Billy Apple Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Hi All, I've been coming across Single-cut Basses on my travels. I find them strangely attractive, but doesn't this style prevent upper neck access? Are they for a particular playing style, or are they just a design exercise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 For those of us who don't stray past the 12th fret, they are just cool Also, if your technique is thumb in centre of the neck, you can play them with no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='Blademan_98' post='1369500' date='Sep 11 2011, 03:55 PM']Also, if your technique is thumb in centre of the neck, you can play them with no problem.[/quote] Absolutely! And the neck/body rigidity is increased if that's an issue for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='GreeneKing' post='1369506' date='Sep 11 2011, 04:00 PM']Absolutely! And the neck/body rigidity is increased if that's an issue for you.[/quote] Is that the reasoning behind the design then? What kind of an improvement would increasing body rigidity give? Anyone with any experience owning them, they look like they could be quite weighty, is this an issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I would turn the question on it's head and say what's the purpose of a top cut away if your technique is 'good'? Single cuts are heavy if heavy wood is used to make them, just like conventionally styled basses. As for neck rigidity, it must effect tone as the string vibrates, more than nut or fingerboard material would be my guess. I've owned 2, both ACGs and both have been quite light and sounded superb. I think ACG make the nicest looking single cuts too But hey I'm biased - I sold this to Chris as I play a five nowadays Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='billyapple' post='1369519' date='Sep 11 2011, 04:14 PM']Is that the reasoning behind the design then? What kind of an improvement would increasing body rigidity give? Anyone with any experience owning them, they look like they could be quite weighty, is this an issue?[/quote] If you look at the bass Peter posted above (which I now own), thats a great example of how good a singlecut can be. It's not heavy. My Zoot bass is heavier, when on paper it shouldn't be, as they both have mahogany bodies but the Zoot has a carbon fibre neck! Often it's not so much an issue of weight as it is balance, and this ACG here balances perfectly. The body appears slightly elongated when you look at it when it isn't strapped on. In practice, this results in the bass sitting in a very ergonomically friendly position. Out of my three current basses it is the most comfortable to play for long periods. As for the neck access issue, it's not a problem. You soon adapt to having your thumb in the correct place even if you've hung your thumb over the neck for years. Does it make a difference to the tone? I'm not sure as this is the only ACG bass I've really played. Surely it must do though. It looks great, sounds great, plays great and thus I'm sold on singlecuts!* *In truth though, I've always had a soft spot for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='GreeneKing' post='1369542' date='Sep 11 2011, 04:30 PM']... I think ACG make the nicest looking single cuts too But hey I'm biased - I sold this to Chris as I play a five nowadays Peter[/quote] Very nice. I'll check out ACG, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='Chris2112' post='1369597' date='Sep 11 2011, 05:19 PM']If you look at the bass Peter posted above (which I now own), thats a great example of how good a singlecut can be. It's not heavy. My Zoot bass is heavier, when on paper it shouldn't be, as they both have mahogany bodies but the Zoot has a carbon fibre neck! Often it's not so much an issue of weight as it is balance, and this ACG here balances perfectly. The body appears slightly elongated when you look at it when it isn't strapped on. In practice, this results in the bass sitting in a very ergonomically friendly position. Out of my three current basses it is the most comfortable to play for long periods. As for the neck access issue, it's not a problem. You soon adapt to having your thumb in the correct place even if you've hung your thumb over the neck for years. Does it make a difference to the tone? I'm not sure as this is the only ACG bass I've really played. Surely it must do though. It looks great, sounds great, plays great and thus I'm sold on singlecuts!* *In truth though, I've always had a soft spot for them.[/quote] PARP! Sorry, Singlecut GAS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='Chris2112' post='1369597' date='Sep 11 2011, 05:19 PM']If you look at the bass Peter posted above (which I now own), thats a great example of how good a singlecut can be. It's not heavy. My Zoot bass is heavier, when on paper it shouldn't be, as they both have mahogany bodies but the Zoot has a carbon fibre neck! Often it's not so much an issue of weight as it is balance, and this ACG here balances perfectly. The body appears slightly elongated when you look at it when it isn't strapped on. In practice, this results in the bass sitting in a very ergonomically friendly position. Out of my three current basses it is the most comfortable to play for long periods. As for the neck access issue, it's not a problem. You soon adapt to having your thumb in the correct place even if you've hung your thumb over the neck for years. Does it make a difference to the tone? I'm not sure as this is the only ACG bass I've really played. Surely it must do though. It looks great, sounds great, plays great and thus I'm sold on singlecuts!