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Single cut basses


Kevin Dean
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Neck stability is certainly increased, though some would argue that Leo's lumps are stable enough as it is. Stability/Rigidity should influence tone but that is subjective and over-rated any way. :)

Mine doesn't meet at the 12th fret (an extending arm helps with balance though) and I don't consider it ugly. ;)

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/warwickhunt/media/100_2395_zps7083fa93.jpg.html][IMG]http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g119/warwickhunt/100_2395_zps7083fa93.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

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I've never encountered anything with any neck instability that I've considered a product of the basic design: I think it would be down to build quality, mostly. My Dingwall 4's got a neck like a giraffe, in that it's a mile long and not overly bulky (and it's a bolt-on, too), but it's probably the most stable one I've ever encountered. Thunderbirds look like they should have necks like anglepoise lamps stability-wise, but I've rarely heard of stability issues. Snapping off at the headstock, yeah, but stability, no. :D

As an aesthetic, they're an acquired taste, and one that is never gonna work for me, but it'd be a dreadful place if we all liked the same thing. You know, like the Ernie Ball Forum... :D

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It's just another design variation. I dare say if Leo decided to stick with a single cut design rather than double cut and inspired all the builders today, double cuts would look weird to some people :)

I chose an Alpher Mako (SC) shape over a Cobia (DC) because I prefer the look. I personally do not think there are any real tonal or stability benefits.

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Tom Clement "Anne" - the prototype bass...
[IMG]http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/bassmayhem/20150727_220044_zpsjvbjxbvs.jpg[/IMG]
Single cut is nice. Mine is very light with a very slim but stable neck. The wood and the totally chambered body give the bass its tone.

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I'm under the impression that single cut basses are more immune to dead spots and offer better sustain than conventional bolt-on neck basses. I'm also under the impression that graphite reinforcement rods are often used in higher end bass necks to do the same job.

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It depends on the actual construction as to whether the single-cut performs any tonal or structural improvements. There are many basses with said feature that only offer something different to look at - and that's fine, because we all like different things. However, if you base your purchase solely on the chance that it will sound better, well, changing pickup type makes a much larger difference to an instrument tone.

You can work in certain 'comforts' afforded by the extra wood though. The back of my 'upper horn' on my Shuker 7 string custom bass is designed to sit very comfortably against my upper body. Strangely comforting actually. The heel of my bass starts after the 23rd fret. It has no heel. The upper horn provides extra structural support along with the two bi-directional truss rods and 4 specially placed rod inserts. The body sculpting throughout is tailored to take the fatigue out of long performances and what is a lower upper horn seems to help there too.

Oh and it's a total beast! :) Be different, be daring, try something new!

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That's quite a nice one.

Some try too hard to be 'different', and fail quite miserably.

Edited by ambient
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