Worst chronic bass design flaws?

[ridgeback]

Yes, most fretted instruments suffer from this. The solution to this is pretty wild, though.

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about 50 sec in..

 

[PhiDeck]

Yes, most fretted instruments suffer from this. The solution to this is pretty wild, though.

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Where's the fan-fretted version?

 

[warnergt]

the almost universal dependence on the intonation being adjusted soley at the bridge.

Why is that a problem?

 

[warnergt]

Yes, most fretted instruments suffer from this. The solution to this is pretty wild, though.

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Unless you have some way of adjusting those frets, even that guitar
requires the intonation to be performed at the bridge.

 

[Blazer]

Body binding, looks cool but hurts your arm.

I owned a very cool Ibanez Lawsuit Rickenbacker copy that I sold because of that.

 

[fu22ba55]

Neck dive. But weight overall. I'd love to see a five pound (or less), well balanced take on P bass.

I think weight is a personal preference. I personally cannot play a bass that weighs less than 9 pounds.

I don't want this to turn into a neck dive thread... but c'mon. Seriously. 5 pounds? Part of the reason for neck dive isn't because the tuners and headstock are so heavy, it's because the body is TOO LIGHT. A 7 pound P-Bass neckdives way more than a 10 pound P-bass.

 

[Atticus]

Personally, I hate that basses don't come with a straplock system by default. On both of my basses and my guitar my dad and I have applied far too much effort getting straplocks installed, and the crummy little strap buttons that are on basses by default never work for me for an extended period.

 

[rojo412]

Personally, I hate that basses don't come with a straplock system by default. On both of my basses and my guitar my dad and I have applied far too much effort getting straplocks installed, and the crummy little strap buttons that are on basses by default never work for me for an extended period.

+1

I know there are different types and stuff, but I think any bass without straplocks is asking to get dropped on the floor.

Also, I think the lack of proper shielding/grounding could be a good, almost universal gripe. That, or lack of all pickups being humbucking.

 

[David Jayne]

I think weight is a personal preference. I personally cannot play a bass that weighs less than 9 pounds.

 

[joeyl]

+1

I know there are different types and stuff, but I think any bass without straplocks is asking to get dropped on the floor.

Also, I think the lack of proper shielding/grounding could be a good, almost universal gripe. That, or lack of all pickups being humbucking.

+2 Those little strap buttons are good only if you stand perfectly still on stage, and then give it to a roadie when done, moving down the stage around equipment or people is when usually one of the strap end will come loose....

 

[mongo2]

Frets.

(do I have to say "except on fretless basses"?)

 

[5string5fingers]

+1 on the blocky heel.

For me,it's not having thumb rests,or pickups with grooves in them to fit your thumb

 

[onestring]

A 7 pound P-Bass neckdives way more than a 10 pound P-bass.

Exactly! The very fact that you need a heavy body in order to keep the bass balanced is a design and engineering problem.

Every response here will be a little subjective. For example, I could care less about the neck heel or extreme intonation.

I agree that overall weight is personal preference, but from this old pair of shoulders' point of view, the fact that the classic Fender design has yet to be refined into a lightweight, balanced instrument meets "worst chronic design flaw" criteria.

 

[Ric5]

Most basses are missing the 5th string. That is a terrible omission.

 

[Ric5]

Some of the ricks have REALLY weak necks (near the headstock is their weakest point and they can break near the body too.) Neck warps occur sometimes. Still, their tone is worth all the **** in the world.

The newer Ricks have an overdesigned neck.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

+1 to Blazer...

I had that same model Iby-Ric, got a sore red slash mark on my right forearm that took over a year to go completely away. Took to wearing a wristband halfway up to my elbow when playing it. Most uncomfortable sharp binding edge I ever encountered as a bass player.

But it cured me of any Ric-o-gas I might have developed later.

 

[cusar5]

Many bass manufacturers place the bridge pickup too close to the bridge, which makes it practically unusable in my opinion due to the excessive treble twang.

 

[TheSuzie]

What do you think is the worst design flaw that is almost universally present in production basses?

I agree with others about balance, ergonomics, sharp edges and strap buttons. I will also add these.

Not a design flaw but a process problem is the lack of consistent quality control.

Also underdesigned and overly fragile electronics. Including cheap components shoddy wiring and non potted pickups. Add cheap tuners and nuts.

S

 

[vroc38]

I doubt there are any universal design flaws. Only individual opinions.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I am going to say how T birds headstocks are, where they route for the truss rod it makes it really then right at the angle it tilts back and numerous 'birds bust there necks.

I know alot of people are fine with a repaired headstock but it bothers me alot. Gibson has alot fo these problems and with a glued in neck joint its not like you can swap necks an hour before a gig .

Not sure if this was metioned in the thread , maybe I am over thinking it but I think this can some how be "beefed up".