* *In truth though, I've always had a soft spot for them.[/quote] FWIW, whilst Peter's old bass (which I've spent some time with) was certainly not particularly heavy, my Sei Melt singelcut was waaaay lighter. As Peter says, it's dependent on what woods it's made of, body thickness etc, same as any other bass. I picked up a Mayones in the Gallery recently expecting it to be light and it was far heavier than my old Sei was. My Sei was possibly the most comfortable bass I've ever played, and I've played a [i]lot[/i] of basses! The rear cutaway was fantastic too. I have a problem that some don't in that when using "proper" thumb position, as I have "Jaco" thumbs I need a little more space, and I found that to be the best s/cut cutaway I've played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbilly deluxe Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Nuff said.The end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='1369674' date='Sep 11 2011, 06:45 PM']Nuff said.The end. [/quote] A good point well made Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Don't like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='4000' post='1369668' date='Sep 11 2011, 06:41 PM']FWIW, whilst Peter's old bass (which I've spent some time with) was certainly not particularly heavy, my Sei Melt singelcut was waaaay lighter.[/quote] Wow, was it wafer thin? Glad you enjoyed the Sei. That said, I wouldn't make the ACG lighter if I had the choice. It feels wonderfully substantial without being heavy. It's just right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanbean502 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='1369760' date='Sep 11 2011, 07:53 PM']Don't like them.[/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='billyapple' post='1369493' date='Sep 11 2011, 03:50 PM']I've been coming across Single-cut Basses on my travels. I find them strangely attractive, but doesn't this style prevent upper neck access? Are they for a particular playing style, or are they just a design exercise?[/quote] Isn't that a singlecut in your avatar and sig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Sorry but I find single-cuts Fugly, apart from the Les Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 The only one I like is the Status Streamline. So I bought one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 [quote name='Bassman Sam' post='1369899' date='Sep 11 2011, 09:25 PM']Sorry but I find single-cuts Fugly, apart from the Les Paul.[/quote] fugly is the word. But if it floats your boat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='billyapple' post='1369493' date='Sep 11 2011, 03:50 PM']I find them strangely attractive, but doesn't this style prevent upper neck access?[/quote] No. If anything,I find that they generally make upper fret access easier. [quote name='billyapple' post='1369493' date='Sep 11 2011, 03:50 PM']Are they for a particular playing style,[/quote] Really? They're just like any other bass...you can play whatever the you want on one. I love Singlecut basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akabane Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I love them too, they don't affect in any way your way of playing, unless you have an incorrect thumb placement when you go up high the neck As with anything else, is just personal taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender73 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I too have been looking at Singlecut basses recently - growing to love the shape/design (except the Warwick Thumb SC of course - hideous) Loving some on the ACG site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='1369760' date='Sep 11 2011, 07:53 PM']Don't like them.[/quote] Single cut shapes are just like double cut shapes. Some are elegant some aren't. And in the end it's entirely subjective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethFlatlands Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Does the extra mass and area where neck meets body give you better sustain than a double cut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='Chris2112' post='1369790' date='Sep 11 2011, 08:13 PM']Wow, was it wafer thin? Glad you enjoyed the Sei. That said, I wouldn't make the ACG lighter if I had the choice. It feels wonderfully substantial without being heavy. It's just right! [/quote] The body was mainly light alder and the neck was Ibanez SR-thin. Martin's very careful about body thickness so doubtless that was also a factor. Always loved the top wood (amboina IIRC) on your bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 [quote name='lemmywinks' post='1369799' date='Sep 11 2011, 08:17 PM']Isn't that a singlecut in your avatar and sig? [/quote] Erm, Yes, from what I'm learning that appears to be the case.... He scores on a technicality! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.