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What makes a "comfortable" bass guitar?

SweetChinMusic

SweetChinMusic

Aug 12, 2014
14
0
58
Fairport, NY
#1
Continuing the search for a good starter bass, I've put a lot of thought into this. Right now, the most comfortable bass I've played is the Ray 4. I like the feel of it a lot, but I'm not crazy about the hardware and the fact that its a single pickup. I don't have a lot of local options for trying out basses myself, other than a GC with a rotating list of used equipment and the usual suspects available brand new.

I've narrowed my search down to a moderately hefty bass (somewhere just over 8 lbs ideally) with a thin neck (the Ray 4's nut width is 1.496", so I expanded my search to 1.5" nuts, since I can't believe I'd notice the .004 difference) and a similar radius (12" in the case of the Ray 4. Throw in a 34" scale length, and I have a basic profile of the type of bass that fits me.

Or do I? Are there any other factors you look at when searching online for a comfortable bass? How much wiggle room do you find in the factors before it becomes uncomfortable for you? I realize this is really subjective, but I just want to make sure I'm taking all the factors into account. I'm currently looking at ~1.5" nut width necks with a 12" fingerboard radius. Do you find that going with a flatter radius is more comfortable than a rounder radius?

When I started this search, I fell in love with the look (and price) of the ESP LTD B-4E. I love the neck through design and the different color woods. I'm starting to think, though, the neck is far enough from my ideal that it probably won't be comfortable. The Schecter Stiletto Studio 4 has a beautiful neck through design with the same width nut as the Ray 4, but a 16" radius.

What do you think? Am I overthinking this? Any feedback would be appreciated.
 
#2
I loved my B-4E, very comfortable and easy to play. It only went to finance other things, wish I still had it though. I am currently "getting used to" my Stiletto Custom 5. Mostly the getting used to is narrower string spacing after playing a US Peavey the last couple of years and adding a 5th string. Take whatever bass you are looking at and try running a few "proper" scales exercises on it if you don't know anything else. This will test your finger stretch for the fret size and give you a basic feel for the fretboard radius.
 
#3
You're hardly overthinking this. Ergonomics can be a crucial factor in choosing what works best for you. However, such criteria are incredibly subjective.

To use myself as an example; although I also prefer the slimmer 1.5" (Jazz) width, I have little use for a flatter fretboard. This revelation didn't come to me quickly. I had to learn it the hard way. But with this knowledge "in hand", I was able to search for a suitable bass to take the place of two less-expensive ones. Once I found a used model, which happened to be close enough to try out AND was an excellent deal, I traded the two in towards it and made up the remainder out of pocket.

If I didn't have a clearly defined set of criteria in mind, I wouldn't have snapped up such a great deal, let alone even looked for it in the first place.
 
#4
SweetChinMusic said:
Continuing the search for a good starter bass, I've put a lot of thought into this. Right now, the most comfortable bass I've played is the Ray 4. I like the feel of it a lot, but I'm not crazy about the hardware and the fact that its a single pickup. I don't have a lot of local options for trying out basses myself, other than a GC with a rotating list of used equipment and the usual suspects available brand new.

I've narrowed my search down to a moderately hefty bass (somewhere just over 8 lbs ideally) with a thin neck (the Ray 4's nut width is 1.496", so I expanded my search to 1.5" nuts, since I can't believe I'd notice the .004 difference) and a similar radius (12" in the case of the Ray 4. Throw in a 34" scale length, and I have a basic profile of the type of bass that fits me.

Or do I? Are there any other factors you look at when searching online for a comfortable bass? How much wiggle room do you find in the factors before it becomes uncomfortable for you? I realize this is really subjective, but I just want to make sure I'm taking all the factors into account. I'm currently looking at ~1.5" nut width necks with a 12" fingerboard radius. Do you find that going with a flatter radius is more comfortable than a rounder radius?

When I started this search, I fell in love with the look (and price) of the ESP LTD B-4E. I love the neck through design and the different color woods. I'm starting to think, though, the neck is far enough from my ideal that it probably won't be comfortable. The Schecter Stiletto Studio 4 has a beautiful neck through design with the same width nut as the Ray 4, but a 16" radius.

What do you think? Am I overthinking this? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

What about the Ray 35? Plenty of tonal options, even with one pickup. The electronics feature a 3 band active preamp with bass, mid and treble controls plus a 3-way switch lets you select both coils in series, in series with filter, and both coils parallel.
 
#5
Try some out at Guitar Center if you can. Then get it there or online from them or one of the other websites. You just have to try them out. Put it on a strap and wear it right. Don't pick one based on how it sits on your lap.
 
#7
Easy - a combination of two essential things:

The perfect scale length to provide a comfortable reach - which is in harmony with your physical stature and avoids any unnecessary stress and strain.

A relatively light bass that hangs and rests with perfect balance and defaults to the ideal playing position whether sitting or standing - and encourages your shoulders, neck, back and spine to stay in relative alignment when you play.

BassHappy
 
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#8
jd56hawk said:
What about the Ray 35? Plenty of tonal options, even with one pickup. The electronics feature a 3 band active preamp with bass, mid and treble controls plus a 3-way switch lets you select both coils in series, in series with filter, and both coils parallel.
Click to expand...

Its a possibility. I'd really rather not start with a 5 string bass, though, and the nut width on the 4-string version is a bit bigger than I'm shooting for. I'll keep an eye out for them in GC, though.
 
#9
A Kubicki Factor (32" scale) for me is the most ergononmic bass I've ever owned/played and sounds great. I've seen more body conforming ergo custom instruments but they end up looking very unattractive. A Factor has good balance, reasonable weight, attractive design, drop D capo, big rich tone/sound -
 
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#15
For me a comfortable bass is one that feels good when you hold it.
The neck is shaped in a way that fits your hand (Size & shape), the body is balanced, and you don't have to fight it to play it.
 
#17
I tried 3 scale lengths (30, 32 and 34) before I settled on 32 as the best fit for me. It's amazing how much discomfort came with those mere additional 2 inches to the 34 scale. Also a contoured body is a must for me. My first bass was a slab body and it was miserable.
 
#18
There's a lot to think about here. I've got a few in mind that seem like promising first basses, and fit the "Ray 4" specs that play well for me. Right now I'm looking at the Schecter Omen Extreme-4 and the Ibanez SR400QM as top contenders. I really like the look of the Ibanez SR700, though I'm not sure I can see an extra $350 worth of value in that bass over the previous two.
I really like the looks of the Rudy Sarzo signature Peavy Cirrus bass. I may have to keep an eye out for that and give it a try. I'm becoming a big fan of the "racing stripe" look of neck through basses.
 
#19
Comfort is not everything though. I just picked up an old American SUB with a slab body. I want to return it because it is by far the most uncomfortable bass I own. But when I plug it in and play,,,huh!! It is the most comfortable to my ears! So I am thinking about making it a project and refinishing it and adding the body contours :)
 

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