rib cut.

 

Comfort...8 out of 10 bassists prefer it just for that reason.

 

I've always preferred slab solidbodies such as SCPBs, slab Stingrays and Mustangs. I've also played plenty of basses with contoured bodies but they always felt like something was missing.

 

Because of beer.

 

You ever played a strat for a while, then picked up a tele? You'll immediately notice how it jabs you in the rib. Vice versa, you'll immediately notice how comfortable the strat is.

 

I think it matters how you wear the instrument. Your physiology probably has something to do with it as well. The most uncomfortable instrument I have ever strapped on was a Les Paul guitar. Most models have a sharp edge on the top part of the body that really cut into my ribs. It was brutal .

The Les Paul Axcess has a cut away that I find is much more comfortable. Luckily I didn't like how any of them sounded, so I saved a bundle .

 

What is the point...

 

It's all personal taste and feel isn't it?

I'm tall and slim so I've never found sharp edged slab bodies comfortable, I like rounded edges and forearm and tummy cuts, or very rounded edges with no forearm or tummy cuts, like many Spector's and Warwick's.
People with more meat on their bones might not feel the need for softer edges and contours?

Anyway, there's plenty of options out there for people to pick from.

 

It's there so people will know they're not playing a Rickenbacker, I guess...

 

Not so much a "tummy"cut.
More like a "side of the ribs"cut.
At least for me.

 

The clue is in the name.

 

I've had two slab-bodied basses, a Fender Tele and a Ric 4001. I find the contoured body _way_ more comfortable.

 

Ummmm...not saying there are a lot of obese bass players but...