Bass Design

JezWynd

I see a lot of basses these days sporting an upper horn that's attached to the neck, such as this example from ACG -



What's the thinking behind the design? Increased resonance, sustain?

guitarfishbay

My guess is rigidity.

The shorter the amount of unsupported neck, the more rigid it can be.

More rigid necks lose less energy when notes are played. Most noticeable with thick low tuned strings eg a low B

Personally I’ve found a preference for rigid bass necks, it’s also possible to achieve a more rigid neck with reinforcement rods or multi laminate construction.

I haven’t played one of these designs but I’d guess it also balances differently on a strap.

ICBM

It's designed to prevent degenerate forms of expression like rock 'n' roll.

Bridgehouse

Makes it look like a whale.

Once you see it, you can’t unsee it...

ICBM

Bridgehouse said:

Makes it look like a whale.

It does have some other similarities... like producing non-repeating meandering melodies which go on for hours and which no-one has any idea of the meaning of.

Bridgehouse

ICBM said:

Bridgehouse said:

Makes it look like a whale.

It does have some other similarities... like producing non-repeating meandering melodies which go on for hours and which no-one has any idea of the meaning of.

There’s a smugglers hideout in the back of it for us bass players to keep the crochet/Jazz standards/pencil and sharpener etc 

Funkfingers

ICBM said:

It's designed to prevent degenerate forms of expression like rock 'n' roll.

Would Dee Dee Ramone have used one? 

JezWynd

guitarfishbay said:

My guess is rigidity.

The shorter the amount of unsupported neck, the more rigid it can be.

More rigid necks lose less energy when notes are played. Most noticeable with thick low tuned strings eg a low B

Personally I’ve found a preference for rigid bass necks, it’s also possible to achieve a more rigid neck with reinforcement rods or multi laminate construction.

I haven’t played one of these designs but I’d guess it also balances differently on a strap.

That makes sense, esp if you're using a B string. Presumably the payoff is increased sustain. There must be more attractive ways of solving the problem though. Maybe dual truss rods? 

ICBM said:

Bridgehouse said:

Makes it look like a whale.

It does have some other similarities... like producing non-repeating meandering melodies which go on for hours and which no-one has any idea of the meaning of.

They do hint at 'earnest musician'. Oh for the good old days when a serious expression would do the job.

ICBM

JezWynd said:

That makes sense, esp if you're using a B string. Presumably the payoff is increased sustain. There must be more attractive ways of solving the problem though. Maybe dual truss rods? 

Yes, or a shorter neck.

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0195/7232/products/IMG_4774.JPG?v=1444113057

(Originally designed to be tuned E-C I know - but I don't see any reason you can't do B-G.)

Bridgehouse

I always worry about the balance on strap with those big humped single cut designs...

JezWynd

ICBM said:

JezWynd said:

That makes sense, esp if you're using a B string. Presumably the payoff is increased sustain. There must be more attractive ways of solving the problem though. Maybe dual truss rods? 

Yes, or a shorter neck.

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0195/7232/products/IMG_4774.JPG?v=1444113057

(Originally designed to be tuned E-C I know - but I don't see any reason you can't do B-G.)

15 frets! I suppose the fifth string could be to counter that limitation. Good for dub maybe?

UnclePsychosis

I used to hate single cuts, but then I discovered this:

http://www.pavelmi.com/images/newsfeed-pics/singcutjazz(julianpics)8.jpg

PHWOAR! 

http://www.pavelmi.com/news/2012/05/03/jazzprosinglecutclassic/

Funkfingers

JezWynd said:

There must be more attractive ways of solving the problem though.

Eliminate the neck/body join altogether.

http://www.stick.com/instruments/sb8/

ICBM

JezWynd said:

15 frets! I suppose the fifth string could be to counter that limitation. Good for dub maybe?

I never play higher than the 15th anyway - and even that only on the lower strings - so it wouldn't be a limitation.

The original intention of the high C string was to make it easier for bass players to play shapes across the neck instead of runs up higher, as you probably guessed.

It is certainly the only 5-string I would want to play, anyway...

vale

JezWynd said:

I see a lot of basses these days sporting an upper horn that's attached to the neck, such as this example from ACG -



What's the thinking behind the design? Increased resonance, sustain?

so lazy bass players like me, who play thumb-over style instead of jazz-spaz spider style, will never be reduced to even touching such a hambone monstrosity. we will remain pure and untainted.